"Reflections on Faith And Values;
A Thanksgiving Guest Editorial,"
by Josie Byzek, new to the Interfaith Alliance staff.
I came across this quote by John Winthrop, the Puritan first governor of what would become the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
"We must delight in each other, make other's conditions our own, rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, our community as members of the same body."
While there is lots to criticize about the narrow worldview of the Puritans, this vision of community upholds much of the best of our diverse faith traditions. We are still called to care for one another, to share our lives with each other and to recognize that together we comprise our people.
And then there are the recent and widespread violent police actions against Occupy Wall Street protesters, which seem to cry out for a faith response. Whoever thought that once again our televisions would show photos of young students being jabbed with batons or, most recently, pepper sprayed in such excess that some students had to be hospitalized? And yet these protestors' demands, as diffuse as they seem, are modest: They want jobs. And affordable education. And for hard work to once more be rewarded with a good income and security. They want for those who have most benefited from an open and free society to turn from greed and toward community.
Sounds scriptural to me.
As Thanksgiving approaches, let us remember the shared values that helped to inform our nation. Let's give thanks for the progress we've made since those early Puritan days, and support the work of those who ensure that progress continues.
Josie Byzek is a writer in Harrisburg who recently completed a Master's of Arts in Religion from Lancaster Theological Seminary.
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IMMIGRANT ISSUES IN PENNSYLVANIA AND THE U.S.
The case of Omar Garcia, a young immigrant from Mexico, now living in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania illustrates how difficult it can be for immigrants to access the opportunities America holds for its citizens. As reported in a May 22, 2011 Sunday Patriot-News front page article by reporter Diana Fishlock, Omar Garcia was the president of his 2008 class and a member of ROTC at Cedar Cliff High School in the West Shore School District near Harrisburg. He and his family moved from Guadalajara, Mexico, to the United States when he was 11. They lived in Chicago before moving to West York in 2002, and to Lemoyne in 2003.
"I was involved in every club," he said. "I was in sports, in swimming and diving. I was friends with whoever was willing to be my friend." When he applied to colleges during his senior year, he found that he didn't have a Social Security number. His mother explained that the family had come to the U.S. and stayed longer than specified by their papers.
"It was kind of heartbreaking knowing I could not go on or accomplish my dreams in a country where I was living as an undocumented resident," he said. For almost half of his life, he had been a resident of the United States. His plans to attend Shippensburg University slipped out of his grasp because he couldn't afford the higher tuition charged to international students.
He is waiting on tables at a local restaurant, but his dream is to study photography and visual arts at a community college in Philadelphia. He wants to tell immigrants' stories. Omar Garcia says: "I'm a student of change. I want change for the kids living in the shadows. It's nothing to be ashamed of. It's just an ID number that separates us from other kids."
As the well-known demographer, Dr. William Frey suggests in a column in the Los Angeles Times, Oct. 8, 2006, unlike their parents, many of whom were drafted in World War II, the Korean War, and/or the Vietnam War, the boomer generation has had less exposure to immigrants and foreign wars than their parents. Immigration adds a needed youthful component to our population growth, without which our population growth would be roughly stagnant. Ironically, Dr. Frey notes that the integration of younger migrants into our work force would be particularly useful to boomers, many of whom will need to be supported in their retirement years.
What is to be done? In 2002, the Little Hoover Commission in California, as reported by Peter Skerry in the Los Angeles Times, Aug. 20, 2006, proposed that migrants be given "access to a driver's license, in-state tuition, healthcare, job training and housing. In return they would stay out of the criminal justice system, pay taxes, learn English, make sure their children attend school, and demonstrate a willingness to become citizens."
In Pennsylvania, signatories are being collected for the Pennsylvania Compact, modeled on the Utah Compact which was strongly supported by the Interfaith Community in Utah. The Compact is "a statement of values about immigration endorsed by business, law enforcement, community and faith groups," with the goal of moving "our Commonwealth toward a moderate and civil discussion on immigration that leads to practical, inclusive policies that promote family cohesion, freedom, public safety, and a strong economy. The principles of the Compact are on the web at www.pacompact.com. The Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania is the co-author and sponsor of the Compact. We cannot afford morally and in our own national self-interest to delay the promise of America to Omar Garcia and Omar Garcia's promise to America any longer.
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Faith and Progressive Policy:
Focus on Alabama's HARSH new Immigration Law
This law even "threatens to criminalize basic ministries, such as giving someone a ride to worship, performing marriages or baptisms, or providing food at a church dinner. It also threatens the right of immigrants to worship freely and without fear." (quoted from the Center for American Progress web site)
For more information and to read the entire article:
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FOOD STAMP CHALLENGE!
Starting October 27, 2011, thirteen Members of Congress and hundreds of members of the faith community, anti-hunger advocates, and concerned citizens committed to take the Food Stamp Challenge and live on just $31.50 for one week. $31.50 represents the national average SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs, formerly known as food stamps) benefit for a program. The Food Stamp Challenge is a way for individuals to personally experience the challenge of hunger in America and educate others on this issue. The Jewish Council for Public Affairs, along with our partners at Catholic Charities and the National Council of Churches, are leading this effort as part of Fighting Poverty with Faith.
48.8 million Americans live in households that struggle with hunger. 16.2 million of whom are children. 45 million Americans rely on food stamps to provide daily nutrition and food for themselves and their family. But as we learned taking the Food Stamp Challenge, the average allotment of food stamps works out to only $4.50 a day for an individual.
The Food Stamp Challenge could not come at a more pertinent time. The country is facing one of the largest threats to SNAP and human needs programs in recent history and it is important for people to speak out and defend these vital programs.
For more information on these issues please contact Elyssa Koidin (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
) or go to http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/c/637/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8298
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SIGN-UP!
You're hearing rumors! The crowd around the water cooler speaks in whispers. They're talking about the non-discrimination ordinance for LGBT people coming up before the Board of Commissioners. You know you want to do something but you just don't know what to do or how to help.
Sign-up! Go to the Equality PA website - www.equalitypa.org - and sign-up to be placed on their "ELIST". You will then receive the latest news of what is happening with many issues of concern to our communities in PA. Stay up to date with information dealing with marriage equality, non-discrimination efforts and many other issues. You can also sign petitions, send letters to your representatives and receive "action alerts".
Last week I received an "action alert" to send a letter to my representative urging him to support the "Respect for Marriage Act' which will repel DOMA. After entering just a bit of information and hitting send, the letter was on its way. It was really cool to get a note back thanking me for sharing my opinion.
Another way to stay in touch with issues is to "Like" EqualityPA on Facebook. You can follow "Twitters" also.
In the Interfaith community where we are striving to hear each other and stay on top of important issues, EqualityPA is a great way to stay informed.
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Support The Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania
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HELP PROTECT BOTH FAITH AND FREEDOM IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Please help us continue to advocate for a stronger multi-faith society. You can support us on-line using the DONATE option on TIA-PA.org, or here:
P.O. Box 6798
Harrisburg, PA 17112
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TIA-PA Goal/Mission Statement:
To create an interfaith movement in Pennsylvania where citizens committed to the American values of justice, equality and compassion are encouraged to speak out in support of issues and policies which promote that vision.
To create politically resonant religious language derived from that progressive social vision, and engage our community by restoring that language into the larger society.
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