Social Action & Advocacy - 8/8/2025

Building Bridges Conference Recap

Jay and Liz Moser attended the Building Bridges conference on July 10th. This event was sponsored by the Immigrant Welcome Center. Topics explored were immigration policy changes, shared cultural awareness sessions focused on African, Burmese, Haitian, and Latin American communities, and discussion of practical strategies for starting accessible programs, supporting wellness across cultures, and advancing the role of faith-based organizations in the integration of newcomers.

The room was full of those serving and caring for our immigrant neighbors. There were many questions around keeping our immigrant neighbors safe. In these concerning times, it was suggested that if current programs are finding dwindling numbers that immigrants are staying away out of fear of ICE.

Our main take away was those serving the immigrant community expressed great concern that an interruption in their services would be very detrimental to the immigrant. And what to do to protect them.

A few takeaways:

  • It was suggested services be delivered directly to the immigrant families and gathering in groups be avoided.
  • Do not keep a list of contacts, but when you have a contact do check on individuals to see if they need groceries, errands or assistance with their children or elderly.
  • Should ICE be encountered it is best to keep a respectable distance and ask where the person is being taken. Ask the person being detained for their full name, relative contact and film the encounter.

There was a panel of attorneys serving the immigration community that seemed willing to accept incoming inquiries for those in need of assistance.

Andriana Moore with Indiana Legal Services adriana.moore@ilsi.net
Chris Daley with ACLU Indiana cdaley@aclu-in.org
Haddy Rikabi with Catholic Charities Indianapolis hrikabi@archindy.org
Katherine Gordon NIJC kgordon@immigrantjustice.org

Submitted by Liz Moser


Fall Book Study - “Following Jesus in a Warming World”

Second Wednesday of the Month Starting September 10 | 6:30-8

Join us for a book study co-sponsored by United Women in Faith and Creation Care. We will read the book, “Following Jesus in a Warming World” by Kyle Meyaard-Schaap. He is the Executive Director for A More Just Society/US and a nationally respected spokesman and speaker for progressive Evangelical groups like Young Evangelicals for Climate Action and EEN.

Our author believes creation care is a universal calling for Christian discipleship. It’s not about guilt/shame but finding purpose and joy in living our lives. By sharing our commonality and stories we can foster discussions to change hearts and minds. Through stories from the field, theological and scriptural evaluation along with the author’s strong faith and passion for our beautiful world, he helps reframe creation care’s scriptural understanding in a meaningful way.

We will also read a few chapters from UWF’s book Climate Justice: A Call to Hope and Action, plus explore the extraordinary, Katherine Hayhoe’s thoughts on climate change and how to engage others by developing communication skills.

Click here to register!

Submitted by Lori Chambers