There have been few issues in our recent history that have so polarized our state's community and even our faith communities.  Even though religious leaders have been vocal in support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform, there is much work that needs to be done in having civil dialogue around this issue in our congregations.  The lectionary texts for Labor Day weekend can lend themselves to a sermon on immigration and I encourage you to consider doing so.  In addition, I have attached some resources from other faith communities (many thanks to Jim Perdue of the United Methodist Church and Joe Rubio of Valley Interfaith).  Use them for worship resources or for an adult forum.  It is a hard issue but we need to help our parishioners think and speak about immigration in a way that leads to helpful dialogue.

Jan Olav Flaaten

The History of Labor Day
Why Preach about Immigration Reform on Labor Sunday
Talking about Immigration Reform Constructively
Not Talking about SB1070 from the Pulpit
The case of Philemon v Onesimus

Arizona Ecumenical Council
Praying and working for the unity of the Church and the good of all.

 The Council is a collaborative organization of Christian churches and religious organizations who pray, worship, and study together in order to discover ways for us to express unity instead of division.  We do it for the sake of our 18 member Denominations, and we do it for the public witness the Church needs to make in the world.  We especially wish to give voice to those who are vulnerable in our society, children, the elderly, the poor, the hungry.  It is our hope that this ecumenical task will not only heal the wounds of the Church, but will also heal the wounds of our world.  Read on to understand the work of the Arizona Ecumenical Council.

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all."
--Ephesians 4:4-6  

Arizona Ecumenical Council
7227 N. 16th St.,
Ste. 260
Phoenix,  AZ  85020
602-468-3818 or
aec@aecunity.net
602-314-7950 (fax)  

Peace, Be Still / He Qi