Immigration Task Force Moving Forward

Last December the members of our church backed a plan by the Immigration Task Force towards housing individuals seeking asylum from violence in their home country. A lot has happened since then.

Besides the arrival of Covid-19 there are far fewer immigrants in the country seeking asylum.  Plus, our plans to house these individuals either in empty space in the parsonage or other housing have encountered understandable delays. Still, while the unfolding drama of immigration may be changing the plight of many millions has not disappeared.

Recognizing the challenge, the Immigration Task Force is gearing up again this fall and is seeking help from anyone who wishes to volunteer.  Clayton and Stevi Hamill skillfully guided the task force during its first two years and recently decided to step down as co-chairs.  We have agreed to take over, although it will be difficult to live up to the standards set by Clayton and Stevi. The entire church owes its thanks for their work.

The Immigration Task Force has begun looking at a series of activities, from advocacy training, letter writing, education programs ranging from book talks to film series, and other possibilities.  In addition, the Task Force will continue to plug away at finding housing options for immigrants in need.

If you would like to join us, the task force meets monthly.  Speaking for all taskforce members, thank you Fauntleroy Church for all of the support you have already provided.

Bob Wyss and Dianne Sprague.

Drag Queen Bingo Fundraiser

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On September 19th, eleven members of Fauntleroy Church participated in a bingo event, hosted by a drag queen over Zoom! It was fabulously fun! The event raised $2,000 for the benefit of the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ. The Coalition is a resource to individual congregations as they seek to become sacred places of safety and hospitality for all, but especially for the members of the LGBTQIA+ community. As of the night of the event, 33% of United Church of Christ congregations have adopted an Open and Affirming (ONA) covenant, just like Fauntleroy Church did in 1997.

Gathered for the bingo event were people from fifteen churches of the United Church of Christ; representatives from Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist and Disciples of Christ congregations as well as nineteen individuals identifying no faith community. We joined participants from Ohio, Missouri, and Connecticut.

If you would be inclined to make a donation to this very important work, we invite you to use this link: https://openandaffirming.org/about/donate/donationpage/.

If you would like to send a check, please add “Coalition” to the memo line and send to: Gateway ONA, C/O Parkway United Church of Christ, 2841 North Ballas Road, St. Louis, Missouri  63131.