More people are migrating across the face of the earth today than ever before in history. In the Americas, migration continues to confront the church and society with profound challenges to faith and ethics. On January 8-10, 2016, you’ll have a rare opportunity to enter into dialogue with someone who has been and continues to be intimately involved in the human rights struggle and immigration reform. The Rev. John Fife, will explore the questions “What can we learn from our checkered past? What must we do in our time to be more faithful?”
John Fife is a human rights activist. He is the former pastor of Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona, the first church to declare “Sanctuary” for refugees fleeing the death squads and civil wars of Central America in the 1980s. In 1986 John Fife and seven others were convicted for assisting illegal immi- gration into the U.S. During their trial they were denied by the judge any opportunity to comment on the following: international refugee law, United States refugee law, conditions in El Salvador, conditions in Guatemala, or their religious faiths. Before their sentencing, each defendant was allowed for the first time to tell his or her story—moving stories of deep faith and commitment, a reflection of their understand- ing of what it means to follow Jesus.
Today John continues to be intimately involved in the struggle for human rights and for immigration reform. Two free lectures will be held at Newport Presbyterian Church, 4010 120th Ave SE, Bellevue WA.
REFUGEES AND MIGRATION:
CHALLENGE OF FAITHFULNESS TO A GLOBAL CHURCH
Exodus: Migration as Challenge to the Church
Friday, January 8 ~ 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Getting in the Way: No Choice Between Collaboration and Resistance
Saturday, January 9 ~ 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Doors will open one-half hour before the lectures. A reception will follow Friday’s lecture and a continental breakfast will be served prior to Saturday’s lecture.
Download Meekhof Lectures flyer.