Marion-Polk Faith Community to Hold Service Responding to the Plight of Immigrants

MEDIA ADVISORY
November 13, 2007

Contact:
Rev. Gail McDougle, First Congregational United Church of Christ, 503-363-3660
Aeryca Steinbauer, Coordinator, CAUSA 503-984-6816

Marion-Polk Faith Community to Hold Service Responding to the Plight of the Immigrants Among Us

What: Ecumenical Service and Press Conference in Response to the Plight of Immigrants in our Midst

When: Friday, November 16, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. (Press Conference to follow at 11:30 A.M.)

Where: St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1010 Columbia St NE at Portland Road, Salem, OR 97301

This Friday, members of the Oregon Faith Community from Marion and Polk Counties will gather in Salem at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church for an ecumenical service and press conference in response to the plight of immigrants.

Following the ecumenical service, leaders of faith communities in Marion and Polk Counties will release a co-signed statement calling for compassionate and just treatment of immigrants and humane immigration reform that honors the dignity of every person. A plan of action will also be presented to respond to potential immigration enforcement raids and their impact on children, families, friends, neighbors, schools, businesses, and churches.

Friday’s event will commemorate the 18th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Six Jesuit Priests and two women killed in El Salvador on November 16, 1989 by the Salvadoran military. The six priests and two women were killed because of their work for social justice and peace in Latin America. This anniversary commemoration is to serve as a reminder of why immigrants from around the world still flee their country of origin to come to the United States. Many are seeking to escape poverty, environmental degradation, crime, and political and economic violence.

The ecumenical service will begin at 11:00 am with a press conference to follow at 11:30 am. For more information on this event, please call First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ at 503-363-3660 or CAUSA – Immigrants Rights Coalition (503) 984-6816

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Posted in: Faith Community,immigrants,Immigration,Marion County,Oregon,Oregon Faith Community,Polk County