Immigration Resources

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Recommendations from Blacknall partner World Relief Durham:

  • Add your name to a letter signed by church leaders who urge against family separation at the U.S.-Mexico Border. In addition to the letter, here is a link to the World Relief petition for asylum-seeking families forcibly separated at the border.
  • World Relief has also set up a page for donations to help fund legal support, advocacy, and church mobilization at the border.
  • The Evangelical Immigration Table provides resources for "preaching God's heart for immigrants." There are outlines and suggestions for responsible preaching about immigration.
  • There is also a Bible study curriculum called "Welcoming the Stranger." It is designed to lead small groups in thinking through immigration and faith.
  • World Relief has a free e-book that explains who refugees are. This is particularly helpful in educating other people about the refugee experience.
  • Consider taking the "I Was a Stranger" Challenge with your congregation, which will lead you through scripture passages regarding foreigners and strangers.
  • World Relief's U.S. Director of Church Mobilization Matthew Soerens commented about the situation on CNN, a feed that you can view here.
  • Commit to volunteering at World Relief's Summer Youth Program (July 10-August 2, Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays, 9-12 p.m.). Although this is not directly connected to the border issue, we need your help in sending a strong message of welcome and belonging to children of refugee families here in the Triangle. Visit our Summer Enrichment Program webpage to learn more and sign-up.
  • A national event called Fast for Familias took place on June 29, which called Christians to fast and pray for families at the border. While this event has passed, you can learn more on their website. 
  • Along with World Relief's need for volunteers, we are looking for transportation for our Summer Enrichment Program. If you would be willing to lend a van or a bus to our program, please contact Zach Bond. 

Photo from World Relief Durham

Partner with Congo Initiative

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Blacknall and Congo Initiative have agreed to journey together as Deep Common Journey partners. Partnership is a complicated business separated by such huge physical and political barriers. Given the uncertainty around the election, teams from our congregation won’t be able to visit again until next year. Here are a few ideas from Congo Initiative about how to get involved.

Ways to Partner

  • Host one or several of the English teachers from the UCBC, the Congo Initiative University. They are in Durham July 3 – 10.  Sign up to host them overnight, host them for a meal, take them to a Bulls game, invite your friends over to meet them, or have them join your Bible study group. 
  • Consider becoming a mentor for a student in a new business incubator in Beni called Waukesha. You’ll meet monthly with an aspiring entrepreneur and mentor them.
  • Consider supporting a UCBC student’s tuition either as a family or with several families together. It costs about $1,800 a year for a student to attend UCBC.
  • For psychologists, therapists and counselors: present an online training seminar for lay counseling staff at Bethseda Counseling Center.
  • Gather school supplies, books, and appropriate electronics for both ABC and La Charité schools. Some things can be sourced locally or in Uganda, but others cannot.
  • Consider getting involved in financially supporting a faculty member to receive advanced education in their field
  • Plan to spend 1 month, 2 months, 1 year, or 2 years in Beni. There are opportunities for teaching at the primary, secondary, or University level. Or, you could help Congo Initiative establish good business and accounting practices. You could offer agricultural and agribusiness training. You could work with volunteer counselors at Bethseda.
  • David Eagle collected survey responses from over 100 pastors in Beni about their work, their mental health and how they perceive of mental illness. This will hopefully be presented at a pastor’s conference next year in Beni. If you want to help with planning or leading this conference, contact David. 
  • Students: spend your summer in Beni; arrange an independent service learning program as part of your program.
  • If you are thinking of deeper involvement, start learning French now (I’m serious!)

 If something sets off a spark, no matter how small, please contact David Eagle.

Host A Taco Night

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Sign up here

As an extension of Know Your Neighbor month, Blacknall’s Evangelism Team is offering folks the opportunity to host a taco dinner in their home this July. Invite one or more neighbors, friends, or co-workers to share the meal with you. Blacknall will provide cooked ground beef, tortilla chips, and all the fixings, packaged for pickup in servings of 8. To join the prep team, contact Steve Hinkle.

Photo of Taco Night at Traci & Don Hoover's home

Summer Fun & Movie Nights

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Schedule

  • Friday, June 29 - Sound of Music sing-a-long
  • Friday, July 27 - Bring a Game Night
  • Friday August 31 - Movie TBA
  • All events - 6:30 p.m. | Fellowship Hall. 

The hospitality committee is graciously hosting family-friendly movie & game nights this summer—come cool off and enjoy the fun! This is not just for families with young children—young, old, singles, couples—all are welcome, and please bring friends. Lemonade and popcorn provided. 

Suggestions? Contact Tana. 

 

Kids Summer Reading

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Kids 2 Kids Summer Reading Program - All summer long, we see how many books our kids can read. Kids of any age are eligible to read (or parents can read to them). Based on our grand total, a donation will be made to Reality Ministries. Sign up in the library; read any book from the Blacknall library; and record each one on our sticker chart right outside the library starting today!

Jenn West Potluck Lunch

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Sunday June 24, 12:30 p.m. | Fellowship Hall

Join us after the second service for a potluck lunch to hear more about Blacknall supported-missionary Jenn West’s work in Amsterdam. Jenn works with IVCF, Amsterdam, ministering to its many international students through ISMA, which is organized by Dutch Christians for all students and post-docs in Amsterdam & Amstelveen studying away from home.