wfn.org | National Teleconference Will Address Bias Against Immigrants

[PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org]

1-Aug.-1996 
 
 
 
96269         National Teleconference Will Address  
                     Bias Against Immigrants 
 
                       by Betty A. Thompson 
                   National Council of Churches 
 
NEW YORK--A national town meeting focused on "Building Hospitable 
Community" for immigrants and on combating racism will take place Sept. 24. 
The interactive satellite teleconference will be aired from 1:00-3:00 p.m. 
(Eastern Daylight Time) and is sponsored by the National Council of 
Churches. 
 
     Local groups from Hawaii to Florida will gather at more than 50 
satellite sites to share stories as they address community tensions created 
by anti-immigrant bias and racism.  Local site links include churches, 
universities, libraries and businesses.  Financed with a grant from the 
Rockefeller Foundation, the teleconference will focus on creative ways to 
build communities of mutual hospitality. 
 
     "We hope to strengthen and deepen the capacity of communities 
throughout the United States to welcome the gifts and skills of new 
immigrants," said executive producer Kathleen S. Hurty.  "Live call-in 
questions and sharing of stories will come from religious and community 
leaders, educators, school board members and health care workers." 
 
     Hurty said the teleconference "seeks to involve all who want to do 
something about the growing anti-immigrant bias, which builds on xenophobia 
(fear of strangers).  The religious community, in coalition with others, is 
finding effective ways to challenge hateful and shortsighted public policy 
decisions that prevent churches and synagogues, schools and hospitals from 
fulfilling their mission of welcoming and serving all people." 
 
     Though global migration is a reality today, "basic undercurrents of 
racism impede community building, even in this land of immigrants," Hurty 
continued.  "Exploration of the links between racism and xenophobia in the 
U.S. today will be examined in the teleconference." 
 
     Teleconference participants will share ethical and biblical images of 
mutuality along with practical strategies for deepening understanding of 
diversity and for making policy decisions that help communities move from 
hostility to hospitality.  Following each of several segments of the 
telecast, participants will have the opportunity to interact with panelists 
in the Nashville studios of the United Methodist Church, from which the 
telecast will originate. 
 
     Moderator for the program is Bonnie Boswell of Los Angeles, host of 
the "Lawson Live" show aired on the Faith & Values network.  Panelists will 
include Bishop Melvin G. Talbert of Sacramento, president of the National 
Council of Churches, and three Christian ethicists: Rosetta Ross of the 
Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta; Rosemary Radford Reuther 
of Garrett Evangelical Seminary in Evanston, Ill.; and William S.C. Spohn 
of the University of Santa Clara (Calif.). 
 
     More information about the teleconference is available by calling 
Bryan Hooper of the United Methodist Teleconference Connection at (212) 
870-3802. 

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For more information contact Presbyterian News Service
  phone 502-569-5504             fax 502-569-8073  
  E-mail PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org   Web page: http://www.pcusa.org 

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