wfn.org | DNS - Bosnis refugees top Disciples '97 resettlement caseload

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     Title: Bosnia refugees top Disciples  '97 resettlement caseload
     Date: February 5, 1998
     Disciples News Service
     Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
     Contact: Clifford L. Willis
     Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
     on the web: http//www.disciples.org
     
     98c-6
     
          INDIANAPOLIS -- Some 275 persons from Bosnia were resettled in the United States
     in the past year with assistance from Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations. The
     Bosnian immigrants were among 863 persons assisted by Disciples in 1997.
     
          The effort was coordinated by the Disciples Refugee and Immigration Ministries,
     Homeland Ministries, working through Church World Service. A total of 49 congregations
     assisted, with 10 churches and one district serving as sponsors or cosponsors, and 39 churches
     assisting with donated goods or funds.
     
          The immigrants and refugees also came from Cuba (158), the Ukraine (148), and Iraq
     (95) among other countries.
     
          Persons were resettled in Texas (130), Oregon (99), Kentucky (76) and Florida (75)
     along with 14 other states. 
     
          Disciples resettled 13.8 percent of the Church World Service caseload. They are one of
     nine denominations participating in the CWS effort.
     
          Many other persons with immigration problems were assisted by at least 24 Disciples
     congregations across the U.S. In addition, the Disciples Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries
     program on the Texas/Mexico border was supported by 59 congregations which provided
     goods, made financial contributions or sent volunteers on work trips. In other places, many
     Disciples were involved in advocacy efforts on behalf of refugees and immigrants through the
     Rapid Response Network. 
     
          During the past year many congregations in North America and around the world held
     observances marking the Ecumenical Year of Churches in Solidarity with Uprooted People.
     Three Indiana Disciples were part of one CWS-sponsored team who visited African refugee
     camps.
     
          For additional information, or for sponsorship information, contact the Rev. Jennifer
     Riggs, Refugee and Immigration Ministries, PO Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206; phone,
     317-635-3100.
     
                           - end -
     

DISCNEWS - inbox for Disciples News Service, Office of Communication, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), PO Box 1986 Indianapolis, IN 46206, tele. (317) 635-3100, (DISCNEWS@ecunet.org) Wilma Shuffitt, News and Information Assistant; (CWILLIS@oc.disciples.org) Cliff Willis, Director of News and Information; (CMILLER@oc.disciples.org) Executive Director