Interfaith organizations across West Michigan are coming together for an event aiming to create a more positive narrative about refugees coming to, and currently residing in, the U.S.
Coordinated by Grand Valley State University's Kaufman Interfaith Institute along with 50 co-sponsoring organizations, "Welcoming Refugees: Do Unto Others" will take place Tuesday, March 8, at 7 p.m. at Cathedral Square located in the Catholic Information Center in Grand Rapids (360 Division S, second floor).
During the event, officials from the City of Grand Rapids, Bing Goei of the Michigan Office of New Americans, and representatives from Bethany Christian Services, Lutheran Social Services and Welcoming Michigan will discuss local refugee programs. They will be joined by several refugees who will share their stories of settling in West Michigan.
"Our goal is to bring the community together for a dialogue and to learn from one another about how Grand Rapids can be a welcoming city for refugees," said Katie Gordon, Kaufman Interfaith Institute program manager and campus interfaith services coordinator at Grand Valley. "We will discuss how we can each help shift the narrative around refugees, and additionally figure out ways that our congregations and communities can help partner with refugee organizations to ensure a successful welcoming process for newly arrived refugees."
Douglas Kindschi, Kaufman Interfaith Institute director, said the major theme of the event, "do unto others," represents caring for strangers, which is a fundamental principle in nearly all religions and religious texts.
"We are moved by the stories of refugees fleeing from violence and war, but even more, our religious values require us to treat them as persons bearing the image of God," Kindschi said. "From the beginning, our country has found room for immigrants and refugees who seek safety and the ability to contribute. It is not only our responsibility, but our privilege to help people seeking freedom and opportunity to thrive."
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested by visiting catholicinformationcenter.org or by calling (616) 459-7267.
For more information, contact Doug Kindschi at (616) 331-5702 or [email protected].
