Immigration in the Bible School of Christian Mission WNCC-UMC Phil Wingeier-Rayo July 26-29, /27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study1

Labyrinth 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study2

Devotional Reading Psalm 137 (adapted): By the waters of the Rio Grande, there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion. On the willows there we hung up our guitars, for there the border patrol asked us for songs 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study3

And the vigilantes asked for laughter saying “sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How could we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? By the waters we weep and we remember. We remember Mexico and El Salvador. 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study4

We remember Honduras and Darfur. We remember Colombia and Bosnia. We remember Cuba and Haiti. We remember China and Romania. By the waters we remember. On the willows we hung up our guitars. We hung up our hopes. We hung up our homes, our land, our dreams. 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study5

We hung up our poverty, our hunger, our thirst. We hung up our friends, our traditions, our culture. We hung up our family ties, our food, our language. How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study6

We sing only the song of the homeless, the unemployed, the laments of hunger and thirst, of death and destruction, the songs of the songless, the hungry, the thirsty, the songs of the lonely, the songs of the dying. How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? (Leader’s Guide pp.11-12) 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study7

Prayer for Direction (in unison) God of refuge, you have been with our ancestors as they traveled to this land to build a new life. Through them, we have found our home here and in you. Help us 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study8

to open ourselves to the strangers among us: the immigrants, the refugees, the migrants and the asylum seekers. Help us to be truly grateful that our physical needs are met and be willing to share with those in need. 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study9

Open our hearts and minds as we seek your will in responding to the strangers in this land, and remind us that once we too were strangers in this land. Change us, O God. Please change us according to your will. Amen 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study10

What did we discuss this morning? 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study11

Review We are created in the image of God Movement in the Bible Adam and Eve Tower of Babel Abraham and Sarah Joy Prim 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study12

Human Trafficking Kevin Bales & Ron Soodalter 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study13

Homework: Map your Journey 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study14

Skit 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study15

In this skit which character do you most identify with? Why? 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study16

The Story of Joseph 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study17

Genesis 37: 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study18

Genesis 37: 17b-18 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. Genesis 37: 17b-18 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study19

Genesis 37: 20 Then they sat down to eat; and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study20

Joseph and Potiphar’s wife 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study21

Joseph in prison 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study22

Famine in Canaan 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study23

Genesis 41 1 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why do you keep looking at one another? 2 I have heard," he said, "that there is grain in Egypt; go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die." 3 So ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study24

4 But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he feared that harm might come to him. 5 Thus the sons of Israel were among the other people who came to buy grain, for the famine had reached the land of Canaan. 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study25

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6 Now Joseph was governor over the land; it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground. 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study27

7 When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke harshly to them. "Where do you come from?" he said. They said, "From the land of Canaan, to buy food." 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study28

8 Although Joseph had recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study29

Why was Joseph taken to Egypt? How did Joseph change in Egypt? How did Joseph help his family? 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study30

Closing Prayer (in unison) Creator God, across the ages you have blessed and protected people on the move. We come to you seeking guidance as we explore scripture and seek to welcome sisters andbrothers from across the globe. 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study31

Help us to open our hearts, minds, homes and churches to strangers in our communities. Remind us that just as Christ welcomed everyone he met, we are to do likewise. Please give wisdom and courage to 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study32

those who make and enforce immigration laws. Be with us as we continue to study immigration issues and change us, we pray. Change us that your will be done as we seek to offer radical, inclusive hospitality to whomever you bring into our lives. Amen. 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study33

Welcome Stacy Guintas Salinas! 7/27/2012 Wingeier-Rayo, UMW Immigration & the Bible study34