Aug

16

Good News Goods Update – July 2011

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Good News Goods

The Heart of Good News Goods

I’ve been working as the Good News Goods Coordinator for a little over two months now, and each day I am reminded that Good News Goods is incredibly unique. And while indeed, the products themselves are beautiful and distinctive, the individuality I speak of here really reaches much deeper than bracelets and bowls. To illustrate what I mean, let me first state our mission also found here. (pdf)

“Good News Goods is a ministry of the Christian Life Commission, designed to give churches a fun, mission-driven way to shop in a global market. Good News Goods products fund international development projects, and every sale supports the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger.”

So the bottom line is quite simple, really. But if we concentrate on each portion of the mission separately, we can reach to the heart of Good News Goods and find what makes it so exceptional.

  1. Good News Goods is a ministry. As a part of the Christian Life Commission, the work of GNG is a wonderful example of putting our Christian ethics in action, founded primarily in the words of Luke 4:18.
  2. Good News Goods is designed to give churches a fun, mission-driven way to shop. Live catalog markets are a fantastic opportunity for churches to come together in fellowship to shop and learn about the lives of the artisans who make the products for GNG.
  3. Good News Goods is part of a global market. GNG products are culturally distinct from one another and allow church-goers a way to see beautiful work made by people around the world.
  4. Good News Goods funds international development projects. The artisans who make Good News Goods products are often former victims of human trafficking or are extremely impoverished. By supporting their work through our purchases, we are able to bring their families and villages out of poverty and support better lives for them.
  5. Every sale of Good News Goods products supports the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger. Ten percent of every sale is given to the TBOWH. Last year alone, nearly $5,000 was raised to assist in projects in Texas, the United States and worldwide. (And this year we hope to raise even more!)

Good News Goods allows you to discover, celebrate and contribute to the hard work of our brothers and sisters around the world because each purchase you make through GNG comes with a personal story of success and love. So this year, I encourage you to give your church the opportunity to shop with a heart for missions. Schedule a live catalog market for the Advent season before September 15 and we will take $50 off the market fee.

Email me at anne.olson@texasbaptists.org to schedule a market, or visit http://goodnewsgoods.com for more information.

Aug

16

Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger – July 2011

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Children's Hunger Awareness Curriculum

“When I bring home food in m my backpack, I don’t get as many whippings.”

Owsley County Outreach in Booneville, Kentucky, distributes food to many county residents of all ages, with help from the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger.  On a typical day, comments such as these have been noted while processing applicants:

  • An elementary school-age child commented, “Thank you for the food.  I don’t get as many whippings as I used to, now that I have my own food in my backpack.”
  • Spoken by a senior citizen, “I could not buy groceries this month because this is the month I buy my meds.  I buy food one month and meds the next.”
  • Another family told us, “Without you, we would never get green beans.  We can’t afford them…we love them…and you always give us a few extra.”
  • While unloading the student’s backpacks loaded with food, bought by Texas Baptists, children are jumping up and down and shouting, “YAY!”

When you give to the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger, you are showing the love of Christ to many people who need hope and encouragement.

Give single and/or recurring gifts online at www.texasbaptists.org/worldhunger.

Write a check payable to your church designated for the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger/BGCT.

Contact us at worldhunger@texasbaptists.org or 214-828-5190.

Aug

16

Public Policy Updates – July 2011

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Public policy Updates

Contents:

Predatory Lending Developments

During the interim period between legislative sessions the CLC will continue our efforts to reign-in abusive lending practices in Texas. As reported in our legislative wrap-up two bills passed this session and were signed into law by Governor Perry in June. While the bills fell short of our reform goals, they represent a positive first step toward more just small-dollar lending practices.

Rulemaking Process

In order for the new measure to be put in place, the regulations will go through a public rulemaking process within the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner as overseen by the Texas Finance Commission. The commission plans to propose the first rule in response to the new laws on Friday, August 19th. The CLC has already taken an active role in this process and will continue to engage these administrative bodies to ensure that the legislative intent behind the bills is met and that new data collection requirements capture the type of information that will help lawmakers enact further reform. Should there be a proper time for public input and participation by pastors or church members, the CLC will keep you informed.

Local Ordinances

On June 22nd the Dallas city council passed a new ordinance regarding payday lending in their city. The new rules would put tighter restrictions on payday and auto title lending in Dallas including the terms of the loans and where businesses can be located. The response from the industry was swift. A lawsuit was filed on July 15th seeking to block the new regulations from taking effect. The CLC will watch the litigation closely. Meanwhile, the City of Austin is looking at enacting similar new regulations here. If you’d like more information about these efforts, how you can participate, or how to pass similar rules in your city, please contact the CLC Austin office.

Interim Charges

During the legislative interim, committees in both the Texas House and Senate study issues of importance to the state in order to better prepare for the next session. Based upon interest, momentum and assurances from Senator John Carona, it is quite likely that there will be an interim charge examining payday lending in this state. The charges will likely be released in the fall. The CLC will certainly be involved and will keep you informed of opportunities for public input.

Litigation

Finally, the CLC recently noted the filing of two class action lawsuits on behalf of borrowers against CSO payday and auto title lenders in Texas. The CLC will watch with interest as the cases make their way through the legal system.

Stay Engaged

The CLC is so thankful for the active participation of many pastors and Texas Baptist church members in the debate last legislative session. We will commit to keeping you informed and our work will benefit from your engagement. Please continue to call our Austin office and let us know if you’re passionate about this issue or have personal experience with victims of this type of financial abuse.

Hunger and Poverty


Children at Risk Holds 82nd Session Wrap-Up

In late July, the Christian Life Commission was invited to present a summary of food policy bills, including new laws that will affect the children of Texas, at the Children at Risk’s 82nd session wrap-up in Dallas. The event was designed for advocates to learn about policies that will affect their work with at-risk children. The Dallas area has some unique opportunities for agriculture grants through school programs as well as participation in summer nutrition programs for children. Other presentation topics included education, child healthcare and juvenile justice.

TFPR Quarterly Meeting

On September 1, 2011, the Texas Food Policy Roundtable will meet in Austin for an 82nd session wrap-up, and to discuss federal food-related legislation. It is an open meeting, and all are invited to attend. Please email anne.olson@texasbaptists.org if you would like to attend or if you would like more information about the meeting.

Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force Meets in Houston

The Christian Life Commission participated in the July meeting of the Office of the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force at Rice University in July. Here, officials continued to discuss how law enforcement, advocates, and lawmakers can collaborate to end human trafficking in Texas post-session. The OAG’s office presented a summary of the legislation that passed this session and optimistic because 32 of the 35 recommendations the Task Force made to the legislature was put into law. As the Task Force continues to meet, we will keep you updated on the ways in which you can fight human trafficking in your community.

Environment and Energy


LoanSTAR Program

The Christian Life Commission supported HB 2077 in the 82nd Legislative Session, a bill to establish a pilot program for houses of worship and community based organizations in the LoanSTAR program at the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO).  The LoanSTAR program provides low-interest loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.  CLC staff has met with SECO and will be participating in the stakeholder process as SECO creates the pilot program which will be established by March 1, 2012.

Oncor Matching Grant Program

The Christian Life Commission also recently met with Oncor, the utility covering DFW, Midland/Odessa, Waco, and the Tyler area among others, about their matching grant program for houses of worship for renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades.  This program can help a church with up to half of the costs of the project, not to exceed $100,000.  If you are interested in learning more about energy efficiency resources for your church, please email mccall.johnson@texasbaptists.org.

Aug

16

Substance Abuse Updates – July 2011

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Substance abuse updates

The beginning of school is filled with many new beginnings.  New teachers, friends and the first football games of the season capture the minds and calendars of many students.  However, along with all of the good memories are the temptations that our students face with drugs and alcohol.  September and October are the two highest months of first time drug and alcohol use for students.  Columbia University has done a study of adolescents and peer support.  The study has found that if an adolescent has at least two other friends who will commit to not using that they are 90% more likely to be able to make the right choice and abstain.  I encourage churches, youth ministers and parents to help their young people understand that they are not alone and that there are others around them that have are making the commitment to say “no”.  The beginning of a new school year can also be a time where students have the greatest chance to share their faith by their words and their actions.  Let’s pray for our students during this important time of the year.

Prevention resources  and Bible Studies are available for churches at the CLC website.

Aug

16

A Word from Suzii – July 2011

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Suzii Paynter, Director, CLC

The Matrix of Migration

I used to think that Immigration law was simple, straightforward and sorta one-size-fits-all. Then I began to learn about immigration law, human trafficking law, refugee and migrant labor law. Each of these sectors is tied and interconnected to the others. They are a matrix – woven together – and are among the most humane types of law in the world.

In many cases, this patchwork of laws is imperfect, flawed, anachronistic, and confusing. But, even in their frustrating imperfection, they stand as a lawful attempt at providing a beacon of resolution and light for individuals and families. Genocide, brutality, exploitation, crime, terrorism and violent discrimination are their opposites destroying human lives with criminal violence, callous prejudice, consuming greed and racial hatred. The US has a proud heritage of providing a matrix of migration laws in opposition to these evils.

Immigration law is only one part of this lawful fabric and like its partners has been created and developed in fits and starts. Immigration law does not change as fast as the world context changes.  Even so, it remains as a path to defining citizenship, preserving human life and family relationships. US immigration, human trafficking, refugee and migrant labor law use categories and demarcations, but nevertheless are applied to an individual and his or her family. This matrix of migration laws is built upon an assumption of the value of the person, the priority of family ties, the sanctity of marriage, and the sanctity of children and their lives. There is a Biblical echo of imago dei in the intent of the matrix.

Today however, immigration law has been elevated to the front burner of American and worldwide political life as a malleable political tool. Immigration law is controversial because it is not adequate. This can be fixed, but too many are benefitting from the brokenness.  The matrix of migration law can and should be reformed, preserved and strengthened both to protect the US and to match our laws with our 21st century reality. Human trafficking convictions, refugee rescue and resettlement and even disaster relief are inhibited and inefficient in part because immigration reform is stagnating. Some reasonable solutions can be accomplished and are important.  What if…

  • What if…We had enough work permits for all those who wanted to temporarily work in the US and then return to their families in Mexico? How many would come and go seasonally and lawfully?
  • What if…We had enough permanent resident cards for those who qualified to work for an eligible employer? How many would be properly documented in short order?
  • What if… We had enough duly trained and certified people to help all those in line and eligible to become US citizens or legal permanent residents before their length of time in line itself makes them undocumented? How many millions would move seamlessly from undocumented to lawful status in a relatively short time?
  • What if…We had a VISA system that allowed accomplished students in US doctoral programs to stay and build a professional life in the US?  How many jobs and companies would be starting here rather than in India, Brazil or China?
  • What if…We had a religious VISA program that encouraged cooperative Christian ministry across world borders? How many kingdom partnerships would be born to bring the gospel to the world?
  • What if…Children that came to the US could graduate high school and proceed to college or work lawfully in the US gaining a permanent resident card? How many families and futures would be supported?
  • What if…We could easily convict and deport undocumented criminals and gangs who perpetrate violence and crimes against US citizens and foreign national victims inside the US? How much justice would be done and how much money would be saved in criminal justice costs?
  • What if… We had a swift and adequate prosecution for traffickers and a network of support for victims of human trafficking? How soon could we end modern slavery?

In the past five years, I have met folks who have navigated the US Immigration system, proposed changes to human trafficking law, refugee and migrant labor law and as I heard person after person, family after family, what struck me has been that NO two stories are alike. Rather than a linear application of arbitrary rules, immigration, human trafficking, refugee and migrant labor law is often like medical treatment – each person is a case unto themselves, requiring an accurate and timely diagnosis of the problems and also requiring the particular and specific remedy case by case.

The complex matrix of US immigration law is frequently hobbled in confusion and inconsistency in today’s world, but there is no doubt that the character and nature intended in immigration law reflects the Biblical value of respecting and preserving human life – it is structured to take into account origin and borders, but it does not deny human protection because of these important boundaries.  It would be a true violation of Christian values to dismantle rather than reform immigration law.

A clear and straightforward video about the Topics of Immigration that Affect Churches

Aug

16

ISAAC Project Immigration Law Training Seminar

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September 09 – 10, 2011| Houston, TX

Loving and Protecting the Least of These

This training seminar will consist of a variety of conferences that will offer information and answer questions about legal relief for certain vulnerable members of the immigrant community, such as abused/battered women, children, victims of crimes, victims of natural disasters and refugees. For those interested, the 8-hour seminar will count toward accreditation with the Board of Immigration Appeals.

Where
Iglesia Bautista Houston (Map)
5102 Texas St.
Houston, Texas 77011

When
Friday, September 9 & Saturday, September 10

Cost
$120, which includes conference materials and a catered lunch.

Groups
($120 1st person; $60 additional participants of same organization)

Registration
Click here to Register Online

Aug

16

Ethics in Action – July 2011

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What Will Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) Look Like For Texas Baptists?

I was recently doing my daily reading on immigration issues across the Internet when I ran into an op-ed in the Washington Post that prompted the question that serves as the title of this article.  Comprehensive immigration reform is an issue that affects us all and continues to be a long way from being resolved.

Several states, especially in the south, are passing their own legislative measures to enforce immigration policy without any means for the undocumented population to legalize their status.  Congress was unable to pass the DREAM Act last December, thus closing the door on many young immigrants wishing to serve in the military or attend college.  Never before in the history of our nation had so many people been deported: more than 393,000 last year.  Approximately 195,000 of those were criminal deportations, but according to some reports, non-violent crimes and traffic tickets have triggered 44% of those deportations.  Our unlawful presence laws of 1996 make it virtually impossible for most families of undocumented immigrants to stay together.

It has indeed become a cliché to say that our immigration system is broken.  The problem is that finding the way to repair it has been a daunting task.

What would comprehensive immigration reform look like for Texas Baptists?  It is difficult, but not impossible to answer this, as the issue makes us all extremely uneasy.  Many people, including people of faith, support a policy based on a strong enforcement of border security and little else.  But whereas it is true that comprehensive immigration reform must include provisions that ensure border security, we are still left with the problem of what to do with the more than 11 million undocumented immigrants who are living in our country and have no legal relief in sight.

Here are several suggestions to help us answer the question:

  • In the first place, the issue of undocumented immigration and the plight of these immigrants should “belong” to us.  We have to truly own these social justice challenges.  Our Catholic friends have been on the forefront of efforts to bring justice and charity to the issue, but they cannot do the work alone.  Along these lines, we must continue to help churches facilitate the creation of federally recognized and accredited legal service agencies.  There are not enough immigration lawyers and non-profits to provide these services in Texas.  Texas Baptists should stand in the gap and fulfill this need.
  • Although everyone knows that CIR is a noble goal to strive for, hardly anyone has outlined clearly what the content of CIR should be.  Comprehensive immigration reform should include policies that ensure border security, but not as the main and only goal.  Enforcement of immigration policy should never lose sight of the God-given dignity of all persons.
  • CIR should contain a path for an earned legalization and eventual citizenship of our undocumented population
  • CIR should open a path for the reunification of families and for young undocumented immigrants to be free to serve in the military or further their education.
  • Texas Baptists should be deeply concerned about the integration of all immigrants into the mainstream of American culture.  Immigrants know that there is little opportunity for any kind of material or professional advancement unless they speak English.  Texas is a border state; therefore, it is imperative that our churches start their own English as a Second Language ministries, regardless of whether they are located close to the border with Mexico or not.

Texas Baptists must continue to pray for presidential and congressional leadership so that they may forge a balanced package that includes enforcement of borders and substantive reform, including a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants.

Whenever possible, we must respectfully lobby on behalf of those who cannot represent themselves, who live in the shadows of our country as an underclass of people working in an underground economy, legally unable to be full participants in their communities.

We must own this issue decisively, and we must act.  When CIR happens, there will be more than 11 million immigrants who will need the guidance and the help of honest, God-loving and caring people.  We must be ready for them.  Ready to teach them English.  Ready to teach them citizenship.  Ready to help them become legalized residents of Texas.

Aug

16

Living the Christian Life – July 2011

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Listen to the Children: Conversations With Immigrant Families

Immigration is a complex and divisive social issue in the U.S.  Much is debated and argued about undocumented workers and “DREAMers,” that is, the young undocumented high school graduates who are unable to study, work or enroll in the armed forces.  It is not often, though, that we hear anything about how the experience of our immigrant population affects their children.

Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier has recently published a book on this issue that is a highly recommended read.  A concise book, just 69 pages, Listen to the Children is written for a broad audience and peppered with real-life stories involving children, which firmly anchor her findings in reality. Her book may very well become the primer for immigrant family counseling.

The first part of the book is aimed for immigrant parents, providing them with practical advice about communicating to their children their intention to migrate to a new land, choosing the right caregiver while they are away, reuniting with them in the U.S. and adjusting to a new life in a foreign land.

Through interviews, Dr. Conde-Frazier writes about the experience of undocumented immigrants from the perspective of their children, shedding light upon their psychological and emotional condition.  She brings to the table issues that the Body of Christ should be aware of in order to provide support and help to these children and their families as they go through the difficulties of being undocumented immigrants or children of undocumented immigrants.

Teachers, clergy, and social workers can greatly benefit from Dr. Conde-Frazier’s insights and wealth of information.  Here are a few noteworthy facts contained in her book:

  • There are an estimated 16.5 million children of immigrant parents in our country.
  • There are 3 million children who are born U.S. citizens, but whose parents are undocumented immigrants.
  • There are an estimated 2 million children who are themselves undocumented immigrants.  They came with their parents to the U.S. when they were babies.  They grew up in the U.S. and went to school here.  This is the only country they know.
  • The average income of almost half of all immigrant households is 200 percent below poverty level.  This is the case in only 34 percent for U.S.-born households.
  • The poverty that immigrants experience is not alleviated by public assistance of any kind.  They are not eligible for Medicaid, Temporary Public Assistance (TANF) and food stamps.
  • In 1982 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that children in grades K-12 are guaranteed their right to an education regardless of the legal status of their parents.  Therefore, no school in the U.S. should require legal documentation from parents before allowing their children to register for classes.

People of faith have not completely ignored the plight of immigrant children.  In fact, according to a study conducted by the National Council of La Raza, cited by Dr. Conde-Frazier, churches are often among the first organizations to respond to the immediate needs of immigrant families affected by raids.  This shows that, to a degree, Christians are paying attention and respond quickly to families that have experienced separation from one or both parents due to an immigration raid.  Dr. Conde-Frazier offers much wisdom and guidance for churches and individuals who are close to these kinds of needs.

Dr. Conde-Frazier ends the book by reminding us “immigrants find themselves in a situation where they need to choose between doing what’s necessary for their families to survive and following laws that deny them the right to survive.”  Moreover, “they persevere despite the limitations of their context, and push back against language and laws that deem them as non-persons or persons unworthy of equal status.  They create strategies of survival, insisting that their ‘human rights’ and the injustices existing in the two countries gives them a right to disrupt the orderly classifications produced by the state.  They push us all toward a status of dignity and justice.”

We must side with those whose dignity and justice is put in doubt by any person or political system and echo the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, who once said “if any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones…it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.”  Listen to the Children challenges us to do everything we can in the power of the Holy Spirit to care for our immigrants and alleviate the suffering of the most innocent and vulnerable ones among them: the children.

Aug

16

In the News – July 2011

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ALCOHOL | ADDICTION

BUDGET

CHILDREN

CHURCH/STATE

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

EDUCATION

ENVIRONMENT

GAMBLING

HEALTH

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

HUNGER & POVERTY

IMMIGRATION

PAYDAY LENDING

VOTER ID