JCC Robinson Building 5738 Darlington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15217

November 2, 2017

9:30-11 am

The current national conversation about immigrants and refugees demands that we engage in faith-guided conversations with each other across our denominations.

Beginning with scripture, the Hebrew Bible instructs us,

“When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall
not wrong him. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I Adonai am your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)

The Christian Bible teaches,

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2)

The Koran guides us,

“And do good unto your parents, and near of kin, and unto orphans, and the needy, and the neighbor from among your own people, and the neighbor who is a stranger, and the friend by your side, and the wayfarer, and those whom you rightfully possess. Verily, God does not love any of those who, full of self-conceit, act in a boastful manner…” (An-Nisa 4:36).

Other scriptures from assorted faith traditions share similar messages.

We believe that we should be in conversation around these themes. Here’s what you can expect:
Listening: We will hear excerpts from local clergy whose sermons appear in Christian Associates of Southwest PA’s published collection “I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me.” (Download your copy at
http://www.casp.org/sermons.) Local members of our community will also share personal stories of immigration and making a new home in our region.
Discussing: By reflecting on both the direct experiences of our newest neighbors and the values and themes that span religious traditions, we anticipate the opportunity for deep table conversation.
Connecting: Organizations that work directly with our region’s immigrant and refugee communities will be present, providing us a chance to connect and learn how we can take action in the days ahead.

The sociologist Peter Block writes, “Community is the container within which our longing to be is fulfilled. Without the connectedness of a community, we will continue to choose not to be.” (Community, The Structure of Belonging. 2008)

This is an opportunity for us to connect and through that connection to strengthen the fabric of community. Please join us whether you are clergy, lay leader, person of faith or hope.

Please RSVP at http://www.casp.org/immigrantconversation by October 31, 2017.