Archive for July, 2009

Larry Love, a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, spoke out at the Interfaith Standing on the Side of Love with Immigrant Families Event in Salt Lake City.  This is his story.

My wife of three years is facing deportation and my family is about to be torn apart. My wife applied for political asylum years ago and was turned down and told to leave. She did not have the $2800 in airfare back to Guatemala to pay for herself and our children, nor did she have the $34 per month per American Citizen that Guatemala charges after you have been there 90 days. She has paid taxes for 16 years here in the US, raised our three citizen children and been active in the community.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) came to my door in March and said they were looking for a woman registering cars to my home address illegally.  After my wife came to look at the picture of that woman they said, “We are not really here looking for this lady but we are here to arrest your wife.”  After pleading with the ICE officers, she was allowed to kiss her kids goodbye. They then had her sign a legal document written in English saying everything was explained to her in Spanish when nothing was.

We are told that she won’t be able to return for 20 years after she is deported. In order for her to come back we will have to file many forms adding up to thousands of dollars.  When she is in Guatemala we will lose her current wages of $1000 a month and we will also loose our health insurance since her work plan costs $210 per month and my work plan is over $600–more than we can afford.

My children and I could move to Guatemala with her, but the wages there are five to eight dollars per day and it is very dangerous.  She does not want us to move for fear that kidnapping or violence could occur.

My wife understands that there are consequences to her actions and she is willing to pay the price. Although she and I both have a hard time understanding why our U.S. citizen children also have to pay.

There is a lot of false information about immigration that misrepresents Hispanics and the real story is not known. I don’t advocate illegal actions but the way we are treating our brothers and sisters is wrong and we need to fight for reasonable reform.

Unitarian Universalists have donated almost $1000 dollars to the Lizeth Morales Donation fund at Zions bank and we want to let you know that we are grateful. We had to hire a lawyer and sign a $5000 dollar contract. We have paid almost $3000 and are making payments.

Speaking at the community witness event alongside the leaders of the Unitarian Universalist, Catholic and Episcopal Churches was an honor. I am grateful to Unitarian Universalists and I felt your concern for all people during the conference here in Salt Lake City. I personally don’t agree with the lesbian and gay lifestyle, but I feel that any hate directed toward them or any other group is wrong and not Christian or Godlike. I see people spending more time attacking the Mormon, Catholic, or Jehovah Witness doctrines than preaching the Gospel and good news.  I feel that is misguided in the same manner as people preaching hate against any group or church. Hate and mistreatment has no place among God’s people.

I wish success to the “Standing on the Side of Love” effort.  Needless to say, our family’s life is now uncertain. My 10 year-old cries at night, but crossing the boundaries of religion was a wonderful help to us. Thank you again and know that we feel your love.

A letter from Rev. Chris Buice, minister of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
July, 15th 2009

On Sunday, July 27th, 2008, a man walked into the sanctuary of my church–Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church–and opened fire. Two dedicated Unitarian Universalists were killed: Greg McKendry, an usher, and Linda Kraeger, a member of Westside Unitarian Universalist Church. Six other people were injured. Every member of our two congregations was affected.

In the aftermath of that tragic morning, the surrounding community embraced us. We kept our hearts and our doors open, and love came rushing in from every direction.

One year later, I remain deeply grateful for the countless hugs, cards, meals, and prayers that sustained us. I could not have known then that our commitment to love in the face of violence would inspire the Unitarian Universalist Association to launch the Standing on the Side of Love Campaign. I couldn’t be more pleased, however, because experience has taught me that brokenness can only be healed with love.

As we approach the first anniversary of the shooting, I ask you to join this campaign by pledging to stand on the side of love.

Unfortunately, our experience is not unique. People across the nation face exclusion, oppression, or violence because of their immigrant status, sexual or gender orientation, religion, race, political views, among other identities. Such dehumanization must be challenged. This campaign invites people of every faith and belief to stand together in the name of love. Our nation is at a critical moment, when our collective voice and action can heal families, towns, cities, states, and nations.

One week after the shooting, I returned to the pulpit to rededicate our sanctuary. I said, ‘A man came into this space with a desire to do an act of hatred, but he has unleashed unspeakable amounts of love.’

Join with me in that unleashing of love.

I invite you to open your hearts and join thousands of others who are standing on the side of love.

Love,
Rev. Chris Buice
Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church

The Standing on the Side of Love campaign touched each person at the Unitarian Universalist Association’s General Assembly in some unique way.  This video is a look back at our willingness to embrace this campaign.

If you or your church would like to bring “STAND!” to your church, contact Amy Carol Webb at songweaver@amycarolwebb.com