The session will cover immigration enforcement preparation while also highlighting practical ways for churches to build networks of solidarity. My goal is to provide actionable steps for congregations looking to support immigrant members and for those seeking to learn how they can better stand in partnership with neighboring churches.

Adriana Ortiz is Church and Community Outreach Coordinator at MCC Great Lakes. Drawing from her personal faith journey as an immigrant, her presentation will focus on equipping churches to effectively support all of God’s people.

Can we be effective agents for change, or must we resign ourselves to being “faithful witnesses?”  How can ordinary people of faith and conscience move from being victims, spectators or pundits to being architects of our community? Hear stories and learnings from the work of We Make Indiana and come ready for conversation and dialogue!

Andre Stoner is a lead organizer with We Make Indiana. He has over eight years of experience building a multi-racial and multi-faith social justice network in St. Joe County. He was pastor of outreach at Kern Road Mennonite Church for 17 years and worked for Mennonite Church USA as director of holistic witness and interchurch relations.

Dion Payne-Miller is South Bend organizer for We Make Indiana. In April he and a team of Black church leaders brought 250 people together to press the Mayor and City Council to hold negligent landlords accountable.  Dion served on the Kern Road church board and calls himself a Mennocostal. He and his wife Tiana recently welcomed their first child into this world.

In this summer season of growth, nurture and tend to your inner life through a time of contemplation. Together we will open ourselves to God through the practice of Lectio Divina (a prayerful listening of Scripture). Following the meditative practice, participants will be invited to enter a time of solitude and reflection in available spaces, inside or outside (weather permitting). Optional reflection questions will be provided.

No supplies are necessary, but participants are welcome to bring a journal or paper for the time of solitude and come prepared for time outdoors if that option appeals.

Twilla Epp-Stutzman is a licensed/credentialed minister in MC USA, an on-call chaplain at Goshen Hospital, a spiritual director at Pathways Retreat, and a parent. Her life and work are grounded in the beauty of the natural world and personal relationships. Twilla lives near Goshen with her family.