09453
June 8, 2009

From Pentecost to partnership

Big Tent event to include exploration of immigrant ministries

by Jim Nedelka
Special to the Presbyterian News Service

NEW YORK — On May 25, President Obama nominated Judge Sonia Santomayor to fill the seat of the retiring United States Supreme Court justice David Souter. Senate approval would elevate Sotomayor as the first Hispanic to sit on the High Court (Justice Benjamin Cardoza was Portuguese).

On May 31, the Christian church celebrated the Feast of Pentecost, the anniversary of its birth. Scripture recounts that the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples, so that when they addressed the throngs who came to hear the Word, each listener heard in their native language without benefit of translator.

The very essence of these “Tongues of Fire” underscores that the church was born of multi-cultural roots. It was created for all of God’s peoples, from all nations, no matter where or with whom they happen to be worshiping.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) continues to deal with issues surrounding the weaving of immigrant congregations into the denominational fabric. Those issues are too often exacerbated by xenophobic fears — real and imagined — around immigration.

Those issues and others will be addressed at the PC(USA)’s New Immigrant Ministries Convocation — part of the Big Tent event in Atlanta, June 11-13.

Experienced Presbyterians will guide participants through a dozen opportunities to discover, dissect and discuss all aspects of how the PC(USA) and its middle governing bodies can bring new immigrants and new immigrant congregations into the denomination as equal partners.

The PC(USA)’s new immigrant ministries are currently focused most especially on people from Africa, South Asia, Portuguese-speaking countries and the Caribbean.

Featured speaker and resource-provider is Julia Thorne, the PC(USA)’s manager for immigration issues in the Office of the General Assembly, who will provide an update on Federal policy and potential changes anticipated with the new administration.

For more information and registration materials, visit the Big Tent web site.

Jim Nedelka is a professional journalist in New York City and a member of West Park Presbyterian Church there. He will be covering the New Immigrant Ministries Convocation at the Big Tent event for PNS.