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Eleazar Fernandez Thursday Workshop Presenter

Dr. Eleazar Fernandez

Professor at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities

Thursday, June 9, 2011

10:00am - 4:00pm

Green Lake Conference Center

The increasing mobility of people is one of the main tenets of our globalized world. While this may be cause for celebration, there is another side to the flow of people that is alarming: the massive movement of people due to global market forces, political and religious conflicts, ecological crisis, etc. This has led to shifting demographics, new encounters of various sorts, and exciting possibilities of forming more colorful communities as well as pressing issues.

This workshop will take account of the flow of people and the challenges it brings: its impact on the countries of immigration and the issues it triggers in relation to immigration policies, identity, security, ecology, health, cultural and religious encounters, and human rights. These aspects will be critiqued in ways that may help faith communities respond creatively to the challenges.

The main question that the workshop will address is: What does it mean to be a church in a world of globalized migration and shifting demographics?

$50 includes lunch
Registration Form 

We put six women in a Ford Flex with luggage and snacks and took off. Our trip was planned to the hour -driving time, places to visit, and hotels. We were on a mission- to immerse ourselves into the United Church of Christ history, polity, and relationship building. Deb Burich, Director for Mission and Service at First Congregational UCC, Appleton, organized our group, not only to see and hear about our denomination, but also to feel its impact.

Our first stop was a tour of the Wisconsin Conference offices in DeForest, WI where Gail O'Neil, Lay Academy Coordinator and Liisa Analore, Assistant to the Conference Minister welcomed us.  The one level building sitting on a hill was completed in 1992 and was designed in the form of a DOVE.  With one wing that is fractured, it attempts to state architecturally that the Church is imperfect; that it moves through time in search of its unity.  Gail tolled the huge bell as we left on our journey.

Read where they headed next 

Watch their travel video

Fairhaven Senior Services of Whitewater, WI, provides Independent Apartments, Supportive Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing Care, and Rehabilitation Services. Fairhaven's mission is "to be a visible ministry of God's love to older men and women."  To further the mission, Prairie Village, a community of 2- bedroom homes was developed for 55+ seniors.  Fairhaven provides the maintenance of the homes and grounds and residents have access to all of our programming and amenities.  Residents of Prairie Village agree that the connection with the ministry of Fairhaven is what sets their community apart from any other. They feel security in knowing that Fairhaven will be there for them.   Recently one of the residents of Prairie Village spoke to the Fairhaven Board of Directors.  She and her husband had moved to Prairie Village acknowledging that they would some day be in need of more services as the husband's Parkinson's Disease was progressing and would eventually prevent him from doing many of the activities of daily living. After two years, they came to the realization that she could no longer provide the level of care that he needed.  The decision for him to move to Fairhaven was not difficult.  As she said, "Fairhaven's caring staff works as a Team."  Within an hour of her request for help, her husband had been moved to Fairhaven for additional support. She was able to remain in their Prairie Village home with confidence that her husband would receive all of the services that he needed. He is transported back to their home by Fairhaven's van service for daily visits.  Together they are able to attend events, special meals and movie nights at Fairhaven.  Addressing the Board she stated, "We are a family and that's the way we are treated - you've got a special place here."  Being a "visible ministry of God's love" is what Fairhaven's Administration, Staff and Board of Directors strive to be as we care for God's older men and women.