RMM NOTES

              (News From Rural & Migrant Ministry)

                               December 2008

Mission

Rural and Migrant Ministry works for the creation of a just rural New York State by:
  • Nurturing leadership
  • Standing with the disenfranchised, especially farmworkers and rural workers
  • Changing unjust systems and structures

Meditation

Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."    Eleanor Roosevelt
 

News/Analysis

What a remarkable gathering!  We are most grateful to everyone for their support. Over 220 people representing various areas of New York State gathered together and were inspired by the sharing of stories - of dedication, determination, and hope. They were inspired by the visuals: the beautiful Riverside Church, the classy room, the photos, the powerful film. They were inspired by the fabulous music. They were inspired to see members of the labor, religious, activist, student, and farmworker communities all gather together acknowledging a historic bridge between those who have fought long and hard for human dignity and justice. And they were inspired by the hospitality - the welcoming, the meeting of new people, and the appreciation of their presence.  

All of this has its roots in your support, love, commitment and determination. 
Thank you once again for helping us come together to give witness to this most worthy cause - that of the Justice for Farmworkers Campaign
 
Silent Auction
 
There is still time to bid on these items:
 
Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, NY A day of Golf for 3. Minimum Bid $2500.00
 
Pepsico Garden, Purchase, NY Guided Tour and Picnic for 4. Minimum Bid $75.00
 
Wisconsin Lake House on Flannery Lake for One week in June 2009. Minimum Bid $800.00
 
Scarsdale Golf Club Golf Package, 18 Holes and lunch for 3.
Minimum Bid $1000.00
 
Original Artwork by Tracy Leavitt. From the series "Fantasy Flowers" 6"x6" matted and framed works in oil pastel and conte.  2 Paintings Minimum Bid $45.00 each
 
ALSO There is still time to buy the 2009 Bilingual Calendar entitled "Gracias por los Amigos", celebrating friendships with and within our nation's farmworking community. It's the creation of Celia Roberts, a professional photographer/artist who photographs special populations in developing countries and the U.S. She has photographed for Habitat for Humanity and for UNICEF. www.celiaroberts.com
The 2009 Calendar includes the Introduction by our own the Reverend Richard Witt, Exec. Director, Rural & Migrant Ministry, and check out our girls in the August 2009 photo! $10.00 each. Please make checks payable to Rural & Migrant Ministry, P.O. Box 4757, Poughkeepsie, NY 12602
 
New York should give equal rights to the farmworkers RFK championed!

Historic Riverside Church played host to an inspiring and empowering gathering of youth, farmworkers, students, union folks, faith supporters, and more during the Sowing Seeds for Justice Dinner.  We want to share with you this editorial that appeared in the NY Daily News recently, in which Jim Schmidt, one of the dinner's honorees, relates the powerful story of RFK's meeting with upstate farmers and farmworkers

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Youth Arts Group/Youth Empowerment 
 
CONGRATULATIONS! TO ALL THE MEMBERS FROM THE YOUTH ARTS GROUP
FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND INSPIRATIONAL HARD WORK
 
YAG has chosen these themes to focus and work on during this year, 2009:
Students Rights, Allies to Farmworkers, and Violence.
 
In relation to these themes, we are planning to create political artwork and have four exhibits during 2009.

During the month of October, YAG exhibited 2 murals at the Newburgh Public Library.  One mural is called "Breaking the Barriers" and deals with the theme of racism.  The other mural, "Drawing a Different Future," addresses the negative influence of media on teens.  These murals are another testimony of the wonderful work that YAG is doing. Some staff members from the library expressed their gratitude and admiration of the murals. They invited us to leave one of the murals, "Breaking the Barriers," to be exhibited for one more month. Also, they want to exhibit the murals at the Newburgh Free Academy in Newburgh, NY and present them at an important event about Martin Luther King, Jr. YAG is honored to support our community.
 
YAG had our first overnight on October 24th and 25th in New York City.  This was a great opportunity to get to know each other better and to start building a strong group and plan for the upcoming year.  We had a powerful workshop entitled "Understanding Power" with Rev. Richard Witt.
 
Six of our members worked really hard to present our program at two important events: the Self Development of the People proposal interview and the Rural & Migrant Ministry Annual Dinner. Once again YAG did a terrific job at these events.
 
On Friday, November 7,YAG participated in a creative and interactive workshop,  during which we chose our themes for the year with the help of PlayBack Theater.
 
November 21 we worked on Chosen project. Also Ed Sermier visited YAG in preparation for a workshop entitled " Dealing With Money" that will take place December13, 2008.
 
November 26: A workshop about the college application process was presented by John Joyce.
 
 
Future Activities:
December 10: YAG will participate in a conference/event about social justice in New York City and in Monticello
December 13: Workshop with Ed Sermier "Dealing with Money"



 

Mark Your Calendar

December 10th  "Immigration Rally"
We want allies to support us in this Rally to raise awareness about the RAIDS, and to STOP the abuse of Migrant and Undocument workers.  The Immigration Department has violated humans rights laws. The Public must know about it.  Come and join us at 3:30pm- 5pm at the US Border Patrol location at 20171 Pattonwood Drive in Rochester NY.
 

Please join us for A Vigil In Honor of the  60th Anniversary of the Signing of the International Declaration of Human Rights.  
The Vigil will take place at the FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH in Monticello (Next to the Courthouse on Broadway) on December 10th 2008. We will begin with a Reception  at 5pm and then Vigil at 6pm. The Vigil will feature: Music, Stories from the Grass-roots, a Litany based on the Declaration and a Speaker from the Worker Rights Law Center.
This event will also be A BENEFIT ON BEHALF OF THE WORKERS RIGHTS LAW CENTER, a critical organization that protects the rights of workers.                                                                                                              
The Vigil is sponsored by THE KAIROS PROJECT (based at St. John's Episcopal Church, Monticello) and co-sponsored by:  Sullivan Peace and Justice, Rural and Migrant Ministry, The Youth Arts Group & Sullivan County Human Rights Commission Executive Committee
For more information call Rural & Migrant Ministry at 845-485-8627
 
 
RMM is cosponsoring and attending the following event in support of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers.  If you are in New York City, come out and join us!

ˇUn Centavo Más! One Penny More!
They've won better wages from Taco Bell, McDonalds & Burger King.  Now they're taking on Subway!
COME HEAR FLORIDA TOMATO PICKERS SPEAK OUT!
Wednesday, December 10, 7:30 P.M.
The Church of the Holy Trinity
316 E. 88th Street, Between First & Second Avenues
They'll speak about working conditions in the fields and their campaigns to get fast food chains to agree to pay them just one cent more per pound--nearly doubling their wages. At a RECEPTION, you can talk to the workers & learn from the co-sponsoring food justice groups.
For more information, contact Jordan Wells at farmworkerjustice@gmail.com
 
HOLIDAY TOY STORE
Sponsored by
The Daughters of Sarah and Rural & Migrant Ministry
 
All toys and gifts are new and are 70% off list price
 
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2008
(Snowdate: Sunday, December 14, 2008)
5:30 - 8:00 P.M.
NEW HURLEY REFORMED CHURCH
1145 ROUTE 208
WALLKILL, NEW YORK
 
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Invite family, friends, and neighbors
Christmas is a time for celebrating God's gifts of joy, hope, peace and love 
Daughters of Sarah will provide juicy ham and scrumptious roasted turkey
YOU bring a side dish of your choice.
Questions? or For More Information: Please call Ruth Faircloth, 845-236-9196 
 
Sunday January 25, 2009

Interfaith Benefit Concert - at 7:30pm
A Benefit Concert for Rural & Migrant Ministry, featuring the "Jazz Cantata" by Gretchen Gould and "Chichester Psalms" by Leonard Bernstein. Combined choirs of Shalom Singers, the Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church Choir, the Christ Episcopal Church Choir. Mexican Folk Dancers and Saxophone music will also be featured.  A suggested donation of $12 will benefit the Rural & Migrant Ministry

 
                      All of us here at Rural& Migrant Ministry offer you
                  our sincerest wishes for a
                       Happy, Healthy and Peaceful Holiday Season!






 
We Sure Could Use Your Help!!
 
 
 
Rural and Migrant Ministry
 
Coordinator (part time)
Job Opening
December 1, 2008
 
Rural and Migrant Ministry(RMM) is looking for a progressive individual to direct
RMM's programs and organizational development in the western part of New York.
 
This position is based in Brockport, NY (RMM's main office is in Poughkeepsie) and is for twenty hours a week (flexible schedule)
  
Working with RMM's Western New York Board of Directors and RMM's Executive Director, the position has the following Responsibilities:
  •  Serve as a catalyst for the development of a farmworker organizing committee.
  • Strengthen the participation of a broad coalition of allies to participate in accompaniment.   Primary activities include outreach, education, networking, and relationship building with a strong focus on communities of faith but also including students and the labor community among others.  
  • Coordinate educational programming and events including presentations, forums, workshops, conferences, experiential learning opportunities that bring together diverse communities
  • Coordinate the fundraising activities of RMM in WNY by working alongside the Executive Director, and the Board of Directors
  • Supervise and coordinate volunteers and interns.
  • Oversee the management of facilities and vehicles in WNY.
  • Provide administrative management of the WNY operation by working in coordination with RMM's Managing Director.
 
Requirements of the position include:
 
· Experience in managing a program
· Bilingual in Spanish and English (a must)
· Strong experience and interest working with faith communities
· Able to work irregular hours including frequent travel
· Work experience and a strong commitment to social change process
· Excellent interpersonal, networking, and organizing skills
· Self-motivated with excellent writing and speaking skills
· Computer literate
· Drivers license
 
Please send a letter of introduction and resume to:
The Rev. Richard Witt, Executive Director
PO BOX 4757
Poughkeepsie, NY 12602
 
 
Volunteers Needed 

Got a few extra hours and enjoy writing?? We need writers to help us tell RMM's story. We have a lot of important things happening and we need to get the news out!
  • Help in the office call Laura @ 845-485-8627
  • Drivers to help our Youth Arts Group get around
  •  The Justice for Farmworkers campaign needs an online venue, i.e. website, where folks can visit to learn more about and connect with our work.  We are seeking a volunteer with website skills to work with the Justice for Farmworkers campaign in developing this important tool.  If you are interested please call us at 845-485-8627 or e-mail Jordan at farmworkerjustice@gmail.com.
 
 
TOY STORE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13,2008
 NEW HURLEY REFORMED CHURCH, Route 208, Wallkill
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
As you begin your plans for the up-coming Holiday Season, we would like to extend an invitation to your church family and friends to support our annual Christmas Store.  The Christmas Store has become a ministry tradition that transforms this night into a night of miracles for those who come to shop and enjoy the fellowship around the tables.
The Christmas Store is facilitated by the Daughters of Sarah, a rural women's support  group sponsored by RMM.  The Store provides an opportunity for those who are experiencing economic hardship to purchase, at a reduced cost, Christmas gifts for their children.  What parent doesn't wish to choose that special gift for their child?  By shopping at the Christmas Store, parents are able to pick the gift(s) they know their child(ren) want while allowing them to maintain their dignity by purchasing and giving the gift(s) directly.
GIFTS MUST BE NEW, UNWRAPPED, and HAVE THE ORIGINAL PRICE TAG ATTACHED.  In turn, the items will be sold at a 50-70% discount.  The proceeds from the Christmas Store go to support the annual retreat and community outreach programs of the Daughters of Sarah.  Please select toys and books that are Afro- and Latino- centric and appropriate clothing for the winter season for children of all ages, as well as teenagers.  We also ask that items reflect RMM's mission of hope and justice, in other words, NO toys of violence, PLEASE!  For those who may find shopping for and the delivery of gifts difficult, we welcome your financial gifts and will honor your wishes by purchasing the gifts you suggest.
 
CHRISTMAS STORE WISH LIST
 
Sports Equipment
(Basketball, Baseball, Soccer)
Dolls (especially of African-American and Latino Heritage)
Clothing for all ages
Please bring clothing appropriate to the season
(sweaters, sweat shirts, dressy tops for girls, dress shirts for boys,
sports apparel, socks, tights and hairbows)
Books
(African-American stories and Latino Heritage in addition to
books in English)
Toys and Games
(appropriate for toddlers thru age 14)
Items for Teenagers
(Jewelry,watches and gift cards are especially popular)
 
If you plan to participate, or have additional questions, please call us at (845) 485-8627.  Gifts must be delivered to the RMM office no later than Wednesday, December 10th.
 

CONTACT US 
 
 
Eastern New York
 
Address:
P.O. Box 4757
Poughkeepsie, NY12602
Phone:
(845) 485-8627
Fax:
(845) 485-1963
 
 
 
Western New York
 
Email:
Address:
14 State Street
Brockport, NY 14420
Phone:
(845) 637-8360
Fax:
(585) 637-8362