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Disciple Women continue work against human trafficking
by Rev. Dr. Patricia Donahoo, executive director
Disciples Women is pursuing the goal of eradicating Human Trafficking in the United States and Canada and across the world. Human trafficking was highlighted at the 2010 Quadrennial Assembly where Disciples Women across North America were stunned to discover the width and breadth of modern day slavery. As they were awakened to this knowledge, human trafficking was taken on as the social action emphasis of the 2010-2014 quadrennium. During those four years a resolution was presented at General Assembly 2011 which was passed unanimously. Women all over the continent have been educating men and women to increase awareness; thousands of calls have been made to improve legislation that might serve as a deterrent as well as to recognize victims vs. perpetrators. Partnerships and coalitions have been formed among regions and ecumenical groups. Work was done with an ecumenical group in Indianapolis in preparation for the higher demand during Super Bowl events working to train hotel workers, cab drivers, EMTs, etc. to recognize and report trafficking. As a result of these efforts four women were rescued and 68 traffickers were arrested.
The Quadrennial Assembly is the opportunity to present the social action emphasis for our next four years of ministry together. Given all the work that has been done and the awareness of just how large a focus human trafficking requires, Disciples Women has decided to continue their focus on human trafficking with a more intensive focusing on three areas: sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and demand. As Disciples Women have been educating and advocating much of the concern has been for sex trafficking victims and their rescue and recovery. However, recognizing that there are three times as many labor trafficking victims in the world than sex trafficking victims we will be putting more efforts into this area.
Additionally, like any 'commodity' the best way to reduce the sales is to reduce or remove demand. One of our areas of focus will be on finding ways to educate on use of language, media images, etc. to improve the way we think of our brothers and sisters so they are not marginalized based on gender, origin, or any other category used to diminish or make it easier to objectify them. When we recognize others as being made in the image of God we will be less likely to see them as commodities or to see them as objects to be bought and sold.
Disciples Women is already working with regions and other partners to consider better training of pastors and church leaders to recognize people in their own congregations who may be in the midst of trafficking, victims sitting in the pews. With this recognition is the need for training on how counseling might be different for a person in this situation as well as the knowledge that how we speak about others, gender, race, socio-economic status, etc., can change how we interact or deal with each other that leads to marginalizing and devaluing that all leads to seeing humans as commodities.
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Welcome "gift" to visitors a win-win
by Rev. Michael Dunn, First Christian Church, Houston
Over the years, we've given thought to how we follow up with newcomers. First Christian Church, Houston, Texas, shares a similar story to a lot of Disciples congregations. We've had great historical impact in the city, but have been in long-term, steady decline since 1960. In this context, we have done a lot to show our love and hospitality to the newcomer in our midst.
We have also thought more deeply about how we follow up. It's one thing for people to be received well and another to know we care about them more deeply and invite them into a community of compassion.
So, I researched and developed a Newcomer Follow Up Plan and rolled it out to our staff. It was pretty standard fare for the most part; an email, an online survey, a request for how to pray for them. However, I suggested as part of our regular pattern that we also a $5 Starbucks gift card, which newcomers would receive on Thursday of that same week. Brilliant! A lot of the "growing" churches do this, so it must be a good thing, right?
The staff immediately pushed back. They understood the need to follow up well, but they also pointed out that a gift card smacked of consumerism. After getting over a bruised ego, it became clear that they had hit on something fundamentally important: This was a great opportunity to show newcomers what was important to us.
So, instead of the Starbucks gift card, we send something else. On the Thursday after someone's first visit, new families receive a letter that says FCC made a $5 contribution to a local outreach center with whom we work, and include information about the organization. For every family who returns for another Sunday, we send them a letter letting them know we made a $5 contribution to Week of Compassion. Both together show what we are passionate about as a congregation and runs a little counter-cultural in the process.
The feedback has been tremendous. We've noticed a trend of more newcomers becoming regular attenders. And we've noticed regular attenders understand us more quickly. The two organizations have also been grateful to have their message shared with others. They also send an acknowledgement saying that a donation by FCC Houston has been made in their name.
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Clergy continuing education grant application period Sept. 1-Oct. 31
The period of application for clergy continuing education grants awarded by Disciples Home Missions for the 2015 calendar year will be between September 1 and October 31, 2014. This is a change from last year's application period, and is meant to facilitate application requests for events earlier in the calendar year.
If you would like to be considered for a DHM Clergy Continuing Education Grant next year (2015), you must apply during the application window. More info
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