Ecumenical Advocacy Days

United Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcaño, who chairs the denomination’s Taskforce on Immigration, will deliver the keynote address at the 8th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — United Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcaño will be among the keynote speakers at the 2010 Ecumenical Advocacy Days here, March 19-22. Theme of the annual event is “A Place to Call Home: Immigrants, Refugees & Displaced Peoples.”

Carcaño, chair of the United Methodist Taskforce on Immigration, is episcopal leader of the Desert Southwest Conference, which includes Arizona and small portions of California and Utah.

Other keynote speakers will be the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Sister Helen Prejean, Roman Catholic nun and anti-death penalty activist.

The eighth annual gathering of Ecumenical Advocacy Days will take place at the Doubletree in Crystal City, Va., just outside Washington, D.C.

The 2010 theme is based on the concept that just as Jesus had nowhere to lay his head, neither do tens of millions of migrants, refugees and displaced persons. Attendees at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days action weekend will address this global injustice. Attendees will have an opportunity to join hundreds of faith-based advocates in taking action on U.S. legislation that will welcome immigrants, protect refugees, and prevent displacement for millions.

In addition to workshops on the focus area, attendees will be trained on how to lobby legislators, and will make calls on Capitol Hill on Monday. There will also be worship, and opportunities for dialogue.

Two events to note in conjunction with EAD are time specifically for United Methodists to gather and a massive rally planned on the National Mall on Sunday at 2 p.m. The rally, "March for America: Change Takes Courage & Faith," is an event of the Reform Immigration for America (RIA) campaign and Interfaith Immigration Coalition, both of which the General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) is a member.

8th Ecumenical Advocacy Days will be March 19-22.

“The rally is intended to make a powerful statement to Congress of faith support for comprehensive immigration reform,” said Bill Mefford, GBCS director of Civil & Human Rights who sits on the RIA Field Steering Committee. “The hope of the rally is to have from 50,000-100,000 people so this is a chance to be historic.”

United Methodists attending the rally should gather at the Washington Monument at noon, according to Mefford. He said signs and buttons will be provided before moving to the National Mall for a 1 p.m. interfaith worship service preceding the march

Saturday from noon to 2:40 p.m. has been set aside as time for United Methodists to gather. Lunch will be shared followed by remarks by GBCS top executive Jim Winkler and the Rev. Clayton Childers, GBCS director of annual conference relations. Training sessions will address cultural competency and peer advocacy.

Groups from churches, denominations and regional councils of churches are encouraged to charter buses to bring large groups to this important faith-in-action event.

For more information, visit Ecumencial Advocacy Days on the Web.