Welcoming the Stranger
Trinity Wilmette 2025 Community Conversations
Immigration and migration have been intricately entwined with the human experience throughout history. Trinity Wilmette is launching “Welcoming the Stranger,” a multi-week current event series exploring the complex dynamics of immigration through diverse perspectives. The series features experts, scholars, and community leaders to help us understand immigration challenges and inspire informed action. All events will take place in the church’s sanctuary or parlor, depending on attendance.
Welcoming the Stranger with Claudia Marchan
Sun., Jan. 19 – 3:30 pm
Claudia Marchan, Executive Director for Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors, will share her experience working with NIJFON to advocate for people seeking freedom, safety, and opportunity in the United States. She will provide insights on US and IL state laws and their impact on immigrants and communities.
RSVP for Jan. 19Video Presentation and Live Discussion “Desde Cero: The Migrant Journey in Chicago”
Facilitated by Professor Katy Arnold of DePaul University
Sun., Feb. 2 – 3:00 pm
A video presentation of the NBC documentary “Desde Cero – The Migrant Journey In Chicago” (1 hour), followed by a presentation and discussion. Professor Katy Arnold will provide an overview of the current migrant situation in Chicago and America, why it is happening, and common misunderstandings related to migrant rights in the US.
RSVP for Feb. 2Chicago Mosaic and Profs. Amy Tyson, Chris Green, and story authors – Immigration Stories in Chicago of Objects Kept, Lost, or Left Behind
Sun., Feb. 16 – 3:30 pm
Join Profs. Amy Tyson, Chris Green, and other authors in discussing Chicago Mosaic: Immigration Stories of Objects Kept, Lost, or Left Behind (2023). Chicago is made, to a large extent, of the stark regrets and hopes of immigrants. These stories remind us that immigrants are people and that the United States is largely made of immigrants and their descendants.
RSVP for Feb. 16Book Study – Welcoming the Stranger Edited by Ori Z Soltes and Rachel Stern
Facilitated by Rev. Dr. David Handley
Sun., Mar. 2 – 3:30 pm
Book: The essays in Welcoming the Stranger explore immigration from historical, theoretical, theological, and practical perspectives, offering an enlightening and compelling discussion of what the Abrahamic traditions teach us regarding welcoming people we don’t know.
RSVP for Mar. 2Mobilizing Community Resources
Facilitated by Martha Name and Julie Stark
Sun., Mar. 16 – 3:30 pm
Martha Name is a Community Services Organizer and property manager who has instituted a thriving community program in a HUD-subsidized 310-unit building named Lakeside Square Apartments in Uptown. Residents today are primarily immigrants from Africa and Southeast Asia but have changed over the years.
RSVP for Mar. 16