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 – Legal Rights & Advocacy – with Claudia Marchan
Sun., Jan. 19
Executive Director Claudia Marchan of the Northern Illinois Justice for our Neighbors (NIJFON) organization met with over 40 people representing a cross-section of North Shore neighborhoods and organizations. Marchan’s presentation (recording available here) provided both general background and specific guidance on how participants can help refugees and immigrants in the Chicago area. General advice included legislative advocacy (write and call elected officials to express your views), truth-telling (learn about and retell stories of immigrants), and financially supporting trusted agencies engaged in helping immigrants. The specific things Marchan said that NIJFON can provide are 1) training on know your rights for food pantries and churches, 2) teambuilding and training on rapid response to assist immigrants under pursuit, and 3) training on how to help complete the required governmental paperwork to seek protected status, housing/food, and work authorization. After the presentation, many participants donated generously to support the work of NIJFON.
To give to Northern Illinois JFON, consider using one of the following means.
- By check: To pay by check, make a check to Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors and mail to 77 W. Washington Street, Suite 814, Chicago, IL 60602
- Through your Church: If your local United Methodist church participates in the Rainbow Covenant, consider using the Rainbow Covenant number, 50000140.
- Give securely online: Consider using the NIJFON Networking for Good page. It’s fast, safe, and convenient.
The remaining Welcoming the Stranger meetings will provide more about legal issues for immigrants, examples of storytelling and advocacy, and will introduce people and agencies deserving our support.
Video Presentation and Live Discussion “Desde Cero: The Migrant Journey in Chicago”
Facilitated by Professor Katy Arnold of DePaul University
Sun., Feb. 2
Prof. Kathlleen R. Arnold, political scientist and Director of the Refugee and Forced Migration Master’s Program at DePaul University and author of six books and numerous other articles, presented and led discussion on “Understanding and Supporting Venezuelan Arrivals.” Key insights from Prof. Arnold‘s presentation follow. A recording of the full presentation is available here. For more about her publications [click here].
Links to additional resources:
Know Your Rights Cards (English)
Know Your Rights Cards (Spanish)
Chicago Mosaic and Profs. Amy Tyson, Chris Green, and story authors – Immigration Stories in Chicago of Objects Kept, Lost, or Left Behind
Sun., Feb. 16
Profs. Amy Tyson and Chris Green described the purpose of the book Chicago Mosaic: Immigration Stories of Objects Kept, Lost or Left Behind (2023). As editors, Tyson and Green sought to provide the opportunity for individuals whose voices are commonly unheard. Individual authors became the face of hardship, persistence, and resilience as they read or reflected on what they wrote. These stories were an important reminder that the U.S. population is largely comprised of immigrants who bring special talents and motivations with them to their new home. For a free digital copy of Chicago Mosaic, go to: https://bigshouldersbooks.com/
A recording of the event is available [click here].
Book Review and Discussion – Welcoming the Stranger (Soltes & Stern and
Soernes & Yang) Facilitated by Rev. Dr. David Handley and Mark Sullivan
Sun., Mar. 2
Dr. David Handley and Mark Sullivan reviewed two books by the same title – Welcoming the Stranger. Handley’s summary of the Soltes and Stern (2024) version (summary available) began by clarifying who in broad terms is considered to be a stranger and then moved to Torah and Biblical stories that offer guidance about how strangers are to be treated. Biblical references indicate that the opportunity to welcome are often hidden or disguised examples that involve people or places where social structures would discourage offering help. The question in these circumstances is if people of faith move toward or away from these opportunities to welcome the stranger. Sullivan’s summary of the Soernes & Yang (2018) version (summary available) explored the Biblical call to welcome the foreigner, myths and realities about immigration, the broken U.S. immigration system, and the church’s role in moving the immigration conversation from scarcity and fear to compassion.
Discerning the way forward in personal action and systemic change is a challenge but is demonstrated by cooperating organizations such Building Peaceful Bridges, represented by Lori Lucchetti during the discussion. Sullivan distributed a handout of resources for further exploration of immigration and faith (available here).
A recording of the event is available here
Mobilizing Community Resources
Facilitated by Martha Name and Julie Stark
March 16, 2025
With a strong background in the issues and thinking around immigration set from sessions 1-4, session 5 focused on community resources and how immigrant / migrant populations access them. Using the experience and innovation of Martha’s work as a Community Services Organizer and property manager of Lakeside Square Apartments in Uptown coupled with Julie’s expertise in training and development, attendees were invited to explore how coordination among community resources can help refugees and immigrants to the Chicago area. The conversations explored the follow questions:
What type of housing is available for immigrants and who is eligible?
How do new migrants handle housing?
What partnerships are available to support nutrition / safety / clothing needs?
How do you guide new immigrants through US legal systems?
How do you support learning / acculturation?
Links to additional resources from the presentation are available here:
How Do YOU want to Build Bridges handout is available here.
The presentation slide deck is available here.
A recording of the event is available here.