Ventura County Faith and Community Leaders Commemorate Seasons of Welcoming the Immigrant, Joining a Nationwide Chain of Hope

Thousand Oaks, CA – On Thursday, December 10th, International Human Rights Day, immigrants and diverse faith communities will come together for an interfaith vigil and posada to shine a light on the need for Congress to pass just and humane immigration reform in 2010. The event will commemorate Advent, Hanukkah, and the Islamic New Year as seasons that celebrate the message of welcome that is central to all our major faith traditions, and highlight the desperation and fear in which immigrant students and families currently live.

The Posada, a traditional Latin American Advent celebration, depicts the Biblical story of Mary and Joseph’s search for an inn in Bethlehem. This year, communities of faith throughout the country have adapted the traditional Posada story of “welcome” to reflect the current plight of families suffering under the broken immigration system.

The event is part of Shine a Light from Coast to Coast, a series of National Days of Interfaith Action. In addition to the vigil, members of Ventura County faith communities are sending prayer flags and signed postcards to Washington, D.C. for the culmination of the Days of Action on December 18th.

WHAT: Interfaith Vigil and Posada shining a light on the urgent need for humane and just immigration reform

WHO: Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford, Minister Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Thousand Oaks
Rev. Sandy Liddell, Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Santa Paula
Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller, Rabbi, Temple Beth Torah
Deacon Arnold Reyes, Padre Serra Parish, Camarillo
Alicia Flores, La Hermandad, Hank Lacayo Youth and Family Center

WHEN: Thursday, December 10, (International Human Rights Day) at 11:00 AM

WHERE: Outside the office of Rep. Elton Gallegly,
2829 Townsgate Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91361