The speaker was the president of the theological seminary I was attending at the time. He was responding to a question about why it was taking so long for the commission of 70 leaders from across the country to make recommendations for the formation of a new national church denomination from three predecessor bodies.
“Sometimes it takes a while to figure out who is worth listening to.”
I was one of a throng of people who packed the St. Louis County commissioners’ hearing on Jan. 7 when they considered President Donald Trump’s executive order charging individual states and counties across the country to give specific consent to receive refugees. As I see it, the order is engendering the intended results of division, fear, and anger, all of which were present during the almost four hours of comments from concerned citizens.
To their credit, our commissioners demonstrated patience and respect through the ordeal, taking only one break and pushing lunch past 2 p.m. After everyone had the opportunity to speak, the issue was tabled, by a 4-3 vote (“County delays refugee resettlement vote,” Jan. 9).
“Sometimes it takes a while to figure out who is worth listening to.”
Concerns about jobs, schools, and costs to communities were raised by most of those speaking against the resolution of welcome. It seemed to me that many of them were speaking from mistrust, misinformation, and fear. It was difficult for me not to hear racism and bigotry in many responses. One person was blatantly anti-Muslim.
Those who spoke in favor of welcoming refugees outnumbered the naysayers 3-to-1. Many of them had experienced refugee or other immigrant resettlement. Others represented various faith communities, including many religious leaders.
Speaking to the issue of jobs and the economy, the mayor of Tower made a plea to welcome refugees, as many businesses in his town are desperate for workers. “When I walk down the streets of my town, I see ‘Help Wanted’ signs in business after business,” he said.
From a religious perspective, the issue is unambiguous and non-negotiable.
In the late 1970s, the congregation I served in Wisconsin sponsored a refugee family from Vietnam. When they first arrived, the family of seven stayed in our small home while the congregation made more permanent housing arrangements. It was not long before our children were playing with theirs. Once established in school, their children quickly learned English, helping their parents with the new language. All of us in the congregation were blessed by their presence, joy, and gratitude. We were humbled by their great astonishment and appreciation for so many things we take for granted.
People of faith often have differing views regarding social issues. One issue that is not debatable in the Jewish or Christian traditions, however, is the welcome of refugees. Consistent through all our scriptures, from the prophets in the Hebrew Bible to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, is the insistence on welcoming the stranger, and especially the refugee, even if it will cost us our own resources.
St. Louis County self-identifies as mostly Christian. Those claiming to be Christians who at the same time oppose the resolution to welcome refugees make themselves liars.
If we in St. Louis County were lucky enough to receive even one refugee, hundreds of individuals, families, and faith communities stand ready to welcome and assist.
“Sometimes it takes a while to figure out who is worth listening to.” Except in the case of Jesus or the prophets. Their voices are unequivocal.
The Rev. David Tryggestad of Duluth is a retired pastor.
2020-02-06 10:00:00Z
https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/columns/4920948-Local-View-Column-Jews-Christians-alike-insist-on-welcoming-the-stranger
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