From the Refugee Ministry Advocates Elsa Amboy And Melissa Kreisa

In the book Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us, the author Seth Godin argues that “lasting and substantive change can be best effected by a tribe: a group of people connected to each other, to a leader and to an idea.”

This book's theme is about unconventional leadership, taking a cause or idea and gathering support by finding like-minded individuals and connecting them.

Our Presbytery has been that “unconventional leader” for Refugee Ministry here in the San Jose area. What began many years ago as a partnership between the largest resettlement agency in the South Bay (Catholic Charities) and our local Presbyterian churches, has now evolved to include Covenant, Catholic and even Quaker churches.

The bi-monthly “Refugee Outreach Partnership” meetings have grown to include other faith and community organizations. The Muslim Community Association and secular, non-profit Refugee Transitions are also quickly becoming significant voices for that “lasting and substantive change”. These groups are now working together within this partnership, connected by the common mission of providing hospitality and assistance to our new neighbors.

Also, a special thanks goes out to Stone Church for the generous donation of 37 welcome backpacks which will be presented to new arrivals as they come off the plane! Catholic Charities is expecting roughly 150-200 people to arrive over the next 4 months. Please consider hosting a backpack drive in your congregation. We can be reached at refugee@ sanjosepby.org for a list of items or to schedule a time to talk about other ways your congregation can be involved in this exciting and important ministry.

Elsa & Melissa

 

© 2009 The Presbytery of San José