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 Syrian Refugees
This week the family of Ahmad al-Abboud is being resettled in America, Kansas City to be exact. Ahmad comes with his wife and five children. After fleeing for their lives from their home in Homs, Syria, they have been living for the past three years in Mafraq, north of Amman, Jordan. The relatively small country of Jordan hosts about 635,000 of the more than 4.7 million Syrians who have registered with the U.N. refugee agency after fleeing the war. The total number of Syrians in Jordan is more than 1.2 million. The number of Syrians in refugee camps in neighboring Lebanon equals about a quarter of the country's population. Only 10,000 will be allowed in America this year.
Though many are Muslim, we hardly have to worry about them being terrorists. In order to immigrate as asylum seekers in the U.S. there are 14 arduous steps that refugees must go through, and it usually takes a minimum of 18-24 months. These steps include:
registration, thorough documentation and biometric scans (iris) by the UNHCR, an interview by the DOS in preparation for security clearance by the USCIS, a clearance through the watch-list of the CLASS, a security review by the SAO and vetting by the NCTC and IAC, an enhanced review before the RAF at USCIS headquarters with a possible referral to the FDNS, an in-person interview by USCIS officer, and more security screenings and medical screenings by the FBI, DHS, DOD, and CBP. (Sorry, but it would take too much space to spell out all of the acronyms).
Ahmed said, "I'm happy. America is the country of freedom and democracy, there are job opportunities, there is good education, and we are looking forward to having a good life over there." I recall my grandfather saying something similar. Though Lebanese, he was listed as a Syrian refugee when he came through Ellis Island in 1900. He often said, "I am more American than you. You are an American by birth, but I am an American by
choice."
How did your family get to the U.S.A.? Were your ancestors fleeing persecution or looking for a better life? Did they have a short, uncomplicated stay while being processed through Ellis Island or go through a two year barrage of interviews and security screenings while living in one of our approximately 250 immigrant detention centers: for-profit, privately run penitentiaries placed throughout our country?
If you ever have the opportunity, please show a refugee family the hospitality, love of Christ, and welcome that we at St. Andrew are known for.
Alan
[Note: Alan will be presenting workshops on the plight of Syrian refugees at the Synod of the Sun Men's Conference, April 29-May 2]
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Spring Scenes Spectacular
It's showtime! This weekend, come and hear St. Andrew singers perform hits from Oklahoma, Man of La Mancha, South Pacific, Pirates of Penzance, The Music Man, Carmen and more in our Second Spring Scenes Spectacular. This year's show has it all: high drama, romance, and loads of comedy. Showtimes are 7pm on Saturday, April 23 and 2pm on Sunday, April 24 in Fellowship Hall.
Donations will be gratefully accepted to keep this vibrant program going in future years, but a
dmission is free. The performance is kid-friendly, so invite your music-loving friends and bring the whole family to experience Broadway and opera right at St. Andrew!
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Hymn Sing and Bell Ring at Final Super Wednesday of the Spring Semester
Wednesday, April 27 @ 6:30pm
Come and enjoy hamburgers and brats for dinner at 5:30pm. We will then join with the Noel and Covenant Choirs for the annual hymn sing and the St. Andrew Handbell Choir for the bell ring. This is an annual event that marks the last Super Wednesday of the semester. See you there!
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Graduating Senior Luncheon
Please join us for a celebration luncheon Sunday, May 1st, after worship, in honor of our 2016 graduating seniors! This is a very special time that we as a church can encourage and affirm these brothers and sisters in Christ, with many of them leaving the familiarity of home and starting college in a few months. Lunch will be provided by St. Andrew.
2016 Seniors: Jackson Anderson, Samantha Guerrero, Jordan King, Evangel Odei, Katie Raabe, Sarah Rosenberg
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Save the Date!
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
In Search of the Elusive Red Panda
Travels to Nepal
with Harrison Edell
Senior Director of Living Collections
, Dallas Zoo
A one-hour travel adventure into the forests, mountains and Himalayan communities of Nepal.
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Youth BBQ TShirt Orders
Each year the youth design a special shirt for the youth BBQ and each year people ask if they can buy one as well. This year we will be selling shirts at the BBQ for anyone interested, the shirts this year are not BBQ specific, but a St. Andrew Youth shirt. We are going to take pre-orders to help us know how many and what size shirts to order. They are a blue shirt with adult sizes XS-XXXL. Shirts will cost $10. Please place your pre-order by Sunday, April 24 by emailing Brandi at
Brandi@saint-andrew.com. You can also pay as you pre-order, check or cash is accepted. Pre-ordering will guarantee you a shirt and select sizes will be for sale at the BBQ for non pre-orders. Thanks so much for supporting the youth and we look forward to another great church BBQ on May 15!
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File Folders Needed
The Children's Place preschool is in need of file folders. Your donation of unused folders, especially ones of different colors, would be very helpful and greatly appreciated. You can place your donations in the labeled box in the Narthex workroom. Thanks for your help!
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Community Outreach Committee
Mother's Day Gift Bag Requests
The Community Outreach Committee requests donations for the Mother's Day Gift Bags that will be donated to homeless mothers with dependent children through Giving Hope, Inc. New female toiletry items and new or gently-used gift bags are requested. Suggested items may include make-up, lipstick, perfume, lotion, shampoo & conditioner, nail products & accessories, deodorant, etc. Donations will be collected March 8 through May 3 in the designated collection bins by the soda machine outside Fellowship Hall.
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The 'after worship' Fellowship Hour refreshments for the month of April will be provided by the members of the Mission Committee, chaired by Gina Anderson. The May refreshments will be provided by the members of the Youth Committee.
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April Give-a-Meal
Dried Beans, Rice, Canned Green Beans, Canned Peaches
Optional: Coffee or Peanut Butter
Please return your non-perishable donations for the Denton Community Food Center to the collection bin by the Coke machine near Fellowship Hall. Thank You!
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Calendar
Men's Book Study
Thursday, April 21
8am, Cartwright's Ranch House
Spring Scenes Spectactular
Saturday, April 23
7pm, Fellowship Hall
Spring Scenes Spectactular
Sunday, April 24
2pm, Fellowship Hall
Theology on Tap
Monday, April 25
6:30pm, Oak Street Draft House
Super Wednesday Hymn Sing and Bell Ring
Wednesday, April 27
Graduating Senior Luncheon
Sunday, May 1
11:45am, Fellowship Hall
Stephen Ministry
Monday, May 2
6pm, Room 206/208
Special Program with Harrison Edell
Wednesday, May 4
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