A Kairos moment: Committee discusses issues of immigration and reform

PITTSBURGH – July 2, 2012 — The General Assembly committee on immigration began deliberations today with open hearings on the issues it will face in the upcoming days of the 220th General Assembly in Pittsburgh.This General Assembly is the first time that issues related to immigration have been considered within a committee dedicated solely to those issues.  

“Immigration is probably the number one social justice issue in the country before us right now,” suggested committee vice-moderator José Gonzales-Colón. It is not a responsibility that he and committee moderator Joann Lee take lightly. Because of that they have been thoughtful of even the smaller details of the layout of the physical space of the committee room—meeting around tables, in smaller groups, to facilitate discussion.

“I think that this is work that the committee understands impacts our sisters and brothers in this church and this country,” said committee moderator Lee. “These are not just issues, but people, and people’s lives that we are dealing with.” 

“We have been very intentional about using mutual invitation and having every voice respected and heard,” said Gonzales-Colón. Allowing every voice to be heard, and every opinion to be shared, will allow, Gonzales-Colón 3ezhopes, for a more robust consensus.

“It seems clear to that immigration is getting to the point where every church is impacted,” said Gonzales-Colón. It is, he admits, a challenge. But with that challenge comes opportunity—specifically, opportunity for ministry.

“We know that we need to stand with those who are living lives that can be really scary and don’t have a lot of voice,” added Lee.

“It could be another missed opportunity for us, or it could be a kairos moment,” Gonzales-Colón concluded.