CROSSVILLE —
Probably there is no issue that generates more emotions, misunderstandings and political angst than what to do about immigration. Last weekend, the Shalom Center for Continuing Education, based in Pleasant Hill, hosted the Rev. Dan Romero, founder of the Daniel Romero Border Ministries Center in San Ysidro, CA.
The Rev. Romero received his Master of Divinity degree from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA in 1970 and was ordained by the Southern California Conference of the United Church of Christ. He pastored churches in southern California for two decades. In 1984, he received his Juris Doctorate from Loyola University and became a member of the New York Bar Association, specializing in immigration and international law.
The Rev. Romero was elected general secretary for mission program of the United Church Board for World Missions in 1987. He assisted with the establishment in 1996 of the Common Global Ministries Board of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church, traveling extensively internationally. In 1998, he was elected conference minister for the Southern California Nevada Conference.
During the two-day presentation, he explored the political, theological and legal perspectives of immigration issues. His talks were peppered with personal experiences and anecdotes of those he has advised both from a religious and legal aspect. The Shalom Center participants were guided from a historical perspective of immigration through today’s quagmire of political rhetoric and legislation. Videos depicting human stories helped to put faces on the Latinos and Latinas in the United States today, many of whom have lived here for generations.
The Rev. Romero, born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, could not help but have been impacted by the immigrant situation. Now retired, he is committed to working with diverse constituencies in shaping an authentic ecumenical and multicultural context for ministry. He is the author of Our Futures Inextricably Linked: A Vision of Pluralism. The Rev. Romero acts as a consultant to the Daniel F. Romero Border Ministries Center in San Ysidro, CA. He speaks and writes on immigration issues and is a volunteer lawyer at El Rescate Legal Services in Los Angeles.
The Daniel F. Romero Center for Border Ministries was named in honor of the Rev. Romero and he helps out there when he can. It is located less than 20 minutes from the Mexican border city of Tijuana. The Romero Center offers immersion experiences, lectures, workshops and conferences on both sides of the border. It supports outreach activities with local communities, schools, churches, universities and seminaries. It offers leadership development for those interested in justice work. The website is www.theromerocenter.com.
The Shalom Center for Continuing Education is a nonprofit educational center whose purpose is to provide opportunities for education in social, economic, cultural, ecological, ethical and theological importance. Through conferences, workshops, forums, retreats and courses the Shalom Center seeks to engage those in Pleasant Hill and beyond in a learning process that is lifelong. Its board of directors is headed by Roger Knight, president; Joan Katz, secretary; and Marvin Albright, treasurer and can be reached at Box 167, Pleasant Hill, TN 38578. The website is www.shalomcenterpleasanthill.com.
Upcoming programs are "Lazarus, Come Forth!" — Evening Meditation and Book-Signing with the Rev. John Dear, S.J. on March 17. John Dear, a Jesuit priest, is an internationally known voice for peace and nonviolence. He is the author of 25 books. April 20-22 sessions will take place with Dr. Robert Jensen, professor, University of Texas at Austin, School of Journalism. Robert Jenson has a Ph.D. in Media Ethics and Law from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. There are no easy answers to the many issues we face today, but the Shalom Center helps us clarify the questions.
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Team Uplands from Pleasant Hill took first place in the Alzheimer’s Walk 2011, raising over $4,200. Congratulations Team Uplands for your hard work in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Many friends and families of the walkers supported their endeavor last October and November.
Lifestyles
Related Photos
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Roger Knight, right, president of the Shalom Center for Continuing Education confers with the Rev. Dan Romero before his presentation about immigration in Pleasant Hill.
Pleasant Hill Ramblings: Immigration up for discussion at Shalom Center
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