WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Forty activists are launching an 11-city, four-day bus tour through Midwest "battleground states" prodding key members of Congress to adopt comprehensive immigration reform.

The event is being headed by the Minnesota-based Asamblea de Derechos Civiles, the Assembly for Civil Rights (ADDC), an affiliate of Gamaliel. The tour targets politicians who sit on the House Judiciary Committee.
The tour makes three stops in Ohio, two stops in Minnesota and Missouri, and one stop in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.
"Last week, we celebrated the one year anniversary of the executive order, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)," said Pablo Tapia, co-founder of ADDC. "DACA is not a permanent and stable solution. The House must act NOW to provide a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented folks living in this country."
Ana Garcia-Ashley, Executive Director of Gamaliel said, "The family is the basic unit of our society, but our broken immigration system divides families and keeps loved ones apart for years or decades."
Bus Tour Schedule:
Monday, August 19
9:00am- Vigil at Rep. Eric Paulsen's office, Eden Prairie, MN
9:30am- Vigil at Rep. John Kline's office, Burnsville, MN
1:00pm- Vigil at Rep. Steve King's office, Mason City, IA
Tuesday, August 20
9:30am- Vigil at Rep. Sensenbrenner's in Brookfield, WI
12:30pm- Meeting with Rep. Luis Gutiérrez in Chicago, IL
5:00pm- Dinner with community & rally in South Bend, IN
Wednesday, August 21
9:30am- Action at Rep. Jim Jordan's office in Lima, OH
11:00am- Action at Rep. John Boehner's office in Troy, OH
2:30pm- Action in Rep. Steve Chabot's office in Cincinnati, OH
Thursday, August 22
9:30am- Vigil at Rep. Jason Smith's office in Farmington, MO
5:00pm- Rally in St. Charles, MO
Asamblea de Derechos Civiles is a statewide, faith-based organization which organizes immigrants from predominantly Latino congregations to build power to change the immigration system and the underlying political and economic structures behind it.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 10, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Cyclists are signing up for the ride of their lives next summer, seeking to end the cycle of poverty in North America and around the world.

The Sea to Sea 2013 Bike Tour is a nine-week, 3,900-mile cycling trek across North America designed to raise awareness and funds in support of those living in poverty around the world. The tour is hosted by the Reformed Church in America, Partners Worldwide, and World Renew--an agency of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

The tour begins June 21, 2013, in Los Angeles and ends nine weeks later in New York City. Stops include Phoenix, Colorado Springs, Chicago, Pella, Grand Rapids, Toronto, and Montreal. Organizers expect this will be the largest bicycle tour to ever cross the United States and Canada, and applications are already coming in. Riders have the option of going the full distance or registering for one to five week segments. It is recommended that riders register by December 1, 2012.

The challenge includes nine weeks on the road, cycling an average of 68 miles per day, and resting only on Sundays. Each rider is also required to raise at least $10,000 toward the cause.

The 2008 tour, which rode through the U.S. and Canada, sent over $1.5 million to local, national and international agencies fighting poverty.

"We have been able to make a difference in fighting poverty, locally and abroad, before. But there is so much more to do. The needs today are greater," said Claire Elgersma, chair of the tour's steering committee.

Funds generated through the tour will be used to support new or ongoing initiatives in the areas of business and community development, and will provide people around the world with access to clean water, immunizations, and other vital medical services.

Additionally, 35 percent of the tour proceeds will be distributed to local programs that assist the poor.

For more information about Sea to Sea, go to www.seatosea.org.

 

Christian Newswire

Prayer and Fasting Movement Gains Speed as Elections Near and Global Tensions Escalate

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- The International Week of Prayer and Fasting (IWPF), a Catholic global movement, is launching its 20th annual campaign to pray for the conversion of nations, the building of a culture of life and the promotion of peace throughout the world. The Coalition is asking for people to participate as individuals, families and parishes during this 18 day period (two back-to-back nine day novena prayers): the first novena is to petition God's mercy and the second novena is in thanksgiving for answered prayers.

The campaign begins with an all-day Eucharistic Prayer Vigil at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., from 9am-4pm on Saturday, October 20th. Speakers include Dr. Richard Russell, an established international relations scholar; Vicki Thorn, founder of Project Rachel; Monsignor Charles Pope, pastor of Holy Comforter in Washington D.C.; Bishop George Nkuo, Bishop of Kumbo Cameroon, Africa; Fr. Chad Partain, founder of the St. Philomena Youth for Purity Program; and Ted Flynn, popular author and speaker.

Pope John Paul II backed IWPF when he said in a message given on October 1, 2001: "As a pledge of an abundance of Divine Blessings upon you and yours, I paternally impart to all participants of the International Week of Prayer and Fasting my most heartfelt apostolic blessing."

The coalition received support from Mother Teresa in its early days. She said, "You must do this, God wants this, prayer is the answer to the world's problems." Blessed Mother Teresa also said "I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace in the world is abortion...the fruit of abortion is nuclear war."

Coalition chairperson Maureen Flynn says, "Many news, political and religious commentators speak today about our global financial crisis, but few speak about our rapid spiritual and moral decline. Many people believe that America is now under God's judgment. In addition to the concern over whales stranded on the beach and other unfortunate animal tragedies, there should be outrage and sorrow over the daily destruction of over 4000 unborn babies in America through abortion. Since the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision, there have been more than 50 million unborn children that have been destroyed by abortion. We must remember, Our Lord is a God of Mercy and He responds to our repentance and prayers. As individuals, as families and as nations we much pray and fast for a global culture of life and peace."

For information or to register for the free prayer vigil at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, please visit our website www.iwopf.org or contact us at 1-888-478-PRAY / 703-707-0799 or email iwopfinfo@aol.com.