Conference Minister Franz Rigert was among the UCC conference ministers last week who took the prophetic voice of the church to Capitol Hill, advocating forcefully for justice and peace. Here is his account of the visit.
By Franz Rigert
We advocated around immigration bills with Rep. Glenn Grothman, lifting up the theme “Love Knows No Borders” and specifically asking for his support on two bills. The VISIBLE Act would stipulate that federal agents need to have badges clearly visible and no facial masks. The No Ban Act would prevent the president from using sweeping immigration measures such as banning all people from a particular religion or a particular country from entering the U.S.
Good friend and UCC Associate General Minister Rev. Shari Prestemon joined us for a vigil to which each conference minister brought a 50-second story. I talked about the recent ICE raid at a Walmart parking lot in Manitowoc where 24 farm workers were apprehended. Fear now keeps many dairy workers huddled in their shared rental houses. In some cases, cows go unmilked. Stalls are not cleaned and calves are not fed. Farmers are increasingly afraid for their future with so much uncertainty in their workforce.
I came away encouraged by our conversations. While D.C. is a mess right now with federal agents still on the grounds, many staffers think we are closer to some compromises than the news would suggest.
I was so proud of the work of our D.C. Office for Public Policy and Advocacy. The Rev. Mike Neuroth and his small but mighty team trained us well. We put our Gospel values to work with over 20 meetings in total with legislators and staffers.
Franz Rigert photo courtesy the United Church of Christ Washington DC office.
Following photos by the Rev. Franz Rigert:
Group of conference ministers
Franz with the Rev. Darrell Goodwin, Southern New England Conference:
Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros (Kansas/Oklahoma Conference), Franz, a staffer for Senator Ron Johnson, the Rev. Mary Nelson (Missouri Mid-South Conference), and the Rev. Mike Neuroth, UCC DC Office for Public Policy and Advocacy:
Franz with Glenn Grothman and the Revs. Mary Nelson and Lorraine Ceniceros:
Senator Ron Johnson and the Revs. Lorraine Ceniceros, Mary Nelson, and Franz Rigert:
