A Prophetic Voice in La Crosse, AMOS

Sunday night AMOS celebrated its 7th year in existence. AMOS, you may remember from previous postings, is "an interfaith, congregation based coalition working for a more just and compassionate community." 

Ten local congregations participate in giving their support both monetarily and physically, insuring the ongoing work of the the task forces of Food Insecurity, Environment, Health Care, Immigration, Restorative Justice and last but not least, the AMOS recipients of this year's special Seeds of Justice: Hmong Advocacy.

Curtis Miller, one of AMOS's founding clergy, presented the Hmong Advocacy task force this reward for having completed work in numerous arenas:  repatriation issues re: Thailand's treatment of the Hmong, changes in interpreting health care services, adult mentorship for Hmong youth, educational project participation, collaboration with an area hospital for a community garden for both elders and youth, a leadership workshop, continued education, Memorial Day service participation, voter education with transportation, continued focus for parents involvement in children's school and mentoring, nursing care program and area hotline, eggroll production for social benefits and profit and... citizenship. 

Maureen, team member shares her mother's naturalization paper

In 2012 an urgency was recognized for citizenship classes, naturalization and incurred expenses for 35 individuals and by 2013, 12  received certificates of naturalization and com-pleted 25 applications for minor children.

 Members of the task force expressed their appreciation for the bonds formed and reasons why the relationships and work achieved was important to each participant. Friend Maureen shared her reason being part of the task force due to her parents coming to this country as immigrants and having to go through this arduous citizenship process. She even had in tow her mother's naturalization papers... Special.

Besides the Hmong Advocacy Task Force recognition, the event's attendees were treated to music by the group Celtic Cross both before, during and after dinner. The musical group generously returned their earnings and the raffle's 50-50 winner also donated her winnings back to AMOS. So many generous people in one room...

The smorgasbord Dinner was buffet style with each congregation donating to the potluck menu of fruit salads, jello salads, Middle Eastern salad, egg rolls, green beans, chicken, bread, squash, kugel, beverages and desserts.  

We were definitely sated.

With bellies full, our key note speaker for the evening was Richard Kyte, Viterbo University professor of Philosophy and Director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership. His topic was Water Ethics: Commons Dialogue for a Commons Resource. He extended Aldo Leopold's writings on land ethics to water and man's biblical responsibility to be a steward. " Who in our society speaks for everyone;who advocates for the common good; who inhabits a perspective beyond particular interests?" 

Those present had our souls, stomachs and minds fed to help us continue our work for social justice. There is always work to be done...