7‑Word Stories on Immigration
The Justice Team at CPC took up an initiative to ask folks in the CPC community to come up with 7‑word stories on their experiences with immigration. 51 submissions tell a larger story. Stories are categorized into several themes. Take a look below!
Making Connections
Scared, relief, connected, authentic brave, hopeful, happy.
A new face, a smile, a friend.
Curiosity, Care, Listening, understanding, Fear, Empathy, Love.
Nervous. Self-conscious. Curious. Smiling. Reaching out. Enriched.
by Phil Haslanger
Happiness, exciting, appreciative learning, wondering, equality, injustice.
by Ann Louise Tétreault
He prayed for me. Then we hugged.
by Craig
Disorienting, self-conscious, welcoming, relieving, warm, widening, freeing.
by Glen Reichelderfer
Afraid, unsure, curious, happy to meet a different person.
by JD
I wish I could speak her language.
Learning. Culture. Curiosity. Families. Food.
Awed by their Experiences
She raised two kids in a shelter.
by Jacques Gordon
Imagine horrors that drive you from home.
by Mary Strait
Leaving your country→ leaving a gaping hole.
by Mary Strait
Being the Stranger
Grateful. Lucky. Saved from war and death.
Our parents became “the strangers” for us.
by Yasmina Haddad
I felt so alone and without friends.
A quick look judges — “safe” or “unsafe”
As a stranger, I make many mistakes.
by Angie Dickens
AFS student. New language. Eye opening. Humbled.
by Louise Wilson
Welcoming
Rooted in love, extending a welcome hand.
by Sara Lubbers
I love our immigrant communities, bless them.
by Arik McGraw
I LOVE TO WELCOME STRANGERS TO CPC
by Norma Madsen
Sharing our table with an asylum seeker.
We were strangers but now we’re friends.
by John Heaton & Dan Scheel
OPEN Minds and Hearts make All Welcome.
The Melting Pot is a worthy goal.
We are all God’s children. Welcome All!
Welcome a stranger and you have been Jesus.
We are all siblings in God’s family. “
by Diane Ballweg
Blessings
WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY MAY BE BRINGING?
by Norma Madsen
WHO KNOWS WHAT GIFTS STRANGERS CAN BRING?
by Norma Madsen
Could this be an angel before me?
Immigrants are important to the future of the USA.
We’ve enjoyed learning from international scholar friends.
by David Strait
Blessed by “the other”- reflections of God.
by Rich H.
Their stories inspire me to learn more.
by Karen Parrillo
I learn new, interesting perspectives on life.
by Drew
Hard-working, invaluable members of our community.
Shared History
I WAS ONCE A STRANGER TO CPC!
by Norma Madsen
Without immigration, I wouldn’t be here.
by Ellen Murdoch
My Grandparents came from Sweden and Germany.
Reminded of the experiences of my ancestors.
by Robin Hill
My husband, first generation of Polish immigrants.
We are united in our immigration experience.
I have been the “Stranger,” now welcomed!
by Karen Elizabeth King
Your story and my story have similarities.
by Dan Meyer
Norwegian accent though she’d never visited Norway.
by Angie Dickens
From Sweden’s shores — assimilated because we’re white?!
by Rich H.
Political Context
But who else will milk the cows?
by Angie Dickens
American melting pot: What have we lost?
by Angie Dickens
Leaders warn about immigrants. May we protest.
by C. Vander Ark
“Welcoming the Stranger” Potluck — Tuesday, January 13, 6:00pm
Tell Your Story!
Join the voices of those above by telling your 7‑word story on immigration below.
Justice