Valley Insight’s 2018 Micah Award Honorees
Ceremony, Sunday, October 28, 2 pm – 5 pm
The United Valley Interfaith Project (UVIP) holds an annual fundraiser and its “Micah Awards” Ceremony to recognize and celebrate the important work being done in our regional community by volunteers who work for community involvement, social and economic justice. This year, VIMS is recognizing the vital work being done to relieve the plight of immigrants. Doris Hampton, Suzanne Serat, and Mary Boyle are deeply involved in this work. This is what they wrote for the Micah Program Book:
Immigration Solidarity as Part of Engaged Buddhism
Valley Insight Meditation Society
Valley Insight Meditation Society (VIMS) understands that each of us is intertwined with each and every other being. With this appreciation in our hearts, we, Doris Hampton, Suzanne Serat, and Mary Boyle, are being recognized for our work with immigrant care and for educating our sangha (congregation) about the plight of immigrants. We human beings tend to isolate, separate and erase others from our consciousness when relationships get difficult. Our work with immigrants has offered an alternative to turning away and numbing our hearts to human suffering by being part of a world-wide circle with a caring presence.
Through our involvement with VIMS and VIMS’s active involvement with UVIP, we are part of a broad and deep network of many organizations and individuals here and around the world. Our activism includes monthly vigils at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices; ACLU Know Your Rights trainings; Rapid Alert systems; Border Patrol checkpoint actions; Sycamore Community Garden; Talking Bridges; ESL training; participation in the NH Immigration Support Network; and state and federal legislative advocacy. VIMS is one of five UVIP communities ready to offer volunteer support to the potential physical sanctuary at Meriden Congregational Church in Meriden, NH. Our activism is part of our commitment to Engaged Buddhism, which means acting upon our values about suffering and its end.
A.J. Muste, an important leader of the anti-Vietnam War movement, was asked by a reporter if he thought his involvement in protest actions would change the direction of his country. He is [reported] to have replied: “Young man, I don’t do this to change my country. I do this so that my country does not change me.”
Please attend the Micah Awards ceremony, cheer for our honorees, and hear many inspiring stories from fourteen faith-based communities about those who have given significant time to helping others who are enduring political, social, or economic injustices!
The Awards Ceremony will take place on Sunday, October 28 at the Claremont Senior Center, 5 Acer Heights, Claremont, NH, 25 minutes from the Lebanon Green on route 120, or 12 minutes from the Mt. Ascutney exit on I-91. Doors open at 2 p.m. for socializing. The ceremony will take place from 3 to 5 p.m.