It's generally accepted that where and when we grow up has an impact on how we view the world. Part of learning about the world, then, requires that we either put ourselves in new situations or that we listen deeply to people who speak out of a different context.

One of MCC's efforts in this regard is the recent Immigration Listening Project. Immigration has become a hot news item and a polarizing discussion in U.S. society as well as in Anabaptist circles. In order to encourage different parts of the church to listen to each other's experiences, MCC conducted 36 listenings over the course of a year, across the U.S.

Each group was asked the same nine questions. Some listenings took place in recent immigrant congregations (meaning the members have mostly immigrated to the U.S. in the preceeding generation). Others took place in long-time immigrant congregations (meaning the members ancestors immigrated more than a generation ago). Some groups were mixed. Mennonites, Brethren in Christ and Amish participated in the listenings.

The report on these listenings is now available in pdf from here. Take a look and let me know what you think. Also, think about using the Listening Report as a focus for discussion with friends or folks from your church. If you're looking for ways to get involved in making our U.S. immigration system more just, check out these MCC resources, and these advocacy tools from MCC's Washington Office.