Confronting the Hopelessness of Immigration Theologian in Residence Program

This year’s Ames 38th Annual UCC Theologian in Residence program is “Confronting the Hopelessness of Immigration,” Sept. 15-17, with speaker the Rev. Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre, professor—author—scholar activist. To register, visit Amesucc.org.

The program will start with a public lecture at Iowa State University on Friday, Sept. 15, followed by a hybrid all-day series of presentations at Ames UCC church Saturday, Sept. 16. This will be an in-person event at Ames UCC, and also will be available nationwide as part of a national UCC Webinar in the morning and Ames UCC zoomed sessions in the afternoon. Rev. De La Torre will also be preaching at the Ames UCC Sunday service on Sept. 17. The program provides historical context for why immigrants are coming to the US, and what communities and individuals can do. To see the complete program and to register, go to Amesucc.org and click on the link to the TIR program. A separate registration is required for the national Webinar portion, and a second for the Ames UCC portion. All TIR events are free and open to the public.

The Rev. Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre, Professor—Author—Scholar Activist. His is professor of social ethics and Latinx studies, Iliff School of Theology, Denver, Colo. His books include: Trails of Hope and Terror: Testimonies on Immigration (2009); The U.S. Immigration Crisis: Toward an Ethics of Place (2016); Embracing Hopelessness (2017); Decolonizing Christianity: Becoming Badass Believers (2021). He is the recipient of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) Excellence in Teaching Award (2020) and the AAR Martin E. Marty Public Understanding of Religion Award (2021). Originally from Cuba, he has been active in immigration issues at the US southern border. In addition to his books, he has written the screenplay for the award-winning documentary “Trails of Hope and Terror” (2009).