“I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:35

In communities across our region, and churches across our conference, immigrant families bring an incredible diversity of gifts, and face daily fear of rejection and separation. As United Methodists, we are intentional in providing a ministry of prayer and presence in our congregations that bear witness to God’s grace and love to immigrants and refugees.

We encourage our pastors and lay minister to preach and proclaim an alternative rhetoric to the message of fear and anger that is being generated by those with power against immigrants. We invite our congregations to step forward and provide safe places of sanctuary for those who long for a place of care and advocacy.

• NEJ Statement on Immigration, February 2017
• Immigration and Refugees Resources