{"id":9978,"date":"2025-11-18T11:09:55","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T16:09:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/bishop\/?p=9978"},"modified":"2025-11-18T11:20:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T16:20:31","slug":"a-faithful-call-to-stand-with-our-immigrant-neighbors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/bishop\/2025\/11\/a-faithful-call-to-stand-with-our-immigrant-neighbors\/","title":{"rendered":"A Faithful Call to Stand with Our Immigrant Neighbors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Versi\u00f3n en Espa\u00f1ol\u2192<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friends,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past several days, through both local and national reports\u2014and through close partnership with trusted community leaders\u2014we have learned of increased federal immigration enforcement activity in the Charlotte area. We have also learned that enforcement activity will start in the Triangle area on Tuesday, November 18. While we know faithful United Methodists hold a wide range of political perspectives, we also know this: the human cost of our broken immigration system is real, and the suffering it inflicts on immigrant and refugee families cannot be ignored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In moments like these, Scripture leads us with clarity and conviction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWhen immigrants live in your land with you, you must not cheat them. Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself\u2026\u201d<\/em>
<\/em>\u2014Leviticus 19:33\u201334<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

As United Methodists, we hold Scripture as primary. We interpret Scripture, by the power of the Holy Spirit, using reason, tradition, and experience. \u201cReason\u201d illuminates disciples of Jesus to see that when our immigration policies are broken and due process is not followed, exploitation of vulnerable people is exposed. \u201cTradition\u201d and \u201cexperience\u201d evidence that scripture is shining light on the importance of standing with the most vulnerable, who at this moment, are our immigrant sisters and brothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this year, at our Annual Conference, in Resolution IV<\/a>, we reaffirmed that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRegardless of legal status or nationality, we are all connected through Christ to one another. When \u2018one part suffers, all the parts suffer\u2019 (1 Corinthians 12:26). The solidarity we share through Christ eliminates boundaries and barriers which exclude and isolate.\u201d
(Book of Resolutions #4271, Welcoming the Migrant to the U.S.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my recent letter on immigration<\/a>, I shared how deeply I believe that every person\u2014every neighbor, every newcomer, every family member\u2014is created in the image of God and deserving of dignity, compassion, and safety. That conviction has not changed. If anything, moments like this make it more urgent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, I invite us to respond as a people of faith\u2014not with fear, but with solidarity; not with silence, but with Christ-shaped love. This is not about politics. This is about people. It is about our brothers and sisters, our neighbors, our co-workers, and members of our congregations whose lives and families are being disrupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pastoral Response and Ways to Engage<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I encourage clergy and congregations to join together in the following ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Share and study the Annual Conference Resolution<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

View Resolution IV from AC 2025\u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Participate in the NCC Immigration Crisis Response Weekly Check-ins<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Join Wednesdays at 7:00 pm\u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Join the Immigration Circle of Prayer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

November 21 & December 12\u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Support families in crisis through the Samaritan Fund<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your gifts provide direct, urgent assistance to immigrant families in our communities who are facing detention, family separation, or loss of income during enforcement actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give Now\u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Engage with immigration resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Visit the Immigration Resources page<\/a> on the conference website to access Know Your Rights documents, informative videos, and conference and denominational resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These opportunities create space for prayer, learning, compassionate action, and shared witness to Christ\u2019s love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recognize that these steps are only the beginning. As this situation develops, we remain committed to discerning additional ways we can accompany, protect, and advocate for immigrant families across North Carolina. I will continue working closely with our Cabinet, Conference leaders, and community partners to ensure that our response reflects the best of who we are as United Methodists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us remember:
Every person bears the image of God. Every family deserves safety. Every neighbor deserves dignity.
In the power of the Holy Spirit, may we embody Christ\u2019s love with courage and compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With hope in Christ,
Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton<\/strong>
<\/strong>The North Carolina Conference
The United Methodist Church<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Versi\u00f3n en Espa\u00f1ol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Amados y amadas en Cristo,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

En los \u00faltimos d\u00edas, a trav\u00e9s de reportes locales y nacionales\u2014y mediante nuestra colaboraci\u00f3n cercana con l\u00edderes comunitarios de confianza\u2014hemos sabido del aumento en actividades de control migratorio federal en el \u00e1rea de Charlotte. Tambi\u00e9n hemos recibido informaci\u00f3n de que estas operaciones comenzar\u00e1n en el \u00e1rea del Tri\u00e1ngulo el martes 18 de noviembre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sabemos que entre los metodistas unidos existe una diversidad de perspectivas pol\u00edticas; sin embargo, tambi\u00e9n sabemos una verdad fundamental: el costo humano de nuestro sistema migratorio roto es real, y el sufrimiento que impone sobre familias inmigrantes y refugiadas no puede ser ignorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

En momentos como este, la Escritura nos gu\u00eda con claridad y convicci\u00f3n:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cCuando alg\u00fan inmigrante resida con ustedes en la tierra, no lo opriman. Al inmigrante que reside con ustedes, lo tratar\u00e1n como uno de sus ciudadanos; lo amar\u00e1s como a ti mismo\u2026\u201d
\u2014Lev\u00edtico 19:33\u201334<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Como Metodistas Unidos, sostenemos la Escritura como central. Interpretamos la Palabra de Dios, por el poder del Esp\u00edritu Santo, usando la raz\u00f3n, la tradici\u00f3n y la experiencia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n