As people of faith, we are engaged in a biblical narrative where welcoming the alien and embracing the stranger runs through Genesis to Revelation. From the very beginning this mandate is codified into scriptural law. God reminds us that “the alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”
Later, justice for the alien is a frequent proclamation voiced by the prophets. “Then I will draw near to you for judgment; I will be swift to bear witness against . . . those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.” Mal 3:5.
And then this narrative is fully embraced by Jesus when he says to us: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matt 25:35
We have an opportunity to gather with Christian brothers and sisters and other advocates and claim this reality with our state legislative leaders during a Faith Advocacy Day. Such proclamation is congruent with our standing beliefs as United Methodist as stated in our United Methodist Book of Resolutions, where in Resolution 3281, we in part state: The United Methodist Church affirms the worth, dignity, and inherent value and rights of all persons regardless of their nationality or legal status. United Methodist churches throughout the United States are urged to build bridges with migrants in their local communities, to learn from them, celebrate their presence in the United States and recognize and appreciate the contributions in all areas of life that migrants bring.
See the entire Resolution:
http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/welcoming-the-migrant-to-the-us
So please prayerfully consider joining us for:
Faith Advocacy Day
“Join forces with Faith Leaders and stand for immigrant rights.”
Thursday, June 8, 2017
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Lobby training at El Pueblo, 2321 Crabtree Blvd. Raleigh, NC
Training on HB35/HB113/HB306/SB145
10:30 – 1:00 PM
Visit legislators
NC General Assembly 16 W. Jones St., Raleigh, NC
1:00 PM Press Conference
Bicentennial Plaza
1 E. Edenton St., Raleigh, NC
Sponsoring organizations: NC Immigrant Rights Alliance and NC NAACP