July 8, 2019
Grace and peace to you in the name of Christ Jesus. On behalf of the United Methodist Immigration Task Force we share with you a deep concern for migrants. You have seen the deplorable conditions under which migrant children and families are being detained in the US right now. We cannot be silent in this hour. The voice and actions of The United Methodist Church must be heard and experienced in this moment.
We give God thanks for United Methodists who are providing compassionate care to migrants at the border. Border Conferences have established relief centers for migrants. United Methodists from other regions of the country continue to support migrants seeking asylum with their time, talent and treasures. United Methodist congregations across the country have opened their doors to provide sanctuary for those immigrants whose lives would be endangered if they were to be deported to their home countries. UMCOR has been a partner in assisting this connectional work. The General Board of Church and Society has led us faithfully in our advocacy work in support of justice for the migrant and the immigrant. United Methodist Women have also been a strong voice in advocating for the rights of immigrant children and families.
Let’s continue to do this good and faithful work. Join us in these actions:
Give to the Advance # 3022144 for Migration. Go to UMCOR – Global Migration for further information.
Join the General Board of Church and Society in our United Methodist advocacy work along side of immigrants. Check in online at UMCJustice.org and to send letters to your Congressional representatives and the White House.
Encourage your UMW unit to join the action plan set forth at the United Methodist Women website.
We ask that you also speak up in support of persons in Sanctuary and the churches supporting them. In the past week, we have become aware of the Trump Administration’s most recent attack on immigrants who are living in Sanctuary in congregations, among them United Methodist congregations, as they seek to fight for justice in their deportation cases. The federal government is issuing fines of up to $500,000 to these immigrants in Sanctuary. This is an egregiously punitive tactic causing great fear and anxiety to immigrant brothers and sisters who are already deeply burdened by the stress of their circumstances.
Support United Methodist Sanctuary congregations and the immigrants in Sanctuary by praying for them and by sending them a postcard expressing such support. At the end of this letter is the list of multiple United Methodist Sanctuary churches and those immigrant friends whom they are hosting.
Take this moment to act. It will make a difference in these challenging times in the lives of suffering immigrants and the brave churches who are ministering to them. May the words of Paul to Timothy strengthen us all……
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. II Timothy 2:7
Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, Chair Susan Henry-Crowe, General Secretary
UM Immigration Task Force General Board of Church and Society
Thomas Kemper, General Secretary Harriett J. Olson, General Secretary/CEO
General Board of Global Ministries United Methodist Women
| Person in Sanctuary | Name of Faith Congregation | Address | Phone | Faith Leader | Annual Conference | Entered Into Sanctuary |
| Debora Barrios-Vasquez | St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church |
263 West 86th Street New York, NY 10024 |
(212) 362-3179 | Rev. K Karpen | New York | 6/4/18 |
| Maria Chavalan Sut | Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church | 1901 Thomson Road Charlottesville, VA 22903 |
(434) 296-6976 | Pastor Isaac Collins | Virginia | 10/1/18 |
| Francisca Lino | Adalberto Memorial United Methodist Church | 2716 West Division St. Chicago IL 60622 |
(773) 782-8464 | Pastor Jacobita Cortes | Northern Illinois | 8/23/17 |
| Nelson Pinos | First and Summerfield United Methodist Church | 425 College Street New Haven CT 06511 |
(203) 624-2521 | Pastor Vicki Flippin | New York | 11/30/17 |
| Suyapa Reyes and 4 Children, Jennifer, Yeimi, Jeison & Junior |
First United Methodist Church of Germantown | 6001 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia PA 19144 |
(215) 438-3677 | Rev. Bob Coombe | Eastern Pennsylvania | 8/28/18 |
| Ded Rranxburgaj | Central United Methodist Church | 23 East Adams Ave. Detroit MI 48226 |
(313) 965-5422 | Rev. Jill Hardt Zundel | Michigan | 1/17/18 |
| Rosa Sabido | Mancos United Methodist Church | 470 West Grand Ave. Mancos, CO 81328 |
(970) 533-7460 | Pastor Craig Paschal | Mountain Sky | 6/2/17 |
| Clive & Oneita Thompson and 2 Children, Christine & Timmy |
First United Methodist Church of Germantown | 6001 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia PA 19144 |
(215) 438-3677 | Rev. Bob Coombe | Eastern Pennsylvania | 8/28/18 |
| Araceli Velasquez | Park Hill United Methodist Church and Temple Micah Synagogue |
5209 Montview Blvd. Denver, CO 80207 |
(303) 322-1867 | Rev. Nathan Adams and Rabbi Adam Morris |
Mountain Sky | 8/8/17 |