Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:37-40 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The issues facing the children and families at our USA border with Mexico – children in detention centers (concentration camps?), families being separated, situations of abuse and neglect – are deeply disturbing and concerning to us all. This is a political issue and it is a theological issue – an issue for us all as people of faith. People have been asking what we might do to respond to this and asking what the United Methodist Church is doing. UMs along the border are heavily involved in outreach and intervention efforts. Our General UMC is involved through the Board of Church and Society, the United Methodist Committee on Relief and the General Board of Global Ministries.
Below you will find a variety of articles and resources for you to read and use in order to become more informed and involved and, if you choose, to use to become involved with others. You can write to your state and national representatives: How to Contact Your Elected Officials. You can pray or preach about this on Sunday. You can join or organize a protest or demonstration. You can become more informed. You can donate in a variety of ways to help support the ministry of others as they work on this issue.
Thank you for your faithful witness, for your prayers and for any actions you are willing to engage in. We stand and work together in Christ Jesus to make a difference, to transform our world to a place where all are welcome and where we share our resources so that there is enough for everyone to thrive. We stand and work together in Christ Jesus to make a difference specifically for those trapped at the border, to transform their world to a place where they are safe, secure and provided the resources they need to survive and thrive.
Sue D'Alessio
Director of Connectional Ministries
United Methodist Resources
- A Sunday of Solidarity for Suffering Children, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
- UMCOR: Migrants Seeking Asylum (Video), General Board of Global Ministries Facebook Page
- UMCOR’s Sunday of Solidarity for Suffering Children 2019, California-Pacific Conference
-
Can nothing good come from the border?, John Fanestil Facebook post
- Rev. John Fanestil serves at The Border Church, a binational church that shares communion each Sunday across the United States/Mexico border.
Additional Resources
- Feel Helpless Amidst the Horrific Immigration News? You’re Not. Here’s What To Do., Medium
- How to Protest Human Rights Abuses at U.S. Detention Centers, Lifehacker
- Stop Abuse and Neglect of Migrant Children, Sojourners
- How We Treat Immigrants is How We Treat God, Sojourners
- AMMPARO Migrant Children, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- How You Can Help End Child Detention Horrors TODAY, Together Rising