September Mission Focus

Holding Institute, Laredo,TX is the destination for our September Mission Offering.  In a recent post from the El Valle District of UMC in the area, we read the following...

 

While the volume of the immigration crisis has abated somewhat, people are still crossing our border, fleeing violence and trouble in their home countries. And we are still here, working alongside other partners, providing a place of welcome and rest on the long journey. Thanks to all who have supported this effort and who continue to hold in prayer the travelers and the ones who serve them.

 

The Holding Institute is named after the woman who began this ministry nearly 100 years ago. Miss Holding would be amazed that her concerns and search for justice continues today. Thanks for your support of the connectional church's efforts to respond those who are seeking peace and safety within our borders.

Mission Focus for September

For the past 6 weeks we have posted numerous articles about how the United Methodist Church is responding to the Refugee Crisis along our southern border.   At the last National/International Mission team meeting, it was decided to use the offering to support the Holding Institute in Laredo, TX (refer to the earlier post).  

Bags of clothing sometimes overwhelm volunteer
staff and workers...especially when the items are
used.  

 

Sometimes the tangible gifts can be overwhelming.   The agencies in the area have handled the influx with grace and dignity but are not encouraging any more used clothing or food items at this time.   It takes many volunteers to sort, organize, pitch with regrets, and find a recipient.   New, in the package, underwear and socks are always welcome.   (This is true for any disaster or emergency situation.   Used clothing is seldom recommended.) 

 

The Christian community pulls together and for all those who seek asylum and "cover"  are treated with dignity and God's love. Our laws are clear and the law is being upheld by the church's response to our neighbors.    Here's another video, this time from the McAllen area.  Serving in the name of Jesus.. yes, that is what we are called to do...serve Him. 

 

Thanks for the donations that you make to the Mission offering for the Month of September.  

Justice for our Neighbors (JFON)

Are you familiar with Justice for our Neighbors (JFON)?   Maybe not since there are no such offices or clinics in the state of Indiana.  This organization was founded by UMCOR in 1999.  UMCOR determined the immigrants' legal assistance and education were important in providing the rights afforded to them by US law thus the birth of JFON.      

 

Our US laws provide a process by which to determine whether or not an individual has the right to remain in the US once they enter the country.   A lawyer is not mandated for the hearing however without a lawyer or legal representation few immigrants gain the right to become documented.    

 

In the search for what the United Methodist Church is doing regarding the refugee crisis on the border,  JFON needed to be lifted up as one very important aspect of our denomination at work especially now that the workload has increased in the past 6 months.   

 

Our Monthly Mission Focus for September is to bring on light the ways in which our church, the United Methodist Church, is responding to the recent refugee crisis along our border, particularly in Texas.    Your monthly offering will be used to support the ministries that have a long time presence at the border but now are really stretched with the increase in numbers.   The outpouring of churches and individuals around the country have made it possible for these ministries to continue to offer services to sometimes as many as double the normal volume.   New volunteers have stepped up to the plate and giving the regular volunteers a helping hand.  One of Margie Miller's friends from Costa Rica (Judy, from Iowa) volunteered for 6 weeks in Laredo.   

 

Here's a link to a great story about two little boys who crossed the board without family.   While you are at that site, you can learn more about Justice For Our Neighbors.  

 

Thanks for supporting the September Mission Offering.    

Holding Institute in Laredo, TX

As we continue to bring light to a bleak subject of the difficulties on our southern border, information about an "old light" has come brighter.   The Holding Institute Community Center in Laredo, TX has really stepped up to the plate to help in the crisis with all those who are entering our country after the long trek from various parts of Central America. 

Normally, this not-for-profit and faith-based institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church offers education, English classes, and services to adults in this border town.  

In the recent months, they had to take a step back and assess how to be in ministry differently.   It didn't take long to realize that offering a place for weary people to sleep, have something to eat, and way to connect with others may have to take front and center over teaching English and other adult classes.    Miracles have taken place as suddenly there is food to eat, clean clothing for those who have nothing but the clothes on their backs, and a clean cot on which to sleep.  Volunteers from the area and around the US have offered their assistance in providing the extra staff to accomplish this new focus almost over night.   

Weary travelers find a place to rest at the Holding Institute

If you would like to know more follow this link to a full article about how the United Methodist Church is responding to the refugee border crisis.  

Why are the Honduran children taking chances?

As we continue to follow the plight of the children coming across the border and how the United Methodist Church is responding, an article arrived in my inbox from the UM News service.  Please use this link to read the words of  the Superintendent of the Methodist Mission in Honduras. United Methodist News shares the following story.  Click on this link.   

 

Pray each day for the safety and well being of all the children and families who have come to find refuge in our great country.   May God give us wisdom in all that we do.  

Statement on Refugee Crisis at Our Southern Border

The Indiana Conference UMC's Social Advocacy team has shared the following statement: 

The Welcome of Christ: Unaccompanied Minors at the Border

There have been many responses to the “border crisis” and the lack of comprehensive immigration reform in our nation. The United Methodist Church, in its Social Principles, teaches that “we recognize, embrace, and affirm all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of family of God.” Many within The United Methodist Church have worked for comprehensive immigration reform in the past. This work continues as many children, unaccompanied minors, have made their way to our border. There are United Methodist congregations on the border and here in Indiana who are working to help these unaccompanied minors.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence recently released a statement calling on President Obama to send the children back to their home countries. The Social Advocacy Team of The United Methodist Church in Indiana calls on Gov. Pence and the United States Government to respond in a humane and generous way to these children who have arrived with nothing. They are simply seeking a better a life, one that our United Methodist congregations hope to help them reach. They are refugees coming from terrible situations that we can only imagine here in the United States. It’s time to act on comprehensive immigration reform and it’s time to make the right decision for families and children who are at risk.
According to Matthew 25:35, Jesus defined a righteous person as one who welcomes strangers and does not turn them away. As followers of Christ, we feel compelled to welcome these children and youth who have come to the United States in hope of a better tomorrow. We believe to deny them is to deny Christ. Here are four ways you can be involved:
Pray: Pray for the children and their families, their countries and those responding to their needs.
Learn: Understand the underlying issues and the personal stories of the children. Information on the United Methodist response can be found on UMC.org/immigration.
Support the humanitarian response: The United Methodist Committee on Relief, Justice For Our Neighbors, United Methodist Women, Church World Service  and other organizations are responding. Individual congregations can seek to work with border churches and ministries.
Advocate: Urge lawmakers not to repeal provisions of human trafficking laws that protect minors or to expedite the deporting of children. The General Board of Church and Society information on advocacy, and a General Board of Discipleship resource offers action steps.
 The Mission Council's goal is to provide information for all of our church members to make informed decisions about the situation at our borders.   We will post information from time to time and in September we will use the Monthly mission offering to help is some way.   We encourage your input and would love to hear from you.   You may contact Tom Neff (wlfkei@aol.com) or Bonnie Albert (bonkay@hotmail.com) with questions or concerns.     

Refugee Crisis on our Border

Photo from the United Methodist web page/blog

Our Mission Council is addressing the issue of the refugee crisis on our border with many of the refugees being children.  In the next few months we will be directing the readers of the blog and of the church newsletter to information about how the United Methodist Church is responding so that we have a clearer answer when asked "What can we do?"  Being far removed from the day to day scene of tired children and families arriving at our border, we are seeking ways to support the churches in the area who have outreach programs to help with the situation there.  

 

For sure we can pray for the hundreds of volunteers who have worked along the border for years addressing the issues of injustice, especially related to children coming from Mexico and other Central American countries.  In addition to the volunteers, we can also pray for the children.   Many of the children in miraculously surviving the arduous trip then qualify as legal refugees because of the dangers they face in returning their own country.  The realities of life in their home countries cause the US to recognize them refugees.  The US has a  legal process in place to determine their future status. 

 

Members of the Mission Council have found that the United Methodist Church is responding to the needs of the children in the border area.   UMCOR has sent 18,000 personal hygiene kits (like the ones we pack when we go to Sager Brown and/or Midwest Mission Distribution) and $10,000 to the Southwest Texas Conference.   Brownsville UMC, Laredo Holding Institute (supported by United Methodist Women), and McAllen UMC are churches who have long standing programs in working with immigration on the southern border.  The difference this year (as we have all read) is the increase in the number of people asking for asylum.
 

El Valle District has a great Facebook presence which will begin to help us understand the issues the church is facing everyday.   Our September mission offering will be going to one of the programs of the UM connection in Laredo, Brownsville, or McAllen.