The United Methodist Church affirms the worth, dignity and inherent value and rights of every person regardless of their nationality or legal status. United Methodist churches throughout the United States are urged to build bridges with immigrants 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 immigrants bring. In response to SB 1070, GCORR calls upon all United Methodist churches to engage in the following*:
- advocate for legislation that will uphold the civil and human rights of all migrants in the United States and provide an opportunity to attain legal status for all undocumented migrants for those currently in the United States as well as for those arriving in the future;
- denounce and oppose the rise of xenophobic, racist, and violent reactions against migrants in the United States, and to support all efforts to build relationships between people, instead of building walls, between diverse ethnicities and cultures;
- provide wherever possible pastoral care and crisis intervention to refugees and newly arrived migrants, identifying and responding compassionately to their spiritual, material, and legal needs;
- continue the work of the Immigration Task Force composed of staff from the general boards and agencies, representatives of the Council of Bishops, and members of caucuses and national plans that was created by the resolution, “Opposition to the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Resolution Act” (2004 Book of Resolutions, #118).
A Prayer
Good and gracious God,
Your divine image and likeness is reflected in all your creation.
Remind us, O God, that all humankind is fearfully and wonderfully made,
that we are to love our neighbor as we love our selves,
that we should show hospitality to strangers,
that we are called seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with You.
Enable us by your Holy Spirit to see injustice in our midst.
Give us the courage to stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers targeted by unjust laws.
Free us to challenge and uproot this evil from ourselves, society, and our world.
That love will prevail over hate, hope will triumph over despair, and justice will reign over injustice.
This we pray. In the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
*Adapted from The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church: 2008. Resolution 3281, pp. 412-420. Resolution can be found online by clicking here: Welcoming the Migrant to the US.
