Mission board continues call for better immigration laws
Oct. 13, 2006
By Linda Bloom*
STAMFORD, Conn. (UMNS) — Concerned about
proposed changes to U.S. immigration law, the United Methodist Board of
Global Ministries is repeating its call for just immigration policies.
The action took place during the mission agency's Oct. 9-12 annual meeting
in Stamford.
The Board of Global Ministries, which both funds and supports programs
assisting immigrants and undocumented workers, also wants the denomination
as a whole to educate itself about undocumented workers "and how the church
is and can continue responding to the economic, social, political, legal and
spiritual challenges they encounter," the agency's directors said.
Last April, the board's directors asked Congress "to refrain from passing
laws relating to immigration that would divide families, make felons out of
millions of workers now in the U.S. who are without green cards or visas,
encourage mistreatment of immigrants or criminalize the efforts of the
Christian church, other faith traditions and social service organizations to
help people in need, regardless of their citizenship status."
The renewed call, initiated by the board's Hispanic/Latino Ministries Task
Force, asks the Bush administration and Congress to pass legislation that
does not violate those principles. United Methodists are asked to write
state and federal government officials to encourage the revision of
immigration laws "which negatively impact individuals, families and entire
communities."
Board directors also support the demilitarization of the U.S.-Mexico border.
"In particular, we oppose the construction of further walls and other
obstacles on the border that endanger lives of immigrants," they stated.
400 new congregations
In other business, the Rev. R. Randy Day, the board's chief executive,
reminded directors of the pivotal role that local congregations play in
determining the future health of the church and the central role that
mission plays in congregational development.
Day said he is confident of the denomination's vitality for several
mission-related reasons. Since 1990, the mission agency has developed 400
new congregations through 11 mission initiatives in parts of Asia, Africa,
the northern tier of Eastern Europe and Honduras. New work also has started
in the southern region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Work in Thailand
will begin soon.
In the United States, ethnic and language ministries include a focus on new
congregational development and church revitalization. "We are seeing new
congregations among Native Americans and groups of Vietnamese, Chinese,
Tongan, Samoan, Filipino, Hmong, Korea, Brazilian, and others of Hispanic
and African backgrounds," Day noted. "We also are working in the area of
African-American church growth and development."
Better financial outlook
Board directors also:
- Heard from Roland Fernandes, the board
treasurer, that the deficit, or gap between operating expenses and
operating revenues, for 2005 was $1.5 million, the lowest level in eight
years. He expects the improved financial picture to continue for 2006.
- Approved a $75,000 grant for a series of
Muslim-Christian gatherings on peace-building in West Africa, the
Philippines, Europe and the United States.
- Agreed to continue the board's emphasis
on global health, including a focus on malaria and HIV/AIDS, with a
$50,000 grant for projects in various African countries.
- Commissioned 14 new missionaries and
honored 14 retiring ones.
- Participated in Native American-inspired worship services and Bible study led by Ray Buckley, director of connectional ministries and Native discipleship for the Alaska Missionary Conference.
*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.
News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.
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