Immigration

The Rev. Stefan Schörk, who granted asylum to an Iranian man in his church in Pegnitz, Germany, in January, has been fined for “aiding and abetting unauthorized residence.” The United Methodist pastor said he is disappointed with the verdict but hopes it provides an opportunity for changes regarding church asylum in the state of Bavaria. Photo by Klaus U. Ruof, UM Communications Germany.

German pastor sentenced for providing asylum

A United Methodist pastor faces a penalty of 1,500 Euros (more than $1,700 U.S.) for “aiding and abetting unauthorized residence,” a sentence upheld in a Nov. 8 court hearing.

Local Church

A mural at the United Methodist Christ Ministry Center in San Diego illustrates part of the text of Matthew 25, the biblical basis of the center’s ministry among immigrants who have crossed the nearby border. Still frame from video by Joey Butler, UM News.

Haitian migrants bring vitality to declining church

Congregation changes from being a traditional church to a ministry center and opens its doors wide to those in need.

Mission and Ministry

A team from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, along with partner agencies, distributes water treatment supplies to people living in a makeshift camp in Gressier, Haiti, in 2010. The board of United Methodist Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief has earmarked $110,000 to provide disaster relief in Haiti. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Global Ministries, UMCOR approve $10M in grants

Migrants, natural disaster survivors and others around the globe can count on help from The United Methodist Church in 2022, after more than $10 million in grants were approved.

Social Concerns

The Rev. Joel Hortiales (left) prays with Carlos Ivan Baran Hidalgo; his wife, Danelly Mazariegos Morales; and their 3-year-old daughter, Scarlett Juliette, at the Camino de Salvación shelter in Tijuana, Mexico. The family fled violence in Guatemala and is hoping to pursue a claim for asylum in the U.S. Hortiales is a United Methodist missionary and serves as director of Hispanic/Latino ministries and border concerns for the California-Pacific Conference. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Photo essay: ‘I was a stranger…’

In September, a UM News team accompanied faith leaders from the United Methodist Church and the Methodist Church of Mexico on visits to migrant communities along the U.S.-Mexico border. See how the church is ministering to those in need through the eyes of photojournalist Mike DuBose.

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