Commission helping United Methodist delegates with visa dilemma

Translate Page

United Methodist officials have expanded efforts to help international delegates gain entry into the United States for General Conference, the denomination's top legislative meeting.

According to information from the denomination's Commission on General Conference, many delegates who previously were unable to schedule visa interviews now have interviews scheduled.

Church officials had discovered that a large number of delegates from Africa and the Philippines had not obtained visas from the U.S. government to travel to the April 27-May 7 meeting in Pittsburgh. Directors of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, meeting March 22-25, agreed to urge United Methodist legislators in Congress to help solve the crisis and appealed to other United Methodists for assistance.

By early April, only five delegates from the Philippines and 10 of 12 delegates from Nigeria had been unsuccessful in scheduling appointments for visas or had been given an appointment date after General Conference concludes, according to the commission. Efforts continue to move appointments to earlier times to enable delegates to obtain the necessary visas in time.

The Commission on the General Conference is coordinating efforts to obtain visas for foreign delegates, working closely with staff from the Board of Global Ministries and General Council on Ministries.

The Rev. James Perry, commission chairman, representatives of the commission asked United Methodists to contact their U.S. representatives and senators to urge them to assist in cutting through bureaucratic red tape to obtain the needed visas for foreign delegates.

He added that U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, (R-Ind.), an active United Methodist who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, is working to obtain visas for delegates who have been refused entry by the U.S. Embassy Consulate Section. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, (R-Ill.), also has tried to provide assistance with visa appointments.

The Commission on General Conference has sent letters of invitation to delegates and embassies, indicating the denomination is responsible for the delegates expenses while in the United States.

News media can contact Linda Green at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected].

Related


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

UMNEWS-SUBSCRIPTION
Central Conferences
Bishop Ruby-Nell M. Estrella of the Manila Area speaks during the Philippines Central Conference’s Board of Laity forum Sept. 2 at Knox United Methodist Church in Manila. Estrella, who spoke on behalf of the incumbent bishops, expressed their commitment to preserving the unity of the church. Photo by the Rev. Edgardo L. Quinsayas.

Filipino lay leaders call for autonomy

The Board of the Laity in the Philippines held a forum to seek clarity on compounding church issues and called for autonomy, but the three newly elected bishops in the country emphasized their commitment to preserving the unity of the church.
General Conference
The next General Conference is scheduled April 23-May 3, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. The United Methodist Church’s top lawmaking body, long delayed by COVID, will see multiple options for the church’s future when it meets next year. But preparing all the legislation for delegates’ review takes months. Image courtesy of charlottesgotalot.com.

What comes after General Conference deadline?

The United Methodist Church’s top lawmaking body, long delayed by COVID-19, will see multiple options for the church’s future when it meets next year. Preparing all the legislation for delegates’ review takes months.
General Conference
A key leadership body has given unanimous approval to submitting a proposal to General Conference that aims to give Africa, Europe, the Philippines and the U.S. equal standing in church decision-making. The approval by the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters puts the legislation on a likely trajectory of making it onto the General Conference floor for consideration by all delegates. Globe by OpenClipart-Vectors, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Regionalization plan heads to General Conference

A key United Methodist leadership body has given unanimous approval to moving forward a proposal that aims to give the Africa, Europe, the Philippines and the U.S. equal standing in church decision-making.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2023 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved