United Methodist message: ‘Suspend deportations’

Translate Page

During the weekend of April 5-6, many prayers were said for immigrant families torn apart by deportations and those praying are hoping President Barack Obama is listening.

United Methodists joined with other faith groups and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network in a weekend of action to ask for temporary suspension of deportations, which will soon reach 2 million.

Three other denominations — Episcopal, Catholic and Assemblies of God — joined with United Methodists in a “kind of radical action for a little, very conservative area” near Safford, Arizona, for a rally and prayer vigil said the Rev. Sherry Brady, organizer, and pastor of First United Methodist Church.

“This isn't meant to be a divisive rally. We're just sending a message:'There's something you can do now, Mr. President: Extend Deferred Action and suspend deportation.' Let indifference end here and now,” she said.

Those gathered heard stories about women such as Leydi, whose husband was deported and whose family has spiraled into homelessness; and Claudia, who was arrested when she called for help when her husband was attacking her and who is fighting to stay in the United States with her three young children.

In Norristown, Pa., Pilar Molina has made the pain of deportations personal for United Methodists, including Bishop Peggy Johnson who led a prayer vigil at Haws Avenue United Methodist Church April 6.

In January, Molina’s husband, Israel Resendiz Hernandez, 34, a construction contractor, was arrested by immigration agents in Norristown. Imprisoned in a county jail, he faces deportation on charges of repeatedly crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally, including a trip for his father's funeral last fall.

Molina was at the prayer vigils and told those gathered she remembered how hard it was to grow up without a father. Her two daughters, Caitlin, 9, and Ariana, 3, are asking their mother each day when their father will come home, she said.

Molina met a group of United Methodists, including Los Angeles Area Bishop Minerva Carcaño, in Washington on Presidents Day, Feb. 17, when the United Methodist Board of Church and Society and other groups led a prayerful protest in front of the White House. Many participants, including Carcaño and Iowa Area Bishop Julius Trimble, were arrested. Chicago Area Bishop Sally Dyck and more United Methodists were arrested at a protest in that city on March 27.

“These are just a few of almost two million stories that illustrate the tragic consequences of the policy of mass deportations. While the Administration claims that deportations are only being carried out against those deemed ‘threats to society,’ these stories clearly show that is not the case. There are many, many more stories as well,” said Bill Mefford, executive with the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.

Mefford is collecting stories from churches that participated in the weekend of action to present to President Obama.

*Gilbert is a multimedia reporter for United Methodist News Service. Contact her at (615)742-5470 or [email protected]


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
Immigration
The Revs. Joel Hortiales (center, in blue blazer) and David Farley (to Hortiales' right) join parishioners of the Border Church in Tijuana, Mexico, as they lift their arms skyward beneath the fence that marks the border with the U.S. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Methodists participate in movement to preserve border park

Friends of Friendship Park, led by a United Methodist pastor, continues to defend the preservation of the oceanfront park, located on the border between Mexico and the U.S.
Local Church
High gas prices and inflation are affecting the ministries of United Methodist pastors in the U.S., who are dealing with increased demand at food pantries and other charities, as well as their own paychecks not stretching as far. Original photo by Paul Brennan, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Inflation, gas prices complicate ministries

Rising prices are affecting the ministries of United Methodists, especially rural multi-point charges. Pastors also are finding the buying power of their paychecks shrinking.
Human Rights
A view of the U.S. Supreme Court. United Methodists have varied reactions after the Supreme Court on June 24 overturned Roe v. Wade, holding that there is no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion. Photo courtesy of the Architect of the Capitol.

United Methodists react to end of Roe v. Wade

United Methodists alternately expressed fear and contentment with the U.S. Supreme Court decision released June 24 that holds there is no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion.