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The United Church of Christ, through its COVID-19 Refugee and Asylum Fund, is helping support local UCC efforts financially, emotionally and with information to sustain immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees through the pandemic. Together, we are assisting churches and community organizations that provide relief with needs caused or worsened by the pandemic. Two recent grants of $2,500 each were awarded to ministries in Oakland, Calif., and Buffalo, N.Y.

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When COVID-19 shut down much of the U.S. economy, among the people hardest hit were immigrant and refugee neighbors of Plymouth Congregational Church of Lawrence, Kansas. Plymouth UCC quickly set out to meet the burgeoning immediate needs of the 52 vulnerable immigrant families already in case management with partner Centro Hispano. Among contributors to this effort are the UCC’s COVID-19 Refugee and Asylum Fund.

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Six days a week, the kitchen at Eden UCC in Hayward, Calif., is bustling. Volunteer cooks – primarily asylum-seeking mothers from Mexico and Central America – are using their favorite recipes to prepare hot meals that provide nourishment and a taste of home to 100 households - asylum-seeking youth and migrant families with children who've been impacted by COVID-19.

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A new grass-roots solidarity project for migrants in the shanty towns of Piana di GioiaTauro in Calabria.

Global Ministries partner, The Mediterranean Hope, a migrant and refugee program of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy is working alongside activists and associates of Le Marche, delivering sanitizer and masks to vulnerable children and first responders. Over 12 seamstresses in the area expressed their availability to produce the masks. A local congregation made financial resources available to purchase the raw materials necessary to make the protective devices. 

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JUDGE BLOCKS EXECUTIVE ORDER GIVING VETO POWER TO STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS IN REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT

The UCC joins CWS and the faith-based communities in celebrating this moment. The commitment to welcoming refugees and asylum seekers is a part of the fabric of the United States and of Christians in welcoming and loving our neighbors. Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson Associate General Minister for Wider Church Ministries and Operations Co-Executive for Global Ministries. 

This is a major win! For the latest press release by Church world services please continue reading. 

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UCC advocates, religious leaders and interfaith allies gathered outside a federal courthouse in Greenbelt, Md., Wednesday morning, Jan. 8, to celebrate refugees and their contributions to the United States. Representing more than 50 denominations and faith groups that work on refugee resettlement, they came together to oppose Trump administration efforts to further limit the number of refugees allowed into the U.S.

The Rev. Noel Andersen, coordinator of the UCC Collaborative on Immigration and grassroots organizer for Church World Service, joined Katie Adams, domestic policy advocate with the UCC office in Washington, D.C., who spoke on behalf of the church.

"The sacred scriptures of our faiths lay out a blueprint for how we are to welcome refugees," Adams said. "Over and over again we are exhorted to watch over the stranger, love the least of these. We are told clearly: 'Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.'"

The Maryland court is slated to hear oral arguments in a case filed by three refugee resettlement agencies suing the federal government to protect that program. HIAS, Church World Service, Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Service v. Trump challenges the president's order that allows states and local governments to keep refugees out of their jurisdictions.

"The decision to limit where and how the welcome is extended to refugees in this exceedingly cruel and arbitrary edict is not just unlawful, it is immoral," Adams continued. "And let's be clear: the root of these policies is fear of the 'stranger' and white supremacy. We know that the administration's harmful changes are not being made to serve any reasonable policy objective."

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In August 2018, I was able to visit the border between Arizona and Nogales Mexico. It was there that I met a family of four seeking asylum. In January of 2019, that family arrived in Massachusetts to seek asylum here. Though our church initiated and agreed to support them, I realized we needed a large network of people and sought the help of other churches, synagogues, and individuals to be sure we had the structure needed to take on this ministry. 

 

This family is not safe in their home country; yet could easily be returned there by a government that doesn’t really care about them. They have had to learn to navigate a system that is foreign to them in so many ways. And yet their faith continues to hold them and keep them positive about their future. The mom helps others facing the same or even greater adversity in whatever way she can, sharing child sitting, food, companionship.

 

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When the opportunity to provide sanctuary, and later asylum accompaniment, was presented to our congregation by a member, we knew nothing about doing this ministry. Our discernment process had to be quick as we were presented with a very immediate need.  We had a great deal of work to do, had never done this type of ministry in the past and had a high learning curve.  I remember saying in a meeting as we were discerning:  “At some point, we need to give this to God and trust.  It is the right thing to do.”  

 

I would be remiss if I didn’t admit that there have also been challenges along the way.  We have needed to learn to work together as a group of volunteers in a way that we have not before.  This work is very different than any of the other work I have ever experienced in my 24 plus years on boards, in leadership and community outreach with our congregation.  It takes weekly meetings, learning, research, planning, trial and error, fundraising and a great deal of outreach within the congregation for assistance as well as outside the congregation.

 

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The 'Why We Welcome' series, launched during Advent 2019, asks the United Church of Christ churches around the country to answer the question: Why do we welcome refugees and asylum seekers? As the U.S. government slashes the number of refugees allowed to enter the country and turns away those desperately seeking asylum at our borders, God's word made flesh in Christ continues to be lived and spoken boldly through God's children and their commitment to welcome.

Today is my birthday, and as I reflect on my blessings over the past year, I can’t help but count my new friendship with a father-son duo my church family and I have fondly come to refer to as ‘The Joses’. This past September, I received an urgent call from a community liaison staff person at an elementary school, asking if I knew of any resources that could help a little boy who had missed nearly a month of classes and who had recently arrived in the community with his father, both asylum seekers. The little boy refused to ride the bus to school or be in the classroom without his father sitting next to him. He almost never spoke, and neither he nor his father understood a word of English. If his father so much as left to use the restroom, the little boy would dissolve into a panic, crying, and would frantically run out of the classroom trying to find his father. The father was beside himself, distraught over how to care for and support his son, dealing with his own trauma from their journey out of Central America and unsure of how to navigate a country he’d never known and couldn’t understand. Was there anything I could do? Alone, maybe. With God and my church family behind me, absolutely.

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The 'Why We Welcome' series, launched during Advent 2019, asks United Church of Christ churches around the country to answer the question: Why do we welcome refugees and asylum seekers? As the U.S. government slashes the number of refugees allowed to enter the country and turns away those desperately seeking asylum at our borders, God's word made flesh in Christ continues to be lived and spoken boldly through God's children and their commitment to welcome.

Our first story is from Todd T.

Grace Immanuel United Church of Christ is a welcoming sort of place, so it’s no surprise the congregation extends its welcome worldwide with a 20-year history of co-sponsoring refugee families with Kentucky Refugee Ministries. It’s a gratifying, hands-on way to practice Christian principles — with the bonus of making new friends that will no doubt broaden your world view.

Welcoming refugees, especially with language and cultural barriers, can certainly be outside your comfort zone. But forging through those fears of the unknown is worth it when you make connections to people who have often fled war, violence and the difficulties of refugee camps. Helping refugees clear the hurdles and challenges of a new country — from things as difficult as government bureaucracy to something as simple as instructing them about mass transit — is always a rewarding experience.

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Have You Helped Welcome a Refugee? Sign On Now to Protect Refugee Resettlement

Dear Friends,

Have you or your congregation or community group ever been involved in helping resettle or welcome refugees? If so please sign here.

The refugee resettlement program is in grave threat of being dismantled through a very low refugee admissions goal to be set before September 30th. Decision-makers urgently need to hear the moral voice of faith communities and stakeholders like you who have participated in the refugee program and helped resettle refugees. 

There is also an Executive Order likely to come out soon that will allow local officials or governors to opt their state out of the refugee program. It will be important to show strong support at a local level of congregations and organizations that are invested in refugee resettlement.

If you or your congregation has helped welcome a refugee, please sign onto this letter now! We need your help to save the refugee resettlement program!

Please Sign On Here by Monday, September 23rd

Thank you for your support and solidarity with refugees in this critical moment.

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An Update from UCC Refugee and Asylum Ministries – September 2019

Welcoming New Neighbors, Creating New Friends, Providing Safe Space for Those Escaping Violence        

PROTECTING REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT

• “America Zeroes Out Refugees and Morality” – a sobering reflection from Rev. Jack Amick, Director of Global Migration for UMCOR

“The White House is seriously considering reducing the number of vetted refugees entering the U.S. each year to zero. This would cut off the last hope for many who have already been cleared and are in a pipeline for resettlement to the U.S. In addition to the naivety of thinking that any nation in the world can completely close itself off from the world’s neediest people, such an action is inconsistent with American values and weakens our ability to affect change in the world.” Read more

• In addition to threatening to admit zero refugees in Fiscal Year 2020, the administration is also considering using an Executive Order to allow state and local jurisdictions to deny entry to refugees who have been approved for resettlement in the United States. The policy draft indicates that refugees will only be allowed to be resettled in areas where “the relevant state and local governments have consented to participate.” This proposal is unlawful, likely a violation of the Constitution and blatantly discriminatory.

Two things you can do!

• • If you are *Business Leader* please sign this open letter in support of refugee resettlement by Monday September 9^th
  • Get your state and local elected officials to sign this letter expressing their support for refugees in their communities!

• Please down this new resource from Church World Service – What does your local refugee resettlement office need most? Look up the CWAS refugee resettlement office closest to you and find out what they’re up to, who to talk to and what they need!

PROTECTING ASYLUM

“A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” Jeremiah 31:15

• In an effort to try to frighten potentially new asylum seekers and punish those who are arriving at our border, beginning Oct. 22nd the administration wants to keep asylum-seeking and migrant children detained indefinitely. Currently, the Flores Settlement ensures that children are not held in DHS detention for more than 20 days, and outlines the conditions that must be met for children to be held in custody, as well as other guidelines on family detention. Nineteen states plus the District of Columbia have sued the Federal government over the new rule, with California Attorney General Xavier Becerra saying, "This new Trump rule callously puts at risk the safety and well-being of children. It undermines a decades-old agreement reached in court by the federal government to prevent the unlawful detention of immigrant children.” See the UCC’s statement with other religious organizations denouncing this attack on immigrant children here.

• Is your church or a church you know providing care and accompaniment to asylum-seekers? We are trying to get an idea of how many of our churches are engaged in this work. Please email Amanda Sheldon at sheldona@ucc.org if you are or have been involved in providing "welcome" to asylum-seeking families in your community.

**A special thank you to all those churches and church members who took time to share their ministry along the border and provided Christian fellowship during my August 2018 trip to meet with shelters along the U.S.-Mexico border providing immediate care for asylum-seeking families. I was inspired by your presence as the hands and feet of Christ and am excited to share more with the larger church about your ministry.

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"A refugee from Uganda has reunited with her four children this summer after a separation of more than five years — thanks to her dogged determination, constant advocacy and continued accompaniment of her church family.

Deborah Jane Baliraine, joined by allies from First Community Church (FCC) United Church of Christ and Community Refugee Immigration Services (CRIS), both in Columbus, Ohio, welcomed her son and three daughters to their new home in the United States in late June."

To read the full article written by Connie Larkman click here. 

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"United Church of Christ clergy and congregations took leadership, served as hosts, lit candles and planned follow-up actions during many of the hundreds of "Lights for Liberty" vigils held Friday evening, July 12. The events around the country protested the treatment of migrants and asylum seekers detained at the southern U.S. border, in what national vigil organizers refer to as concentration camps." For more on this article that was written by Hans Holznagel please click here. 

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Dear Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives:

The United Church of Christ through Refugee and Asylum Ministries seeks to accompany our refugee neighbors, both in the United States and around the world, as they seek safety and security. We write today asking for a robust commitment to resettling 95,000 refugees in the United States in 2020 and a commitment to resettling at least 30,000 refugees this year.

Last year when we wrote this letter we said the world was facing the worst refugee crisis in history.  This year that is still true, the numbers continue to climb, and global instability has spread and grown. Over 68 million people are displaced, 25 million of whom are refugees.  Half of those refugees are children.  The targets for refugee resettlement have been abysmally low, at 45,000 last year and 30,000 this year; and even more unacceptable is that the resettlement goal wasn’t even met by half. This complete rejection of the responsibility to help resettle refugees is abhorrent and profoundly troubling.

We know every refugee dreams of being home, and that refugee resettlement is a last resort for only the most dire circumstances.  Refugee resettlement happens when people are persecuted for their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, and cannot return home to rebuild their lives in their country of origin.  Refugee resettlement is not, and should not be a partisan issue, and the U.S. resettlement program has been the happy recipient of support from both sides of the aisle.  It should continue to receive that strong bipartisan support because refugees are good for our country.  Our communities and congregations flourish with the spirit and contributions of refugees. Compassion is also good for our country. The practice of extending help where needed is good for our moral center.

Through UCC Refugee and Asylum Ministries, hundreds of UCC congregations have helped resettle refugees and advocated on their behalf.  Our faith calls us to love our neighbor and welcome the sojourner.  We as a church are committed to doing just that.  We celebrate the refugees in our communities and urge Congress to safeguard and bolster the refugee resettlement program; ensuring the Administration is held accountable to resettling 30,000 refugees this year and makes a bold and compassionate commitment to resettle 95,000 refugees in 2020.  In order to fully embrace this pledge we encourage support and passage of the GRACE Act, (S.1088 & H.R.2146), which would set a minimum refugee admissions goal of 95,000 each year thereafter and the NO BAN Act, (S.1123 & H.R.2214), which would repeal the Muslim bans, refugee bans, and asylum ban, and prevent the administration from setting such bans in the future.

With all this talk of numbers, it’s important to remember the people behind them. Hebrews 13:1-2 reminds us to “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Each refugee has a story of struggle and resilience, of heartache and joy.  Being a part of that story is a privilege. 

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Refugee Council USA released a report on the drastic cuts to refugee resettlement harming refugees and it's impact on American communities. RCUSA is a coalition of 24 non-governmental organizations that are dedicated to welcoming, aiding and assisting refugees. 

To read the full report please click here. 

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198 faith-based communities united together to write a letter to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin K. McAleenan, condemning the "Remain in Mexico" policy. The letter focused on two points, "The policy puts people fleeing danger back in harm’s way and The policy jeopardizes access to counsel, due process, and the overall ability for a person to find safety in the United States." 

"We, the 472 undersigned leaders of diverse faith communities and 198 faith-based organizations, write to condemn the baseless and immoral Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as the Remain in Mexico Policy. We request the immediate termination of this egregious policy which returns vulnerable asylum seekers to Mexico and puts them at risk of further harm while they wait for their case to be processed in the United States.

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Due to years of conflict and disease thousands of Liberian refugees who fled the country are at risk of immediate deportation. Our partners at the National Council of Churches, are urging us all to take action and protect refugees from immediate deportation by acting now and contacting congress. 

Contact Congress Today to Ask for Action to Protect Refugees

Liberian Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) Status Ends March 31

Thousands of Liberian refugees who fled civil war and disease are at risk of immediate deportation unless Congress acts. Since 1991, Liberia has been continuously designated for either Temporary Protected Status or DED, due to unsafe country conditions preventing Liberians from safely returning. In 2007, President Bush directed that DED be granted to Liberian TPS holders, allowing them to remain in the United States for eighteen months. Since then, DED for Liberia has been extended by all subsequent administrations - Democrat and Republican alike. In 2016, the Obama administration extended DED for Liberia for an additional 18 months, after it suffered from an ebola outbreak that began in Guinea and devastated Liberia as well. The epidemic killed 11,000 people in the span of two years. Despite this history, the Trump administration announced the ending of DED by end of March this year.

The Liberian Council of Churches has asked directly for help from people of faith in the U.S., especially their Christian brothers and sisters. On a recent trip to Liberia, General Secretary/President Jim Winkler pledged that NCC would advocate to protect the status of Liberians as a response to the Biblical mandate to "welcome and care for the sojourner and immigrant and refugee..."

A bill before Congress would help protect Liberians in the U.S. The Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act, sponsored by Rep. David Cicilline and Sen. Jack Reed, will give Liberians an opportunity to apply for permanent residency and, eventually, a path to citizenship. Write to your representative and senators now to urge them to support the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act!!

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"Sign-up to receive monthly notices about upcoming webinars that feature speakers who will assist churches in learning about best practices for ministries related to caring for God’s creation. Each webinar will have a focus pertaining to one of the four areas of discernment for Creation Justice Churches: theology and worship, institutional life and practice, circles of awareness and advocacy, and connections to a broader movement. Participation in the Creation Justice Churches program is not required to join a webinar." UCC Environmental Justice

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CWS Launches Call Center to Connect Asylum Seekers Released from Detention with Resources in Local Communities

Church world services has published a press release advising they are launching a call center to connect asylum seekers that were released from detention centers with local communities to aid in support and sanctuary. For over 70 years Church World Services has aided in the support of immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people by providing support through sustainable relief, development, to local community support.

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December 19, 2018

Congressman Tom McClintock:

As a constituents and persons of faith, we are profoundly saddened and shocked by the violence perpetrated against those legally seeking asylum in the United States. These attacks on immigrants and asylum seeking families and individuals need to stop.

Congress must take action to stop the Administration’s rampant disregard for the legal right to seek asylum and the moral imperative to provide refuge for those seeking safety. In the upcoming budget discussions, Congress should reject funding for the border wall, increased border militarization and any spending increases for immigrant detention and enforcement.

I also urge you to vigorously engage in congressional oversight. The Administration needs to be held accountable for their actions against asylum seekers. The right to asylum is sacred and should be upheld and protected. Please take action and call for an immediate end to the Administration’s attack on those who seek asylum. We also request a full investigation into the death of seven year old Jakelin Amei Rosemary Caal Maquin, who died last week in the custody of Customs and Border Patrol. Jakelin should never have been separated from her father, and until there is a full investigation into Jakelin’s death, no child is safe.

It is up to you to make decisions to uphold our moral standing as a country and recognized the contributions of immigrants and those who come to our country seeking refuge. It is up to you to decide what kind of country we want to be.

Members of Loomis Basin Congregational United Church of Christ

Pastor Casey Tinnin

6440 King Road

Loomis, CA 95650

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Display this 18”x24” plastic lawn sign in your church’s front yard, on the side of your building or wherever you see fit to share the story of Jesus’ birth and proclaim to your neighbors that when we welcome refugees, when we welcome asylum-seekers, we are welcoming Christ.

The Christmas story is not only a story of the birth of our Savior, but also a refugee story - a story of a family forced to seek asylum to escape terrible, life-threatening violence at home. Matthew 2:13-14 reminds that after Jesus was born, his family was forced to flee to a foreign country where inhabitants spoke a different language and practiced a different religion. They were forced to flee without knowing whether they would be offered welcome and refuge, or meet further rejection and violence. They had only their faith in God, and the hope that the Egyptian people would provide them safety and shelter.

Advent is a time to share the miracle of Jesus birth and the Gospel promise of peace with justice. And it is also a time to remind ourselves and our neighbors that Jesus, too, was a refugee.

Purchase this item here. 

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The United Church of Christ partner Church World Service has released a press release regarding President Trump and the setting of the refugee goal for fiscal year 2019. 

Trump Signs Presidential Determination with Dismally Low Refugee Goal

 Congress urged to hold administration accountable to meeting historically low 30,000 refugee resettlement goal for FY 19 

WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, President Trump signed a Presidential Determination setting the refugee admissions goal for Fiscal Year 2019 to 30,000 -- the lowest number in the history of the program. In response, Church World Service President and CEO Rev. John L. McCullough issued the following statement:

“Today’s heartless decision to further cut the refugee resettlement program does not reflect the values of people of faith across this country who welcome refugees into their communities and into their lives. We will continue to work together to prevent anti-refugee voices in the administration from destroying the public-private partnership built by people of faith to provide a lifeline to refugee families who have no other hope of safety. We urge Congress to hold the administration accountable by demanding that this meager resettlement goal be met and working to restore American leadership to address the global displacement crisis.

“The low number of refugees resettled in fiscal year 2017 should not be seen as a marker for U.S. capacity but as an indication of the dire effect that politically-motivated policies such as the refugee ban and unnecessary processing slowdowns can have on the process. With hundreds of thousands of refugees in the U.S. resettlement pipeline, the administration can meet its meager goal for 2018 without even batting an eye.”

The announcement came after months of pressure by refugee advocates, faith communities and resettlement organizations to bring the admissions cap to 75,000, much closer to the historic average.The required consultation with Congress occurred late Monday night with little opportunity for Congressional oversight on the proposed refugee goal.

The organization notes that the administration has the resources and ability to easily meet its stated goal of resettling 30,000 refugees, despite its failure to resettle even half of the refugee admissions goal for fiscal year 2018. As FY18 came to a close only 22,000 refugees had been admitted to the United States.

The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which was built as a private-public partnership between faith communities and the U.S. government, has maintained broad bipartisan support since its inception in 1980. The USRAP has successfully provided more than three million refugees tools for integration and self-sufficiency to start over in safety and U.S. communities have in turn benefited from these individuals. As a pillar of U.S. foreign policy, our nation’s resettlement program represents a standard of excellence that other countries look to as a touchstone for their own policies.

 As the world faces the worst displacement crisis in history, Church World Service will continue to work to advocate in solidarity with vulnerable refugees, and to provide essential services to displaced families around the world in response to the global migration crisis.

Since 1946, Church World Service has supported refugees, immigrants and other displaced individuals, in addition to providing sustainable relief and development solutions to communities that wrestle with hunger and poverty. Learn more about our work and join our global homebase for refugee solidarity at GreaterAs1.org.

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