United to Love at the Border

Pray

I believe in Almighty God, who guided the people in exile and in exodus, men, women, and children, the God of Joseph in Egypt, Zipporah in Midian, and Daniel in Babylon, the God of foreigners and immigrants.
Lord, teach us how to love like you and to go where you lead us. Amen.

Learn

Learn about the Love Knows No Borders interfaith action. 

Join the American Friends Service Committee, faith leaders, and communities across the country for a week of action as we stand in solidarity with the migrant caravan and all who seek refuge in the U.S. Together, we are calling on the U.S. to end the detention and deportation of immigrants, respect the human right to migrate, and end the militarization of the border.

Love Knows No Borders UM Resource List 

Do

Incorporate all or part of the following candle-lighting ceremony into your worship or daily devotions. You could also use it to  plan a vigil in your community. If you do plan an event, make sure to register your event at migrantjustice.afsc.org. 

A CANDLE LIGHTING SERVICE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

Adopted from the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program
A Ministry of the General Assembly Council, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

This liturgy addresses immigration. It could be used as the Advent candle is lit on the Sunday closest to Human Rights Day — December 10, or a separate candle could be used. Place the candle in a prominent location with olive branches or barren grapevines around it.

OPENING WORDS (Based on Matthew 3:1-12 in The Message)

There is thunder in the desert! Make way for God’s arrival. The streams are spilling over! Reorder your lives.
The hills are being leveled! Make your actions count. The reign of God is here!

LIGHTING THE CANDLE

Today we light a special candle in honor of Human Rights Day. As we anticipate Christ’s coming light, our hope is not only for ourselves, but for all humanity. We live in abundance and hope comes easily. We light this candle for those whose hope is faint at best; for those whose basic human rights are or have been denied; and especially for the migrants, now standing at a barbed-wire threshold, thirsting for God’s justice.

Say the following as the candle is lit.

We light this candle
For those in the caravan at our border;
For those seeking to escape fear and those fleeing to find new life;
For parents whose hearts yearn to create a future for their children;
For those who move boldly into the unknown, hoping beyond hope to find home;
For those with good intentions, who remain silent in the face of the sojourning Christ;
Together we affirm: The light of Christ is for you.

Hold the candle for all to see and say: We hold you, our brothers and sisters now standing at society’s edges, at the heart of our worship. Remind us through this candlelight of God’s sacred call for justice.

A SUSTAINED MOMENT OF SILENCE

A HYMN

Sing a hymn such as:
O Come, O Come Emmanuel, UMH 211; or, In the Bleak Midwinter, UMH 221

A CLOSING PRAYER

God for the entire world:
We pray for our brothers and sisters
Throughout your world
Who are on a journey toward justice
May they experience your presence and care
Bind their emotional, spiritual and physical wounds
Support them.
We pray for our brothers and sisters
Throughout your world
Who fear the stranger and place policy before people.
May they experience your presence and care.
Open them to see the dignity of each person.
We pray for ourselves.
Inspire us to take responsibility to stand with migrant
Make us brave, make us fearless.
Guide us to pray and study,
Dialogue and speak,
Come together and advocate
For justice for all of God’s people.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ,
Whose life, death and resurrection
Reveals that God's love
Knows no borders.
Amen.

Share

On Dec. 10, more than 100 faith leaders, including 2 from the @bwcumc, will take part in a nonviolent direct action at the US-Mexico border in San Diego. Pray/Learn/Do: bwcumc.org/loveattheborder #MigrantCaravan #umc #FamiliaBWC #loveattheborder

Pray

I believe in Jesus Christ, who became a displaced Galilean, was born away from his people and his home, who fled his country with his parents when his life was in danger. When he returned to his own country he suffered under the oppression of Pontius Pilate, the servant of a foreign power. But on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, not as a scorned foreigner but to offer us citizenship in God’s kingdom.
Lord, teach us how to love like you and to go where you lead us. Amen.

Learn

Throughout Scripture, the people of God are called to love sojourners in our midst, treating them "as if they were one of your citizens" and loving them as we do ourselves. (Lev. 19:33-34).
Our denomination’s 2016 Book of Resolutions is rich with resources on immigration including statements such as:

“Welcoming the migrant is not only an act of mission; it is an opportunity to receive God's grace... We call upon all United Methodist churches to welcome new arriving migrants in their communities, to love them as we do ourselves, to treat them as one of our native-born, to see in them the presence of the incarnated Jesus, and to show hospitality to the migrants in our midst, believing that through their presence we are receiving the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ."  -- Book of Resolutions, #3281, "Welcoming the Migrant to the US”

Read the UMC Migration Advocacy Statement.

Do

From 1-5 p.m., pray for faith leaders from across the country who will lead a direct action and solemn walk to the San Diego-Tijuana border to offer a ceremonial blessing to migrants on the other side of the border wall. A Sojourner’s Prayer is below.

Emma Escobar, the Coordinator of Latino Ministries, and Christie Latona, the Director of Connectional Ministries from the Baltimore-Washington Conference, will be present in San Diego.

Sojourner Prayer of Solidarity
by Rev. Stacey Cole Wilson
(Based on Deuteronomy 10) 

Immanuel, God with us, thank you for the gift of your traveling presence.
Thank you for the gift of your unconditional love poured out upon human flesh and Spirit that unites us as one.
All belongs to you — the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth, the lands, and the seas — everything in the earth belongs to you. Creation belongs to you. I belong to you.
Reveal yourself in this moment as the one who hears the cries of your children. 
Reveal yourself as the one whose divine image of love marks each one of us and ever calls us to deeply love alike, even when we may not look or believe alike.
Reveal yourself as the Creator God, who with great care and intention designed each one of us and marked us with the beautiful hues and mindfulness of your hands.
Reveal yourself as the one who ever calls us to walk in obedience to you, to love you, to serve you with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. 
Strengthen, embolden, and enliven us with your words of new life, righteousness, faithfulness and justice, so that we may wholly do Your will and rightfully love all our neighbors.
Circumcise our hearts and exchange our words and actions for yours. For you are the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. 
You, God, defend the cause of the fatherless, motherless and the widow. You are the God who reminds us that we were once foreigners in Egypt (Africa), strangers in a foreign land. Hence, we are to feed and clothe one another.
Disclose what it means for us to be a refugee people and what it means for us to serve you through hospitality at the borders and in all the other places that you lead us.
Sojourner God, Healer, Miracle Worker, perform your wonders and heal your creation, even now. Go before us, hem in behind us, and protect the workmanship of your hands.
Our ancestors who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now God, you have made your creation as numerous as the stars in the sky. Teach us to be one family once again.
Lead us by the power of your Holy Spirit beyond spiked fences weapons of destruction and all that opposes your will beside the still waters of justice that restore our souls.
Good Shepherd, lead us until your kindom comes and your will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
So be it. Amen.

Share

“Welcoming the migrant is… an opportunity to receive God’s grace.” (UMC BoR) Pray from 1-5 pm for faith leaders who lead a direct action at the US-Mexico border today. bwcumc.org/loveattheborder #MigrantCaravan #umc #FamiliaBWC #loveattheborder @bwcumc

Pray

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the eternal immigrant from God’s kingdom among us, who speaks all languages, lives in all countries, and reunites all races.
Lord, teach us how to love like you and to go where you lead us. Amen.

Learn

Watch the video, “The Global Face of Migration” (27 minutes). It was produced by the Rev. Paul Jeffrey, who made this presentation to the Bishops Task Force on Migration of the United Methodist Council of Bishops in November 2017. 

Do

Join the American Friends Service Committee, faith leaders, and communities across the country for a week of action as we stand in solidarity with the migrant caravan and all who seek refuge in the U.S. Together, we are calling on the U.S. to end the detention and deportation of immigrants, respect the human right to migrate, and end the militarization of the border. Share your witness by adding your action to the list of others.

Share

Learn about Global Migration. Join us for a week of action as we stand in solidarity w/the migrant caravan and all who seek refuge in the US. Pray/Learn/Do: bwcumc.org/loveattheborder #MigrantCaravan #umc #FamiliaBWC #loveattheborder @bwcumc

Pray

I believe that the church is called to be a universal gathering of persons created in the Image of God.
Lord, teach us how to love like you and to go where you lead us. Amen.

Learn

IMMIGRANTS FOR SALE: “Countless lives of undocumented immigrants are being taken and sold for billions of dollars. Watch the disturbing details unfold and listen to the first-hand accounts of the real cost of private prisons.” (33 Min)

Do

Post the Immigrant Apostle's Creed, written by Rev. Luis Casal and featured above, on your favorite social media outlet page.

Share 

Tell the Truth in Love. Do you know the Immigrant Apostle’s Creed? Pray/Learn/Do: bwcumc.org/loveattheborder #MigrantCaravan #umc #FamiliaBWC #loveattheborder @bwcumc

Pray

I believe that the communion of saints begins when we embrace all God’s people in all their diversity.
Lord, teach us how to love like you and to go where you lead us. Amen.

Learn

Read and reflect with a friend on “Welcoming the Migrant to the U.S.” from the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church.

Do

In January 2017, Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling challenged each congregation in the BWC:

“As United Methodists, we must live the Gospel we proclaim. For such a time as this we must preach the courage of our Wesleyan convictions, teach a theology that welcomes the stranger, and advocate a witness that stands with the marginalized and oppressed. I invite all congregations who want to become sanctuary churches to contact your district leadership about the training and resources available to do so. This is also a time for deep Bible study and reflection.

"Now is the time for us to stand on the side of justice. In the words of Dr. King, ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.’ Now is the time for us to stand on holy ground.”

How will your congregation or small group come together to reflect and act for the marginalized and oppressed? How will you stand on holy ground? More information about the Sanctuary movement may be found on our resource page.

Share

Extend Radical Hospitality; how does your congregation or small group come together to reflect & act for the marginalized & oppressed? Pray/Learn/Do: bwcumc.org/loveattheborder #MigrantCaravan #umc #FamiliaBWC #loveattheborder @bwcumc

Pray

I believe in forgiveness, which makes us all equal before God, and in reconciliation, which heals our brokenness.
Lord, teach us how to love like you and to go where you lead us. Amen.

Learn

El Camino Mas Largo (Migracion Infantil) / The Longest Road (Child Migration): A moving documentary (22 min) tells the stories of Salvadoran children and their reasons for migrating to the United States. 

Do

Consider donating to the Washington, D.C. - Maryland Justice For Our Neighbors, which provides high-quality, free immigration legal services to low-income immigrants throughout the Washington, D.C., metro region. Encourage your friends and family to do the same using social media outlets. 

Share

Pursue Justice in Love: consider donating to Justice for our Neighbors, a free legal clinic for migrants in DC-MD. https://dcmdjfon.org/index.html. Pray/Learn/Do: bwcumc.org/loveattheborder  #MigrantCaravan #umc #FamiliaBWC #loveattheborder @bwcumc

Pray

I believe that in the Resurrection God will unite us as one people who are all distinct and all alike at the same time.
Lord, teach us how to love like you and to go where you lead us. Amen.

Learn

There are more than 65 million people displaced in our world today. The scope of the problem demands God-sized solutions. Join the quest for solutions by reading “Global Migration and the Quest for Justice” from the 2016 Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church.

Do

Urge your government and elected officials to adopt policies for just and hospitable welcome of refugees and migrants. Advocate for just and expeditious processing of refugee applications and compassionate treatment for all migrants, regardless of country of origin or religion.

Let your elected officials know that love knows no boundaries:

Contact a Maryland state legislator
State House
Annapolis, MD 21401
Senate: 410-841-3700
House of Delegates: 410-841-3800 

Contact a West Virginia state legislator
Legislature
Building 1 1900 Kanawha Blvd.
Charleston, W. Va. 25305
888-438 2731 

Contact the D.C. City Council
Government of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
Citywide Call Center: 202-727-1000 

Contact members of Congress or the Federal Government
https://www.usa.gov/agencies

Share

Faith in Action: 65 million people are displaced today. We need God-sized solutions. Join the quest by reading “Global Migration and the Quest for Justice,” https://bit.ly/2SwrzRb Pray/Learn/Do: bwcumc.org/loveattheborder #MigrantCaravan #umc #FamiliaBWC #loveattheborder @bwcumc

The Crowning of the Year
(poem)

Pray

I believe in life eternal, in which no one will be a foreigner, but all will be citizens of the kingdom where God reigns forever and ever. I believe in forgiveness, which makes us all equal before God, and in reconciliation, which heals our brokenness.
Lord, teach us how to love like you and to go where you lead us. Amen.

Learn

Worship can hold unique insights and lessons. Explore the Las Posadas service and the Global Migration liturgy.

Las Posadas is a traditional service that re-enacts the efforts of the Holy Family to find shelter, only to be turned away. It is rich in tradition and in the use of scriptural witness to involve congregational members of all ages. It can be adapted for use in the community or door-to-door.

The Global Migration Sunday resource is a liturgy created by BWC participants at a recent Border Trip. 

Do

Explore these two worship resources and incorporate elements of them into your Sunday worship experience.
Invite a friend to church and share some of your thoughts about immigration and justice.

Share

Worship in Love w/Justice: Worship can hold unique insights and lessons. Explore the Las Posadas service and the Global Migration liturgy https://bit.ly/2SuyyKr Pray/Learn/Do: bwcumc.org/loveattheborder #MigrantCaravan #umc #FamiliaBWC #loveattheborder @bwcumc

Pray

I believe in the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
Lord, teach us how to love like you and to go where you lead us. Amen.

 Learn

Read the United Methodist “Immigration Fact and Faith Card” from the General Board of Church and Society.

 Do

Angela Edman is the staff attorney for the DC-Maryland Justice For Our Neighbors. She has spent the last nine years working in immigration law, mostly with people seeking asylum because of persecution or torture. Edman, who attends St. John’s UMC in Baltimore, said her work isn’t easy.

 “You can sort of think, ‘How can there be a loving God when all these horrible things go on?’ or, you can see the face of God in your clients. What I saw and continue to see now, are these groups of people who have nothing, absolutely nothing to their name, but they always go out of their way to help one another. That is not something you see elsewhere often.”

 Consider the facts from the faith card and Edman’s witness. How might God be calling you to respond? Today, pledge to do one thing that might make a difference.

Share

Love & Commit: call on the US gov’t to respect the human right to migrate and seek asylum. Read/reflect on Immigration Fact and Faith Card from @umcjustice https://bit.ly/2PmH5gl  Pray/Learn/Do: bwcumc.org/loveattheborder #MigrantCaravan #umc #FamiliaBWC #loveattheborder @bwcumc

Pray

Holy One, unite us to Love every person in every place with wholeness of heart, mind, and strength.
Lord, teach us how to love like you and to go where you lead us. Amen.

Learn

Learn more about how to engage your faith community in this work.

 Do

Share

International Migrants Day & DC Action: Learn more about how to engage your faith community in this work. http://www.bwcumc.org/immigration-resources/  #MigrantCaravan #umc #FamiliaBWC #loveattheborder @bwcumc