The United Methodist Council of Bishops has backed designating a Sunday later this year for prayers about the global migration crisis and for collecting a special offering to address suffering caused by forced migration.
"This is the day for The UMC to act with conviction and courage, giving life to its commitment to be disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world," the report says. "How we respond to the immigration crisis at this moment will determine the vitality of the church for generations to come."
San Francisco Area Bishop Minerva Carcaño, chair of the Council of Bishops Immigration Task Force, spoke to her colleagues about the challenges posed by President Trump's tougher approach to immigration, including his plan to build a wall across the U.S.-Mexico border.
She described as well the vast extent of forced global migration, and the challenge that poses for The United Methodist Church and other faith groups.
Carcaño, for the task force, asked the bishops to support a request already going to the Connectional Table for $200,000 to boost immigration-related work in the five U.S. jurisdictions. The funding would be shared equally among the jurisdictions, with a focus on training conference and church leaders.
The Connectional Table coordinates the denomination's mission, ministry and resources. It also has the authority to distribute contingency funds.
That request comes from the broader United Methodist Immigration Task Force, and Carcaño urged bishops to voice their support for dedicated spending in boosting the church's response on immigration issues.
"The present-day crisis requires an investment, a clear investment," she said.
Nordic-Baltic Area Bishop Christian Alsted, chair of the Connectional Table, questioned why the request would be directing money only to the U.S. "I'm missing the global scope," he said.
But Carcaño said the funding would encourage jurisdictional task forces to work beyond the U.S.
"We have many friends and folks in the jurisdictions wanting a way to strengthen their participating in the global migration crisis," she said.
Bishop Rosemarie Wenner of Germany, also on the Council of Immigration Task Force, voiced her support for the funding.
"It's a good first step," she said.
After more discussion, the bishops did vote to lend their support for the request going to the Connectional Table.
Sam Hodges, a United Methodist News Service writer, lives in Dallas.
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