NTC Prepares Resources for Refugee Sunday

On Dec. 3, churches are urged to raise awareness of migrants’ plights

Around the world today, more than 65 million people have been displaced from their homelands. The reasons vary — some because of war and persecution, others because of economic hardship and poverty — but their status as refugees and migrants unites them in a quest to improve their lives.

Dec. 3, 2017, has been designated Refugee Sunday in the North Texas Conference, an opportunity for churches across the region to collectively discuss the topic in their churches and bring greater awareness to this growing issue. Refugee Sunday is the local effort of a larger event that The United Methodist Church also is sponsoring on the same day, called Global Migration Sunday, a partnership between the General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Communications, Disciple Ministries and the General Board of Church and Society.

The North Texas Conference and The United Methodist Church are deeply committed to the cause. The 2016 Book of Resolutions statement “Global Migration and the Quest for Justice” declares, “Global migration as a factor in the quest for justice is a major priority of The United Methodist Church as a denomination that is global in its vision, mission and ministries. This concern is rooted in both a biblical mandate for justice and a commitment to the future of the church.”

As a means to enhance the experience for local churches, the North Texas Conference has compiled a collection of resources that can assist pastors or other church groups as they plan for Refugee Sunday. These include:

• A suggested service outline
• Children’s sermons
• A Bible study
• Group activities
• Music options
• An electronic copy of the book Jesus Was a Refugee, written by Dr. Wes Magruder, senior pastor of Kessler Park UMC.

Additional resources from The United Methodist Church also are available at https://umcmigration.org/.

Locally, the organization Refugee Services of Texas— the top intake agency of refugees in the state — is one of the leading agencies whose work focuses on integrating refugee families into the community.

Welcome teams greet refugee families at the airport and have a furnished apartment ready for them, and volunteers serve as mentors. The agency also provides English as a Second Language classes, employment assistance and training, and access to immigration caseworkers and lawyers.

In the weeks leading up to Refugee Sunday, the NTC Connection will be publishing a series of stories profiling refugee efforts in the North Texas Conference. Subscribe to our newsletter at www.ntcumc.org to keep up with the latest stories, and search the hashtag #NTCrefugee on your social channels for more information.

Published: Tuesday, September 26, 2017