We are committed to joining God’s reconciling mission (Isa. 58:6-9, 2 Cor. 5:16-19) and to live and act as siblings in Christ regardless of our legal status. We seek to join in God’s healing work regarding immigration, trusting that God goes before us and desires wholeness and well-being for all people. (from MC USA Churchwide Statement on Immigration)
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Matthew 25:35
Use the Radical Hospitality six-week curriculum and Bible Study in your group or congregation, available in English and Spanish. A new Part Two for this curriculum is coming in spring 2021!
Watch the short video highlights that we will be sharing to hear the voices of Mennonites involved in immigration justice advocacy and organizations. We encourage churches to share these videos, perhaps during worship, as a way to draw attention to and pray for the peace work taking place for immigration justice.
Subscribe to PeaceMail, which will feature stories, blogs and news from people across MC USA about Immigration Justice: Radical Hospitality.
Read Intercultural Church: A Biblical Vision for an Age of Migration by Safwat Marzouk, associate professor at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary
Read our latest stories and blogs on immigration justice:
Watch Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) staff and partners in the field on a recorded seven-part webinar series on Immigration and Border Realities. They provide insight into the current reality of the U.S. immigration and border crisis and explore the role faith-based communities can play to witness, provide support, raise awareness and advocate for the most vulnerable. Videos:
Read Immigration and the Bible, a resource from Mennonite Mission Network that offers a biblical foundation on immigration with questions for reflection and discussion. Available in English and Spanish.
Watch our recorded Immigration Justice webinar from 2018 with panelists who share experiences of immigrant families and how local Mennonite churches and organizations have been responding and strategic ways that people can join efforts to bring change.
Read the MC USA Churchwide Statement on Immigration (in Spanish) and the Churchwide Statement on the Abuse of Child Migrants.
Dear Jesus,
Our journey through life is long and hard. We cannot make this trip alone; we must walk together on the journey.
You promised to send us a helper, your Spirit. Help us to see your Spirit in those you send to journey with us.
In the refugee family, seeking safety from violence,
Let us see your Spirit.
In the migrant worker, bringing food to our tables,
Let us see your Spirit.
In the asylum-seeker, seeking justice for himself and his family,
Let us see your Spirit.
In the unaccompanied child, traveling in a dangerous world,
Let us see your Spirit.
Teach us to recognize that as we walk with each other, You are present.
Teach us to welcome not only the strangers in our midst but the gifts they bring as well: the invitation to conversion, communion, and solidarity.
This is the help you have sent: we are not alone.
We are together on the journey, and for this we give you thanks. Amen.
—from Collected Prayers for Immigrants from Interfaith Worker Justice
A prayer for immigrants to be protected from the many dangers they face by Joanna Harader, pastor of Peace Mennonite Church, Lawrence, Kansas (in Spanish)
Safe Home, Safe Refuge Worship Materials from Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) U.S. Washington Office to pray and advocate for migrants, particularly those who are seeking safe refuge in the U.S.
Peace Sunday prayers and worship resources (from 2018) with the theme “A renewed peace church welcomes the stranger” created by Mennonite World Conference.
Advocate for just and humane immigration policies for immigrants and refugees by contacting your local, state and national elected officials.
Pledge to protect and defend vulnerable people in the name of Jesus. The Matthew 25 Movement offers a pledge and toolkits.
Share about immigration justice in conversation, church and on social media.
Learn skills to help facilitate intercultural competency and/or undoing racism processes in congregations through the Intercultural Development Inventory or invite one of the 18 qualified administrators across MC USA to work with your congregation.
Support organizations that support the needs of people who are immigrants.
Offer church facilities and volunteers for immigration documentation services, language classes, mental health support, cultural celebrations, after-school homework help and other ministries.
Engage in mutual aid to offer food, shelter, clothing, housing, transportation and other resources to immigrants regardless of their status.
Host a card party to help those in detention feel that they have not been forgotten.
Donate to MC USA to support congregations and projects working with immigration justice initiatives addressing family separation, detention centers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and legal assistance.
