This Advent season, as I re-read the Christmas scriptures, I feel deeply impressed--even stunned—with how God persisted to find a pathway for Jesus to enter & give light to the world.
We pray you will help Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries continue to offer light to immigrants and refugees suffering in our world by making a Year End Gift to Disciples Home Missions, and designate Your gift to: Refugee & Immigration Ministries online at: https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/product/donation/
to help us meet a crucial $50,000 year 2022 shortfall.
You may also mail your Year End Gift, marked “To DHM/Refugee & Immigration Ministries,” P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN. 46206
God used the “events of the day”—required census enrollment under the Roman Empire--to set Mary and Joseph en route for Jesus to enter into the world. Since the fall of Afghanistan under the Taliban, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries has engaged with congregations and regions throughout the country to guide, coach, celebrate how faith communities can offer “ways in” for thousands of Afghan allies and friends now in the U.S. Faith partners are opening pathways of opportunities by offering housing, contributing essential clothing to Army Bases processing Afghans, and providing job mentoring and healing friendships.
Despite uncertainties while en route, God “opened a way” for the Holy Couple to journey to Bethlehem to find a place where new life could be nurtured and surrounded with community and the angels. Throughout recent months, RIM has engaged with faith communities in vigils, fasting, legislative meetings, prayer services, and story-telling to encourage legislators to offer potential pathways to citizenship. In these critical Advent weeks, faith leaders continue to urge approval by Senators to ensure all immigrants might, step by step, find ways to be surrounded by family and fulfilled by work without constant fears of separation or deportation.
Even while being pushed out of town by Herod’s threats following his birth, Jesus and his family were comforted by God leading them through their journey of escape. RIM helps congregations offer safety and protections to families similarly forced to flee today, by advocating with migrants to restore asylum processes in the U.S., stop harmful policies that are currently blocking opportunities for due process, and end life threatening expulsions.
In the past 12 weeks, the U.S. has expelled 10,000+ Haitian migrants on 102 deportation flights--sending them to life threatening dangers. The U.S. has just renewed “Remain in Mexico” practices, again limiting families in danger from accessing asylum--& even expanding these policies now also against Haitians.
Together in this Holy Season, we invite you to PLEASE GIVE to support the ongoing and light giving work of Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries. We are approaching the year ahead with a $50,000 shortfall, and need support from each of you who are able to give any amount possible!
With gratefulness as we share God’s love together,
Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Director, Disciples RIM
RIM also reminds you to:
Reach out to: sstanley@dhm.disciples.org to meet with, speak, preach, and nurture your congregation's involvement with refugee, asylum seekers, and immigrant rights partners in your area!
Contribute online at: https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/product/donation/ & choosing “Refugee & Immigration Ministries” in the dropdown menu—or by mailing your donation check to “Refugee & Immigration Ministries/DHM” to: RIM, c/o Disciples Home Missions, Attn.: Kathy Watts, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN. 46206
