On January 15, 2025, 60 people gathered via Zoom for Lament and Action, to worship together and learn how to support the immigrants and refugees who live among us. The event was led by Rev. Noé Gabriel López, Associate Superintendent …
A Transformed Church Parsonage Becomes Home to Ukrainian Refugees
“This grew from being just a project to becoming a home.” That’s how Eddystone United Methodist Church describes its journey—an inspiring labor of love—that converted its once dilapidated, abandoned parsonage into a comfortable new home for refugees who journeyed there …
Justice for Our Neighbors needs Spanish-English interpreters now!
Justice for Our Neighbors of the Delaware Valley (JFON-DV), which provides affordable immigration legal services to low-income clients in our region, urgently needs Spanish-English language interpreters now to help busloads of migrants arriving in Philadelphia seeking asylum. The small agency, …
DePaz to staff EPA’s Latino Commission
The Rev. Maria Quesada “Lisa” DePaz, Pastor of Haws Avenue UMC in Norristown since, will become Coordinator of the Eastern PA Conference Latino Ministries Commission July 1. Currently the commission’s secretary, she succeeds the Rev. Lillian “Luky” Cotto, who will retire …
As JFON’s immigration cases grow, so does its need for help
Justice for Our Neighbors of the Delaware Valley (JFON-DV) has been operating immigration legal clinics for 13 months in three states, handling a growing docket of cases, as it looks for volunteers, especially language interpreters. The Eastern PA regional office moved …
Justice for Our Neighbors: Supporting and Volunteering with Immigrant Legal Ministry
Watch the recording. Learn about JFON and opportunities to help this UMC-led ministry serve low income and rural immigrants in need of affordable legal assistance. With sites across the U.S., the new JFON of the Delaware Valley serves the Eastern …
Support urged for new law giving driver licenses to undocumented immigrants
At least five Eastern PA Conference congregations are supporting a new advocacy campaign calling for valid Pennsylvania driver’s licenses to be made available to undocumented immigrants. That humanitarian campaign for some includes a 40-day vigil of prayer and fasting. House …
DACA Dreamers to share their stories, Oct. 31
Meet and learn about DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) immigrants, known as Dreamers, through a virtual encounter with several of them on Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 to 11:30 AM, on Zoom. That’s when several of these young, lifelong U.S. residents who are …
Celebrando Nuestra Hispanidad*
By the Rev. Lilian “Luky” Cotto, Eastern PA Conference Coordinator of Latino Ministries** As a Guatemalan native, I rejoice in sharing a little about the great annual celebration of our Hispanic Heritage. It begins on Sept. 15, the Independence Day …
Bishop urges support for welcoming refugees in 2021
Bishop Minerva Carcaño, leader of the California Nevada Conference and Chairwomen of the UM Council of Bishops’ Immigration Task Force, has sent a letter to her fellow bishops appealing for advocacy on behalf of refugees needing to be resettled in …