“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, . . .” United Methodist Bishops of the Northeastern Jurisdiction quoted poet Emma Lazarus’s words found on the Statue of Liberty (also known as “Mother of Exiles”) …
Churches celebrate Advent, Christmas in many ways
It’s beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas. Not so much from the wintry weather arriving this weekend, but from the Advent activities happening all over the Eastern PA Conference. From hanging of the greens nearly everywhere, to …
Phila. church offers sanctuary to shield father from deportation
Arch Street UMC in Philadelphia is providing sanctuary for Javier Flores García, 40, an undocumented Mexican immigrant and a husband and father of three. The church, which is part of the national New Sanctuary Movement, welcomed him into asylum the …
Long-detained immigrant families in PA arouse concern, protests
By John W. Coleman In the throes of the nation’s broken immigration system, dozens of Central American families seeking asylum from violence at home have been languishing at a detention center near Reading, Pa. for nearly a year. Frustrated by …
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans
The Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, General Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society, and Bishop Elías Galván (retired) Executive Director of the Latino UMC caucus MARCHA (Metodistas Representando la Causa de los Hispanos Americanos) have issued a joint statement critical …
Call to Prayer for GC2016: Social Issues
Among the most important but also the most controversial part of General Conference every four years is the conversation about social issues. United Methodists of good will are at different places around a plethora of social issues facing society today. …
UM activist for justice dies
Anne Ewing, 78, a longtime, active member of First UMC of Germantown and a recipient of its Racial and Social Justice Award, died of cancer March 17. She was a teacher and activist who labored to improve public education, health …
UMW event examines immigration justice
The Rev. Julia Singleton, pastor of Christ UMC in Middletown, offers the following report from the Southeast District United Methodist Women’s gathering Feb. 20 at Marshallton UMC to hear and discuss presentations on immigration concerns. Singleton serves on the Conference …
Southeast District UMW to examine U.S. immigration
The Southeast District United Methodist Women will host a leading immigration justice advocate to address this critical issue on Saturday, Feb. 20, at Marshallton UMC in West Chester.
‘Open wide your hearts!’
Called to welcome suffering sojourners
This Friday, Dec. 18, many people will recognize International Migrants Day. And on Thursday, Dec. 10, many observed International Human Rights Day. These observances, although barely known to most, are significant and timely in light of the refugee and migrant crises happening right …