Immigration

Illinois State Police Lt. Col. Jason Bradley (left) speaks with the Rev. Hannah Kardon, a United Methodist pastor who was among a group of clergy on Oct. 10 asking to bring Holy Communion to detainees in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, near Chicago. The following day another group of clergy also made the same request. Both times Bradley reached out to ICE officials, who denied the clergy entry. Photo by the Rev. Britt Cox, First United Methodist Church in Evanston, Ill.

With warm faith, pastors seek to counter ICE

United Methodists in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, are striving to lead courageously by protecting neighbors, sharing their Christian witness and setting the record straight on what’s happening in their cities.

Immigration

Emma Escobar, president of MARCHA (Associated Methodists for the Hispanic-Latino American Cause), speaks during the opening ceremony of the caucus’ 53rd annual assembly Aug. 1 in Chicago. The altar, prepared by the Spanish-Latino Ministries of the Northern Illinois Conference, offered a display of sacramental elements and colors as a liturgical expression of the diversity of races, cultures, theological interpretations, ages and genders that make up MARCHA. Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez, UM News.

MARCHA urges: Don’t just pray, organize

Clergy and lay leaders from the United Methodist Hispanic-Latino community gathered under unusual security conditions in Chicago to celebrate the caucus’ 53rd annual assembly.

Local Church

Families visit booths set up outside Chicago First Korean United Methodist Church in Wheeling, Ill., during the church’s Sept. 13 “Great Feast for Refugees and Neighbors.” The event marked the congregation’s 102nd anniversary and its commitment to supporting vulnerable members of the community. Families from refugee centers across Chicago participated in a day filled with worship, music, food, fellowship and practical support. Photo courtesy of Chicago First Korean United Methodist Church.

Chicago First Korean marks 102 years by hosting refugees

The United Methodist congregation celebrated its anniversary by inviting some of its most vulnerable neighbors for worship, fellowship and support.

Immigration

The Rev. Andy Oliver (center), pastor of Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Fla., poses with other protesters outside of the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz,” a detention center in the Everglades where suspected undocumented immigrants are being held. Oliver says his goal is to “raise awareness and help amplify the stories of people that I think our city is treating with cruelty.” Photo courtesy of the Rev. Andy Oliver.

Pastors push back in Florida

The Revs. Andy Oliver and Roy Terry, both United Methodists, are committed to continue protesting in response to what they see as government overreach in Florida.

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