Covenant Council asks DSC to preach on immigration
By Rev. Dave Summers, Covenant Council Chair, and Stephen J. Hustedt, Director of Communications
During a July 27 conference call the Covenant Council of The Desert Southwest Conference decided to encourage all DSC clergy to preach this Labor Day Sunday on issues of immigration, our need for comprehensive reform and the contributions of immigrants in building our nation. This decision was made unanimously, and it was discussed that Labor Day is an appropriate time to remember and honor the work of many who made our country strong, which includes immigrants and those who have been here for generations.
"We understand immigration is a divisive and hot-button topic. Strong sentiments run deep," said Rev. Dave Summers, Covenant Council Chair. "And yet it is essential that pastors help churches understand what the gospel of love asks of us in facing tough issues of our time."
Many churches and clergy have already been tackling this subject through preaching and creating opportunities for study. United Methodist heritage encourages speaking faithfully on controversial matters in ways that help to reflect theologically and build political opinions on sound and faithful biblical thinking.
"We know that Pastors and church leaders face potentially difficult reactions in talking about immigration, from anger and disagreement to people wanting to leave the church," Summers said. "Our intent is never to push people away but rather to invite our church to holy conversation and constructive ways of talking and listening faithfully to one another."
The Covenant Council made this decision in response to a meeting of the Arizona Interfaith Network meeting in Casa Grande on July 6. At that gathering, which included many churches, pastors, representatives from the interfaith community across Arizona, it was decided to ask each faith community to speak widely on the need for immigration reform. Christians, in particular, believe the church is an important arena where such conversation can happen and where individuals can learn to talk openly with one another. Covenant Council also learned that in other states, a similar effort will be made to preach and reflect on immigration around Labor Day.
The Covenant Council is making available a variety of preaching resources for clergy to use in their sermons on Labor Day Sunday. The goals are to help people to hear and know facts about immigrant contributions, to address the myths about migrants that feed our society's fears and political debate, and to understand deeply our biblical heritage in caring for immigrants. Most important, we want to encourage people to talk about comprehensive reform that can address spectrum of issues involving border security, the rule of law, family reunification, the need for workers, and pathways to citizenship.
"We recognize that many of our churches have already been having conversation about immigration and engaging in study and action," Summers said. "Our deepest hope is that time in worship will encourage further study, holy conferencing and ways of taking action to strengthen our faithful response as God's people of love, justice, and grace."
- Rev. Dave Summers, Covenant Council Chair
