THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Dakotas-Minnesota Area
_______________________________________________________________
Resident Bishop
Bruce R. Ough
bishop@dkmnareaumc.org
Administrative Assistant
Sheilah J. Kyburz
sheilah.kyburz@dkmnareaumc.org
October 12, 2015
Dear Friends in Christ:
God enacts justice for orphans and widows, and God loves immigrants, giving
them food and clothing. That means you must also love immigrants because you
were immigrants in Egypt.
Deuteronomy 10:18-19 CEB
Pope Francis recently reminded our nation and the world of the scriptural ethic and imperative
of hospitality for the stranger. He reminded us that he is the son of immigrants and we are a
nation of those who migrated, often at great personal cost and danger, seeking religious
liberty and freedom from violence, hunger, and broken lives. I was moved by the Pope’s
pastoral and prophetic words, in part because my grandfather immigrated from Europe to the
Dakota plains. I am only the second generation of my family born in America; my gratitude to
God and this country is alive, profound, and undiminished.
Today, our global community, and particularly Europe, is confronted with the largest mass
migration of people since World War II. Hundreds of thousands of displaced persons are
pouring out of Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and various parts of Africa across the Mediterranean
Sea to Europe. The total number of refugees that have arrived in European countries so far this
year is 549,000, and some 794,000 persons have applied for asylum across Europe. The number
of refugees in Europe by the end of 2015 is expected to be 4.7 million. This mass migration has
created a crisis for humanitarian organizations, churches, and governments.
Jesus taught what he expected of those whose lives reflect the grace and love of God when he
said, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35b). This spirit of hospitality, and
embracing those in need, is part of our Minnesota ethos. So, I invite all our congregations to
actively respond, perhaps by receiving a special Thanksgiving offering in November to address
this humanitarian crisis. Your gift can be channeled to UMCOR’s ongoing work with the
migrants/refugees in Europe and the Middle East through its International Disaster Response
Fund, Advance #982450. If your congregation has already responded, I thank you for your
generous compassion and for leading the way.
To date, UMCOR has allocated $2 million to provide the basics of life to displaced persons in
122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55404-2472
Phone: 612-870-4007
www.dakotasumc.org
wwww.minnesotaumc.org
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Dakotas-Minnesota Area
_______________________________________________________________
Resident Bishop
Bruce R. Ough
bishop@dkmnareaumc.org
Administrative Assistant
Sheilah J. Kyburz
sheilah.kyburz@dkmnareaumc.org
Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Turkey, many of whom are Christians fleeing persecution. Middle
Eastern countries of far less affluence than the nations of Europe have already received more
migrants than are now entering Europe. Now, UMCOR urgently needs our help to support the
United Methodist churches in Macedonia, Hungary, Austria, and Germany, which are already
straining to assist the flood of migrants.
As United Methodists, we are committed to transforming the world so that the kingdom of
God will come on earth as it is in heaven. Care for the stranger, the migrant, the refugee is one
immediate component of this mission. But the mission is ultimately greater. Bringing peace to
Syria and ending ISIS’ butchery, and persuading Middle Eastern and Arab states to become
advocates for peace and justice are key components to addressing this migration crisis. So,
along with your generous financial response, I also invite your generous prayer response. Pray
for an end to the military actions causing such widespread displacement. Pray that refugees
will be welcomed around the world with warm hospitality, including here in Minnesota. Pray
for those who are already on the front line providing compassion, asylum, and relief. Pray for
peace.
There is no better way to thank God for our blessings than to make God’s blessings available to
others—others who are making the heart-breaking yet hopeful journey to a new place, just as
most of our ancestors did. Thank you in advance for your extravagant and sacrificial
stewardship of God’s blessings.
In Christ’s love,
Bruce R. Ough
Resident Bishop
Dakotas-Minnesota Area
122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55404-2472
Phone: 612-870-4007
www.dakotasumc.org
wwww.minnesotaumc.org