Toward Sunday

We continue our worship series this Sunday called Don’t Talk About That at The Table; inviting reflection & conversation on many of the topics we “aren’t” supposed to talk about in church.  This week we will consider Immigration.  We hope that this worship series will create safe environments for challenging conversations.

January 12: United Methodist Social Principles (Acts 10.34-43)

January 19: Race (Matthew 5.38-48)

January 26: Immigration (1 Corinthians 1.10-18)

February 2: Abortion (Micah 6.1-8)

February 9: Gender (Ephesians 5.22-24 & Galatians 3.28)

February 16: Sexuality (Romans 1.26-27 & Ruth 1.16-17)

February 23: Prisons (Hebrews 13.3)

This week take time to recall how your own family immigrated to the United States.  Then read 1 Corinthians 1.10-18.

Paul’s letter to the followers of Jesus in Corinth begins with an appeal to unity.  Instead of identifying as a follower of Paul or Cephas or Apollos, we are to be united by mind & purpose through Jesus Christ.

Immigration is one of the many issues upon which followers of Jesus have struggled to find unity of mind.  The United Methodist Social Principles state:  ¶ 162 H) Rights of Immigrants—We recognize, embrace, and affirm all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God. We affirm the right of all persons to equal opportunities for employment, access to housing, health care, education, and freedom from social discrimination. We urge the Church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all (from The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2012).