“Give me your tired, your poor,
your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, . . .
These words, written by poet Emma Lazarus and posted on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty have, for decades, welcomed the foreigner to the shores of our land. They are words that have described the position of our country, a place that has welcomed the immigrant into a land of hope where a pathway to a better life could be found.
The words “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses,” sound very similar to a message that the church has proclaimed for generations:
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.”
(Matthew 11:28)
The bishops of the Northeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church offer this statement on immigration policy — and it comes with a prayer. Link here to read this, provided by Bishop John Schol of the United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey..
Here is another link to a prayer, this one for the immigrant and refugee.
Refugee and Immigrant God, who came wanting to dwell among us.
Hear our prayers. Amen.