Waco, Texas– JFON DFW and the Central Texas Conference have announced the creation of a partnership for the purpose of engaging more United Methodists in ministry with immigrants. Missions Director Dawne Phillips said this partnership will “energize and equip local churches by helping them to develop ministries with our immigrant brothers and sisters.”
JFON DFW has committed to serve as a resourcing hub that will help churches to start or re-start ministries like ESL (English as a Second Language), Citizenship Classes, and Life 101 (newcomer life skills), as well as offer a high-quality “Immigration Primer” that helps to explain why we face the immigration problems we have today. All of these services will be provided free of charge to the churches requesting the assistance, thanks to support from the CTC. Dean Reed, Vice Chair of the JFON DFW Regional Board, said, “We are excited about this opportunity to serve the Kingdom in this strategic capacity, helping to create more opportunities for the faith community to ‘welcome the stranger’ as the Lord taught that we should in Matthew 25:31-46.”
For more information on this new resource for your church, call Dawne Phillips at 800-460-8622 or Dean Reed at 254-485-5832.
New Clinic In Georgetown!
JFON DFW is pleased to announce the establishment of a new Clinic site in Georgetown. People of faith in the area there have been working with JFON for several years, and wanted to go deeper into the ministry. The JFON DFW Regional Board approved the plan to provide support for a quarterly Intake Clinic at Georgetown FUMC beginning in July. Board Chair Dawn McMullan said, “This as an opportunity to reach out to the migrant community there and help the southern part of the Central Texas Conference to live out their faith with their migrant neighbors.” The offer was accepted, and the process of setting “JFON South” is well underway. Please pray for the success of this new initiative!
DREAM Sabbath Toolkit and Information:
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=7715961&ct=11130113
New Resources Available
United Methodist Communications invites you to rethink immigration with this package that includes a new 12-minute video (subtitled in Spanish) for you and your community. The video features a true story about Jasmine, a Michigan teen who found solace in the United Methodist Church when the complications of immigration left her alone. The package also includes a trailer of the Jasmine video as well as bulletin graphics, bilingual invitation design, promotional poster designs and newspaper ads to help you advertise to your community. The package also offers an interactive PowerPoint that can help easily explain the process of immigration felt by a variety of migrants.
For more information on these materials you can click this link: Rethink Church – Immigration