Jen, far left, pictured with a family of migrants who became like family during her time as a Mission Intern.

During my junior year of college, I interned with a refugee resettlement program. In this role, I learned a great deal about kindness from the people I got to work with. They taught me about the importance of having gratitude for everything in their lives, from the safety we take advantage of to the long, slow process of acclimating to new customs, trying new food, learning new languages, and more. If I ever heard a complaint, it was only ever one of heartache over how long, painful, and tiresome the process was to try to bring their family over to join them.

Fast forward several years, when I was a Mission Intern (a young adult missionary with The United Methodist Church) from 2009 to 2012. One of the positions I held was as the “Associate for Movement Building” with the Methodist Federation for Social Action. As a community organizer working and advocating within The United Methodist Church, one of my primary focus areas was around immigration. During this time, I learned a great deal more about what immigration laws and practices look like, how to be a better ally, and – painfully – what kinds of obstacles our immigrant siblings in the United States can face.

When I left that position to become a pastor in the Dakotas Conference in 2012, I tried to stay connected to that important work for a while. Admittedly, that eventually fell by the wayside as life and ministry have continued to change and draw my attention to new places. Yet my heart has always been drawn to ways I can connect with and show support for immigrants in my community, whom our society too often rejects as the “least of these.” In the past few months, especially, I have wondered what else I could be doing to be a better ally, but it’s hard to know where to begin. In an era of ICE raids tearing apart families and many of our communities, it’s easy to feel like there isn’t much we can do.

If you do or ever have felt that way, may you know you are not alone – and there IS something you can do. Specifically, I want to share with you an invitation to show up, so together we can learn and commit anew to coming alongside our immigrant siblings. Two webinars are happening this week to help us do that:

Jen, second from right, taking part in social witness/protest during her time as Mission Intern.

Know Your Rights and How to Exercise Them
     When: Sept. 8, 7-9 p.m. CT
     Where: Online
     Register here
*For individuals impacted by immigration. Learn your rights, what to do if ICE shows up, and practical guidance for protecting yourself and your loved ones.

Standing With Immigrants: What Does Allyship Look Like
     When: Sept. 9, 7-9 p.m. CT
     Where: Online
     Register here
*For clergy, laity, and community members who want to stand in solidarity with immigrant neighbors. Participants will learn how to support immigrant communities safely, responsibly, and faithfully.

I hope you’ll join us in stepping out in faith and stepping up to stand with our immigrant neighbors. I believe all of us are being called to offer a little more light and hope in our world right now, and these resources are offering to help us do that. Especially for the allies among us, I wonder: How will you step up? How might God use your hands and feet, your voice and privilege, your strengths and passions? There is good work to be done in our world, friends, and if we all do a little, I can’t help but dream of the good we can do together.