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UNITED
METHODIST WOMEN
SOCIAL
ACTION
Remember the
scripture, Isaiah 59:15-16a…
“Justice
is turned back, and righteousness stands at a distance; for truth stumbles in
the public square, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and whoever
turns from evil is despoiled. The Lord
saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was
no one, and was appalled that there was no one to intervene.”
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From Bill
Mefford, Director of Civil and Human Rights of the UMC’s General Board of
Church and Society:
“I am not
sure what I am more outraged by: Persecution of Christians or the silence of so
many in the Church at the knowledge of such persecution.
“If we know of persecution and fail
to speak out, what does that say about who we are?... The first two Sundays of
November <were> set apart to remember and pray for <persecuted
Christians around the world> through the International Day of Prayer for
the Persecuted Church.
“<We need> also <to>
remember to pray for God to stop persecution and allow people of all faiths the
freedom to worship and evangelize.
“Remembering our persecuted sisters
and brothers is always important and necessary, but the United Methodist
General Conference, our denomination's highest policy-setting body, has made
this a priority. It has repeatedly passed a resolution that states:
“Since The United Methodist Church
opposes injustice, intolerance, and bigotry and believes in the power of
prayer, we encourage United Methodist congregations to observe in November an
International Day of Prayer for the
Persecuted Church. It is through our earnest prayers that we grow in our sense
of unity with Christians around the world, as well as with all members of
religious groups who endure persecution.”
Although the special Sundays have
passed, the need for prayer remains. Let us continue to intervene for those so
persecuted.
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Other tragedies and “natural” disasters
continue in our world. Floods and earthquakes compound the misery of the poor
and oppressed, and UMCOR—through our gifts—continues to minister in these
situations.
And people who have endured years of war and
despotism have been driven by desperation to leave their homes and search for
better lives somewhere else. I, personally, cannot imagine a situation wherein
I would simply pick up whatever belongings I could hope to carry on my person
and, with children in hand, start walking—somewhere.
The logistical nightmare that such a migration
has created is only the symptom; it is not the problem. Corruption in the seat
of governments may be the problem—but the immediate crisis must be addressed.
From UMCOR: “Displaced people
are among the least of our brothers and sisters and a reminder that we still
live in a broken world. I hear much talk of donor fatigue and weariness over
the seemingly unending conflict in Syria. We must remember that the hurt we
feel as we see people fleeing their own lands is not a call for surrender or
pity but, rather, a call to action.
“The forced movement of people
is a manifestation of the brokenness of our world. Refugees, people who cross
international borders, and internally displaced persons, those displaced in
their own country, too often have to endure the most of failed diplomacy,
unjust policies and injustice in relationships.”
As United Methodist Women, our
call is to minister to people marginalized and abandoned by those charged with
their care, and too often rejected by neighbors who are weary and overwhelmed by
the immense human need. Give as you are led, but by all means pray—intervene
with God on behalf of God’s people and God’s creation.
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