Beloved sisters and brothers
We call you to prayer for our siblings in the USA who are taking legal action that seeks to restore the rights of people of faith to gather, worship and serve without government interference. Mennonite Church USA joins more than 20 Christian and Jewish communities in this action.
The current presidential administration of the USA has removed restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting immigration raids, arrests and other enforcement actions at houses of worship. Today, those who are targeted by these changes are described as “asylum seekers” or “migrants”; in the Bible, they are called “aliens/sojourners” (Leviticus 19:33-34) or “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40). God’s people were regularly reminded to welcome and look after those who are vulnerable (Exodus 23:9, Deuteronomy 10:19, Hebrews 13:2). Today, some of that work is done through places of worship which are made unsafe by these policy changes.
“We believe that because of Christ’s call to care for those who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, or imprisoned (Matt. 25:31-36), we must join with Jesus’ early followers in choosing to obey God rather than any human authority (Acts 5:29),” writes MC USA moderator Jon Carlson in a letter to the global Anabaptist-Christian family.
“I recognize that Anabaptist engagement with secular authorities is a complicated subject…. Even so, Anabaptists have, at various points in history, used legal means to prevent the state from encroaching on religious practice and to protect the free exercise of our faith…,” writes Jon Carlson.
“We know that many of our siblings throughout the world have endured much harsher persecution and governmental intrusion into their communities,” says Jon Carlson. He invites the global communion to pray for MC USA, “bearing one another’s burdens and fulfilling the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). We also welcome you to share your wisdom and insight into how we remain faithful in the face of governmental pressure. Please continue to hold followers of Jesus in the United States in your prayers, as we hold you in our prayers as well.”
Pray with us
Mennonite World Conference calls on our members around the world to pray for the partners in this legal challenge, and all our members in the USA.
- We pray for the Spirit of God to embolden people to public witness and protective action for those who are vulnerable.
- We thank God for the courage to oppose unjust actions, even from their own government.
- We thank God for partners in other religious communities, for solidarity in protecting religious liberties for all and rights of vulnerable people.
We ask for prayer for all North Americans to find The Courage to Love in the midst of political uncertainty and economic fears of this moment. In Canada, Mexico and the USA, may our Anabaptist siblings see the image of God in all people from all places. May we have the grace to set aside fear and political ideologies and differences. May the church of Jesus Christ respond to threats and divisiveness with creative acts of compassion and love.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace, amen.
Henk Stenvers,
president,
Mennonite World Conference
César García
general secretary,
Mennonite World Conference
10 responses to “A pastoral letter regarding legal action for the protection of religious liberties”
Thank you so much for this call to prayer!
Thank you for helping, encouraging and educating the rest of us in how to fight the good fight!
Praying 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for standing up for the „strangers and newcomers“. All the best and much strength to you as you keep the faith in the US.
The Lord Jesus is in Control !
I am grateful. Wishing other Anabaptist/Mennonite bodies in the US would also do this. Kudos to MCUSA for leading the way.
Sending people back to their place of origin when they have entered illegally is not unjust. It is in fact, just. Justice is the proper action or response to a situation or previous action. Taking someone else’s job and livelihood is unjust. Undercutting someone’s wages so you can have their job is also unjust. Invading someone’s country and trashing it, ignoring their customs and laws is also unjust. Are the people you call vulnerable adults? Do they have agency? Do they have no responsibilities? It seems that your ideas about justice are only about feelings. As an Anabaptist I care about peace but I also care about truth.
All members of MWC have together agreed up on the Shared Convictions. https://mwc-cmm.org/en/shared-convictions/
As we read Jesus’ call in Matthew 25:31-46 to care for those who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick or imprisoned, we do not see any qualifications on the worthiness of the recipients.
Yes, prayer and taking action, hand-in-hand in these chaotic times. Both are the right things to do! Thank you for taking a stand. Lord have mercy on all nations in vulnerable and frightening situations!
As we remember the 500 years history of our church and all anabaptists this year we are frightened again about the changes in US. We agree to pray all the time that our Lord Jesus keep you in the miserable changes . Jesus may help to be sure, that nobody on earth is stronger than our Lord.