Beloved,

As disciples of Jesus Christ we are to serve those who are most vulnerable.  Holy Scripture speaks specifically about aliens and foreigners as God's people who are to be welcomed, treated, and respected.

 "There shall be one law for the native and for the alien who resides among you." (Exodus 12:49 and Leviticus 24:22)

"When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 19:33-34; 24:22)

The arrival of unaccompanied children and mothers with children from Central America to our borders is an opportunity for our nation, and especially the Church, to respond with the generosity, compassion, and acceptance God calls us to show the alien. Various sources confirm that these refugees are fleeing life-threatening realities of hunger, violence including rape and sexual abuse, enslavement leading to human trafficking, and murder.

Jesus set a child in the midst of the disciples and taught them that by receiving and welcoming a child, they received and welcomed him. "Taking a child, Jesus set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 'Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me'." (Mark 9:36-37)

As the congregations and people of our diocese pray for refugees and the vulnerable, let us resolve to support those whose resources are being stretched as they care for thousands of God's children. Among the agencies I commend for your consideration are Episcopal Migration Ministries (supported annually in our diocesan budget), and the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas which has issued this appeal: http://www.dwtx.org/department-ministries/communications/dwtx-blog/immigration-situation-in-south-texas-appeal

Additionally, in the land of Our Lord's birth, death, and resurrection, refugees from Gaza are enduring great hardship. Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem's Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City with funding for food and fuel as it responds to urgent needs during the current crisis.

There are complicated political issues at the heart of both of these situations, but political differences must not distract us. There are tremendous humanitarian needs present in each situation. As Christians we are called to meet those needs. Our Lord Jesus taught that we are to love God with all of our being and our neighbor exactly the same way. As individual disciples, as congregations, and as a diocesan community may we reach out with such Christ-like love and compassion.

In the holy Name of Christ Jesus who came not to be served but to serve, I am

Faithfully yours,