02/02/2026
A prayer from Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey.
Gracious and merciful God,
Our hearts are heavy as we witness the pain, fear, and unrest following the recent events in Minnesota. We grieve the loss of life, the trauma carried by families and communities, and the deep divisions that continue to wound our common life. We ask for your comforting presence to surround all who are suffering and for your healing to move powerfully among them.
As followers of Jesus Christ and as United Methodists, we affirm the sacred worth of every person. Our Social Principles call us to uphold human dignity, pursue justice, and work for peace in our communities and in the world. Shape us into people who resist violence, who seek understanding, and who choose compassion over anger. Teach us again what it means to love our neighbor, especially when that love requires courage, humility, and sacrifice.
Guide leaders toward wisdom and accountability. Stir your church to be a faithful witness for reconciliation and hope. Empower us to speak truth with grace, to listen deeply to one another, and to become instruments of your peace. May your Spirit lead us toward a future marked not by fear, but by justice, mercy, and steadfast love.
In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.
We invite you to continue this work through prayer, learning, and faithful action. The resources below offer opportunities to grow in understanding and to engage thoughtfully with our immigrant neighbors during this time.
January 31 at 10:00 AM (Zoom)
Responding to Our Immigrant Neighbors: What Is Accompaniment?
Hosted by the Rio Texas Conference
Register here: https://riotexas.zoom.us/meeting/register/TdX0tajhT_SWnK_GEKjPfw #/registration
Immigration Resource Hub
A collection of tools, teachings, and resources for churches and individuals provided by the Rio Texas Conference and Rio Texas Antiracism & Equity Coalition
Explore here: https://riotexas.org/immigration-resource-hub
February 25
Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice
Read more here: https://www.resourceumc.org/en/topics/advocacy/immigration-and-global-migration/faithful-resistance-a-public-witness-for-immigrant-justice
May we continue seeking understanding, practicing compassion, and walking faithfully together.
