04/30/2026
Greetings Beloved United Methodists!
For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.
Matthew 25:35
I bring awesome news from our collaborative Ulster County interfaith community. UIDN is a part of the Ulster county Interfaith family (formerly known as KIC) and they have developed a community ministry pilot for churches, houses of faith and other community groups. In light of our scripture passage, words from our Lord, let us consider adopting a young family that our retired United Methodist, Deacon Dave Clegg has been working with. (He is an attorney with UIDN). Immigration families have a range of needs from emotional; prayer and touching base, writing letters of support to detainees, to helping provide rides to appointments, diapers and other baby and childcare needs including babysitting. It really depends on the family. I pray that you give this invitation to open our hearts and homes some prayerful consideration and please know that any way that you can help will be greatly appreciated. There is more information as well as an intake form. Training will be provided once we have a group (it can be 4 or 5 people or God willing, more). If you know of persons that would be interested in participating in this please pass their information along.
I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, that you respond in the affirmative regarding this invitation to invite others into your home, remembering that when we do this we welcome Jesus.
FAITH FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM
You’re Invited to Support an Immigrant Family
Dear friends,
In these difficult days, immigrant families in our community experience a range of crises. Breadwinners and caregivers who provide financial stability, child-care, and the daily fabric of family life are being taken into custody. Both those taken and those left behind face hardship, confusion, and fear. We invite you, whether as a congregation or an organization, to consider supporting such a family and loved ones who may be detained. Support in this sense means entering into an actively caring relationship that can make all the difference. Needs are broad: writing notes, providing phone cards, helping to fill commissary accounts in detention; visiting, driving, helping with the cost of school supplies, sports and music programs, housing, rent and utilities, child-care, and more. We do not expect every support group to do everything. Each support group provides only what they are able and willing to offer. Ulster Immigrant Defense Network (UIDN) will provide backup support. To ensure that this relationship is respectful and mutually caring, we ask that you form a core team of 3 to 5 people from your congregation and designate a leader. We will provide your team with training. We will also connect your team to a volunteer UIDN social worker who will accompany you and the traumatized family throughout the journey. Interpreters will be made available so that trust and genuine understanding can grow. The support will be short term but can last until families have been able to make the necessary adjustments and decisions about their future. Whatever path emerges, your care offers hope, stability, and dignity in the most trying of circumstances. We ask you to open your hearts and prayerfully consider whether your group might respond to this invitation. The bonds created in such relationships will not only sustain families in crisis but also strengthen the fabric of our shared humanity. If you would like to have a one on one conversation about possibly embracing this gesture of love where only love can make a difference, please respond to this request either in the affirmative or if you have questions. With gratitude and hope, Eline and Liz on behalf of the Ulster Immigrant Defense Network and the Kingston Interfaith Council (UCIC)
Agape!
Reverend Gia Lynne Hall
Senior Pastor
Saint James United Methodist Church
35 Pearl Street
Kingston, NY
Office (845)331-3030 Cell (516) 946-6181
"God is Good All the Time!"
