United Methodists of Upper New York | June 10, 2025
Since January 2025, The United Methodist Church and the Upper New York Conference have become increasingly aware of the growing fear and uncertainty facing migrants, immigrants, refugees, and BIPOC individuals in our communities. Government policies have led to the separation of families, the detention of individuals, racial profiling, and the erosion of human dignity.
In a letter written that month, Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez reminded us: “God’s call to justice and compassion remains in the face of hardship. The scriptures remind us repeatedly that we are to extend radical hospitality to all peoples, for we, too, have been (or could be) strangers in a foreign land” (Leviticus 19:34).
In response, the Upper New York Conference is taking faithful action, building upon our long-standing commitment to equity and inclusion. We are equipping church leaders with the relationships, tools, and spiritual grounding needed to stand alongside immigrant siblings and reflect God’s love through action in their local ministries and communities.
The UMC's General Commission on Religion and Race hosted an Immigration Summit in Omaha, Nebraska, for over 100 people interested in working for immigration justice and hospitality.
Immigration Summit
In April, the Rev. Alicia Wood, pastor of Syracuse: University UMC, and Georgia Whitney, Vice Chair of the Conference Commission on Religion and Race, attended a powerful Immigration Summit in Omaha, Nebraska. Hosted by the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR), the gathering brought together more than 100 church leaders across denominations, representing over 40 United Methodist conferences. The goal of the summit was to equip leaders with tools and training in immigration justice, empowering them to return to their conferences prepared to lead workshops and deepen local engagement.
Rooted in the Wesleyan tradition of social holiness and the biblical call to “welcome the stranger,” the summit featured worship, workshops, storytelling, and strategy sessions. Attendees heard directly from immigrants and faith leaders working on the frontlines of justice, gaining insight into how churches can respond with compassion, courage, and care.
Importantly, the summit acknowledged the complexity of immigration in today’s political climate. Rather than aligning with any partisan agenda, GCORR’s approach centers on human dignity, God’s love for all people, and the Christian imperative to accompany the marginalized.
Over the course of three days, participants engaged in deep theological reflection, received practical resources, and built meaningful connections across conferences. The summit elevated the lived experiences of immigrant communities and offered concrete strategies for ministry, advocacy, and accompaniment.
“The current realities of immigration in this country are daunting, and it’s easy to feel discouraged,” said Georgia Whitney. “But the passion and energy of this group reminded me that I’m part of a powerful community—ready to advocate, teach, and walk alongside our immigrant neighbors.”
Immigration Immersion Journey: Tucson, Arizona
Later that week, Rev. Wood joined Kristina Clark, Associate Director of Missional Excellence, and a Volunteers in Mission team from the Susquehanna Conference for a week-long immersion experience in Tucson, Arizona. Together, they partnered with humanitarian organizations in Arizona and Mexico working to uphold the dignity and survival of asylum seekers and immigrants.
The group engaged with more than 11 organizations and participated in a broad range of learning and service opportunities. These included visiting desert aid stations with Humane Borders; meeting migrants at shelters like Casa Misericordia in Nogales, Mexico; hearing a presentation from the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office, which processes and identifies the remains of over 150 migrants found in the desert each year; and observing proceedings at Federal Immigration Court. They also met with and heard powerful, personal testimonies from asylum seekers impacted by ever-shifting federal policies. These were stories of trauma, endurance, and persistent hope.
Throughout the immersion experience, participants witnessed firsthand the injustices migrants face: dangerous border crossings through the desert, family separations, prolonged detention, and the criminalization of those seeking safety. Volunteers shared accounts of slashed or shot water jugs—life-saving resources deliberately destroyed. Advocates described migrants deported to unfamiliar, often unsafe cities without resources or support.
The team from Upper New York and Susquehanna returned with a renewed commitment to be voices for advocacy, education, and truth. Their goal: to inspire churches to move beyond acts of charity toward ministries of justice—to not only meet immediate needs, but to confront and challenge the systems that cause harm. They invite the church to view immigration as a human crisis that calls for empathy, advocacy, and faithful action. Rev. Wood, Georgia, and Kristina presented a lunch learning session during Annual Conference that shared their experiences, and a list of resources participants can bring into their local church and community. The group has worked individually with churches needing immediate support, and they will continue to share resources and learning opportunities.
A Call to Hope
Bishop Burgos concluded his January letter with a simple but powerful reminder: “Let us be people of hope, not fear.” As we continue this journey of justice and compassion, may our collective witness reflect the heart of God—who calls us to embrace all people with justice, mercy, and boundless grace.
Georgia Whitney is Vice Chair of the Upper New York Conference Commission on Religion and Race, and Kristina Clark is the conference's Associate Director of Missional Excellence