RALEIGH. N.C. – United Methodist Bishop Connie Shelton (center) demonstrates with the Rev. Joel Simpson (left), pastor of First UMC in Taylorsville, N.C., and the Rev. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove at the North Carolina legislature for social support for those living in low-income situations. Rev. Wilson-Hartgrove is a co-leader of the Peoples' Campaign. (Photo Courtesy of Joel Simpson/Facebook)
Special to United Methodist Insight | Dec. 10, 2025
Last week, clergy and organizers in New Orleans spoke with clergy and organizers in North Carolina as they prepared for Border Patrol to attack their city and people. Clergy leaders in Virginia and Pennsylvania also talked with clergy in North Carolina as they are working to prepare for when Border Patrol turns its attention to them.
They are all working with local organizations and immigrant leaders while also finding support and insights from around the country to make sure they do everything they can to care for their communities.
When we say we are building a web of love and compassion, that’s what we mean.
In North Carolina, the intensity has lessened without the full attention of Border Patrol, but there are still ICE operations happening and people disappearing all around the state. There are still people living in fear, unable to work and afford rent or food. There are businesses that will close down because of the economic impact Border Patrol has had on our state and communities. This is not only true in cities like Charlotte. This is true in small rural communities like mine where people have reached out because they have not been able to work and need help with rent and other basic needs. We are not better for ICE and Border Patrol’s presence. They are not protecting us. They have hurt us in many ways. From stealing community members we love to wrecking our economy to causing even more hardship for already struggling families.
One pastor I talked to in North Carolina this week said church members are still shuttered in homes and needing help with food and rent because they cannot work, and they are only meeting for worship virtually. It sounds like the COVID pandemic, but this time the pandemic is ICE.
Still, we continue to support and care for each other in whatever ways we can. And in this Christian season of Advent, we remember that light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
The Rev. Joel Simpson is pastor of First United Methodist Church in Taylorsville, N.C. This post is republished with permission from his Facebook page.