Iowa Bishop Speech
Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, resident episcopal leader of the Iowa Annual Conference, presents what observers called an "inspiring" address at this year's session. (Iowa Conference Photo)
Dear Friends,
I know that the climate around immigration and the rhetoric that we all hear has made many fearful for our siblings who are immigrants and refugees or for ourselves. Please find attached a letter to our immigrant siblings from ecumenical bishops and religious leaders throughout Iowa, including me. This letter was distributed widely throughout the state, including to media outlets. I commend it to you. Please consider reading it from your pulpits this coming Sunday. You might also include the attached litany. Let’s all keep our country and the most vulnerable among us in prayer.
Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai
Iowa Annual Conference
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
The United Methodist Church
Time for Action: Immigration Advocacy and Support Letter from Iowa’s Ecumenical Leaders
January 20, 2025
To our migrant siblings in Christ:
As we celebrate the life and witness of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, and his call to beloved community, we stand with our Catholic colleagues in extending to you our prayers, our solidarity and our witness in these trying times. We are aware of the uncertainty, fear and threat you face as migrants, immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. We want you to know that you are loved and valued by God and by us. You are not alone.
We are neighbors, friends and colleagues. Together, we are part of the household of God. Despite the harmful rhetoric we hear, we are all made in God’s image and precious and honored in God’s sight (Isaiah 43:4). We recognize and are thankful for the immense gifts contributed to the collective culture and shared experience.
As members of the Body of Christ, we stand together, reminding our nation of its historic commitments to human rights. We will renew our commitment to live out God’s second greatest commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). We will work to protect inherent dignity and insist on fair, lawful and compassionate treatment of everyone.
All of us in the Church of Jesus Christ are sojourners, “For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come,” (Hebrews 13:14). We invite all people of Iowa to join us in sojourning with you in ways that are just and respectful of our shared humanity. May God bless you and give you peace as we walk together this common journey.
In Christ,
Rev. Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai, bishop of the Iowa Annual Conference and Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the United Methodist Church
Rev. Amy Current, bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa
Rev. Roberto Ochoa, conference minister of the Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota Conferences of the United Church of Christ
Rev. Kendy Miller, associate conference minister of the Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota Conferences of the United Church of Christ
Rev. Lorna H. Halaas, bishop of the Western Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Ian McMullen, executive presbyter, Presbytery of Des Moines, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Elder Amgad Beblawi, ministry and mission executive, Presbytery of Des Moines, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. Kevin Jones, bishop of the Northeastern Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
LITANY IN SUPPORT OF MIGRANTS
LEADER: The love of Christ shines in the lives of all people—including those who are migrants, immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. We stand with our migrant neighbors in the face of threats to their basic human rights.
PEOPLE: We commit ourselves to being the love of Christ in the lives of our immigrant neighbors.
LEADER: God calls us to treat all people with the compassion. Christ compels us to love our neighbors as ourselves. The Holy Spirit leads us to speak up when our migrant neighbors are vilified or dehumanized.
PEOPLE: We commit ourselves to being the love of Christ in the lives of our immigrant neighbors.
LEADER: In Christ, we oppose language, actions and policies that do harm to our migrant neighbors. In Christ, we oppose language, actions or policies that further racism and delay racial healing. In Christ, we call for reconciliation and beloved community.
PEOPLE: We commit ourselves to being the love of Christ in the lives of our immigrant neighbors.
LEADER: Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid…Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven,” (MT 5: 14,16 NRSV).
All: We commit ourselves to allowing the love of Christ to shine in us. We commit ourselves to allowing Christ’s justice to work through us. We commit ourselves to being the light of God’s peace, reconciliation and hope in the world. Amen.