ICE is in Columbus. Here are some resources for our church to respond to this crisis.
Cityview Church recognizes, embraces, and affirms all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God. We urge society to "recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all." - Social Principles
We invite everyone to pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering the journey of forced migration. Here are some other ways you can get invovled.
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Good afternoon, Church,
As we prepare for our Christmas Eve services (5pm & 7pm), we find ourselves reflecting not only on the familiar story of Jesus’ birth, but also on the world into which he was born—and the world we live in today.
After Jesus was born, the state and the empire rose against him. The Gospel of Matthew tells us that Jesus and his family fled to Egypt, living as immigrants until it was safe to return home. Jesus’ story begins with displacement, fear, and the search for safety—realities that many in our city know all too well.
At Cityview Church, we recognize, embrace, and affirm all people—regardless of country of origin—as members of the family of God. As our United Methodist Social Principles remind us, we are called to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of immigrants and to advocate for justice for all.
Because of this, as we prepare for Christmas Eve, we felt it was only fitting that our Christmas Eve offering this year support the work being done in our city to care for and protect people impacted by immigration.
There are many wonderful organizations in our city and across our state serving immigrant communities, and we encourage you to support those that are most meaningful to you. As is our custom, however, Cityview will donate our entire Christmas Eve offering—both in-person and online—to a single organization.
This year, we are giving our Christmas Eve offering to Our Helpers, a woman-led nonprofit founded in 2014 with a mission to improve the lives of immigrant and refugee families in Central Ohio. In 2023 alone:
They assisted 473 families with rent and utilities
Provided more than 4,000 meals through produce and grocery distribution
Trained 74 leaders in Mental Health First Aid
Supported 49 ESL conversation students
Our Helpers comes highly recommended by local immigrant advocates and is doing deeply tangible, life-giving work for our neighbors here in Central Ohio.
Whether or not you are able to give, we warmly invite you to join us for Christmas Eve. This will be a time for our church—and for all who come—to remember that the Light of the World is among us. That God has come. That God loves us. That God has moved into the neighborhood and meets us in real, beautiful, and meaningful ways.
We’ll sing carols, light candles, and give thanks to the God who is present—even and especially when the world feels dark.
Grace and peace,
Joe Graves
Cityview Church
Donate to Our Helpers
Founded in 2014 by immigrant Hodan Mohammed, Our Helpers is a women-led nonprofit on a mission to improve the lives of immigrant and refugee families in Central Ohio. After dedicating hundreds of volunteer hours to aid this community on her own, Hodan envisioned creating a formal organization to continue this important work. What began as an informal group driven by her vision is now Our Helpers, affectionately named by those they serve. The Somali phrase in our logo means "Don't be lonely, don't be sad. We are here to help," a mission we strive to live out daily.
Our CEO, Dr. Dorothy Hassan works towards the mission of improving the lives of immigrants and refugees in Central Ohio by keeping mental wellness at the heart of our strategy and programming. Supported by a dynamic Board of Directors committed to service and community, Our Helpers is helping families to transition from just surviving to thriving.
CALL TO ACTION
As followers of Jesus Christ and United Methodists, we are called to love and support all people, including undocumented immigrants. The Bible teaches us to welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35) and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). Supporting undocumented immigrants aligns with our United Methodist values of compassion and justice. It reflects our commitment to standing with marginalized communities and advocating for their rights and dignity. By extending our support, we embody the teachings of Christ and contribute to building a more just and compassionate society for all. Your presence can make a difference. By staying calm, documenting actions, and advocating for the dignity and safety of those affected, you can stand as an ally for justice. Together, we can work to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and humanity.
This document provides churches with practical guidance for preparedness and care in the event of ICE presence or immigration enforcement activity on or near church property. This document is a compilation of materials from various sources; it is not legal advice and does not substitute for consultation with an attorney.
Support a local immigrant’s food truck
This neighbor risked his personal safety for many years as an interpreter for US Special Forces during the war in Afghanistan. After being evacuated from Afghanistan to the US in 2021, he has poured out generously into the local Afghan community - building bridges for families and helping children take root and grow in schools.
When the US cut grant funding this year, he was no longer able to be paid for serving in schools. When the US severed protected status for Afghans a few months later, he was no longer able to be employed at all. So our friend recently borrowed and raised money to open this food truck in the effort to care for his wife and five children, in hopes of not being forced back to their birth country, which is now ruled by an oppressive Taliban regime. "This truck is now my only lifeline," he said.
If you want to enjoy some delicious food while supporting our neighbor, visit the Afghan Grill Cafe parked Tues-Sun afternoons/evenings at 1220 Bethel Rd.
Nine Ways to Respond to Ice by Timothy Isaiah Cho
Here are ways for you, as a Christian, and your church as a body, can help fight back against ICE:
1. Donate to organizations with a legal assistance fund (or create one for your church). These funds are used to help immigrants with legal expenses, especially as it may relate to detention by ICE.
2. Talk or write to your representatives about current legislation that is anti-immigrant and pro-ICE.
3. Join your local rapid response group to help track ICE and help with effective responses to ICE activity.
4. Care for the family of those who have been detained. This is often financial, but it is also things like ensuring that the family vehicle of the detained is returned to the family and childcare. There are likely many organizations who are helping in these ways as well as businesses that are doing free or deeply discounted services for these families that you can support.
5. Speak up when you see or hear ICE propaganda and gaslighting. There's a lot of hogwash "news" and "facts" people (including within the church) are spreading around defending ICE and gaslighting the public about the heinous injustices going on. Bring light to the deeds of darkness.
6. Preach, teach, disciple, and shepherd people toward love for all immigrants. This is Christianity 101, and it looks like many Christians need to get back on milk before solid food.
7. Prepare to be wrongfully called all kinds of labels, including from people in the church.
8. Prayer, Presence, Partnership: prayer for immigrants should lead us toward presence with them, which should lead us to partnership with Jesus in actions of love. Prayer that never goes to presence and partnership with Jesus is falling short of what prayer is intended to do in us.
9. Find or be a community that can shoulder the burden together. Burnout will happen if you're always on the front lines all the time. A community is able to take turns on the front lines and support those who need refreshment to fight the long-term battle.