Search the Resolves of the Executive Council

Title: Ministry to Immigrants and Refugees Endorsed
ID: EXC041979.20
Committee: National and World Mission (report 11)
Citation: Executive Council Minutes, Apr. 19-20, 1979, Greenwich, CT, p. 37.
Text:

Whereas, The Executive Council directed the Executive Director of The Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief to convene a Consultation on Immigration and Refugee Concerns, and report to the Executive Council through the Board of the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, and the National and World Mission Committee received the Phase I Report on the Consultation and requested these deliberations to continue; and

Whereas, The global refugee crisis continues to grow in magnitude, and worldwide demographic data identifies continuing mass migrations of persons, some of whom focus their hopes for new life in the United States; and

Whereas, The Biblical imperatives call us to care for the stranger and sojourner, and we are assured by Jesus "that inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these you have done it unto me..."; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Executive Council

  1. Endorse the actions of the Board of the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief in allocating resources in support of the Consultation on Immigration and Refugee Concerns, and requests that the Board continue such support, including pilot programs reflective of experimental new initiatives;
  2. Request the Administrative Group to prepare a report to clarify what ministries now exist regarding immigrants, refugees, and undocumented persons; to ascertain who amongst Church Center Staff has responsibilities for these ministries; and to recommend how this overall ministry may be coordinated in such a way as to provide a comprehensive program to continue these existing ministries, and to expand in such a way as to meet the current crisis created by those displaced persons of East Asia and other parts of the world, and such future needs as may yet arise;
  3. Request the Board of the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief to make available necessary funds to continue the present emergency refugee program until such time as the Executive Council has received the report of the Administrative Group and acted upon its recommendations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Progress Report from The Rev. John Huston, Consultant on Emergency Refugee Matters, be attached to this resolution by way of providing pertinent information.

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