The Inn Project.
The Desert Southwest United Methodist Bishop, the Rev. Bob Hoshibata, received a request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) representatives for assistance in providing shelter for children and their parents. These are vulnerable asylum and refugee families housed in units around Arizona. ICE requests that the churches help by providing a more humane place to stay as they transition and travel to family members.
Two of the Arizona churches are stepping up to be host sites: First United Methodist Church Tucson and Christ Church United Methodist. One will house mothers with children, and the other will house fathers with children. ICE officials have assisted in preparing the churches to receive the young families, and the first families will arrive on Tuesday, December 13th, 2016. We don’t know how long this will continue. ICE personnel said San Antonio has been doing this for three years and right now the numbers are increasing, but no one knows how long there will be a need. Estimates indicate between 10 to 50 children and parents at the host sites per day.
While two churches are hosting and sheltering the families, it will take all of us to provide care for these children and their parent. Churches are uniting by providing donations. Money is needed to provide blankets, mats, car seats, food, etc. If you or your church is interested in contributing, send your monetary contribution to Desert Southwest Conference at 1550 E. Meadowbrook Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85014, with a note in the memo stating The Inn Project. We will also need help with volunteers. Click here to give online, register as a volunteer, or to commit to pray.
Two of the Arizona churches are stepping up to be host sites: First United Methodist Church Tucson and Christ Church United Methodist. One will house mothers with children, and the other will house fathers with children. ICE officials have assisted in preparing the churches to receive the young families, and the first families will arrive on Tuesday, December 13th, 2016. We don’t know how long this will continue. ICE personnel said San Antonio has been doing this for three years and right now the numbers are increasing, but no one knows how long there will be a need. Estimates indicate between 10 to 50 children and parents at the host sites per day.
While two churches are hosting and sheltering the families, it will take all of us to provide care for these children and their parent. Churches are uniting by providing donations. Money is needed to provide blankets, mats, car seats, food, etc. If you or your church is interested in contributing, send your monetary contribution to Desert Southwest Conference at 1550 E. Meadowbrook Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85014, with a note in the memo stating The Inn Project. We will also need help with volunteers. Click here to give online, register as a volunteer, or to commit to pray.
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NSUMC supports this ministryIn a miracle like the fishes and loaves, 200 additional gifts were donated for NSUMC to give to children in need. Pastor Nancy brought them to The Inn Project in Tucson to give to the children. The Inn Project is a new ministry of the United Methodist Church in cooperation with the Immigration Service (ICE). Families who are released from detention find temporary shelter at two United Methodist churches as they wait for transportation to family or friends in other places. These children received these expressions of the love of Christ just in time for Christmas. Praise God!
Another way that North Scottsdale UMC is supporting this ministry is through the Christmas Eve offerings at all three of their Christmas Eve services. Those financial gifts will be shared with The Inn Project. |
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