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MULTICULTURAL MINISTRIES

Follow-up Action Steps

Pray

• Pray for the millions of people displaced in our world
• Pray that local churches will reach out with practical services and proclamation of the gospel
• Use the 40 Days “I was a Stranger” bookmarks. (store.foreignchristianbooks.com/collections/world-relief-welcoming-the-stranger/products/copy-of-i-was-a-stranger-3-x-9-bookmark-english-quantity-50)

Educate

• Read Seeking Refuge: On the Shores of the Global Refugee Crisis by Stephan Bauman, Matthew Soerens, and Issam Smeir. Moody Publishers, 2016
• Read Immigration and the Bible: a Guide for Radical Welcome by Joan M Maruskin. Women's Division, The General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church, 2012.
• Read Displaced Persons: Theological Reflections on Immigration, Refugees, and Marginalziation edited by Matthew W. Charlton and Timothy S. Moore. General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, The United Methodist Church, 2018
• Invite Starting Point (www.startingpointoc.org/) or HOLAOhio (holatoday.org/) or another ministry with immigrants to share and/or lead discussion.
• Gather a small group in your home or other gathering places to share information around the issues of immigration and refugees.
• Stay updated on events on the southern border. Use resources here to inform others. (riotexas.org/immigrationresponse)

Experience

• Watch a movie, such as Growing Up Smith (2016)or All Saints (2017),to gain a different perspective on immigrants and refugees experiences in the US.
• Share the dramatic reading Escape to Egypt. (www.dramatix.org.nz/scripts/christmas-mainmenu-37/650-escape-to-egypt)
• Join a mission team to build relationships with refugees.
• Visit the nearest detention center.
• Contact your US Senators and state representatives. (whoismyrepresentative.com/), (www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative)

Build Relationships

• Encourage children to invite immigrant friends on play dates or to birthday parties.
• Volunteer with JFON, Starting Point, or another agency assisting with immigrant concerns.
• Become a welcoming family or friendship host family for an international exchange student.
• Volunteer to tutor children in English.
• Contact the local Boys and Girls Club to learn what opportunities are available to build relationships with immigrant children and families.

Give

• Support United Methodist Advance #3022144 for Global Migration and/or #98245 for grant funding to assist in all areas of refugee resettlement and care.
• Support the work of Starting Point (www.startingpointoc.org/) or HOLAOhio (holatoday.org/).
• Support the United Nations efforts to educate and feed refugees. (www.unrefugees.org/)
• Support The Holding Institute, a UM Agency "building community and sustaining hope" along the border in Laredo, Texas (www.holding-institute.org/)

Contact
The Nehemiah Mission of Cleveland
6515 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102
Harry Finkbone, Interim director, (216) 961-6968
E-mail

The Resource Cleveland
2115 W 42nd St., Cleveland, OH 44113
Beck Trout Ashenfelter, (216) 236-3877
E-mail