Refugee and Migration Ministries
We have a long history of providing and creating
robust structures of welcome for the resettlement of refugees and the protection of asylum seekers within the United States, while advocating for and responding to the needs of those displaced globally.
NEW! UPDATED AUGUST 2025
Grants: Migration, Immigration, Refugee, Asylee (MIRA)
The Global HOPE Office offers three grants through its Refugee and Migration Services ministry that are intended to encourage local UCC congregations, associations, conferences, and covenanted ministries to engage in ministry to migrants, immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in their midst. These grants are broad in scope and have the potential to apply to a wide range of church-led projects and services.
To learn about each grant, click the link in the white box below and download the Word document “MIRA Grant Discernment Tool.” This document includes specific information about each grant and offers assistance in completing the application. You must download a copy and then click Enable Editing in the yellow bar at the top of the page in order to edit the document.
To apply for a grant, click the link in the white box below to open the grant application on the SmarterSelect site:
To read about recommendations for your project, click the link in the white box below to open the Switchboard website, a resource that summarizes research on which program strategies work best:
Example from Switchboard site: What strategies are effective for English language acquisition in newcomer populations? https://www.switchboardta.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ESL-evidence-summary_REV.pdf
Immigration Pathways and Challenges
2026 continues a time of enormous change for the US immigration system.
Visit UCC partner Church World Service to read State of Play, a reliable, regularly updated blog about the changing pathways and challenges to immigration happening now. https://cwsglobal.org/blog/daily-state-of-play-trumps-indefinite-refugee-ban-and-funding-halt/
USAHello maintains an updated multilingual guide for migrant audiences on immigration changes and developments: 2025 Immigration Guide |
The UCC Immigration page offers more information on the National Collaborative on Immigration, a grassroots organizing community within the UCC: Immigration – United Church of Christ
Find out more about advocacy action and resources from the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in Washington D.C. – United Church of Christ
Refugee Emergency Updates
Faithful Response Immigration gathering invited folks into relationship, action with speaker Ayman Soliman
The Rev. Irvin Heishman was just returning from a trip to Honduras where he was visiting two…
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UCC at Common Ground on the Border
From Thursday, January 15th to Saturday, January 17th, UCC advocates gathered in Sahuarita,…
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Operation Cacti: Compassionate Care for Children
As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents make devastating sweeps through cities and…
Read MoreIntroducing Megan: UCC’s New Minister for Refugee and Migration Services
The United Church of Christ is pleased to welcome Megan as the new Minister for Refugee and…
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Resolution Opposing Immigration Policies Passes
Delegates to General Synod 35 overwhelmingly approved an emergency resolution that opposes…
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Advocates hold emotional ‘No ICE Raids’ prayer service and rally during General Synod 35
The UCC National Collaborative on Immigration gathered on the steps of the Kansas City…
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More about Refugee and Migration Ministries
Take Action
Around the world, the UCC supports local communities that welcome people fleeing the effects of war, violence,
persecution, and political disruption – whether those people are displaced within their country of origin or across a
border into a neighboring country.
The United Church of Christ offers opportunities to accompany refugees, including:
•Donating to the MIRA Fund to support UCC-related direct services to refugees, asylum seekers, and asylees in the United States
• Serving as UCC Partners in Service volunteers with refugee resettlement agencies and United States’ partner organizations serving asylum seekers
• Joining our Washington, D.C. public policy team in legislative advocacy and outreach
• Serving with Global Ministries (UCC/Disciples of Christ) as volunteers and Global Mission Interns with partner churches and organizations serving refugees internationally.
UCC Local Collaboration
Are you interested in connecting with your UCC neighbors who are engaged in immigrant welcoming activities? Contact the Minister for Refugee and Migration Services, bergertm@ucc.org, for information on other churches you could learn or collaborate with to accompany refugees or asylum seekers in your area.
Become an Immigrant Welcoming Congregation
Do you feel called to help refugees and asylum seekers, but aren’t sure where to start? Or are you already involved in a ministry, but feel overwhelmed or low on resources? Please read our “Immigrant Welcoming Congregations Toolkit” to learn more about how to build and sustain your immigration ministry.
Donate
Click the link below to support grant funding for UCC churches, associations, and conferences doing the work of advocacy and accompaniment for migrants, immigrants, refugees, and asylees.
