Refugee and Migration Ministries
The Trump administration is making unprecedented moves in immigration exclusion and discrimination. Click on the links below to join an informational webinar from We Are All America, find summaries and translations of the latest USCIS memo, and send a message to your Congress member to denounce these sweeping actions.
Federal Policy Changes – IRIS-Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services
Take Action: Stop Collective Punishment of Refugees and Asylum Seekers After Tragic Shooting | CWS
Location:
The Good Shepherd UCC
Date:
January 15-17 2026
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.
“… we are all sojourners and would be strangers no longer, and would welcome strangers into our midst, caring for and with them in the name of Jesus Christ.”
-1979 UCC General Synod,
Resolution Expressing Concern for Refugees
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
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.
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.
Immigration Pathways and Challenges
2025 has been a year 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
Featured Education and Advocacy Resources
Resettled refugees under threat: unprecedented “review” planned: “Review” of Resettled Refugees is Immoral, Cruel, and Massive Waste of USCIS Resources | CWS
The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is under threat! Go to the UCC JPANet Action Alert to learn more and voice your support for refugees because Love Knows No Borders!
How will H.R. 1, signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025, negatively impact refugees, asylum seekers, and others? OBBBA-082025.pdf
Get explanations and timelines for changes to public services: Immigrant Benefits and Refugee Services | USAHello
Use the following multimedia resources to introduce refugee and asylum seeker education and advocacy
opportunities in your church.
WEBINAR SERIES:
TRAUMA INFORMED CARE AND REFLECTION FOR REFUGEE MINISTRIES
- January 2022 Cultural Humility vs Cultural Competency
- February 2022 Trauma Informed Reflection Meeting: Inviting Refugees to Speak Publicly
- March 2022 Toxic Charity When Helping Hurts
- April 2022 The Power & Brain Chemistry of Human Connection
- May 2022 Steps to Understanding Racial Bias When Working with Refugees
Opportunities for Churches to Support Families in Need
Refugee Ministries
Ecumenical and interfaith relationships mean that long-term partners are already engaged in both the world’s most well-known and most invisible refugee crises
Asylum Seeker Ministries
We support asylum seekers because of and through the lens of faith. Worship, ritual, and theological articulation are central to why and how the UCC supports people seeking asylum.
Refugee Emergency Updates
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…
Read More
Resolution Opposing Immigration Policies Passes
Delegates to General Synod 35 overwhelmingly approved an emergency resolution that opposes…
Read More
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…
Read More
General Synod Reaffirms Commitment to Justice: Voting in favor of Resolution 8
At the 35th General Synod, delegates responded in favor voting to approve (627 in favor, 8…
Read More
Religious advocates applaud as court rules against policy that blocked asylum seekers
A federal court has overruled a policy that the U.S. has used to turn back hundreds of…
Read More
Ways to Donate
With your donation, we can support 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. This helps strengthen a delicate
social balance for the well-being of all. Please explore ways to
give below.
UCC Refugee Emergency Fund
One Great Hour of Sharing Campaign
Emergency USA Fund
International Emergency Relief Fund
More about Refugee and Migration Ministries
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. This helps strengthen a delicate social balance for the well-being of all.
The United Church of Christ offers many opportunities to accompany refugees, including:
• Hosting refugee families in partnership with refugee resettlement offices across the United States.
• Financial support through One Great Hour of Sharing for service to refugees, asylum seekers, and asylees in the United States and worldwide.
• Serving as UCC Partners in Service volunteers with refugee resettlement agencies and United States’ partner organizations serving asylum seekers.
As Global Ministries (Disciples/UCC), serving as volunteers and Global Mission Interns with partner churches and organizations serving refugees internationally.
• Joining our Washington, D.C., public policy team in support of the Gospel call to “welcome the stranger” (Matthew 25:35).
• Getting involved with our asylum accompaniment network to host asylum families.
• Giving financial and organizational support of specific refugee emergencies around the world.
