Glimpse of Hope from the General Board of Church and Society

Once a week I will post a "Glimpse of Hope" blog that will highlight the work of one of our General Boards and Agencies. If you are interested in learning more about one of our General Boards, contact one of the pastors at the church.
Be blessed.

"One way a church becomes meaningful to a person is when [it is] able to meet a person’s needs beyond the spiritual."
Dr. Grace Mose, Emmaus UMC, Albany, NY
Mose is a 1999 immigrant from Kenya who earned a doctorate in Women’s Studies at the University of Albany. She was quoted in “Immigrants, refugees find a home at Emmaus UMC,” The Connection (Troy Conference), January, pg. 3.

On any given Sunday, the congregation of Emmaus UMC comprises people from Pakistan, the Philippines, China, Korea, Kenya, Jamaica and other countries outside the United States. In the past three years, new members to the church have included survivors of the Gatumba Refugee Camp massacre in Burundi, refugees from Burma and a growing number of Ethiopians.

“We have five foreign languages active in our congregation at any time,” said the Rev. Dr. Denise Stringer, Emmaus UMC pastor.

Other comments by Mose, who said immigrants often fear supporting agencies, but trust the church:

“The church is the first place they want to go. When they find out the pastor is welcoming, they [want to stay].”
“I didn’t have someone to hold my hand [during the transition] until I joined this church.”

Helping immigrants, both adults and children, learn English is a primary ministry of Emmaus UMC. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race awarded a $40,000 grant to the church to help fund its language program.

The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries assigned a U2 missionary as a community outreach worker with refugee and immigrant families.

Area United Methodist churches that have provided support for Emmaus UMC’s outreach include McKownville, Amsterdam, Voorhesville, Latham and Calvary UMCs.

For more information about the General Board of Church & Society go to:
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/c.frLJK2PKLqF/b.2794211/k.C908/Welcome_to_the_General_Board_of_Church_and_Society.htm