Presbytery Friends,
Last Friday, I received an email announcing that PDA approved our initial grant request and is giving the presbytery $7,500 to assist congregations who want to provide assistance to a refugee or refugees, who have been accepted into the United States Refugee Resettlement Program and have begun the process of resettlement.
In May, the Presbytery of Northeast New Jersey requested this grant from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to help support and launch a new initiative for refugee ministry within our bounds.
Guided by the biblical mandate to love the alien and show hospitality to strangers, the presbytery, through its Community Ministries Commission, is committed to supporting member congregations in their ministries to refugees. As a tangible sign of that support, we are making available one-time grants to any congregation in our presbytery which is active in sponsoring refugees.
This new initiative will allow us to partner with those of you who are stepping out into a ministry with refugees within our Presbytery. Congregations that receive a grant will receive training so you are able to coordinate your efforts and avoid duplication of services provided by the Department of Health and Human Services: Office of Refugee Resettlement; and Church World Service.
For more information, please contact Rev. Bruce Ballantine or Elder Jerome Lane. To fill out an application click HERE.
The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. – Leviticus 19:34
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. – Hebrews 13:2
Steve Huston
Organizing Co-Leader & Resource Presbyter
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