As the immigration crisis develops and deepens across our southern borders, we are called to respond in more significant numbers and different ways. Just today, three buses have arrived from Texas, each containing around 40 asylum seekers. The L.A. Welcomes Collective has called for more clergy to be available to greet the buses and provide the first welcome to California for these people who have already traveled so far and for so long.

If you are located in or around Los Angeles and can respond to a call at reasonably short notice (often less than 24 hours), please email Rev. Denyse Barnes at dbarnes@calpacumc.org.

You will be added to a group message which will provide details of the next arrival and asked to respond with your presence. Two clergy will be the first to enter the bus, greet the asylum seekers, explain what will happen next, and be a calming, centered, and spiritual presence. Training will be given on the procedures and processes required.  

“So now you are no longer strangers and aliens. Rather, you are fellow citizens with God’s people, and you belong to God’s household.” (Ephesians 2:19)

Rev. Dr. Denyse Barnes
Director of Justice & Compassion EMT