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| Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar |
Living 'the United Methodist way' among immigrants in New Jersey
By Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar
The transformation of individual lives and communities occurs when local United Methodist churches embrace "the United Methodist way." The practice of doing no harm, doing good to all and loving God through participation in worship, prayer, Holy Communion, Scripture study, Christian conversation and fasting comprise the core of our identity as a church. This transformation is taking place among the richly diverse communities of the Greater New Jersey Conference.
Sarah (not her real name) came to New Jersey from her native Brazil. She discovered that she could make a lot of money working as a go-go girl in "gentlemen's clubs." She also discovered the emptiness and loneliness of this kind of lifestyle.
New Canaan United Methodist Church, a Portuguese-language ministry centered in Kearny, N.J., reached Sarah through its small group ministry. She came to know the gospel of Jesus Christ and the principles of "doing no harm" and "doing good." Not only did she leave her job, but she also reached out to other women caught in the same lifestyle. The sacrifice in income was huge for Sarah, but the personal transformation of living a life in Christ and following the United Methodist way was priceless.
The Korean Community Church in Englewood reached out to second-generation immigrants by planting a new church called "Cornerstone." It not only serves the children of Korean immigrants but also English-speaking children of Filipinos, Indian Asians and native-born English speakers. Through the practice of worship, prayer and Holy Communion these younger people are discovering a new identity as Christians.
In Elizabeth, members of El Redentor United Methodist Church began to talk to 30-40 Latino men who gathered in front of a cafe several blocks from the church. Discovering that the laborers often went the entire day without food, the United Methodists began making brown-bag breakfasts for them. They also gave them information about United Methodism and the gospel of John.
"Nobody pays attention to us," said one day laborer from Ecuador. "We are very grateful to the church not only for the breakfast, but for just coming here to speak to us."
The church's program, called "Amistad" (friendship), builds bridges of love and understanding between these men and the church. Several men now worship with the congregation on Sundays and participate in Bible study, learning about Jesus and the United Methodist way of doing no harm, doing good and staying in love with God.
Bishop Reuben Job's little book, Three Simple Rules [Abingdon Press, www.cokesbury.com, (800) 672-1789], has helped direct new relationships that United Methodists in New Jersey are building with immigrant communities. We rejoice that the book is available in French, Spanish and Korean so that we can share its wisdom with our new neighbors. The emphasis of living the United Methodist way has provided a solid framework for outreach to diverse groups that are finding their way to our area.
--Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar leads the New Jersey Episcopal area
and is the first Indian Asian to be elected a United Methodist bishop.
