Churches uniting to resettle the Burmese refugees

CBS news has a video post up that reports on how Burmese refugees (from modern day Myanmar) are being welcomed into communities in Kentucky by a broad coalition of congregations and denominations. The report was probably motivated by the US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton's visit to Myanmar yesterday.

"Eh-Nay-Thaw is among several hundred refugees from Burma who have been embraced by Crescent Hill Baptist Church. Officially resettled as refugees, they come here with full legal status: Welcome to work, welcome to go to school, welcome to stay.

"God has sent a miracle for us and we have a chance to come here, which is good," said Eh-Nay-Thaw.

Groups like Kentucky Refugee Ministries provide support with English classes, assistance with government paperwork, and job placement."

More here.

While the video features the ministry of Crescent Hill Baptist in Louisville, a number of other congregations, including St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in the region have also been involved. And Kentucky isn't the only state where Burmese refugees are being resettled. Our Cathedral here in Phoenix has been actively supporting a number of Burmese refugee families over the past two years as well.

Are there other places that you're aware of that are practicing this sort of hospitality ministry?

Posted by Nicholas Knisely on December 3, 2011 4:00 PM | |
Comments (3)

San Diego--St Mark's City Heights and the Episcopal Refugee Network both do work w/ some Karen refugees.

--Gillian Barr

Posted by esoterica1693 [TypeKey Profile Page] | December 3, 2011 7:54 PM

St. Andrew's, Des Moines, IA: We do a lot of work with Sudanese refugees. We're currently renovating our old pre-school building which will be used as a community center and worship space for the local Muslim Sudanese community. There is also a Christian Sudanese community that uses our chapel for Sunday services.

Posted by Apps 55753818692 1675970731 F785b701a6d1b8c33f0408 [TypeKey Profile Page] | December 4, 2011 9:49 AM

Sorry, I meant to sign my name to the last comment.

-Cullin R. Schooley

Posted by Apps 55753818692 1675970731 F785b701a6d1b8c33f0408 [TypeKey Profile Page] | December 4, 2011 9:50 AM

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