Bishop Mayer and Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori on Syrian refugees

On Saturday, September 12, Bishop Scott Mayer wrote to the diocesan clergy about the Syrian refugee crisis. You can read the letter below.

Today Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori issued a statement along with suggestions for individual and congregational resources. Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) is following the developments closely, as is Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD). Follow Episcopal Relief and Development on Facebook and Twitter. Follow Episcopal Migration Ministries on Facebook and Twitter.

Bishop Mayer’s letter

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

You cannot have missed the international news this last week about the hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing their homes in Syria and other Middle East countries because of the violence, murder, and starvation of the citizens of those countries. Thousands have tried to cross the Mediterranean Sea in any kind of boat or watercraft they can find and, very sadly, not all the refugees have made it safely. Many children, women, and men have drowned. Their plight has touched the hearts of many, among them the deacons of this diocese.

This week the deacons sat down with me to talk about how we can best respond to this humanitarian crisis. In listening to them, I was reminded once again of the power of the deacons’ life and teaching in showing Christ’s people that in serving the helpless we are serving Christ himself.

Led by their passion and grace, I am asking you to take up offerings each Sunday for the remainder of September to be used for refugee relief and aid. Please send the funds to the diocesan office and we will forward one check to Episcopal Relief and Development. I ask you to do this in haste because the need is extremely urgent. We will send any further donations as we get them. These are people who will need help for many months so please keep indicate in your Sunday bulletins and online postings that this is an ongoing situation that will require our financial help over the long term. For that reason, I also will direct that the offering at the opening worship at Diocesan Convention November 13, 14 be used for Episcopal Relief and Development for this crisis.

Thank you for all you do.

The Rt. Rev. Scott Mayer,
Provisional Bishop
Diocese of Fort Worth