United Church of Christ Welcomes Megan as Minister for Refugee and Migration Services

Strategic Insights -

The United Church of Christ has welcomed Megan as the new Minister for Refugee and Migration Services. A longtime educator, advocate, and faithful servant, Megan brings both professional depth and a deeply personal call to the ministry of justice and welcome for migrants and refugees. With a background in education and social work, Megan has dedicated her career to serving refugee and migrant communities, including a formative internship at IRIS, a local refugee resettlement agency, and serving at the International Rescue Committee's refugee resettlement office in New Jersey.

Key Takeaways:

  • Megan brings 10 years of experience in education and social work, including a master's degree in social work and a background in refugee resettlement.
  • She views every act of advocacy and welcome as sacred and believes the Church plays a unique and essential role in supporting migrants today.
  • The United Church of Christ has a long-standing theological and justice commitment to immigration, including the 1981 Pronouncement on Justice in Immigration.
  • Megan encourages every congregation to start simply by staying informed, praying publicly for immigrants, and making sure basic resources like food pantries are accessible to all.
  • She points congregations to tools like the Immigrant Welcoming Congregation designation and the work of the UCC National Collaborative on Immigration.
  • Megan's work is grounded in God's ever-present love and the interconnectedness of all people, and she sees justice for migrants as a practice of solidarity.

Statistics:

  • 10 years: Megan's experience in education and social work
  • 9 years: Megan's time as a high school language arts teacher at a vocational school
  • 2025: The year Megan began her role as Minister for Refugee and Migration Services
  • 1981: The year the United Church of Christ made its Pronouncement on Justice in Immigration

Sources:

  • The United Church of Christ cited in the original text as the source of the press release
  • ("Joining the UCC Global Hope team feels like coming home," Megan added. "I was raised in a UCC church, and this role is both a return to my roots and a deepening of connection with a faith community that embodies extravagant welcome.")