A NOTE FROM PASTOR MADELINE
 

I'm not sure I can put into words the events of the last four weeks of my life, or the transformation that the Holy Spirit has brought about in me– but I'm going to try. Let me start off by saying that I will be speaking more about this on Sunday, so I hope you will be able to join us or tune in to the live feed of our worship service at 11am. 

 

There have been a few times in my life when God has called me to something that seemed outlandish, maybe impossible and definitely something I did not want to do. Every single one of these times, when I begrudgingly followed God's call, I have been transformed. June 13, 2025 was no exception to this pattern. I was invited to a meeting of local business people, attorneys, clergy people and concerned citizens at City Commissioner Sam Kaufman's law office to discuss the fear our immigrant neighbors were experiencing, the devastation to our local businesses and the concern of citizens that people's rights were being trampled upon. I did not want to go! I was hosting a Friday With Friends gathering at my house that evening, the dog needed to go to the groomer and I had never been involved in local activism. But, God's still, small voice was really nagging at me and I couldn't silence it, so I went.

 

In that meeting, I realized God had called me there because I had the opportunity to make a difference. For some reason, people tend to listen to a clergy person....go figure! It would take me twenty pages to explain everything that happened over the next few weeks (don't worry, I won't write that much!). There have been ups and downs in this journey - just as there always are in doing Gospel work. But for today, I want to talk about what happens when we move outside the walls of the church.

 

By far, the most impactful part of this journey for me, has been the people I have gotten to know. Two young women in this community saw a need, witnessed what they perceive as injustice and they got to work! Lucy Hawk and Heather Shivo-Baptist did not just post their complaints on social media, or even just write a check (don't get me wrong -money is always helpful). Instead they organized people to provide food to those who were unable or afraid to go to work. They literally have people delivering this food on a regular basis. They sought out financial assistance for rent or utilities or other basic needs for people who were terrified and homebound. At the same time, they reached out to Commissioner Sam Kaufman and asked his support in solving this problem from a policy and law perspective. And then they spent the next four weeks of their lives giving up every free moment and working tirelessly to organize and motivate people to join us on this journey to love our neighbors in real and tangible ways. I can't believe that I did not know these two women four weeks ago. They are a blessing and they inspire me!

 

Lucy, Heather, and many other citizens, business owners, and clergy I have met and worked with over the last few weeks are doing Gospel work. Lucy may not call it that–she tells me she is “not a church person.” However, she might be shocked to hear me say that she is doing amazing Gospel work–the kind we “church people" should emulate! 

 

What an incredible blessing it has been and continues to be in my life to be out in the community, working with people who need to know about the love of Christ and experience it in real and meaningful ways. I can't tell you how many people have told me that their view of the church and religion has changed (for the better) in the last few weeks because of their interaction with us. This is the work of the Gospel— to love our neighbors and to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. 

 

To be continued on Sunday…

 

Grace and Peace 

-Pastor Madeline

 

P.S - Join us Friday, July 11th in Jones Hall at 6pm for pizza and discussion with the KW Immigrant Support Network (Lucy and Heather) and find out how you too can join in this important work.

 

 
 

Key West Immigrant Support Network Meeting FRIDAY, July 11th at 6 pm

 

Now more than ever, we must support our immigrant community. We will host a meeting of the Key West Immigrant Support Network in Jones Hall THIS FRIDAY, July 11th at 6 pm.

Come out to learn how you can help and let's keep doing the good work.

Pizza and refreshments will be provided.
 

Detaining Undocumented Persons

at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

 

July 07, 2025

 

I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. Matthew 25:35 CEB 

 

Proposed in June, this week, the first undocumented persons arrived at the makeshift Florida detention center, pejoratively referred to as ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’ Built in just over a week with no public or environmental approval process, the facility is located on a 30-square-mile area and will have an initial capacity of approximately 3,000 people that is expected to increase. It was built despite pushback from many Florida residents. The facility, equipped with cameras, barbed wire, and staff, is situated at the former Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, located within Big Cypress National Preserve in Ochopee, Florida. State officials seized the county-owned land, which is prone to flooding and a significant risk of mosquito-borne disease. The hastily assembled facility reflects a partnership between the state of Florida and the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Florida state funds were used to erect and operate the facility along with funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Shelter and Services Program. 

 

Supporters of this facility have shared that it was created to relieve pressure on federal detention facilities. They describe the creation of this facility as a Florida ‘state of emergency’ measure. Its purpose is to provide a location from which to interrogate and detain undocumented persons for potential deportation. The high cost, as well as the speed with which this site was developed, is both alarming and a significant concern. It raises the question of values, priorities, and what constitutes a state of emergency. Many Floridians will soon face their own emergencies because of federal budget cuts to healthcare benefits through Medicaid. They will also face an emergency need for food and nutritional support with reductions to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). While these programs that assist families, people with disabilities and the elderly are being dramatically reduced, this new detention center, which reportedly will cost Florida taxpayers $450 million per year, was made a priority. 

 

Environmental groups, human rights advocates, and Native American tribes are also opposed to the facility, expressing concerns about the Florida Everglades ecosystem, citing the harsh environment for humans, and its location on sacred tribal lands.   

 

Leaders and members of The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church do not support this facility in purpose, design, funding, or location. We do support a clear path to the process for legal immigration and a reduction in criminal activity. When immigration policy is driven by monthly quotas and rapid deportation, officials do not have time to locate criminals. To meet their goals, they must deport persons who have lived in the United States for many years, people who own stores, work in Florida agriculture, clean hotel rooms or work in restaurants in our hospitality industry and live as peaceful neighbors.  

 

We stand in solidarity with those who advocate for humane treatment and compassionate care for all people, including Friends of the Everglades (founded by Marjorie Stoneman Douglas), the Center for Biodiversity, and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians. Environments that are detrimental to health and pose life-threatening danger are non-compliant with our Scripture, “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:3 NRSVUE).

 

In this season, we call on United Methodists to be guided by Scripture as they contact state and federal officials with their concerns, with an eye towards the example and action of the prophet in Nehemiah 5:1-13, as we support peaceful, non-violent protests related to the facility. We encourage people to contact their lawmakers to request the inclusion of provisions that allow for facility inspections and proper environmental reviews, while insisting on the protection of all persons, documented or undocumented, and transparency in the development and use of state land, facilities, and funds. 

 

In Christ,

Bishop Tom Berlin

Resident Bishop

 

Rev. Dr. Sharon G. Austin

East Central District Superintendent

FLUMC Director of Justice Ministries

 

Rev. Sherlain Stevens, Senior Pastor,

Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Miami

FLUMC Prison and Jail Ministry

 

Rev. Beth Bostrom, Senior Pastor,

First United Methodist Church, Palmetto

FLUMC Peace With Justice Coordinator

 

Content Resources 

Anderson, Curt; Payne, Kate Payne (contributor) July 3, 2025. “First immigration detainees arrive at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ in Florida Everglades” https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/first-immigration-detainees-arrive-at-alligator-alcatraz-in-florida-everglades. PBS. Retrieved July 5, 2025.

Alligator Alcatraz - Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alligator_Alcatraz&oldid=1298731961, July 5, 2025.

 

Aleaziz, Hamed. June 23, 2025. Updated July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 5, 2025.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/us/politics/florida-alligator-alcatraz-migrant-detention-center.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Uk8.dsqn.fy7C8AuB8x-j&smid=em-share

 

Flagg, Anna. March 30, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2025.

https://nyti.ms/2w2nRss. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/03/30/upshot/crime-immigration-myth.html

 

Flagg, Anna. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/05/13/is-there-a-connection-between-undocumented-immigrants-and-crime?utm_campaign=share-tools&utm_content=post-top&utm_medium=email&utm_source=email. Retrieved July 5, 2025.

Garsd, Jasmine. https://www.npr.org/2024/03/08/1237103158/immigrants-are-less-likely-to-commit-crimes-than-us-born-americans-studies-find/ . Retrieved July 5, 2025.

FPI Staff. https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/more-than-1-6-billion-in-snap-cuts-to-florida-would-put-residents-and-state-budget-at-risk-in-2028 Retrieved July 5, 2025.

 

Ku, Leighton, Kwon Kristine Namhee, Krips, Maddie, [Gorak]Gorak, Taylor, Cordes, [Joseph J. Cordes]Joseph J. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2025/jun/how-medicaid-snap-cutbacks-one-big-beautiful-bill-trigger-job-losses-states Retrieved July 5, 2025.