Dear Friends,
Last Sunday we had a wonderful community conversation with Rachel Baker of the NC Council of Churches about the immigration crisis in our country and in our home state.Rachel capitalized on Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland's amazing sermon about "being brave and welcoming the caravan", touching on several pieces of our nation's history as part of telling the whole story of immigration in this country. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "No one is free unless all are free." In the case of immigrants fleeing their homelands for a safe place to call home, "no one is [safe] unless all are [safe]."
How can we create a more safe and just world for all, at the local and national level?
1. Vote for those who are committed to immigration reform, and to demolish ICE. Hold current elected officials accountable to represent your voices, demand change and action by showing up at city council, calling congressman and protesting.
2. Partner with grassroots organizations already committed to on the ground action and amplifying the voices and rights of immigrants in NC and in the US. You can join the NC Council of Churches Sanctuary Coalition which meets on the 3rd Tuesday (sometimes Thurs) of the month from 10am-12pm (Location TBD). Visit the NC Council of Churches website to be added to their listserv: HERE.
3. Support local congregations currently hosting someone in sanctuary. Umstead Park UCC, The School of Conversion in Durham, Chapel Hill Church of Reconciliation (Mennonite), City Well United Methodist Church in Durham, Greensboro’s St. Barnabas Episcopal Church and First Congregational in Greensboro. You can send financial support to NC Council of Churches, as well as become an ally, for all those living in sanctuary in NC by learning more about their needs via the NC Council of Churches Sanctuary Coalition website here.
4. Advocate for legislation that supports full inclusion and rights for immigrants.
Advocate to oppose legislation that prohibits full inclusion and rights for immigrants, such as Trump's Public Charge Proposal-- Read more here from NC Council of Churches and submit a public comment here.
5. Get to know the needs of your immigrant neighbors. Be a neighbor. Be a safe person. Be an ally. Be brave. Make room for the caravan--in your own heart, in your own neighborhood, in your financial resource planning, in your own way. We are the Church. We can do this. As Jennifer so accurately titled her sermon this morning, "The Courage is Already Ours".
Many of you asked for a copy of the poem read aloud in worship this morning, so I am linking it here. This is the audio version read by the author, Warsan Shire herself. Here is a link to the full text of the poem.
Thank you for the amazing person you are, and for the beloved community we are continuing to create in faith!
Spirit is leading the way,
Pastor Jenny Shultz-Thomas