Four Possible Avenues for Action…and More to Brainstorm
Sign-Up to Help Prepare Further and Assist with Coordination
1. Sanctuary – a primary example would be for people at risk of deportation who may have a case
where relief or prosecutorial discretion may apply. May be sponsored by the congregation onsite or at a location designated by the congregation. It would assume congregational reflection,
practical assessment, commitment and understanding of potential legal ramifications. May be
public or less visible depending on the circumstances.
2. Circles of Protection – Challenge actions of hate (for example, actions against Muslims, Sikhs
and anti-Semitic behavior) and any move to register Muslims or any other group. This may
extend to families of young adults who have been part of the Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals (DACA) program, which may be ended and families impacted by renewed workplace
raids.
3. Promote Just Policies and Practices – Includes both challenging unjust policies and promoting
laws and practices – in the spirit of Sanctuary – that outlaw discrimination and affirm and
uphold basic civil and human rights.
4. Extending Prayer and Worship – Shared spiritual expression including relationship building and
speaking in one another’s congregations for inclusive healing and resistance as befits our
religious traditions. It may include public vigils and prayer services.
Undergirding our efforts would be a communications network for urgent response and a coordinating
body for each of the four areas that would help flesh out activities and opportunities.
We jointly encourage education of our congregations building on our traditions, emphasizing such
values as:
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Welcoming the Stranger
Loving our Neighbor as Ourselves
Houses of God as Open Sanctuaries of Hope
Bringing an Anti-Racist Lens to our Reflections and Actions
Seeking to Understand How the Issues Intersect with One Another
Ensuring Spaces for Affected Communities to Shape and to Lead.