From Church World Service (http://www.churchworldservice.org):
There’s a movement stirring behind the headlines, and everyone who wants make our country a better place can be a part of it. The amount of immigrants in public sanctuary has almost tripled since last year, and there are many more people in our communities that are currently being protected and supported by a rapidly growing movement of sanctuary supporting congregations.
Will your congregation stand up and be counted? Sign at https://action.groundswell-mvmt.org/petitions/we-are-1000-congregations-strong-for-sanctuary to say your congregation supports sanctuary and encourage others to do the same.
In 2002, when my uncle was deported, I wish I would have known that I could have stopped his deportation with signatures, actions, and sanctuary at our church. In 2007, when my cousin was deported, I wish I would have known that the Sanctuary Movement existed. In 2014 when my dad was deported I wish I would have known which congregations I could turn to for support.
At all of those points, a sanctuary supporting congregation could have helped keep my family together. While I wish I’d known some of this back in 2002, we all have an opportunity right now to make sure millions of immigrants know sanctuary is an option to keep their families together, and that congregations all across the country stand ready to support immigrant communities as they resist this unjust and inhumane administration.
What is a Sanctuary Congregation?
A Sanctuary Congregation is one that chooses to take prophetic action and protect people through various actions that range from housing immigrants in immediate danger of deportation to providing legal assistance, accompaniment to court, organizing alongside us, and much more. If you’re already doing some of this work, then you are a Sanctuary Congregation!
It’s 2017 and I’m thankful that I’m now part of the Sanctuary Movement. I’m working everyday to make sure it continues to grow so that together we can stop our loved ones from being deported. Together we can let everyone know that sanctuary is an option.
Join me! Sign here to stand up and be counted as a Sanctuary Congregation.
In solidarity,
Myrna Orozco, Sanctuary Organizing Associate at Church World Service
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