C009 Becoming A Sanctuary Church
As a people of faith committed to dismantling oppressive systems and building structures and communities that reflect God’s compassion and justice, we must do nothing less than make straight a highway in the desert for our sisters and brothers. The bible has numerous injunctions that instruct us not to wrong or oppress the alien in our midst (Exodus 22:21 & 23:9, Leviticus 19:33, 23:22 & 24:22, Numbers 15:16, Deuteronomy 24:20-21 & 27:19, Jeremiah 7:6-7, Zechariah 7:10, and Malachi 3:5). Jesus is clear that the righteous inherit eternal life because "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Matthew 25:35). He also makes clear that our failure to address his need results in the condemnation of the unrighteous because "I was a stranger and you did not welcome me" (Matthew 25:43). Our baptismal vows require us to "seek and serve Christ in all persons" and to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being" (Book of Common Prayer p. 305). For many years, immigrants and their families have suffered on the margins of our society. They have been scapegoated during difficult economic times and victimized by harsh anti-immigrant sentiment. In the aftermath of statements made during the presidential campaign of 2016, there is heightened concern that rhetoric villainizing immigrants will become policy that targets our siblings in the family of God because of their immigration status, political or religious beliefs. This resolution puts our faith into action by standing with the growing number of cities, colleges, and communities of faith declaring themselves places of welcome, refuge, and healing, for those targeted for deportation due to immigration status or some perceived status of difference or barred from entry to this country, as we work alongside our friends, families, and neighbors to ensure the dignity and human rights of all people.
Explanation
As a people of faith committed to dismantling oppressive systems and building structures and communities that reflect God’s compassion and justice, we must do nothing less than make straight a highway in the desert for our sisters and brothers. The bible has numerous injunctions that instruct us not to wrong or oppress the alien in our midst (Exodus 22:21 & 23:9, Leviticus 19:33, 23:22 & 24:22, Numbers 15:16, Deuteronomy 24:20-21 & 27:19, Jeremiah 7:6-7, Zechariah 7:10, and Malachi 3:5). Jesus is clear that the righteous inherit eternal life because "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Matthew 25:35). He also makes clear that our failure to address his need results in the condemnation of the unrighteous because "I was a stranger and you did not welcome me" (Matthew 25:43). Our baptismal vows require us to "seek and serve Christ in all persons" and to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being" (Book of Common Prayer p. 305). For many years, immigrants and their families have suffered on the margins of our society. They have been scapegoated during difficult economic times and victimized by harsh anti-immigrant sentiment. In the aftermath of statements made during the presidential campaign of 2016, there is heightened concern that rhetoric villainizing immigrants will become policy that targets our siblings in the family of God because of their immigration status, political or religious beliefs. This resolution puts our faith into action by standing with the growing number of cities, colleges, and communities of faith declaring themselves places of welcome, refuge, and healing, for those targeted for deportation due to immigration status or some perceived status of difference or barred from entry to this country, as we work alongside our friends, families, and neighbors to ensure the dignity and human rights of all people.