friday reflection 23 June 2017

The Episcopal Church and Immigration Advocacy
The Episcopal Church has been active in standing with immigrants for many years. This holy work is rooted in our faith and commanded throughout scripture. I’ve cited verses previously in this space, but here again is a reminder of what we people of God are to do:

"Do not take advantage of foreigners in your land; do not wrong them. They must be treated like any other citizen; love them as yourself, for remember that you too were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Jehovah your God. (Leviticus 19:33-34)

“You must not oppress foreigners. You know what it’s like to be a foreigner, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 23:9 NLT)

 “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2 NIV) 

Our catechism (“outline of faith”) in the Book of Common Prayer (pp. 854-855) notes that the mission of the Church is “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ,” and that the Church lives out this mission “as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace, and love.”

To be faithful to these charges, The Episcopal Church takes a clear stand on Immigration, advocating for policies that define a pathway for citizenship for undocumented persons in the U.S., prioritizing family unity, and advocating for humane enforcement. The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Affairs recently published a one-page immigration policy statement.

In addition, the Office of Government Affairs published a consolidated Policy for Action summarizing social justice resolutions passed by General Convention or Executive Council (the interim body of General Convention). The immigration resolutions are described on pages 12 – 15, and include the following:

• Call upon The Episcopal Church to recommit to the spirit of the New Sanctuary Movement so congregations can assist immigrant individuals, unaccompanied minors, families and communities in the absence of comprehensive, human immigration reform. (GC 2015)
  
  
• Urge that when deportations do occur, individuals are repatriated in a safe and humane manner (EC 6/2014)
  
• Urge the U.S. Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform to give undocumented persons who have established roots in the United States a pathway to legalization and full social and economic integration into the United States. (GC 2009)
  

Clearly, our work is not done! It is my prayer that this space in the Friday Reflection can be a catalyst for us to respond as a diocese to the plight of our immigrant brothers and sisters. If you have any questions or contributions, please email me at DeaconNancy@diosanjoaquin.org.

Faithfully yours,

Deacon Nancy