May 28, 2020

May marked our third anniversary of being a Sanctuary Congregation – our renewed commitment to stand with the immigrant community as they face injustice and inhumanity by our government. We’ve lived out this ministry in a number of ways over the past three years. This work began with our commitment to welcome the stranger (Duet. 10:17-19) and love our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40) through hearing stories, building relationships, participating in Prayer Vigils, joining a choir and taking a Pilgrimage to Angel Island. It contin-ues as an essential way to do justice and love kindness (Micah 6:8) in our com-munity and country as we participate in protest, advocacy and accompaniment. Recent efforts have focused on the release of prisoners and letting the op-pressed go free (Is. 61:1-2; Luke 4:16-19). We have written letters, met with senators and the governor’s staff, and have begun to welcome released detain-ees into our community. We welcomed Charles Joseph to our Bible Study to hear his journey toward liberation and welcomed Oscar into our church building so he could be released. We continue to walk alongside our community of those impacted by the cruel clutches of ICE and those working to end these inhumane practices. Learn more about how we are currently engaging in Sacred Resistance.

I am grateful for the all the efforts and commitment of Lakeshore’s Sanctuary Working group who is leading the congregation in living out our commitment to sanctuary. If you would like to be a part of this sacred work, please let me know.

Praying for peace, working for justice,
Pastor Allison