— from Margaret Payne —
We, the members of the Emmanuel Episcopal Parish of Orcas Island, as a community of faith and a people of conscience, have pledged in our baptismal covenant to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves; to strive for justice and peace among all peoples, and to respect the dignity of every human being.
Therefore, we believe that the deportation of undocumented immigrants, without respect for individual and family circumstances; and that discrimination against refugees fleeing from war, violence, famine, and persecution, based on nationality or religion, conflict with these promises and the founding principles of our nation.
RESOLVED, therefore, that Emmanuel Episcopal Parish of Orcas Island will serve as a place of welcome, refuge, healing and other forms of support for those targeted by hate or discrimination due to immigration, refugee or other status, and that we will work with friends, families, and neighbors to ensure the dignity and human rights of all persons regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, age, income, ability, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other difference targeted by discrimination and/or hate; and be it further
RESOLVED, that Emmanuel Episcopal Parish of Orcas Island will connect with local, state, and national communities and institutions, immigrant and civil rights groups and coalitions to organize, advocate, and take other actions as deemed appropriate in each context to support the needs of the vulnerable in our community, our nation, and our world; and be it further
RESOLVED, that Emmanuel Episcopal Parish of Orcas Island will educate and equip its members and others to engage in such work, appropriate to our local context, capacity, and discernment; and be it further
RESOLVED, that Emmanuel Episcopal Parish of Orcas Island will promote inquiry and civil discourse into issues related to immigration, refugee, and other differences targeted by discrimination and/or hate.
Submitted by the Members of Emmanuel Episcopal Parish, Orcas Island, Washington State, following Approval at a Special Meeting of the Parish, April 2, 2017.
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BRAVO!
This is as it should be everywhere. Thank you!
Thank you for your compassionate care and bold leadership. This is what we need to protect those who are being marginalized and made vulnerable with the edicts coming from Washington,DC.
The Orcas Island homeless are often discriminated against. They are usually income-challenged. Sometimes they have lost their home due to conflict. Some are immigrants to the island, having fled violence, economics, or persecution. I applaud the church for resolving to help these and other people who make their way to the island.
There are about 50 homeless people on island. As the church resolves to discriminate against no one and offers itself as a refuge, I hope we may see progress toward solving the local homeless needs. I hope that the resolution isn’t just an offer for those born in other countries and excluding those born in this one. And, from my reading of the resolution, it appears to be an offer good to all of those in need. Thank you for this generous commitment.
Does this mean the church doors will remain unlocked so that anyone wanting to stay rather than return to their place of origin may do so until such time as they can find other lodging on the island? What is a sanctuary, if not a place to stay? A place of protection not only from the law but also the elements and economic challenges?