Pembroke, NH - Joining with faith leaders of multiple traditions, denominations and congregations from all across the country, The Immigrant and Refugee Support Group (IRSG) of the New Hampshire Conference United Church of Christ (UCC) decries the slew of new inhumane actions targeting immigrants in our communities.
The UCC in New Hampshire and across the nation is a denomination of extravagant welcome. No matter how people are defined by others or where people are on their life journey, our sacred church spaces are a sanctuary for all. Our faith is grounded by love of neighbor and welcome of the stranger, as expressed throughout our sacred scriptures, and we will continue to live in the realm of love and care for one another, no matter one’s status.
Echoing the UCC Justice and Peace Action Network at our national setting, “It is especially chilling to see a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson suggest immigration enforcement should have the right to apprehend people in houses of worship, disregarding our sacred calling to welcome and love our neighbors within our temples and churches. Additionally, the attempt to end refugee and asylum programs for those facing persecution and grave harms in their own countries signifies the lack of democratic values many faith leaders (have) fought for in our historic advocacy on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers.”
New Hampshire Conference Churches do not “hide murders (sic) and rapists…to avoid arrest” as a January 21st statement from the U.S, Department of Homeland Security asserts. The IRSG despairs that such inflamed and dishonest rhetoric has become the policy-making rationale of the day, but our faith practice will not be deterred. As our denomination notes, we believe that all people, including immigrants, are made in the image of God. Therefore, despite whatever immigration-related policies are rescinded or put forth, we will look to our sacred texts and centuries of tradition to live out our faith by welcoming immigrants and protecting the most vulnerable among us.