Beloved community,
In light of the violence perpetrated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (also known as ICE) across the nation, we choose to bear witness to the abuses of government power enacted in our neighborhoods and condemn the oppression against marginalized folks facilitated in our home state.
1 John 3:18 calls us beyond love with statements alone to engage in “love with action and in truth.” On Ash Wednesday, as well as the following Wednesday in Lent, Rev. Pete and I will make our way up to New England’s regional ICE office in Burlington, MA with any community members who wish to engage in non-violent direct action. From 11am-1pm each week, “Bearing Witness at ICE” organizers have faithfully made their cry for humane treatment known by leaning into community, education, and presence where violence is happening.
As we begin the Lenten season, people across traditions seek to align their lived actions with the teachings of our faith. Rituals of reflection encourage believers to cleanse ourselves from the beliefs and behaviors that hinder our witness and create space in our daily lives to reflect Jesus’ example of love across boundaries in meaningful ways. In our context, we believe that the incarnate God would be found alongside the families abused by ICE. Solidarity in this place is one way we can align love with words and love with action.
Please contact me if you would like to join this stand-out or have any questions about the nature of the action. I will lead a carpooling group to Burlington on Ash Wednesday, 2/18. Then, Rev. Pete will lead a carpooling group on Wednesday, 2/25.
In the meantime, feel free to
- Learn about “Bearing Witness at ICE” Direct Actions
- Read the stories of Southern New England Conference, UCC clergy who answered the recent Call to Action in Minneapolis.
- Consider sharing the resources lent to us by God with these mutual aid funds shared by a seminary friend to support MN families who must stay at home for fear of detainment.
While we know this is not a feasible action for everyone, we pray that as we each take stock of our own strengths, relationships, and resources, we would take seriously the call to be living examples of the love and justice of Jesus Christ. May all the world know we are disciples of the living God because of our love for one another.
In peace,
Bri Doty