The ICE arrests feel differently than I expected. It feels like one person here, one person there. It feels intentional, trying to make everyone afraid. Like the goal is for immigrants to go into hiding.

A woman in Worcester, MA was arrested while walking -- and the two people who tried to assist her were then arrested also. I wonder if we need everyone to learn how to read a warrant and to resist arrest.

Brave Little Church: the details

For their pastor, the point of Sanctuary is to protect our "God given gift of freedom" that must be "real for everybody." The work to be done is immense. It goes in every direction. Volunteers take on the portions that meet their skills.

One person is networking in the area to get support from other religious gatherings, and from other volunteers who have helped this local family. Another group is preparing some upstairs rooms and yet another group is figuring out practical concerns of everyday living.

They've made sure the family has "red cards" that give them the information about how to react if the police or ICE agents appear at their home. They've connected the family to a lawyer, and contracted with a lawyer for the church. They are gathering contact information for family and friends who should be notified if the family is taken into ICE custody.

The church has always been unlocked if someone is present, but now they will add a lock, doorbell, camera, and audio so they can decide who is welcomed in. If ICE agents arrive, they will contact their lawyer before answering the door. They’ll meet ICE outside and send a copy of the warrant to the lawyer.

People have volunteered to be trained in reading warrants, how to engage with ICE, and what to know about their own rights and responsibilities under the law.

On a more mundane level, they are figuring out how to get TV and internet service into their third floor, and building a shower in their basement. They are interviewing contractors and figuring out the cost to divide the space into three apartments. The space won’t be just like home, but they want it to be comfortable. Eventually they’ll need to figure out furniture and other household supplies.

The problem solving seems to be constant. New concerns, and new solutions come up regularly. One question is how to know if ICE is active in their area. Another how to deal with authoritarian registration and check-in requirements put into place by the present administration.

Peter wonders if they will even end up with a family staying in their building after all the expense and the work. "In a way it’s irrelevant whether we get the family or not. We are doing what Christians must do. To not do this is self-contradictory.”

Waterbury Congregational Church (UCC) is a brave little church.

What is your church doing, or thinking about doing these days? Are you working with immigrants or asylum seekers? Reply to this email to let me know what's happening. ​
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Episcopal Divinity School had an event “When Ice Comes to Church”. While the discussion was not recorded, their are notes, resources, and reflections in this link.

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Sojourner's Magazine provides 22 scriptures on welcoming immigrants. I want to make a protest sign that just lists all these scriptures.

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