Faith in Action: First Parish Welcomes Guest into Sanctuary

January 8, 2018
Parishioners gathered on the chancel in the historic meeting house on Bedford Common after First Parish voted to become a Sanctuary Church in April 2017 – Image (c) Bob Bass, 2017 all rights reserved – Click to view larger image

Submitted by the Sanctuary Committee at First Parish in Bedford, Unitarian Universalist

First Parish Unitarian Universalist in Bedford welcomes a woman from Central America into Sanctuary. She is a mother and grandmother who faces imminent deportation to a country where her life would be in imminent danger.

“Maria” has applied for asylum in the United States. Eligible for judicial review and possible relief, she is waiting for her case to be adjudicated. She sought sanctuary in an effort to keep her family together as she waits for a decision.

First Parish is part of the new sanctuary movement of faith and immigrant communities doing what Congress and the Administration refuse to do: protect and stand with immigrants facing unjust deportation. The First Parish Sanctuary Team is working with a coalition, including many volunteers from local faith communities, in support of this effort.

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The congregation signed the Sanctuary Pledge in June of 2016 which states: “As people of faith and people of conscience, we pledge to resist the newly elected administration’s policy proposals to target and deport millions of undocumented immigrants and discriminate against marginalized communities. We will open up our congregations and communities as sanctuary spaces for those targeted by hate, and work alongside our friends, families, and neighbors to ensure the dignity and human rights of all people.”

“Maria” is our neighbor, and she and her family deserve justice and peace. We welcome her into our faith community with open hearts.

For additional information, read about the development of First Parish’s commitment to offering Sanctuary:

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