January 26 SeaPres Update from Co-Executive Presbyters
Seattle Presbytery
Dear friends,
These past few days have been particularly difficult as we have witnessed continuing violence and abuse of power in US cities, once again leading to another senseless murder of another beloved child of God’s. Porter, Good, Pretti.
This comes alongside ground accounts of clergy colleagues describing raids, intimidation, and brutality by ICE agents in a variety of communities made up of brown and black siblings.
For many, these actions are hitting close to home. Many in our presbytery are working directly with refugee and immigrant families, vulnerable individuals who are living in fear.
For others, holding an American passport yet not born in the US, perhaps speaking with an accent or having more melanin than others, this adopted country no longer feels safe, much less like home.
This is not about politics. This has nothing to do with keeping borders safe or managing immigration policies. This is Matthew 25. This is Micah 6:8 – this week’s OT lectionary passage! This is what eventually led Jesus to the cross.
Please know that we understand the cost of standing with the most vulnerable and advocating for human rights for all. The right to due process, to be considered innocent until proven guilty, the right to not go to school, the grocery store or even church in fear of being accosted, beaten, kidnapped or even killed.
If you are concerned for immigrants in your community, please be aware of rights and resources available to you.
Things to be aware of:
Many houses of faith have organized rapid response teams (RRT) to serve in the community. For more information on RRTs, please contact WAISN https://waisn.org/events/?event_type%5B%5D=15&sort=newest or the Church Council of Greater Seattle https://www.thechurchcouncil.org/ for training dates.
Should ICE show up on church property, you have the right to deny them entry unless they can produce a judicial warrant signed by a federal judge. You have the right to remain silent and have access to an attorney.
Please share with others they too (regardless of immigration status) have the right to remain silent, the right not to sign any document, and the right to contact an attorney.
Join a presbytery zoom gathering Wednesday, February 4th at 5:00 pm with us to share information and pray. To register and receive the zoom link, please click here.
In the meantime, we continue to name those who have lost their lives, the ones beaten and pepper sprayed, those who find themselves detained and incarcerated despite having the appropriate documentation, the ones who live in fear, particularly the many, many children who are witnessing the absolute worst of ourselves on the daily.
May God have mercy on us. May we be bold enough to recognize evil and name it, regardless of political or theological labels. May we remember that to love our neighbors without exceptions is law, second only to loving our God.
In peace and grace,
Revs. Eliana Maxim & Scott Lumsden