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About ten years ago, while
I was
still practicing medicine, I had the great pleasure of working with
Suzanna,
a bilingual medical assistant whose skills and compassion served our patients with remarkable grace.
So
I was saddened when, upon learning that she was undocumented, having been brought to the U.S. by her parents when she was two years old,
we were
required by the laws of this land to terminate her employment.
We assisted her with le
gal bills as she sought a
path to obtain docum
ents, but
as
that effort
led to
a series of
dead-ends,
she went underground as she strived to support
her three young children who a
re American citizens.
In 2012, when
the Obama administration promulgated the Deferred Action
for Childhood Arrivals (DACA),
Suzanna and thousands
like her
had a new pathway to work, pay taxes, and support their families. She and her children surely benefited from this, but so have countless patients who have received better care because of her place in our health care system.
And I believe our nation is the richer for her being here.
I am saddened by President Trump's apparent decision to end DACA,
aimed at
fulfilling a campaign promise that I believe is grounded in xenophobic fear and racist hatred.
Such
an actio
n, if it comes to pass, represents
moral cowardice,
a failure in leadership, and
draws
a stifled
breath from
the dark underbelly of our nation which has never
adequately dealt with the demons of racism and colonial
malice
. Perhaps Congress will act more responsibly
in the coming weeks
and advance real immigration reforms, but that remains to be seen.
In the meantime, who will respond with moral coura
ge
? Who will respond with real leadership? Who will work fervently to address the woes of our nation's divisions
grounded in fear of the other? I believe the Church is called to such work; I believe
that you and I and this community of Saint Mark's must engage in responsible action in service to those in need
.
Last December your Vestry adopted the Statement of Commitment and Action, which is posted on our doors and can be
read here
. Scores of people in our parish and many other
s
have joined together to work diligently to translate this statement into tangible actionable expressions that embody our best values. A forum on Sunday September 17 at 10 a.m. in
Bloedel
Hall will provide an update on these efforts.
But today, in light of the latest affront to compassion and civility that seeks to end DACA, casting thousands of families into the dark shadows of an uncertain future, I write to highlight
the work this cathedral community has been about this year preparing to become a sanctuary hub in a network of faith communities and other agencies
, and to appeal to each of you to consider how you may become involved in this important work, in the name of the Church, to be the Body of Christ in this broken, hurting world.
Ironically, before this latest announcement from the White House, Saint Mark's sanctuary leaders had already
identified
September as a "S
eason of
Sanctuary
"
as we seek to be response-able, rather than reactive.
Please give prayerful thought to attending these upcoming events
and become involved
:
September 10 -
Ministry Fair
Bloedel Hall, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
This
is
a prime
opportunity to sign up to volunteer with our San
ctuary Hub Project. Stop by the
table and be one to officially sign on to this important work.
Our partner Casa Latina will have representatives on hand as well.
September 19 - Open Organizing Meeting
Bloedel Hall, 7 p.m.
Come to this event to hear the full proposal for the Sanctuary Hub and to take part in the work of one of three sub-committees: Direct Services, Communications and Best Practices.
September 24 - Sunday Forum
Bloedel Hall, 10 a.m.
Here is where the entire Cathedral community can hear plans for launching our Sanctuary Hub Project
September 27 - Cathedral Commons presentation by Casa Latina
Bloedel Hall, 6:45 p.m.
Representatives from our Rapid Response Coordinator Agency will give background on their community and let those of us at the Cathedral know how important this new partnership is in the lives of their members.
The details of our sanctuary effort are still in formation, and
the Vestry, which commissioned the sanctuary hub project in February,
will consider
the detailed aspects of the project
at its September 26 meeting, whic
h is open to all in the parish
.
Saint Mark's has from its very founding 128 years ago born a steadfast commitment to serving those in need
, and this is our time to stand with courage, leadership and a fervent commitment to justice for all as we strive to serve others in the name of Christ.
Here we stand, we can do no other!
In all of this, I bid your prayers for those suffering injustice and oppression, for Saint Mark's Cathedral as we seek to be the community God is c
alling us to be, for our nation
and
all
its elected officials, that we may all be guided by justice, mercy, and
truth. I am,
Your Brother in Christ,
The Very Rev. Steven L. Thomason
Dean and Rector
Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral
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