Many of us have been shocked and horrified by the images and sounds of children being separated from their parents at our nation's borders. This is so against the values of our Christian faith that calls for us to care for the most vulnerable among us and to follow love as the law of the land. For me it has also awakened a larger awareness of what asylum seeking families experience when they flee to the United States and a firm resolve to no longer rest content on my ignorance of our immigration system. The question echoing throughout this week is, "What can we do?" Advocacy, education, and charity are our answers. Advocate through phone calls and letters to your congressional representatives to take a more compassionate stance on immigration. Educate yourself about the longstanding policies that impact immigrant and asylum seeking families and children - the signing of an executive order did not relieve the suffering thousands of families face. Support charitable organizations that work to protect these families, such as law firms and social services. As disciples of Christ we are called to seek justice and respond with compassion for our neighbors. Our prayers, hymns, and scripture will evoke this message on Sunday morning, offering us a place to reflect and move to action through our faith community. Please read below for other opportunities to respond to this humanitarian crisis, including a community bake sale sponsored by our youngest (and most energetic!) Edgewood members.  Yours in the struggle, Pastor Liz

PRAYER VIGIL FOR BORDER CHILDREN

TODAY, JUNE 21, 7 P.M.

ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH

800 ABBOT ROAD

EAST LANSING, MI 48823

(ACROSS FROM THE HANNAH CENTER)

BAKE SALE FOR A CAUSE!!!

Come together and join us THIS SUNDAY at a bake sale and lemonade stand put on by our Sunday School children to raise money for Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, or Raices, a nonprofit organization that provides low-cost legal defense services to immigrant and refugee families in Texas. 

The bake sale will be outside on Beech Street so the wider community is invited to stop by and lend their support! This idea came from one of our elementary aged kids, Luci Hylen, who brainstormed this as a way to make a positive difference after feeling saddened by what she saw in the news. She is rallying her friends and our church families to work together!

Every cent raised will go toward legal representation for immigrant children and parents in Texas, as well as toward paying parents' bond so they can be released from detention centers and reunited with their children. The organization - which currently has about 50 lawyers on staff - plans to go on a hiring spree and fund training for volunteer lawyers willing to travel to Texas to assist. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you can't attend Sunday, you can still help:
1. We need individually wrapped, nut-free baked goods! If you can provide some, please contact tali@ripplepublicrelations.com. You can drop them at church on Sunday morning and/or Tali's home (that is just a couple blocks away!)

2. If you are out of town and want to donate, you can swing by cash or check (made out to Edgewood United Church)

 

Would you like a Bake Sale flyer to pass out?  CLICK HERE!