Dear Ones,
The news continues to be heartbreaking; it appears that the tension and difficulties at our border with Mexico will continue for the foreseeable future.
Jesus taught us that however we treat the least among us – those most vulnerable and in need of care – is how we treat Christ himself.
Following Christ's teaching, for the past two years St. Columba's Refugee Response Ministry has been assisting the Khwaja family, refugees from Afghanistan to become self-sufficient in the United States. As we seek to uphold the laws of the land, my heart goes
out to those so desperate they have left their homes and come seeking asylum.
Next Thursday, I will fly to El Paso, Texas, gather with other Episcopal clergy from around the United States, and meet with leaders of Borderland Ministries from the Diocese of the Rio Grande. On Friday, Dec. 14, we will walk across the border to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Three of the Anglican bishops of Mexico, including the primate, will be joining our pilgrimage as we visit some of the asylum-seeking shelter areas. Returning to El Paso, we will de-brief, plan, pray, and return home to our respective churches for Sunday worship.
I am part of a colleague group of two dozen priests leading some of the largest urban Episcopal churches and cathedrals. We organized this brief 48-hour pilgrimage not to engage in political action, protests, or service projects. We are going to meet with those seeking asylum, with fellow Christians and people of faith responding to this crisis; to learn from them, to pray, and to discern steps we can take in support. We are going because we care; we are going to bear witness to God’s call to seek the face of Christ in all persons, with reconciling love for our neighbor.
In the words of our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, “It is because we are followers of Jesus, because we follow the way of love, because we follow the way of compassion, because we follow the way of human decency and kindness that we must be passionately committed to helping the refugees and displaced persons of this day.”
Click
here
for recent Episcopal news from the border.
Click
here
for a new update on the Khwaja's, the refugee family we are supporting
.
And
here
for The Episcopal Church’s teaching and efforts.
As we have been doing every Sunday for many months, please hold in your prayers all children who are separated from their families. And enjoy the brightly colored messages (at the top of the page) that our children have sent to them.
