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Dear siblings in Christ,
As I write, I am aware of the immense privilege it is to live in a country in which we are granted the freedom of religion; the freedom to live our lives of faith as we are called to by God, without being hindered by laws that prevent our religious expression.
The Episcopal Diocese of Iowa is called by God to be a strong and effective witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ in the state of Iowa. As you know, the new presidential administration has issued a number of Executive Orders having to do with immigration. These orders, and the actions that have followed, have been particularly troubling to those who believe, as The Episcopal Church does, that the gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to welcome the stranger and to love our neighbors—whoever they may be—as ourselves.
Our call as faithful witnesses to the gospel has not changed with the new presidential administration. We are called to continue the work that we have always been doing here in Iowa: loving our neighbors, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, standing up for the oppressed and marginalized in our society. As Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
In the current context of our country and our state, it has become clear that some groups of people, particularly Black and Brown people, are being targeted for immigration enforcement action regardless of their actual status or documentation. Our call is to stand with all of God’s beloved children, of any race, background, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or documentation status. It is not our concern to know the documentation status of any individual; it is our concern to live up to our promise in the baptismal covenant to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, and to respect the dignity of every human being.”
Last week I sent an email to congregational leaders (clergy-in-charge and senior wardens) with information from my chancellor (legal advisor) and from churchwide sources, as well as helpful links to organizations working on immigration issues. Many of those leaders joined a Zoom call as well to discuss these topics more fully and to consider individual congregational and ministry situations.
As the leaders discussed on Zoom, it is of paramount importance that every congregation and diocesan ministry have a plan for their specific context that is communicated to everyone who comes through their doors. Each congregation or diocesan ministry needs to designate a single person who has the authority to make decisions about granting access to law enforcement personnel (such as ICE) to that congregation or diocesan ministry’s building(s). Everyone who uses the building needs to know how to contact that authorized person in the event of an immigration enforcement action.
In the past several weeks we have experienced an unprecedented flurry of activity relating to immigration, LGBTQIA+ rights, and other areas coming from the new administration. The volume and speed of these changes is intentionally designed to be confusing and frustrating, which tends to lead to blind compliance out of a lack of information or awareness of what the rights of each person in this country and this state are.
When you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, take a break. Give yourself some time to stop engaging with the news, or with social media, or with whatever it is that leads to that overwhelm. Take some deep breaths, center yourself again in Christ, ground yourself in the place and the time in which you find yourself. Then, when you are ready, re-engage with helpful and accurate information. Avoid panicked opinion pieces and posts designed primarily to stir outrage. There is excellent information in this email below, as well as links to organizations that are working constructively to safeguard the rights of everyone in this country.
This is an unfolding situation, and this email is just one part of the conversation that will be ongoing. We will also host Zoom meetings for further diocesan conversation. [registration information has been sent via email to our e-newsletter list; contact our office if you did not receive that email and would like to attend]
When we chose our theme of Courageous Faith for this year, we did not know the full extent to which our courage would be called. As we step forward into the future, let us stay connected to each other in Courageous Faith, supporting each other and praying for each other. Know that you are in my own prayers, and I am deeply grateful for your prayers for me.
Your sister in Christ
+Betsey
The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa
February 17, 2025
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