Dear Incarnation,
My letters over the past couple weeks have attempted to offer words of comfort amidst so much uncertainty. In Sunday's sermon, I invited you to the practice of praying Compline each night to "hem in the day" and rest in God's peace (if you'd like to practice this with others, join a small group!)
But today, I am writing to you on a more practical note about ways to support one another, request assistance, and support immigrants in our community. Thank you so much to all who have asked me about these things over the past couple weeks, who want to be sure that our church sees and cares for these emerging needs.
Supporting the Incarnation Community
Incarnation is a church full of people who serve the vulnerable and promote the common good through your lives, resources, and — for many — your daily work. Now, many people in our church are facing financial instability and an uncertain future due to federal policy changes. Several have already lost their jobs. Many more are at risk. And still more are affected by return-to-work orders that upend childcare arrangements and household plans. To everyone who has been impacted by the recent changes: I am sorry, I am praying for you, and I am grateful for your service.
Incarnation has a benevolence fund for the material needs of our own congregation, and this fund is available to anyone experiencing financial hardship as a result of the recent federal policy changes (or other life events). We know money doesn't solve everything, but it can be a grace amidst instability: a small reassurance that God sees, God will provide, and our community will hold onto one another.
If you'd like to request assistance from this fund, we have a simple, confidential form; or you can just reach out to Amy or Katie for a conversation. And if you would like to support others in our congregation by contributing to this fund, you can give a tax-deductible gift here or drop a check with "benevolence" in the memo in the Sunday offering basket. Thank you!
Supporting Immigrants
Immigration policy is changing rapidly and confusingly. Our outreach partners who serve immigrant populations — Restoration Immigration Legal Aid, Casa Chirilagua, and Abara — are working hard to interpret and adapt to these changes, and to protect their clients while continuing to offer vital services. Within our church community, many have friends and neighbors who are concerned about what these policies could mean.
Throughout scripture, God calls his people to show hospitality to immigrants (for example, Deuteronomy 10:19: "You are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt"). Jesus makes this call deeply personal, associating himself — the Incarnate God — with the immigrant: "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Matthew 25:35). While Christians can and do disagree about immigration policies, we cannot ignore the consistent call of God for his people to show hospitality to immigrants.
So what does that look like for us, the people of Incarnation? I have received a LOT of questions about this from you! There is still much we do not know, but here are some things we know that we can do:
We can learn more about the legal rights and protections of our immigrant neighbors as a gesture of hospitality in a time of fear. Incarnation will make "know your rights" cards available in several languages on Sundays, and you are welcome to take these cards to share with people who may find them helpful. If you are concerned about immigration enforcement, I recommend taking the time to read and learn more (RILA's Community Resources page is a great place to start, and I particularly appreciated the videos on this We Have Rights site). Knowledge has a way of calming and right-sizing our worries.
We can continue worshiping on Sundays at Drew, and renew our prayers for the protection of that space. You have probably read that churches and schools are no longer protected from ICE entry. Many of you have reached out to ask how these changes will impact Incarnation and Drew Elementary. I have reviewed a significant amount of information over the past two weeks, and while the landscape is still shifting, I will address what I can.
First, regarding Drew Elementary: Arlington Public Schools does not collect or release information on students' immigration status. For this reason, they believe the risk of ICE targeting their schools is low; they encourage all children to continue attending school, and all undocumented families to put an emergency plan in place, should parents be apprehended during the school day. Second, regarding Incarnation: because we are not a congregation with a large number of undocumented immigrants, we have no reason to believe we would be targeted for immigration enforcement. But we are watching the news, staying abreast of the latest guidance, and will discuss this matter as a vestry later this month. If we determine that new Sunday protocols are necessary — for reasons of security or hospitality for immigrant worshipers — we will put those into practice. Every Sunday, we pray that God would protect Drew as a refuge, safe haven, and place of wonder for the children who learn there. I encourage you to continue those prayers throughout the week and to extend them to the families of Drew students in this atmosphere of heightened fear.
We can look for ways to support and encourage our outreach partners. Perhaps you'd like to help bring a meal to a RILA clinic next Monday or explore a border trip with Abara later this fall. Perhaps you'd like to volunteer, donate funds, drop them a note of thanks and encouragement, or make a fresh commitment to pray. It all matters!
***
Incarnation, I am continually humbled to serve as your pastor. Thank you for the ways you jump into action to care for one another. Thank you for the ways you ask, "how can we help?" in response to what you read on the news. Thank you for your desire to welcome the stranger. Thank you for your incredible generosity. It is a gift to follow Jesus together in these uncertain times.
And please, keep praying for one another.
With love,
Amy
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