We Do, Too. We Do, Too

We do, too.

We do, too. One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” than these.” - Mark 12: 28-31 (NRSV) - Mark 12: 28-31 (NRSV) We’ve heard these two great commandments before, but now we have a We’ve heard these two great commandments before, but now we have a new and powerful chance to carry out the second one. We are standing new and powerful chance to carry out the second one. We are standing with our refugee neighbors, both in the United States and around the with our refugee neighbors, both in the United States and around the world, as they seek safety and security. world, as they seek safety and security.

In January, President Trump signed an Executive Order affecting In January, President Trump signed an Executive Order affecting the United States Refugee Admissions Program and jeopardizing the the United States Refugee Admissions Program and jeopardizing the American tradition of welcome. We will not stand for this. American tradition of welcome. We will not stand for this.

Refugees – the most thoroughly vetted group of individuals entering the Refugees – the most thoroughly vetted group of individuals entering the U.S. - are by legal definition those who have “a well founded fear of being U.S. - are by legal definition those who have “a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.” Violence and persecution particular social group or political opinion.” Violence and persecution have forced them to flee their country of nationality. have forced them to flee their country of nationality.

Refugees are facing their darkest hours, and they are doing it far from Refugees are facing their darkest hours, and they are doing it far from home. We are standing with them. We are standing for welcome. home. We are standing with them. We are standing for welcome.

Our support will help provide: Our support will help provide:

Critical assistance for newly-arrived refugees Critical assistance for newly-arrived refugees

Legal assistance to families affected by the travel ban Legal assistance to families affected by the travel ban

Advocacy work to stand for justice Advocacy work to stand for justice