We Are a Sanctuary Congregation
On Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, members of First Universalist Church voted unanimously to approve a resolution for a radical vision of sanctuary—that we will act to support and protect those who are increasingly targeted because of their marginalized status in the U.S. We do this by providing physical sanctuary if necessary, offering space for organizing, and/or showing up in solidarity when asked. This commitment to Sanctuary and Resistance is a powerful and tangible way to act out our faith and Stand on the Side of Love. Scroll down to read the text of our Sanctuary Resolution.
Sanctuary & Resistance Team
The First Universalist Sanctuary & Resistance Team originated in 2016, as an urgent response following the election. The team’s work is rooted in the Unitarian Universalist Seven Guiding Principles. We struggle in Resistance to the injustice of the immigration system, and work for system change. We walk with, accompany, and provide Sanctuary for those who are directly impacted by injustice. We work to create a world community with peace, liberty and justice for all, with respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are part. We do all this with a racial justice lens.
Our team uses a shared leadership approach so all have an opportunity to follow where love leads us. We partner with more than 25 local, external groups (large and small, some BIPOC-led, some faith-based, and others secular)—as well as with MUUSJA to work together on statewide UU efforts—to support the immigrant community in a variety of ways. Our work is ongoing, as the people we walk with continue to be significantly impacted not only by a broken immigration system, but by COVID-19, racial injustice, economic uncertainty, health and housing disparities, and other major struggles of these times. Learn more about the scope of this team’s work in this document from November 2020.
We welcome congregants and friends to join us in any of the work we do:
- Sanctuary & Accompaniment
- Court Observer Program
- Immigration System Education
- Activism and Advocacy
- Direct Mutual Aid/S&R Immigrant Fund.
We share opportunities with a large email list of those who are interested.
The Sanctuary and Resistance team meets on the first Monday of each month, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Contact Jeanne Guignon at jeanneg195 [at] gmail.com or Joan Naymark at jnaymark [at] gmail.com for more information.
Resolution Regarding Sanctuary Church
Unanimously passed at a Special Meeting of the Congregation on February 19, 2017
Whereas, the principles of Unitarian Universalism call us to affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person and to seek a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; and
Whereas, our Unitarian Universalist roots remind us of our moral responsibility to welcome and care for the immigrant, the stranger, and the most vulnerable among us; and
Whereas, in June 2015 the congregation of First Universalist Church approved by resolution and publicly declared its commitment to continue the fight for Racial Justice through education, advocacy, self-reflection, and relationship-building; and
Whereas, in 1984, in response to actions of the United States government in Central America, First Universalist declared itself to be a Sanctuary Church and provided temporary housing and refuge to several Central Americans fleeing terrorism in their home countries; and
Whereas, President Donald Trump’s issuance of an Executive Order on “Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements” on January 25, 2017, attempting to ban immigration from seven predominately Muslim countries, demonstrates that the President intends to carry out a campaign to discriminate against Muslims, immigrants, and refugees;
Therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of First Universalist Church, publicly declare our intent to be a Sanctuary Church, to provide such support and refuge to immigrants, regardless of their legal status, as the Senior Minister deems appropriate, with periodic reports by the Senior Minister to the Board of Trustees regarding actions taken pursuant to this resolution. And further, that we dedicate ourselves to educate and activate our congregation, to amplify and respond to the voices of immigrant leaders, and to speak out against discrimination toward any and all marginalized people.