James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Congregation on the east side of Madison is among the first churches in the Madison area to declare itself a “solidarity congregation” and to pledge to support immigrants and refugees who stay at sanctuary congregations in the greater Madison area.
The congregation voted overwhelmingly on Sunday to stand in solidarity with the immigrant and refugee communities and to participate in a faith-based network of sanctuary and solidarity congregations in the greater Madison area. The new resolution also pledges to provide support to immigrant families facing deportation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the federal Department of Homeland Security.
The James Reeb Congregation has been participating in Dane Sanctuary, a network of about 36 congregations, schools and campus ministries, as well as the Madison chapter of Voces de la Frontera and the Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice. Prior to the vote, the congregation was invited to attend one of three informational meetings with a panel of experts available to answer their questions.
“The principles of Unitarian Universalism call on us to affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity and compassion in human relations; and to seek a world community with peace, liberty and justice for all,” said the Rev. Karen Quinlan, the church’s minister.
“In March we signed a Denominational Declaration of Conscience to pledge our opposition to any and all unjust government actions to deport, register or discriminate against immigrants, refugees or Muslims, so Sunday’s action at our annual congregational meeting is consistent with our Unitarian Universalist values,” Rev. Quinlan added.
The resolution calls for the congregation to provide assistance to immigrants and refugees such as meals, local transportation, accompaniment to appointments and hearings, childcare, meeting space, bond assistance and public witness at vigils, marches and rallies “as we are called to be of service by our immigrant community”.
The church’s Board of Trustees has also created a Sanctuary Task Force and charged it with discerning the feasibility of the congregation to provide physical sanctuary to immigrants and refugees while they are fighting deportation orders, so that they and their families will not be separated or torn apart while the legal process is ongoing, according to Charles McNulty, Board president. The Task Force will report back to the congregation in the fall.
