At the recent Annual Meeting of the Congregation, members adopted a proclamation in support of immigrants, refugees and the marginalized. The full text of the proclamation can be found below:
Immigrant, Refugee and Marginalized Support Proclamation
Whereas the whisper of our sacred scriptures convict us to recall the Creator’s favor for the refugee and immigrant, “When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” – Leviticus 19:33-34 AND “Thus says our God, render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” – Zechariah 7:9-10 AND “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” – Matthew 5:7
Whereas it is the cherished tradition of our church to walk with the marginalized and advocate for the voiceless, as evidenced by our support of individuals such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chavez, as well our support of refugees from around the world.
Whereas the steadfast protest of our larger United Church of Christ, the Rev. John Dorhauer, general minister and president of the UCC, exhorts: “Humble people wanting only to be safe and protect their children rely on the hospitality of strangers to survive. Our churches must engage politically to prevent our government from shutting our borders and our hearts; and missionally to welcome the stranger among us.”
Resolved to engage in active solidarity with members of and allies to the undocumented immigrant community, the homeless, and refugees, no matter where they are on life’s journey;
Resolved to prayerfully support the Peace and Justice Committee as they lead the congregation to engage in both specific and practical support to refugees, immigrants, migrants, and threatened persons in need of aid;
Resolved to advocating, if necessary, in nonviolent civil disobedience as exemplified by Jesus the Son of Man, Gandhi, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in petitioning for sanctuary status in the City of Fresno that further improves and clarifies City of Fresno policy 428 (Fresno Police Department Policy Manual Immigration Violations) in light of the current political landscape and new heightened threats to the undocumented by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) as well as city and county law enforcement.
Resolved in the spirit of hope, to answering the call to serve alongside fellow compassionate organizations in the city and county of Fresno.
~ Revised June 4, 2017, at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation
Community UCC Fresno 