On Thursday, June 21, St. Martin’s will hold a Vigil for Family Unity as a way to join with others around the country who are praying and advocating for those families that are being forcibly separated at the border. The vigil will take place in the church from 7:30 to 9 pm and will include prayer, music, candle lighting, and time for reflection. We also hope to organize a letter-writing campaign.
This event will be open to people of all faiths or with no faith affiliation. Please help us spread the word to the community that we are offering a safe and welcoming space for those who are “united in our concern for the wellbeing of vulnerable migrants who cross our borders fleeing from danger and threats to their lives,” to quote a statement recently signed by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and numerous other faith leaders.
We also encourage everyone to join in a virtual vigil sponsored by the Episcopal Public Policy Network. Here are their suggested ways to participate:
1. Tune in on Facebook live on The Episcopal Public Policy Network.
2. Submit prayers via social media to be read at the vigil.
3. Engage on Social Media with #KeepFamiliesTogether.
4. Take action on family separation and asylum action using the action alert from The Episcopal Public Policy Network
5. Start a vigil of your own in your parish. (This is the one we’re doing together at St. Martin’s!)
As the EPPN says, we hold this vigil “on the longest day of the year in recognition of the fact that any day children are separated from their parents is too long.”
Keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for more information as it becomes available.
Please direct all questions to me at pamela@churchofstmartin.org or 530-756-0444.
Peace and blessings,
Pamela+
(The Rev. Dr. Pamela Dolan,
Rector of St. Martin’s)
