Dear St. Martin’s:
Eight months ago, many of us attended the Vigil for Family Unity held in our nave. We prayed, we spoke, we wept, we wondered aloud how we could help the families who had been separated at our border. This weekend, your Vestry made a commitment to be involved in a specific unification project, and it requires your support and involvement.
Last week, I was notified that there is a new effort to reunify separated families. Al Otro Lado (a non-profit legal services organization in Tijuana and the US) and World Relief have identified the parents of the children still separated and they have Mexican visas to legally access the border. These parents will be seeking asylum in the US as part of their effort to be reunited with their children.
WHAT IS NEEDED NOW (“now” means by the end of February): In order for these parents to enter the US and begin the asylum process, they need to be matched up with legal sponsorswho, among other things, would be offering space in their homes on a temporary basis. So, we are looking for people who are willing to offer space to these families, at least until an independent housing option is found. Al Otro Lado will match the size of the family to the size of home available. St. Martin’s is actively seeking a more sustainable housing solution for at least one family.
St. Martin’s is ready to step up and help make this happen. At our weekend retreat, the Vestry voted a unanimous “yes” to the following motion:
“The Vestry commits to encourage sponsors for families seeking asylum and reunification with children. The Vestry commits to supporting the families and sponsors with financial, emotional, social and other support. The Vestry commits to providing a financial backstop of up to $25,000 over a period of two years (2019-2020) if this is required and is not fundraised elsewhere. The Vestry commits to exploring further support as the program develops.”
What does this mean to you? Please prayerfully consider the following:
(1) Could I be a sponsor? This would mean filing paperwork and taking on the primary initial responsibility for hosting the family upon their arrival. You would need to show you could house two or three people depending on your space. You would then receive financial support from St. Martin’s, as needed, as well as a team we would gather to help with various aspects of resettlement, from education to transportation to emotional security and beyond. In most cases, the goal would be to help the family move into their own housing over time. Any sponsor will of course have many questions, which we will be happy to answer ourselves or through the organizations leading this effort.
(2) How else can I help? If you cannot sponsor a family but want to be involved, please consider being one of the primary support team members. We will also need financial contributions. Above all, we need your prayers and your loving support for all the separated families. If St. Martin’s is able to help sponsor one or more of these families, other needs will surely arise over time.
Turnaround time is very short. We hope to have at least one sponsor identified by the end of the week (Thursday).
Attached in this email is a link to an information sheet about what is needed along with some background information and Asylum sponsor sample letter. If you are interested, there is a webinar scheduled for next Wednesday, February 27th, 2019 at 10am (Pacific Time). Dial-in Details: Tel: (712) 770-4010, Access Code: 390-439.
If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Zender (see directory). You may of course reach out to me as well.
As your rector, I need to say to all of you how proud I am of your Vestry and of the others who have been working hard in response to a sudden and urgent request. When we held our Vigil last year, many people expressed grief and outrage, but also helplessness. We no longer need to feel helpless. We have a way to make a difference.
“Grant, o God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
(Book of Common Prayer)
With love, faith, and hope,
Pamela+