by Rev. Racquel Ray, Associate Minister of Congregational Life
In a country where we have declared to be created with inalienable rights to choose life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness it is remarkable that we should need to talk about the limits of those freedoms. Yet, here we are in the course of human events where we, as a church community, must decide where we stand.
I have made clear from the pulpit that I will not preach or share political viewpoints. I will not express public support for a particular party or person, nor will I publicly condemn any. However, as a member church of the United Church of Christ we are in covenant with our God, our neighbors, and our siblings in Christ. And, sometimes, that calls us toward difficult conversations around issues of social and human justice. And, sometimes, we disagree.
Barrington Congregational Church, UCC is an Open and Affirming Church. We share a visible sign of our [hopefully] visible grace that we are a safe place for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Our rainbow-colored doors stand as a marquee toward that grace as we stand in covenantal inclusiveness together with those often and recently targeted. If our doors symbolize our commitment toward welcoming ALL PEOPLE and not merely social virtue signaling, then we truly need to commit to our hospitality. How we welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the sick are our mandate and ministry.
I was asked, this week, “What do we do if ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) comes to our church?” The Southern New England Conference offers these guidelines Resources for Churches Regarding Immigration Enforcement – Southern New England Conference of the UCC .The church is considered a public property and is subject to search by ICE personnel. There is an exception for the private spaces of the church such as private offices. However, the distinction between public and private space is to be litigated after the fact and NOT in the moment of an ICE search. Churches can no longer state that we are private property and not subject to search and I would not expect a church member or worship service volunteer to bear the responsibility to keep armed ICE personnel out of certain spaces.
It is the responsibility of each congregation to have conversations NOW and to create response plans before we face any future visits. I feel it is a good idea for BCCUCC to begin conversations and create our own personal response plan around the limits and openness of our hospitality. How will we live our BCCUCC Covenant around welcoming those who are being persecuted?
Before God and these witnesses present, we covenant with God and each other. We dedicate our faith, thought, and actions to love God with all that we are and our neighbors as ourselves. Relying on the help of God, the unfolding reconciling Word, and the Holy Spirit, we join ourselves to this church to take part in its worship and activities, and to strive earnestly for its peace and enlightenment. We covenant and agree to devote ourselves to this faith community that worships God, embraces all people, ministers to one another, works for justice and peace, and renders loving service to God’s world.
Indeed, many of our members are directly affected by current events and many of our wider community will be as well. Thomas Paine said, “These are the times that try men’s souls”. Indeed, even this conversation is trying! And yet as a nation we have the promise on our shores to be a land flowing with milk and honey where generations have entered and read The New Colossus by American poet Emma Lazarus (1849–1887) inscribed under the feet of The Statue of Liberty.
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
As we navigate the times in which we live, the transitions within our own congregation, and our role in the community, I pray that we have the patience and grace to have these conversations with love and respect for differing viewpoints. I pray that we continue to be a beacon of welcome and hope for those who are yearning for a place to breathe free. Amen.