Resolution in Support of New Sanctuary Churches
Brought by the Committee on the Church and Metropolitan Community
To the April 21, 2007 Annual Meeting of the Metro Association

WHEREAS 1.5 million immigrants – documented and undocumented – have been deported from the U.S. in the last decade, and the U.S. has recently stepped up deportation raids across the country;

WHEREAS some 300 immigrants weekly are deported from Rikers Island , many of them African, Afro-Caribbean and Latino/a;

WHEREAS these immigration policies have broken up families and caused suffering to thousands of people;

WHEREAS the United States is a nation of immigrants whose Statue of Liberty proclaims “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free….”

WHEREAS immigrants have made important contributions to this country in the social, economic, moral, spiritual, political, cultural and every other arena;

WHEREAS the United Church of Christ New York Metropolitan Association celebrates the diversity that is a hallmark of New York City and part of our heritage;

WHEREAS our faith tradition teaches us to practice hospitality, welcoming the stranger, loving our neighbor as ourselves and acting as a “good Samaritan” toward those in need;

WHEREAS the United Church of Christ believes that “God is still speaking” and calls to us to speak out for justice and witness;

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the United Church of Christ Metropolitan Association:

• Expresses its support for the communities of faith that have chosen to provide sanctuary to immigrants at risk of deportation
  
  
• Calls upon member congregations to commit themselves to study and reflection around immigration and sanctuary issues
  
  
• Urges member congregations to consider becoming “new sanctuary churches,” adopting an immigrant family or families that face deportation
  
  
• Calls upon member congregations to reach out to other churches and to their city, state and federal elected officials so that those bodies make a formal commitment to sanctuary
  
  
• Encourages member congregations to analyze and advocate in support of legislation that is welcoming rather than punitive
  
  
• Calls upon the New York Conference to adopt a resolution in support of sanctuary