Supporting Our Immigrant & Refugee Neighbors
We are the body of Christ, and when some of our neighbors are treated unjustly, cruelly, and even violently, we all suffer. The Episcopal Church of New Hampshire encourages our faithful members to sign up for action alerts, newsletters, and volunteer opportunities with those organizations that provide advocacy and support for our most vulnerable neighbors.
In solidarity with those who are detained or scared we offer these ways to learn more and take action in Minnesota, Maine, and here in New Hampshire.
In Minnesota:
SUPPORT Casa Maria food pantry at St. Nicolas Episcopal Church where they are experiencing a huge increase in need as immigrants no longer feel safe leaving their homes.
In Maine:
Our neighbors to the east in the state of Maine are experiencing a significantly increased presence of ICE. Here are ways we can show our support:
PRAY on your own, with your congregation, and by joining the diocese of Maine at compline every Monday evening at 7 pm February 2 & and February 9, led by clergy in the diocese of Maine and broadcast on the Episcopal Maine YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@episcopalmaine
GIVE to the Episcopal Diocese of Maine – these funds will be used to provide commissary funds to detainees to meet basic needs and make phone calls as well as to defray legal expenses.
PROTEST peacefully and faithfully, showing love of God and love of neighbor, at ICE OUT or other rallies. Resources from the Episcopal Church for non-violent, faithful protesting are here: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/protesting-faithfully-toolkit/
STAY INFORMED through the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition https://maineimmigrantrights.org/
In New Hampshire:
REPORT ICE activity to the Granite State Organizing Project hotline 978-219-7586
JOIN the Interfaith Immigrant Solidarity Vigil at the Norris Cotton Federal Building in Manchester, NH every first Tuesday of the month from 9-10 am. https://granitestateorganizing.org/events/event/nh-immigrant-solidarity-network-vigil-39/
LEARN about ways to help at NH Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees
DONATE to Granite State Organizing Project to support legal assistance, commissary funds for detainees, and emergency needs for vulnerable immigrant families.
SUPPORT immigrant families in your church and communities with rides to school and work, grocery shopping and meals, and Eucharistic visitors if they are not safe to come to church.
FOLLOW the New Hampshire Council of Churches for information about joining vigils and acting faithfully and ecumenically https://www.facebook.com/NHcouncilofchurches
Episcopal Church Resources:
DONATE to Episcopal Migration Ministries
JOIN the weekly update on immigration with Office of Government Relations, Episcopal Migration Ministries, and the Chief Legal Officer of the Episcopal Church, every Tuesday at 1 pm EST.
FIND lots more resources in The Episcopal Church immigrant action toolkit.