Dear Friends,

I am sharing this morning two documents concerning Sanctuary Support Communities. Please read and reflect upon these items and get back to me with any ideas, concerns, questions.

On this next Monday night, April 23, 2018 our All Are One board will be meeting and this topic will be an agenda item. You will recall that I have mentioned this several times in homilies in the last few weeks and I have felt an overall positive reaction from those of you present with the possibility of us becoming a Support Community to that church that hopefully might become Winona’s Sanctuary Church.  The following materials, a brochure and an invitation statement from the Winona Interfaith Council should help answer questions–please get back to me before Monday’s board meeting.  

My apologies that the brochure format wasn’t transferable.

With peace,

Pastor Kathy

Brochure–Sanctuary Support Community

Sanctuary Support Congregation or Partner

Invitation and Information

Distributed by the

Winona Sanctuary Network and Winona Interfaith Council

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”  — Matthew 25:40

Hello,

Are you concerned about our broken immigration system and the current political climate?

Do you want to find ways to support our immigrant neighbors?

Do you believe in the ideals behind the Statue of Liberty and the core beliefs found in all the world’s faiths?

If so, then this document is for you.

This document is intended for congregations, groups, or individuals who would like to learn more about the process of becoming a “Sanctuary Support Congregation or a Sanctuary Support Partner.”

We realize that this is a serious and complex issue.  This document is not intended to answer all of your questions.  If you would like more information, please let us know.

We realize this is a decision that requires courage and it should not be taken lightly.  We hope to create a network of congregations, groups, and individuals who will support one another.  The more groups and people that are involved, the safer it is for everyone.  There are a number of different tasks that can be shared.

Terms:

1. Sanctuary:  Sanctuary is an ancient, religious custom; not a modern legal defense. Nevertheless, it has been – and still is – United States policy not to enforce immigration violations inside places of worship and other “sensitive locations,” such as hospitals and schools. For this and other political and public relations reasons, providing sanctuary may deter the federal government from arresting an undocumented immigrant who is inside a church.
2. Sanctuary Church: This is the building where the guest(s) would stay.  The goal would be to provide protection and to help navigate through the legal system.
3. Sanctuary Support Congregation: Other congregations can become a part of the “Winona Sanctuary Church Network.” This would mean providing public support, volunteers, donations, etc.
4. Sanctuary Partner:  Other non-religious groups or individuals may also help with the same kinds of support.
5.  Sanctuary Support Statement:

“We recognize that our immigrant neighbors are a vital part of our community and local economy. They help make America a better place. Due to a broken immigration system, they have not all been allowed access to the legal protections that they deserve. To this end we will stand with our neighbors that fear deportation. We publicly support the Winona Sanctuary Church.”

What would it mean to become a “Sanctuary Support Congregation or Partner”?  It would be left to each group to determine what is the best fit.

Each year there will be a need for:

• Donations for building needs and a legal defense fund.
• Food for the guests.
• A list of volunteers who would help with a wide range of duties (i.e. laundry, transportation, staying with the guests, bearing witness, etc.)
• Education, advocacy, publicity, etc.

Contact Information:

Email:  winonasanctuary@gmail.com

Phone:  507.450.6405

Web Page:  Coming soon.

Donations:  Checks can be written to, “Winona Sanctuary”.  Mailed to:  1167 W. 5^th Street, Winona, MN  55987

Invitation Statement:   (original statement)

“We affirm, that as a congregation of people of faith, we are taking seriously the call to provide sanctuary support in the Winona Sanctuary Network. We recognize that our immigrant neighbors are a vital part of our community and local economy and that due to a broken immigration system they have not all been allowed the legal protections that they deserve. To this end we will use our privilege and our resources to stand with our community members that are in fear of deportation. As a sanctuary support community we are able to do this by providing; prayers, security, time, money, advocacy, relationship, and fellowship to the degree that is within our power.”

Good Morning,  SEE THE UPDATE BELOW FOR TONIGHT’S PRESENTATION:  —Pastor Kathy

Hello Friends,

I am a bit late letting you know about these two presentations sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Winona–but better late than never! –Pastor Kathy

Friends, 

I couldn’t get the poster to completely copy over but all the details for an informational meeting concerning establishing a Sanctuary Church for immigrants in Winona facing deportation is listed below–SAVE THE DATE! 

Sanctuary Church

Information Meeting

Saturday, Feb. 24th

10:00 am – 12:00 noon

First Congregational Church*

161 W. Broadway (6th) Street, Winona

Co-Sponsors:  Winona Interfaith Council, Lutheran Campus Center, All Are One Roman Catholic Church, Manitou Center, Winona Area Friends (Quakers), Unitarian-Universalist (UU) Fellowship

No advance registration required, but please RSVP for planning purposes.

Email: winonainterfaith@gmail.com   Phone: (507) 450-6405     Facebook Event Page

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”  — Matthew 25:40

* First Congregational Church is hosting the meeting. We are still searching for a sanctuary church.

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RED BOOT WAY

Four of us from All Are One will complete the 11 weekly get-togethers of the Red Boot Way on January 4. Each of us has expressed enthusiastic appreciation for the way the process has helped us. In fact, this has resulted in a unanimous desire to go through the process again, but to invite others to join us. We plan to start a new group on Wednesday, January 17. It will go for an hour beginning at 10 AM at the home of Mary Paskiewicz.

If you would like to be part of this or simply want more information about it, please contact Dick Dahl by e-mail (richard.dahl580@gmail.com) or phone (507/453-9861).

The Red Boot Way creates compassionate communities by teaching a practice of intentional communication where self-awareness, connections and trust grow.

It consists of people who agree to meet for an hour once a week for eleven weeks. Each meeting focuses on one of the 11 Steps which are listed below. The guidelines are to speak only for oneself by using words like “I” or “my” and avoiding saying “you” or “we.”  No one has to speak and can pass when their turn comes if they prefer. Participants are guided to avoid the urge to fix, save, advise, or correct anyone else, and simply to compassionately listen to what others choose to share.

Step One: I am essential to myself, my family, and my community. I matter.

Step Two: I possess the power to positively influence all those with whom I come into contact. I am empowered.

Step Three: I am wonderfully and imperfectly human, with my own story and experiences. I am transparent.

Step Four: I can choose what and whom I allow to influence my mind, body, and personal environment. I am intentional.

Step Five: I approach those I meet with positive intent and likewise assume they come to me with positive intent. I am open.

Step Six: I am more peaceful and centered when I take time every day to be in stillness. I am grounded.

Step Seven: I humbly put aside my own agenda and listen with my whole heart before responding. I am present.

Step Eight: I approach my life and those in it with wonder and curiosity. I am curious.

Step Nine: Expressing gratitude is essential to my well-being and the well-being of my community. I am grateful.

Step Ten: When I practice these steps on a regular basis I gain and experience compassion for myself and others. I am compassionate.

Step Eleven: Living my life as outlined in these eleven steps positively impacts my life and the lives of those around me. I feel a new and joyful responsibility to serve my community.  I am engaged.