This past Saturday morning, 20 people gathered in Immanuel’s Fellowship Hall to discern how to live out our Christian faith and Immanuel values in these days. We gathered to share concerns and fears, and potential responses to the policies of the new administration impacting the most vulnerable people in our communities: immigrants and refugees, the LGBTQ+ community—particularly transgender and nonbinary people—people experiencing poverty, justice-involved individuals, and women needing reproductive care. Concerns were also voiced about the environment and health care, among other areas.

Dr. Jay opened the gathering with prayer and scripture that reminded us of the biblical basis for welcoming the stranger and caring and advocating for vulnerable populations and the dispossessed. We broke into dyads for one-on-one conversations and then opened the meeting to share ideas of how we can support both those who are afraid and under threat and those working on the front lines providing services and legal advocacy. People also voiced an interest in finding a way to show support in a visible way on our corner of Farmington Avenue and Woodland Street, and connecting to impactful efforts already underway.

The group agreed to meet again this coming Saturday, February 1 at 10am in Fellowship Hall. If this invitation for solidarity, challenge and comfort sounds like something you would like to be a part of, please join us by contacting the church office at immanuel06105@gmail.com or 860-527-8121. Or just come. And feel free to bring friends or others impacted by these injustices.

Thank you,

Anne Stanback