“Recognize yourself in he and she who are not like you and me.”
~Carlos Fuentes
Sanctuary Supporting Congregation
SAPUCC is a Sanctuary Supporting Congregation.* We work co-operatively with several other churches and share needs, tasks, ideas and resources. There are 3 coalitions in the metro area: East St Paul, South Minneapolis, and our coalition in the University Area. We all work under the umbrella of ISAIAH, which is a faith-based organization promoting social justice.
*As defined by ISAIAH, "Sanctuary and Supporting congregations not only provide refuge and a safe haven to families fighting deportation, they also fight for full immigrant justice. This includes fighting and advocating for policies and legislation that embraces a sanctuary state; drivers licenses for all Minnesotans, regardless of status; immigrant legal defense funds, know your rights and rapid response trainings; and getting federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) out of Minnesota."
ISAIAH is a multi-racial, state-wide, nonpartisan coalition of faith communities fighting for racial and economic justice in Minnesota
“The Sanctuary Network of Minnesota is a network of places of worship whose love for their immigrant neighbors calls them to fight for robust, compassionate, immigration reform and immigrant justice in the United States. They take seriously the call to “love thy neighbor” and “welcome the stranger.” They have made the decision to be Sanctuary or Sanctuary Supporting in this network by committing to walk a path together, standing against evil and hate in all its many forms and embracing radical, tangible love. ”
Sanctuary supporting Church: taking action
➣ Our congregation and coalition were represented at ISAIAH and Coalition Meetings.
➣ Our congregation and coalition were represented and joined about 200 others at the State Capitol to talk to our senators about the need for drivers’ licenses for immigrants.
➣ Our congregation was represented at Sherburne County Jail to support Elk River UCC and to protest the proposed expansion of the jail to house 200 more immigrants. The effort to expand failed – thanks be to God.
➣ Our congregation and coalition were represented at ICE Head Quarters at Fort Snelling. We joined about 250 people at a vigil to protest the use of Bishop Whipple’s name on their building.
➣ After ICE activity in Dinkytown, representatives of our congregation and coalition delivered fliers to educate people of their rights.
➣ SAPUCCer David L. represented us in Arizona and across the border in Mexico . He did humanitarian work and was further educated about the situation there. He came back and told us about it at the Adult Forum on November 24, 2019, so that we can be more educated. Thank you, David.
➣ Our congregation was represented when the Minnesota Conference UCC decided to work towards making Minnesota a Sanctuary State.
➣ Our congregation is represented by two people, Leslie A. and Sue G., who write letters to detainees and have supported them by their presence in Immigration Court. We are grateful to Sue and Leslie for sharing their thoughts and experiences at one of our vigils.
➣ Our congregation has been represented at the monthly Sanctuary Vigils held in our sister churches, including hosting 2 vigils in our sanctuary. The vigils are a time to carve out a sacred space, to ground ourselves in our faith and look for guidance.
➣ This congregation has provided generous financial support to the mission of Sanctuary. Thank you to the Board Mission & Witness, The Diaconate Fund, Compassionate Christmas Fund, and donors to vigil offerings as well as many individual donations to our immigrant and sanctuary work.
“I drive S. to English classes at the International Institute. Every time he gets into the car he says, “How are you? How is your family? How is your son?” Now, since he came to our vigil, he says, “How are your sisters and brothers at your church? I thank God we could pray together in your temple.”
~Joanna F.