Understand. Believe. Act
Boston is a sanctuary city, and both the mayor and governor have actively called on churches to address the increasing number of migrants. As Christians, the migrant crisis has become a pressing local issue that demands our urgent attention and compassionate response. In light of this, the UB team has decided to launch a campaign called “A Sanctuary for Strangers.”
Our title, “A Sanctuary for Strangers,” conveys the need for a safe and welcoming space for those who are displaced or seeking refuge. Scripture implores us to welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us (Rom. 15:7) and to love the ‘stranger’ among us as ourselves, as we were once strangers ourselves (Lev. 19:34; Deut. 10:19). This posture of hospitality underscores the posture of Jesus, who calls us to care for “the least of these” (Mt. 25:40).
We will feature one article on the UniteBoston newsletter each week, around the themes of “understand,” “believe,” and “act.” Additionally, this page on the UniteBoston website which will be a space for deeper learning and action taking, that can be modified based on the ever-evolving needs and opportunities of the migrant crisis.
This series will culminate in Migrant Sunday, a special day of reflection and action, where churches across Boston are invited to center their services around the theme of “Welcoming Palms.” To support churches in their response, you will find a comprehensive preaching package complete with designs, multimedia content, sermon examples, and more, that pastors and leaders can use to recognize Migrant Sunday.
In dozens of years of working with immigrants and refugees, many have never seen Massachusetts in such a dire situation. How might God be inviting you to step in to care for these new neighbors?
Migrant Sunday, March 24, 2024
We are calling on all churches in Boston to join us on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024 for “Welcoming Palms.” Use your Palm Sunday to capture both the imagery of the palm branches waved during Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the idea of extending our hands in welcome and support to refugees and strangers. We advocate for churches to prioritize the crisis at hand and mobilize their congregations to respond while reflecting on the redemptive work of the savior.
NOW AVAILABLE: PREACHING PACKAGE
We want to help every church, big and small, to feel equipped to address the migrant crisis and mobilize their church to ACT. We have put together a full preaching package complete with designs, multimedia content, sermon examples, and more, to help churches recognize Migrant Sunday across Boston effectively.
Service Elements and examples
SUPPLY DRIVES FOR NEW NEIGHBORS
Above: United Way is supporting a variety of shelter sites for our new neighbors. They have created an Amazon Registry where you can see the items that are needed and shop wherever you’d like. They can be dropped off at the location in South Boston. This goes a long way to make our new families feel as welcome and cared for as possible!
Urgent Need! Circle of Hope is supporting new family shelters of immigrants and refugees, especially expecting moms and their families, to preserve and enhance overall health and personal dignity.
They are looking for Welcome Baby Bags – new diaper backpacks with new baby items only, and Emergency Response Bags with gender neutral new clothing for an adult in one size (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL). More information in the flyers below.
The items can be donated directly to the Circle of Hope receiving center at 1329 Highland Ave in Needham. The general hours for receiving are Monday through Thursday from 10am to noon, but you can also message Ari at ari@circleofhopeonline.org to arrange different a pickup or drop-off time. More info here
Our new neighbors are in need of a variety of baby supplies, home supplies, and hygiene products at the United Way shelter sites in Greater Boston. Here is the list, or you can contribute to their Amazon wish list here. Any items can be delivered to the Boston office:
9 Channel Center Street, Suite 500, Attn: Mirayah Cheek, Boston, MA 02210
Contact: Travis Cogell-Silva tcogell-silva@supportunitedway.org or Mirayah Cheek mcheek@supportunitedway.org
TAKE ACTION!
1. Forward this information to your pastor, encouraging them to join into the collective Migrant Sunday with Christians throughout the city.
2. Share any articles, resources, or graphics on your social media channels from this page to broaden the movement of awareness, compassionate hearts, and action-taking to care for our new neighbors.
3. Email us. We’d be happy to hop on a coaching call to come alongside as you discern how to bring Migrant Sunday to your community. We’d also love to hear about any action steps you took and how it went!
4. Pray – Pray that the body of Christ would rise up in this pivotal moment to show self-giving love, care, and hospitality for our new neighbors. Pray for the coordination of various groups so that practical needs can be met, and our new neighbors will have what they need (including food, clothing, housing, and jobs) to thrive in our city. Pray that all people would be drawn closer to Jesus as we embody Christ’s call to care for “the least of these” (Mt. 25:40) during this Lenten season.
5. Celebrate – Join with us in celebrating these ways that local churches and organizations are participating in Migrant Sunday:
- Incorporating Migrant Sunday with their Church: Pastor Melinda Priest from Awaken City Church, Pastor Devlin Scott from New City Church, Pastor Kat Hampson from Riverwalk Church, Anchor Bay Church in Beverly
- Prayer for Migrant Sunday at their Church: M.D. Smith from Eagle Heights Cathedral – Revere, Pastor Valerie Copeland from Neighborhood Church of Dorchester
- Raising Funds to Support New Neighbors: Pastor Dave Friedrich from the Church of the Cross
- Now Volunteering to Support Migration Care: Benjamin Pierce from Cru Boston Metro
- Shared This Information Through their Networks: Daniel Montanez from Mygration Christian Conference, Lisa Oelrich from Alpha New England, Kyra Limberakis from the Orthodox Volunteer Corps, Sarah Blumenshine from the Emmanuel Gospel Center, Elizabeth Grady-Harper from the Boston Faith and Justice Network, Erin Henke from the Conference of Baptist Ministers in Massachusetts
UNITEBOSTON’S FEATURED SERIES
UNDERSTAND
Amidst a backdrop of rising family homelessness in Massachusetts, the journey of John, a Haitian immigrant fleeing violence, encapsulates the harsh realities faced by many newcomers seeking shelter and opportunity. Arriving with his wife and daughter, John’s hope for a fresh start quickly dissolves as they find themselves stranded at Logan Airport, relegated to sleeping on the floor and enduring cramped conditions while waiting for shelter. Their ordeal underscores the strain on Massachusetts’ safety net, with overflow sites struggling to meet the needs of a burgeoning homeless population. As advocates decry the situation and state officials scramble for solutions, John’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges confronting families without housing in the state, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive support and resources.
P.S. “They are assets, they are not liabilities:” Check out this great article from the Boston Globe this week highlighting Pastor Keke and how he is supporting newly arrived Haitian families by coordinating donations, recruiting translators, and connecting individuals with services such as jobs and English classes. Way to go, Pastor Keke – Thank you for your leadership!
BELIEVE
In an age of global migration and mass displacement, what is the responsibility of the Church to respond to the needs and realities of migrant and displaced communities? All too often, the narrative surrounding immigration is depicted within mainstream media as highly political and divisive. In evangelical and charismatic circles, many Christians are more likely to be influenced by what the media says about immigration than the Bible.
For our week on “Believe,” we are sharing piece entitled, “The Church: A Place of Belonging” which is a chapter from local author Daniel Montanez’ book entitled, “The Church and Migration: A Theological Vision for the People of God.” The book seeks to transform the narrative of immigration by approaching it from the larger lens of human migration. By exploring the theme of human migration throughout the grand narrative of Scripture, this resource sets forth a theological vision for understanding migration from a Biblical-theological perspective. This article highlights practical ways in which the Church can get involved in serving migrant and displaced communities.
P.S. Daniel’s book serves as an accessible and educational guide for pastors, church leaders, and parishioners to better understand what the Bible says about God’s heart towards people on the move and how these truths can be applied in our modern world. It is available for purchase in English and Spanish.
ACT
We will equip participants with practical action steps they can take to play a role in welcoming, caring, and supporting migrants in their communities. Here is a story of faith leaders as they call for donations as migrant families continue to flood emergency shelters. The Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex in Roxbury is already close to its 400-person limit, and Boston’s faith leaders are looking for help getting those families what they need.
You can volunteer your time and skills with IFSI to serve newly arrived Haitian families! Tutor, help teach ESL Classes, help fill out applications, donate clothing and supplies, and more. Learn More.
There is also work happening to develop a rapid response team – If you are a leader of a congregation or non-profit, please fill out this survey to understand what groups are already doing and what gaps, needs and opportunities exist.
GO DEEPER:
- GBH News Story “The number of families in the emergency shelter system who entered as migrants is 3,623, as of Thursday. That’s about 48% of families in the system — the rest are unhoused residents.”
- Report: Immigrants contribute more than $100 billion annually to Greater Boston Economy
- Boston Globe Story: Shelter for migrant families in Roxbury sparks mixed reactions.
- MYGRATION CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE: Explore God’s Heart Through Stories of Migration
- The Church and Migration: A Proactive Response Panel Discussion (Rev. Dr. Scott Sunquist, Dr. Ruth Melkonian Hoover, Daniel Montañez, Sage Shaw)
- How Should Christians Support Immigration Laws? by The Gospel Coalition
- Lots of other great resources from: the Evangelical Immigration Table, SojoAction and World Relief
- You can volunteer your time and skills with IFSI to serve newly arrived Haitian families! Tutor, help teach ESL Classes, help fill out applications, donate clothing and supplies, and more. Learn More.
- Donations for families being sheltered at the Melnea A. Cass Recreation Complex in Roxbury are diapers and wipes (sizes 2-5 and pull-ups), menstrual pads, toothpaste & brushes, bath soap, shampoo & conditioner, body lotion, Vaseline or Aquaphor gel, and underwear & socks for men, women, and children. These items can be dropped off at the Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 155 Humboldt Ave, Dorchester. Mon-Fri, 2-5pm, and Sat. 12-4pm. Clothing donations (new or gently used)
- Connect with faith-based immigrant resource centers:
- The city is seeking to develop a rapid response team – Faith leaders can fill out this survey to understand what groups are already doing and what gaps, needs and opportunities exist.
- Support and Accompany Our New Neighbors by Volunteering at Melnea Cass. This could include: reading books to children, playing games, or just sitting and listening (Coordinated by the Massachusetts Council of Churches).
- Physical space is needed to house these new neighbors, through host families, daytime or overnight shelters. Learn more here.
- If you are interested in becoming a host family, contact – Pastor “Keke” Dieufort Fleurissant, dieufortnfs@gmail.com, 617-749-6947
- Here are some tips on launching a new site from Rev. Katie Cole. There is funding available to turn buildings into emergency shelters to apply for the UnitedWay SafetyNet Shelter Grant
- Cash donations are the most flexible and allow financial resources to go where they are most needed. We recommend donations be made to the Immigrant Family Services Institute. Direct link to donate here.
*Special thanks to friends and partners who have contributed to this page, including Daniel Montanez, founder of the Mygration Christian Conference, Sarah Blumenshine, Director of Intercultural Ministries at the Emmanuel Gospel Center, Pastor Melinda Priest who is pastoring Awaken City Church and also organizes Conversational English and Citizenship Classes with her Immigrant Connection Site. The Massachusetts Council of Churches has also put together a list of how Christians can come alongside these new neighbors.