Editor's note: South Congregational Church in Springfield took a Peruvian woman and her children into sanctuary on Monday night. Read more below:
Read more coverage in MassLive.com
From Associate Conference Minister Kelly Gallagher:
*I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.* ~ Jesus (Mt 25:35)
The Massachusetts Conference Justice and Witness Council supports the work of South Congregational Church of Springfield, First Congregational Church of Amherst, and all of our churches seeking to welcome the immigrant and protect the refugee. If you wish to support this ministry you can give to our Sanctuary Churches Fund. 100% of contributions made to the Sanctuary Churches Fund will be used to assist Massachusetts Conference churches with their direct support of individuals and families to whom they are providing sanctuary.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A woman and her two children have entered sanctuary at Springfield’s South Congregational Church on Maple Street.
Members of Springfield’s Interfaith Sanctuary Coalition drove to Hartford to inform Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials that Gisella would be offered sanctuary inside the church for as long as necessary.
“At South Congregational United Church of Christ we understand that we are called upon to love our neighbor and welcome the stranger among us,” said Rev. Tom Gerstenlauer of South Congregational Church. “We stand with Gisella as an act of faith in the face of injustice, and as partners in building the beloved community of God.”
Read the full story at wwlp.comRead more coverage in MassLive.com
From Associate Conference Minister Kelly Gallagher:
*I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.* ~ Jesus (Mt 25:35)
The Massachusetts Conference Justice and Witness Council supports the work of South Congregational Church of Springfield, First Congregational Church of Amherst, and all of our churches seeking to welcome the immigrant and protect the refugee. If you wish to support this ministry you can give to our Sanctuary Churches Fund. 100% of contributions made to the Sanctuary Churches Fund will be used to assist Massachusetts Conference churches with their direct support of individuals and families to whom they are providing sanctuary.