Grace and peace to you in these waning days of summer.
I am writing to you with an invitation of response to the Syrian refugee crisis.
At last count more than 45 of our congregations have been directly involved in supporting Syrian refugees who have arrived in Connecticut. I am so thankful for the impulse by so many to make a difference and to provide an extravagant welcome to those in need.
One of our congregations, Immanuel Congregational Church in Hartford has written a letter to Senator Chris Murphy about the Syrian refugee crisis. (
Senator Murphy serves as a member of the US Senate's Committee on Foreign Relations.) I am sharing this letter with you so that you might prayerfully consider adapting or "signing on" to this letter. [
Read it here. Copies will be available on Sunday.] Another action that I would encourage you to prayerfully consider comes from the national setting of the United Church of Christ which has also been working on addressing the crisis. You are invited to sign the interfaith endorsed postcard which will be delivered to Congress and the White House on September 15. Faced with the largest refugee crisis in history, the postcards ask the U.S. government to lead by example, with an increase in humanitarian aid, access to education, guaranteeing the right to work, and doubling the number of refugees admitted for resettlement.
Thank you for considering this request for action.
Kent Siladi
Conference Minister
Connecticut Conference, United Church of Christ
FROM PASTOR GINNY
For more on the Syrian refugee crisis, you may want to read my reflection "When Neighborliness Fails" from last Sunday. Several of you spoke to me afterword asking how First Church might be involved in sponsoring a refugee family. Let's talk more.
This is our last Sunday of Cafe Church (9:30am in Cook Hall). We return to 10am worship in the sanctuary on Sept. 11 for HOMECOMING SUNDAY. Don't forget to bring that little bottle of water you brought from your summer travels for our Gathering of the Waters ritual.
Breakfast at 9 am and COOKOUT following worship. Bring a side or dessert to share!