March 7, 2025
Learning about Immigration
At Julfest last December, we talked about how our church, First Covenant, is an immigrant church. Our church and our denomination were started by Swedish immigrants who came to America seeking a better life. We are not unique in this. Most Americans have an immigrant past, whether recent or generations old.
Immigration has been intrinsic to our country’s history since its founding. And we have a longstanding belief that we are a melting pot–that we welcome people of all cultures and backgrounds, drawing them into our national identity, making us stronger through our diversity. In reality, immigrating to America has always been a difficult process, and most groups of immigrants receive a cold welcome, at least at first. It’s been especially hard for those who can’t easily assimilate into the Eurocentric mainline culture, whether because of skin color, religious difference, or cultural practices.
So, the struggles we have experienced in the last decade or so are not new. Our national policies on immigration and our cultural response have always been in flux. What hasn’t changed in all this time is the biblical text and God’s perspective on welcoming the immigrant, the stranger, the alien, the foreigner (choose your preferred translation).
On March 16 and 23, we will to hold two adult Sunday school classes focused on immigration. The first will address what the Bible says about this topic and how we as followers of God are called to respond. The second will provide a brief overview of immigration in America and what has led us to the crisis point at which we find ourselves. We hope later this spring to bring in experts from local organizations working with immigrants to learn about what the recent changes in policy have meant for them and what support they need in their work.
All of this is part of a larger conversation that’s going on at First Covenant Church about how we as a congregation might respond to what is happening in our nation, particularly the recent changes to immigration policy. Through conversations with many people in our community, it’s clear to me that we have a heart for the immigrant. Because of this, a new committee has been created under our Serve Others team to help us discern, as a community, what our response might be in this crucial moment. We will have more details about this committee forthcoming, but for now, I ask you to please pray for the formation of this group and ask that the Spirit might move among us, preparing us for and unifying us in the work to which God is calling us.
While immigration policy has always been in flux, there is something uniquely challenging about what is happening in this moment in American history. Please also pray for those most affected–those who are scared, those whose families are being separated, those who don’t have adequate access to resources, those who have been denied asylum or refugee status and face violence and persecution back in their home countries. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayers.
~ Pastor Lauren