GROUNDED IN LOVE
Resources for Helping our Vulnerable Neighbors
As followers of Jesus, we are called to welcome the stranger and to stand with those who are vulnerable. In this time of heightened fear and uncertainty for many immigrant and refugee families across the country, we seek to respond not with fear, but with prayer, compassion, and faithful action. These resources offer concrete ways to engage through learning, accompaniment, advocacy, and practical support so that our faith is not only something we believe, but something we live.
In solidarity with those who are detained, frightened, or living with deep uncertainty, we share these resources as one expression of our hope-filled commitment to love our neighbors as ourselves.
NOTE: Much of this resource list is compiled by the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire and shared here with gratitude for their work. St. John’s will continue to vet and add local resources.
IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
BE PREPARED! The Granite State Organizing Project has trainings, including: Know Your Rights, Immigration 101, Active Bystander and Rapid Response for immigrants, organizations, and churches to offer guidance on how to respond to the presence of ICE or other federal enforcement.
REPORT ICE activity to the Granite State Organizing Project hotline: 978-219-7586
JOIN the Interfaith Immigrant Solidarity Vigil at the Norris Cotton Federal Building in Manchester, NH every first Tuesday of the month from 9-10 am. https://granitestateorganizing.org/events/event/nh-immigrant-solidarity-network-vigil-39/
LEARN about ways to help at NH Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees
DONATE to Granite State Organizing Project to support legal assistance, commissary funds for detainees, and emergency needs for vulnerable immigrant families.
SUPPORT immigrant families in your church and communities with rides to school and work, grocery shopping and meals, and Eucharistic visitors if they are not safe to come to church.
DONATE to Red’s Good Vibes Community Support Project, a rapid-response emergency fund offering direct wage support to local restaurant workers who are unable to work due to sudden instability, while also supporting the small businesses that employ them. Funds stay local and are distributed quickly, compassionately, and without barriers. https://www.redsgoodvibes.com/communitysupportproject
FOLLOW the New Hampshire Council of Churches for information about joining vigils and acting faithfully and ecumenically https://www.facebook.com/NHcouncilofchurches
IN MAINE
Our neighbors to the east in the state of Maine are experiencing a significantly increased presence of ICE. Here are ways we can show our support:
PRAY on your own, with your congregation, and by joining the diocese of Maine at compline every Monday evening at 7 pm February 2 & and February 9, led by clergy in the diocese of Maine and broadcast on the Episcopal Maine YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@episcopalmaine
GIVE to the Episcopal Diocese of Maine – these funds will be used to provide commissary funds to detainees to meet basic needs and make phone calls as well as to defray legal expenses. https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z5PN/campaign/C-1687X
PROTEST peacefully and faithfully, showing love of God and love of neighbor, at ICE OUT or other rallies. Resources from the Episcopal Church for non-violent, faithful protesting are here: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/protesting-faithfully-toolkit/
STAY INFORMED through the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition https://maineimmigrantrights.org/
IN MINNESOTA
SUPPORT Casa Maria food pantry at St. Nicolas Episcopal Church where they are experiencing a huge increase in need as immigrants no longer feel safe leaving their homes.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH RESOURCES
DONATE to Episcopal Migration Ministries
JOIN the weekly update on immigration with Office of Government Relations, Episcopal Migration Ministries, and the Chief Legal Officer of the Episcopal Church, every Tuesday at 1 pm EST.
EXPLORE the Immigrant Action Toolkit.* https://www.episcopalchurch.org/immigration-action-toolkit/ [*NOTE: For informational purposes only, should not be considered legal advice.]