May 24, 2026 | Volume 16, No. 11

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www.councilofchurchesri.org

RISCC Happenings

Faith in Action

Joint Community Statement on Immigrant Support

May 26 

Written By Jeremy Langill

Across Rhode Island, our shared goal remains clear: every resident should feel safe, respected, and supported. Today, we stand together as faith leaders, law enforcement, elected officials, and members of the business community to reaffirm our collective commitment to strengthening the bonds that unite us. We also reaffirm our support for the immigrant population in our state. Immigrants are an essential part of our communities, our workforce, and our culture, and we stand together in support of the immigrant community while remaining firmly opposed to violence and crime in any form.

Building a strong community is not the responsibility of any one group alone. It is built through partnership, communication, and trust. Our faith institutions serve as pillars of compassion and guidance. Our law enforcement officers are dedicated to protecting and serving with professionalism and integrity. Our public officials are entrusted with advancing policies that reflect the needs and values of the communities they represent. Our local businesses help anchor our neighborhoods, create opportunity, and foster connection. Together, we form a network of support that is strongest when we work in collaboration.

We are committed to ensuring that all members of our community feel safe and supported. No one should hesitate to seek help, report a crime, or engage with local institutions out of fear. This commitment extends to our immigrant neighbors, who deserve to feel secure, welcomed, and valued. We will continue working—alongside community partners and local businesses—to build relationships, provide clear information, and foster an environment where trust extends to every neighborhood and every family.

Together, we will continue to strengthen partnerships between our institutions, invest in community-based solutions, and promote a culture of mutual respect. By doing so, we can ensure that our neighborhoods are not only safe, but also places where trust, opportunity, and unity thrive.

RI Police Chiefs Association 

RI State Council of Churches

RI Hospitality Association 

Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence

Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce

Jeremy Langill

Executive Minister

RISCC

<download statement>



2026 Legislative Priorities

All updates to Legislative Bills can be followed here: https://status.rilin.state.ri.us/

We will be updating this information as Bills are filed or a Bill Status changes

Information as of May 27, 2026

Reproctive Freedom & Gender Affirming Care Health Data Privacy Act

Senate S2992 05/07/2026 - Committee recommended measure be held for further study

House H7357 03/10/2026 - Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Has the support of major sponsors in the Senate. In addition it has been adopted by the Coalition for Reproductive Freedom, ACLU, ACOG, Women's Fund and others.

364 Day Bill

Senate S2047 05/13/2026 - Committee recommended measure be held for further study

House H7198 03/04/2026 - Committee recommended measure be held for further study

This act would refine the definitions of felony, misdemeanor, and petty misdemeanor to protect immigrants from deportation for minor offenses.

Protect our Courts

Senate S2045 05/05/2026 - Committee recommended measure be held for further study

House H7360 3/4/2026 - Committee recommended measure be held for further study



Protects people attending Rhode Island court proceedings from civil arrest without a judicial warrant, ensures court access, sets enforcement rules, and provides remedies for violations.

Tax Reform

Senate S2238 04/30/20226 - Committee recommended measure be held for further study

House H7313 05/07/2026 - Committee recommended measure be held for further study



Reform of the RI State Tax Code to provide economic fairness

HEALTHY School Meals for All

Senate S2663 05/19/2026 - Committee recommended measure be held for further study

House H7793 04/28/2026 - Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Universal school breakfast and lunch program in Rhode Island

End Transition Fees

Senate S2635 05/26/2026 - Placed on Senate Calendar (05/28/2026)

House H8129 05/26/2026 - Placed on Senate Calendar (05/28/2026)

This act requires at least one no-fee payment method for school lunches and a full disclosure whether fees will be charged by a payment platform

Housing (YIGBY - Yes in God's Backyard.)

Senate S2268 05/22/2026 - Placed on Senate Calendar (05/27/2026)

House H7445 03/31/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Allows faith-based organizations to develop affordable and mixed-use housing on land they own...

Rhode Island Voting Rights Act

Senate S3143 04/07/2026 - Committee recommended measure be held for further study

House H8334 04/16/2026 - Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Create the Rhode Island Voting Rights Act to establish procedures to prevent discrimination in the voting process

From the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training

We understand that many churches and houses of worship in Rhode Island provide food banks and family assistance programs. We can imagine that unemployment and economic concerns are a common issue facing individuals. We wanted to make your members aware of our services, including job centers in Woonsocket, West Warwick, and Providence, as well as virtual appointments as well.

https://dlt.ri.gov/career-services

Please submit Job Postings to communications@councilofchurchesri.org and please try to include an "end date" for the posting. We currently leave postings up for one month.

Today!

May 28

3-4 pm OUTSIDE the State House

May 30

8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Rhode Island College

Join us at the 9th annual Rhode Island Trans Health conference, dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of transgender and gender diverse people. The daylong event includes an interdisciplinary accredited Provider Track for continuing education of healthcare professionals across the care continuum, and a Community Track for trans, nonbinary, and gender diverse people and their loved ones to build affirming space to intentionally connect, learn, and embrace joy.

Registration for the Community Track is free for TGD people and their loved ones. The program includes a morning keynote, followed by nine breakout sessions to choose from, and an end of day town hall.

Registration fees for the Provider Track range from $75 - $250 for a maximum of 4.5 continuing education credits available for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, and licensed mental health care providers, in addition to welcoming public health and community health workers, students in healthcare fields and allied members of care teams. The program includes a morning keynote, followed by six breakout sessions to choose from, and an end of day town hall.



Visit https://queerri.com/rithc/ for more information, including track schedules, and to register.

Daughters of Naomi

May 30, 2026

New

Sunday, May 31

Trinity Episcopal Church, Newport

300th Anniversary!

New

May 31, 2026

Mental Health Awareness Sunday

New

Stages of Freedom

New

June 6, 6:30

Lower Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Providence

The Most Reverend Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Providence invites all to join him in Continuing the Conversation: A Convening on Immigration and Migration on Wednesday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lower Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Providence.

The evening will feature three speakers:

"Meaningful Immigration Reform" with Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop Emeritus of Brooklyn, New York and “Walking With Migrants” columnist for The Tablet and OSV News

"Borders and Human Rights” with Dr. Kara B Cebulko, Professor of Sociology, Providence College

"It’s a Grassroots Effort: Immigration and Families" with Father Joseph Brice, Pastor, St. Patrick Church and President, St. Patrick Academy, Providence

Light refreshments will be served. All are welcomed — click here to download the flyer.

Please contact Jim Jahnz, 401-278-2504 or jjahnz@dpvd.org with any questions!

New

June 6, 2026

Interfaith Power & Light

A Walk to Connect

Music on the Hill

2026 Schedule

Music on the Hill is a nonprofit organization that blends innovation and tradition -- bringing Rhode Island-raised artists and acclaimed musicians together to inspire, educate, and enrich our community. Information on Concert Programs, Performers and Tickets can be accessed HERE. Many of the programs are held at local churches, schedule is listed below.

Note: All concerts are open to the public, and students can attend for FREE with a School ID

Music on the Hill

June 2 & June 10

7:00 pm

First Baptist Church, East Greenwich

Click HERE for Tickes and program information

Students FREE with ID

All Are Welcomeo

New

June 6, 11:00 am

Rosary for Migrants

Once again, you are invited to join us as we pray a Rosary for Migrants with Bishop Bruce on Saturday, June 6th beginning at 11 a.m. for our migrant brothers and sisters who are detained at the Wyatt Detention Center. Please come with your family, friends, and neighbors and join us in this devotion.

•    11 a.m. - We will meet at 11 a.m. at Fuerza Laboral, 6 Chases Lane, Central Falls and walk together to the Wyatt Detention Center, 950 High St., Central Falls

•    11:15 a.m. - We will pray the Rosary at Wyatt Detention Center on the public sidewalk in front of the Center from approximately 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. (30 minutes)

•     11:45 a.m. - Following the Rosary, we will return to Fuerza Laboral

You may also choose to meet us at 11:15 a.m. on the sidewalk in front of the Wyatt Detention Center at 950 High Street in Central Falls, Rhode Island.

Meditation Retreat

June 11-13 - Mt. Riga, CT

Hosted through Wilderness Journeys

RISCC members receive a $100 discount on the trip.

Find space from the demands of the world for a time of rest, moderate backpacking, and meditation. Co-led by Todd Yonkman, a certified coach and assistant teacher at the Buddhist Way Zen Temple. This is open to all faiths and no faiths.

Sign up through the Council of Churches and receive $100 off the listed price - use code RISCC

New

June 14

Wilson Park (Westerly)

New

June 15, 2026

7:30 pm

The Wesley Bell Ringers

Slatersville Congregational Church

New

June 21

Pride Sunday

All Are Welcome

New

Community Church Providence

Note the Dates, starting July 8

Volunteer Signup HERE

Renew, Restore and Reconnect in Iceland!

August 23-29

RISCC members eligible for $150 off the cost of the adventure!

Looking for more than just another trip? Step into the awe-inspiring landscapes of Krýsuvík in southern Iceland, where you’ll work to restore and protect Iceland’s one-of-a-kind environment. Together, we’ll nurture the land and cultivate relationships rooted in trust and shared experiences. This is more than an adventure—it’s an opportunity to grow, reflect, and sharpen the skills needed to navigate life and faith in a place unlike any other.

This trip will be August 23-29, 2026. This is an intergenerational trip open to adults of all ages and life stages. The cost for this trip is $1,700 per person which includes everything except your flight and any additional spending money you choose to bring. Mention that you are part of the Rhode Island Council of Churches for $150 price reduction!

Questions, reach out to Jonathan Malone - pastormalone@gmail.com 

See - https://compasspath.org/26-info-wj-slj for more information

Hope Health Call for Volunteers

Make a Difference in Someone’s Life

HopeHealth's volunteers serve an essential role in caring for people facing serious illness. In partnership with our staff, volunteers support patients and their families through companionship, alternative support services, administrative and community support and more throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Currently, HopeHealth is seeking volunteers to provide companionship, pet therapy, music support, and those who are bilingual.

HopeHealth is a nonprofit, mission-driven organization. If you want to make a real and lasting difference in someone's life, we would be grateful for your compassionate gift of time.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact Diane Taveira, volunteer manager at 1-833-818-1919 or DTaveira@HopeHealthCo.org

https://www.hopehealthco.org/volunteer/

Important "Immigration" News, Resources and Updates

Under the Guidance of Rev. Charles Ortman, RISCC Commissioner on Immigration (and his team), we provide the following resources and news updates. All of these links can be found on our Website's Immigration Page:

Know Your Rights (If you interact with ICE Agents at work)

Know Your Rights (If ICE Agents show up at your door)

Conozca Sus Derechos (Si Agentes del ICE illegan a tu lugar de trabajo)

Conozca Sus Derechos (Si Agentes del ICE illegan a tu lugar de trabajo)

Trump's Rescission of Protected Areas Policies (Factsheet)

Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act

DOJ Accredited Representative

For Asylum Seekers (Note: due to recent and continued Executive Orders some of this information may not be current. The Commission is endeavoring to update information where/when available)

Renew Work Permits

Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project

Know Your Rights

Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV)

NO MORE recently released “The Lighthouse,” a fantastic new guide for survivors, victims, and their loved ones. This essential guide offers detailed information on recognizing various forms of abuse, finding counseling services, legal aid, and more, serving as a beacon of hope and guidance toward a brighter future. A huge shoutout to the brave survivors and amazing organizations who helped shape this guide.

Check it out here, nomore.org/survivors-guide

Grace Note Singers

And a reminder that this wonderful organization is available to help!

GraceNoteSingers is a group of women called to sing as comfort for individuals nearing death or receiving hospice or palliative care. We gather 3 or 4 members at a time to sing gently for those in transition. Our intention is to hold all those present at bedside with care and support as we sing to create a loving and peaceful environment for the patient, their loved ones, and those who care for them.

        GraceNoteSingers has been called to this service for over 10 years, supporting people in a variety of settings: long-term-care facilities, private homes, and hospice centers. We offer our services to your faith community, and we would be honored to gather with you to share songs and examples of our practice for people to get a sense of what we do. We welcome conversations about our mission.

        Our group is also expanding, so if our mission has meaning for you, let us know. We’d like to be more reflective of the people we sing to, so we’re hoping to fill available spots with compassionate singers who reflect the diversity of our community.

        To schedule a visit to your community, or to learn more about our group and possible membership, find us at gracenotesingers.net. You can email us at info@gracenotesingers.net. A group member will be in touch to answer your questions and/or arrange a visit to your community.

Thank you,

GraceNoteSingers