Prayer in a time of pandemic​
Loving God, throughout the Scriptures you call us to “Fear not!”, but these are troubling times for the hardiest souls. Give us courage to face the challenges of this new threat to your human family. Give us prudence, to do the necessary things to protect ourselves and others. Give us the clarity of vision to learn from this disease the lesson we are too prone to forget, that we are all connected, regardless of race or nationality or political persuasion. We pray for those who are struggling with this disease, that their health may be restored. We pray for medical personnel and first responders caring for those in need, that they remain healthy and unflagging in their life-saving work. And we pray for all those economically impacted, that they may find the resources to maintain themselves and their families.  We ask all this, trusting in your abiding love, a love that even death cannot defeat. Amen.

Written by Deacon Tom Hampson, Diocese of San Joaquin
The more you know…
The Rev. Lyn Morlan

There is a local news channel that features a half-hour segment each night called “Facts not Fear” regarding the coronavirus COVID 19.  I am a little skeptical, because it is a news program, that there is a tendency to get some fear in with their facts.  It is much the same with issues of immigration.  You need to get Facts and not rely on the stories or myths of half-truth.
The reason I volunteered for this task force (now a commission) began with a small step.  An educational night that talked about some basic facts from those who worked in immigration law and then with those who worked in the community.  We were asked to sign-up to be responders – to be willing to get a text to show up at a rally, or check out an ICE sighting, or to be present when someone had to check-in at an ICE office.
I responded to a text to gather for a rally at the Bureau of Prisons office, in Stockton.  I learned more about the BoP contracts with private firms to supply prisons for convicts and the more lucrative business of supplying prisons for detainees – those picked up by ICE.  Months later there was a gathering of clergy at the Stockton ICE detention center where I learned more from speakers about conditions in the detention centers and how the threat of detention impacts the lives of those who are undocumented.  
The best way to get the truth, the facts, comes with personal interaction.  That was certainly true on the Pilgrimage of Hope in 2019.  The encounters with people in our communities was enlightening and emotional. We heard the personal stories, and they were not always a pretty story with a happy ending.  One of my more impactful experiences was later, accompanying a family to an ICE check-in.  Thankfully, I was not alone; Rev. Tom Hampson was also present for support at the check-in.
A father with two sons (ages about 9 and 4) was to check-in at 9 a.m.  The man’s sister and her husband also accompanied him.  They showed up with paperwork not knowing if the man would be taken into custody that morning.  What I cannot get across in this written medium was the older son’s reaction.  The boy had not been able to sleep for the previous couple of nights.  He worried that his father would be taken from them that morning.  He stayed by his father’s side and was very quiet.  Being there, I wanted to cry the tears that you could feel he held back because he was being brave.  Emotional tension was high.  When the father’s turn came to approach the officer, they stamped his paperwork and said he would need to report in six weeks at 8 a.m. to the same office.  A temporary reprieve.  That experience left me with a profound knowledge of the toll our government’s system takes on not just the individual, but the families.  That young boy would repeat the cycle of sleepless nights and gut wrenching worry every six weeks.  
Please visit the SJRAISE website.  Check out opportunities to learn more about the system and take a step to learn more.  Look for a way to interact personally, whether it is a rally or a virtual meeting, or a class.  The more you know, the more you will need to help change the system…      

The Rev. Lyn Morlan is the Rector of The Episcopal Church of St. Anne in Stockton and a member of the Immigration Commission.

Immigrant Day of Action 2020
will take place *digitally* on
Monday, May 11.

For years, Immigrant Day of Action has been a space to learn, advocate & build community with partners and friends from across the state united in our fight for immigrant rights.
As the  #COVID19  pandemic evolves, our work continues & we remain committed to fighting for a CA where we can all thrive. Join us!



The Essential Role of Immigrants in US Food Supply Chain

COVID-19 Resources for Immigrants
(in Spanish)

Guía para Inmigrantes de California + Listos California Esta guía proporciona consejos sobre los servicios, incluyendo los beneficios públicos, que están disponibles para los inmigrantes californianos, incluidos algunos que están disponibles independientemente de su estatus migratorio. Visite COVID19.ca.gov para obtener más información. 

Information on the Immigration Restrictions:

CAIR-CA and Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus attorneys teamed up to draft an advisory that covers information about the administration’s latest ban on nearly all immigration to the United States.
 
Timing 
The ban on entry to the United States with immigrant visas is effective at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on April 23, 2020. The ban is to last for 60 days (until June 22, 2020), after which it may be extended.
Who Is Impacted Under the Ban?
Any foreign national seeking to obtain an immigrant visa to enter the U.S. who:
·   Is outside the United States at 11:59 p.m. on April 23, 2020; and
·   Does not have a valid immigrant visa in their passport as of 11:59 p.m. on April 23, 2020; and
·   Does not have another valid official travel document, such as a transportation letter, a boarding foil, or an advance parole document.
This means that nearly all parents and adult children of U.S. citizens, spouses and children of green card holders, and applicants for most employment based immigrant visas will not be able to obtain immigrant visas to enter the U.S. for the duration of this ban.
The Ban Does Not Apply To:
1.     U.S. Citizens
2.     U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders)
3.     Individuals entering the U.S. on non-immigrant visas
4.     Individuals who are present in the U.S. and applying for adjustment of status
5.     Individuals entering on immigrant visas as medical professionals
6.     Those seeking entry to the U.S. to do COVID-related work, and their spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old
7.     Individuals seeking to enter on the EB-5 Immigrant Investors Program
8.     Spouses and children under 21 years old of U.S. Citizens
9.     Individuals “whose entry would further important United States law enforcement objectives”
10. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their spouses and children
11. Nationals of Afghanistan and Iraq who are entering the U.S. on Special Immigrant Visas for having served as interpreters for the U.S. Armed Forces, and their spouses and children
12. Those seeking asylum, refugee status, withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT)
13. Anyone whose entry is deemed to be in the “national interest”

Prayers of the People for use in Easter
SJRAISE Immigration prayers for all congregations Year A 2020

The following biddings are meant to be added, and modified to the current Prayers of the People format used by each congregation. The intention here is to include one bidding regarding Immigration for each Church Year Season. The reference to DACA recipients may be included at any time as the issue is being reviewed and decided currently.

As our leaders ponder the future of our DACA recipients;
Let us pray for those leaders to make fair human decisions.



Easter
Risen Lord as we rejoice in your rising let us be mindful of those who have little to rejoice about. Let us pray for those who have little joy in their lives, those persecuted and alone.


Special Prayer for Immigrants During COVID-19

Oh Lord; in this time of Covid-19 as we take shelter in our homes, we ask you to spread your love and healing over our brothers and sisters held in overcrowded detention centers and refugee camps. 
We ask Lord that you may soften the hearts of those in authority, that them may care for our sisters and brothers in this time of crises.

We ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen

The Immigrants Creed

I believe in Almighty God, who guided the people in exile and in exodus, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel. The God of foreigners and immigrants.

I believe in Jesus Christ, a displaced Galilean, who was born away from his people and his home, who fled his country with his parents when his life was in danger, and returning to his own country suffered the oppression of the tyrant Pontius Pilate, the servant of a foreign power who then was persecuted, beaten, and finally tortured, accused and condemned to death unjustly.

But on the third day, this scorned Jesus rose from the dead, not as a foreigner but to offer us citizenship in heaven. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the eternal immigrant from God’s kingdom among us, who speaks all languages, lives in all countries, and reunites all races.

I believe that the church is the secure home for the foreigner and for all believers who constitute it, who speak the same language and have the same purpose.

I believe that the communion of the saints begins when we accept the diversity of the saints.

I believe in the forgiveness of sin, which makes us all equal, and in reconciliation, which identifies us more than does race, language, or nationality.

I believe that in the resurrection God will unite us as one people in which all are distinct and all are alike at the same time.

Beyond this world, I believe in life eternal in which no one will be an immigrant but all will be citizens of God’s kingdom, which will never end. Amen.

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Episcopal Migration Ministries

Episcopal Public Policy Network

Church World Services

Faith in the Valley
Calls to Action and Training
From our friends at
Episcopal Migration Ministries:

Connecting Neighbors  allows individuals and congregations to fill the gap and directly support refugee families resettled by EMM.  

EMM’s network of 13 refugee resettlement affiliates continue to serve newly resettled refugee families and in very difficult circumstances. Several needs top the list right now: 

--Financial contributions for rent payments. Affiliates need financial support to keep refugee families housed and safe during the pandemic. 
--Material goods to support refugee families. Items are detailed on Amazon WishLists. 
--Digital devices. Most importantly, affiliates need donations of gently-used digital devices – tablets, smartphones, laptops – so they can continue providing services and support to refugee families.  

If you’re like me, you’ve been living in the tension of caring for your own and your family’s needs while not forgetting about our newest American neighbors, wondering what you can do from home that would make a real impact. Thanks to my colleagues at EMM, I realized the answer was right in front of me: that old iPhone in my desk drawer… my husband’s old laptop in the closet. 

We look forward to hearing from you and helping you direct your donations to affiliates and refugee families in the greatest need of connection and support.

To make a donation, follow this link: