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Tomorrow evening, Thursday, December 18, at 5 - 6 p.m., there will be a prominent, special candlelight vigil outside the US District Courthouse to name and honor those taken by ICE. See the flyer below for more information.
The event is organized by Greater New Haven clergy, Unidad Latina en Accion, New Haven Immigrants Coalition, and CT Students for a Dream. I'm especially pleased to say that the vigil was largely organized by another Episcopal priest, it has its official online presence at Trinity on the Green's website (check there in event of inclement weather), and it is being promoted by the bishop's office. I'm grateful to our fellow Episcopalians, and to all the organizers.
I'm also deeply appreciative of the vigil's Advent timing. As Christmas approaches, we remember that the Holy Family fled to Egypt as undocumented immigrants seeking asylum from King Herod's lawful oppression. It is little wonder that as an adult, Jesus -- the Prince of Peace -- specifically repudiated the kind of cruel and violent tactics ICE now uses when targeting immigrants, children, dissenters, and citizens alike.
It is especially maddening to see the Department of Homeland Security misappropriating our faith's Scripture and even mocking Christmas in its blasphemous social-media posts, twisting this sacred season's holy message beyond recognition. That's white Christian nationalism at its worst.
Vigils like tomorrow's event are but one way to reclaim our religion for the marginalized whom Jesus put first. Please come in support of the neighbors we love if you can, forward this email to friends who might like to attend, and remember that Blue Christmas is also tomorrow/Thursday at St. PJ's at 7 p.m.
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