Last month, following President Trump’s lead, the Department of Homeland Security developed a new policy that allows immigration authorities to enter places of worship — formerly considered “protected areas” and beyond the coercive presence of civil authorities — in pursuit of so-called illegal immigrants. These spaces for worship, prayer, meditation, and the practices that awaken, nurture, and sustain our spiritual lives go by many names, including church, temple, synagogue, mosque, zendo, monastery, meeting house, spiritual community, and more. Based on this new policy implemented by the Trump administration, sacred spaces are protected areas no more.
On February 18, the Program Council of Interfaith Works drafted and approved a covenant inviting faith communities, faith leaders, and community members to join a public statement of solidarity and commitment in response to this new policy. An opportunity to sign on to A Covenant to Protect the Sanctity of Sacred Spaces can be found on the Interfaith Works website at Protect Sacred Space - Interfaith Works. With the guidance of the Board, Rev. Mary Gear has signed the Covenant on behalf of OUUC. Those of us who wish to add our names to the list of signees that will be published on the Interfaith Works website are encouraged to respond as well. Please contact Tim Ransom if you have any questions — his contact info is available on Realm, or you can request it here.
