A MESSAGE FROM REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON: SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS
Greetings, dear ones!
We received conflicting reports from our regional groundhog “meteorologists” last week: Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, but Staten Island Chuck did not. This week’s active winter weather pattern seems to support Phil’s prediction!
We are continuing to monitor expected conditions
for Sunday, but we are hopeful that we’ll be able to safely gather for worship, our Annual Congregational Meeting, and the Boy Scout Pasta Fundraiser Lunch. As of Thursday afternoon, a delayed start appears to be the most likely possibility, but please keep an eye on all the usual sources of communication for any updates to Sunday’s schedule!
I also wanted to share a couple of updates on some of the local needs for our organizing and advocacy as a follow-up to my previous announcements related to some of our vulnerable immigrant neighbors –
First, the newly arrived Afghan family impacted by the withdrawal of federal funding for refugees has been connected to the Refugee Community Center of the Church of the Mediator in Allentown for support. The Refugee Community Center exists to welcome refugees and asylees who are living in the Lehigh Valley; to provide accessible English language learning, including child care; all while extending hospitality and friendship as we build community together. (Mursal continues to participate in ESL classes at the RCC, and she takes Ayaz with her to enjoy socializing with the other kiddos in the child care group.)
The RCC is actually coordinating resources for all 15 local refugee families whose wrap-around services and financial support were stopped with immediate effect. To best support this carefully coordinated effort, we’re asking FPCB folks to make donations directly to the Refugee Community Center. Donations can be made online HERE.
If you are interested in helping support the newly arrived Afghan family’s other needs (appointment transportation, paperwork help, social/culture connection, etc.), please let me know at lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org, and we’ll work on pulling together a Family Support Team for their non-financial care.
Second, the immigration coalition’s Emergency Response Team continues to be in formation, and I’m still waiting to hear about a training date for anyone interested in the efforts to be in solidarity with neighbors being targeted by ICE. The specific roles are listed below:
Phone Answerers – be available to pick up the phone when people call to report ICE activity using the public phone number. The calls are routed to people’s personal cell phones. In other cities, people signed up for 12 hour shifts. Spanish and English proficiency is required.
Dispatchers – respond to the above by 1) determining the legitimacy of the call, 2) deciding what type of action is appropriate (public response, interruption, legal observers, specifically clergy presence, etc).
Verifiers – Travel to the site of the alleged ICE activity to confirm or deny said activity.
Legal Observers – Record ICE activity. Take notes and names. No legal training required.
Clergy – Show up for prayer and pastoral support. This might be particularly helpful in the event of family separations.
Public Response – People willing to simply show up, bear witness, and follow the instructions of the organizer.
There will also be other opportunities to connect with and support the work of the immigration coalition as it continues to get organized. Some of the other teams are planning for action around Know Your Rights trainings, public pressure and advocacy, legal support and fundraising, etc. I’ll be sure to share more about these other initiatives and volunteer needs as those become clearer!
Many hands make light work, friends! May we keep being Christ’s hands and feet as best we can…
Gratitude and blessings,
Lindsey