“I was a stranger and you welcomed me." (Matthew 25:35)

 For more than one hundred years our congregation has sought to live into our Declaration of Purpose to be “a church of the open mind, the warm heart, the aspiring soul, and the social vision, which ever seeks to express, in all the ways of life, the mind and spirit of Jesus.” 

We have a long history of welcoming the stranger. From Vietnamese refugees to Iranian, Guatemalan, Honduran and, most recently, Afghans, we provide welcome and care.  Offering safe harbor, social services and housing, we stay present with them as they resettle. We have partnered with other faith communities, as well as non-profits and governmental agencies to offer a full range of services and comfort.  Members of our congregation volunteer to teach English, help register for school and serve as advocates for the family. We assist with finances, including help in setting up bank accounts and establishing credit.  We assist with job hunting, grocery shopping and getting much needed medical assistance. We drive to appointments.  Most importantly, we listen and offer friendship to often traumatized people.

We are not alone in our work to support immigrants and refugees. Here is a link to history and current efforts within the Refugee and Migration Ministries of the national office of the United Church of Christ:   https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/wider-church-ministries/global-hope/refugee-and-migration-ministries.  

 If you would like to help with this work, contact Susan Kirk <ssnkrk24@gmail.com>