UUS:E Sanctuary Congregation Resolution
May 20, 2018
Whereas Unitarian Universalists covenant to affirm and promote:
- the inherent worth and dignity of every person,
- justice, equity and compassion in human relations, and
- the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all;
Whereas Unitarian Universalism’s “living tradition” is grounded in the words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion and the transforming power of love;
Whereas Unitarian Universalism’s “living tradition” is grounded in Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
Whereas Unitarian Universalism’s “living tradition” is guided historically by a moral imperative to offer humanitarian assistance to people in need;
Whereas the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee are working directly with partner organizations to resist policy proposals that seek to target and deport millions of undocumented immigrants, and that discriminate more generally against marginalized communities (poor, immigrant, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer);
Whereas the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee are working directly with partner organizations to ensure the dignity and human rights of all people;
Whereas more and more Unitarian Universalist congregations throughout the United States are using their buildings to provide sanctuary to immigrants who have received deportation orders yet who have a) committed no crime; b) had their ‘Temporary Protected Status’ removed prematurely; c) face persecution in their country of origin; or d) have not had sufficient time to pursue legal options to remain in the United States;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of the Unitarian Universalist Society: East shall declare themselves to be a Sanctuary Congregation and use their building at 153 West Vernon Street in Manchester, CT to provide sanctuary to individuals or families facing immediate detention and/or a deportation order.
