Supporting and Protecting our Immigrant Neighbors

Jesus calls us to be one family of God, in solidary with immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees who are being targeted by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. When our neighbors experience fear, harassment, detainment, and separation from their families, we have the obligation to respond as Christians, to strive for justice, and honor the dignity of every human being.

This crisis is unfolding in real time, and how we each show up and engage will look different. Our hope is that we can support, pray for, and encourage one another so that even as we take different paths, no one is working alone.

The clergy team has created this list of ways to engage and help with support from the Diocese of Chicago and after attending rapid response trainings through the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and Protecting Evanston, Wilmette, and Skokie (PEWS).

Click here for more information on ways you may feel called to engage:

  • St. A’s Supporting the Newly Arrived Ministry (SNA)

  • Take a Know Your Rights Training and Share Info with Others

  • Rapid Response

  • Accompaniment Ministry

  • Court Watch

  • Legal Aid

  • Witness Wednesdays in Chicago

  • Donate

  • Pray

Finally, let us pray for one another and support one another. If you or a loved one needs support or prayer because of this ongoing crisis, please reach out to Shannon, Sue, or Nadia. If you need support discerning how God is calling you to engage and respond, let us listen with you. Drop a note and let us know how you are responding so we can pray for your work. ~St. A’s Clergy Team

Support the Newly Arrived: Migrant Donations Ministry

Many programs assisting people who are new to our country have had funding reduced and some have sadly closed their doors. Our friends at RefugeeOne had two warehouses of needed household and personal items for the families they serve, but they are now down to a small stock in just one warehouse.  

An update from our Community Engagement contact: "RefugeeOne continues to be busy serving newcomers— refugees we’ve resettled in the last 5 years, as well as asylum seekers, referrals from other agencies who’ve had to close, and newly arrived Afghans, who served alongside our military, and their families. A huge need we have right now is for in-kind items. With budgets stretched thin, benefits cuts looming, and difficulty gaining or accessing employment for myriad reasons, everyday household and hygiene items are of utmost need for many families. And unfortunately our stock has been almost entirely depleted."

The list of in-kind items is comprehensive, and we’re kicking off our support by asking you to consider donating baby wipes, toothpaste/toothbrushes, and powder scouring cleanser (e.g. Comet) in the bins in the church hallway. We're hoping to provide at least 100 of each item over the next month. Thank you for caring!

Contacts: Kristin Anderson, Robin Bourne-Caris, Tina Haight