November 2025 - special edition11/25/2025 Advent reflectionsIn recent weeks, churches have been experiencing heightened interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and there are now rumors that churches might be specifically targeted during the season of Advent. While an article in a small Massachusetts paper detailing a potential plan for heightened enforcement has not been reported more widely, Religious News Service published this response to that report, in which Rev. Laura Everett, executive director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches responded, “At a minimum, what we [churches] need to be doing is ensuring the safety of all of God’s people.” The U.S. government has created a climate of fear and chaos, and while we have no way of knowing with certainty what ICE’s next move will be, we can work to heed Rev. Everett’s call to ensure safety for all of God’s people. Churches can take steps to prepare for ICE to come to their churches and communities, and Week of Compassion has prepared resources to help congregations be prepared.  This Advent, share this reflection guide with your congregation to help your churches think theologically about what it means for Christ to come into the world at such a time as this, and how we can be watchful in support of the vulnerable. Each lesson includes the Advent gospel lesson (Matthew), a brief reflection, discussion questions, and a liturgy for Advent candlelighting.  We have created training for churches to make and practice a safety plan in the event ICE comes to their building. The videos, with Spanish subtitles, are available upon request, along with a sample policy for churches regarding interacting with ICE at their building and how to train their congregations to be ready.  Week of Compassion has partnered with Obra Hispana to launch Operation Cacti, an educational and biblical resource designed for families (with kids ages 5-17), pastors, and churches being directly affected by current immigration policies and for those who seek to be in solidarity with them. Comments are closed.
|
|
Week of Compassion is the relief, refugee and development mission fund
of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. |
|
mailing address:
P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis IN 46206 |
building address:
1099 N. Meridian, Ste 700, Indianapolis IN 46204 |