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02/22/2017 07:00 AMWe members of the Valley Shore Clergy Association feel called to express our support for refugees, immigrants, asylum-seekers, and others who wish to live in the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” Our sacred texts provide the lens through which we view the world around us; these teachings affirm the following shared values across faith traditions.
We heed the teaching of Leviticus: “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
We’re obligated to follow the prophetic call: “And what does the Eternal require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
We’re reminded of basic human kindness and compassion: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”
We’re all immigrants or descendants of immigrants. We’ve known what it is to be the stranger. Safety and security of all is critical, and we understand the importance of appropriate and thorough vetting of all those who wish to be part of America. However, we’re reminded again and again that, when we reach out in love and righteousness rather than fear, we’re most secure.
We know all too well what religious bigotry has wrought in the past. We denounce any laws or orders based on xenophobia, discrimination, or fear which run counter to our national interests. We are proud Americans, and we hold dear our country’s core beliefs in religious, ideological, and cultural diversity.
We call upon people of faith to represent moral conscience, compassion for all, and an overarching sense of justice and righteousness.
Rabbi Marci Bellows
Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, Chester
The Rev. Dr. Jonathan H. Folts
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Essex
Rev. Brett Hertzog Betkoski
Trinity Lutheran Church, Centerbrook
Rev. Amy Hollis
Winthrop Baptist Church, Deep River
Rev. Lee A. Ireland
Interim Pastor, United Church of Chester
The Rev. Charlotte H. LaForest
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Essex
Rev. Joy Perkett
First Baptist Church of Essex
Rev. Kenneth Peterkin
First Congregational Church, UCC, Essex