January 30, 2025

“Thy Way O God, is in the sanctuary (Psalm 77:13a KJV).”

The space where practically any congregation worships in my experience of the United Church of Christ is called a sanctuary. It comes from the Hebrew miqdāš meaning a consecrated place where God is present.  

The new immigration policies by this presidential administration have given both new meaning and urgency to the word sanctuary.  The notion of sanctuary is hardly new. It is historically rooted in the biblical tradition of offering refuge, particularly to the stranger and the vulnerable. It resonated with congregations who were part of the Sanctuary Movement which began in the 1980’ s to provide safety and support for Central American refugees fleeing civil wars, and with those who have participated more recently in the New Sanctuary Movement of churches and other faith communities that emerged in response to increased immigration enforcement and anti-immigration policies in the last two decades. These movements are a response to biblical imperatives in the First Testament such as treating “the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself (Leviticus 19:34).”  Jesus not only echoed this command, but He in fact Self-identified with the stranger by saying “For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me (Matthew 25:35).” 

The above verses and many more in scripture reinforce our call as God’s people to provide sanctuary —not merely in a physical sense, but as embodiments of God’s welcoming love in a world that often turns its back on those who need welcome. The immigration policies introduced by the current administration are sparking terror and uncertainty in our immigrant communities.  In her masterful plea for mercy at the National Cathedral, Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington rightly declared that the vast majority of these communities are taxpayers and good neighbors “who pick our crops, clean our office buildings, wash dishes in restaurants, and work the night shifts at hospitals.” These human beings, made in God’s image, do not deserve the terror of harassment, threats, raids, violence, imprisonment, separation from their families, and deportation. They deserve sanctuary.

May we be reminded, based on what we have recently witnessed from the White House, that Sanctuary is not merely a geographical location; it is a holy space where people can communally experience God’s love in action. And by welcoming everyone who needs welcome, being a sanctuary can be an act of prophetic witness and faithful defiance against systemic injustice. By creating sanctuary, we, as the people of God, can embody justice, advocate for the voiceless, and challenge the prevailing narratives that dehumanize immigrants and other communities that may be targets in this administration. In this critical moment, let us reaffirm our commitment to being sanctuaries of hope and love. May we stand firmly on the foundation of the Gospel, advocating for justice and extending grace to those in need.  Together, let us embody the radical hospitality of Christ, ensuring that our doors remain open and our hearts receptive to all who seek refuge. In doing so, may we be witnesses to God’s extravagant welcome, providing sanctuary in a country and a world that so desperately needs it.

Blessings and Shalom,