To the People of Birmingham and Neighbor Communities

From Concerned Clergy, Faith Leaders, and Faith Communities of Birmingham

Though we represent diverse theological perspectives and traditions, our mutual commitment to the sacred and ethical treatment of our neighbors transcends boundaries: we believe in loving our neighbors as ourselves, in doing no harm, and in seeking the best for every member of our community. We believe that our ethical and theological commitments require us to take a stand against policies and language that dehumanize our immigrant siblings.

Our faith communities have watched with growing astonishment the racist, xenophobic, and violent rhetoric from our national leaders, and we see how this language is used to vilify both documented and undocumented immigrants. We are appalled by the hostile policies applied to immigrants and asylum seekers. And though we love and support members of law enforcement who seek to serve and protect their communities, we lament the way law enforcement policies have been weaponized as part of an agenda to promote ethnic nationalism. We are resolved to resist the dehumanization of our neighbors, and stand for their human and civil rights.

To that end, we affirm that:

Our houses of worship will be sanctuary for those seeking refuge. We will not allow immigration authorities to enter into our houses of worship without a warrant signed by a judge.

Those of us who cannot safely offer sanctuary will actively and intentionally support those who do open the doors of their houses of worship to provide sanctuary to those who are being targeted by immigration enforcement operations.

Following the lead of the communities who are most impacted, we will take action and speak out when ICE raids target our neighbors.

We will challenge xenophobic, racist, and white nationalist rhetoric both inside and outside our places of worship. We will seek to create intentionally inclusive and accepting worship spaces that protect the rights and dignity of all human beings.

We also call on our elected city and county officials to refuse to comply with federal infringement on the rights of our neighbors; specifically, we call on Sheriff Mark Pettway to no longer detain community members without a warrant or transfer them into ICE custody.

Stories from our faith traditions are full of saints and holy ancestors who stood up for the rights of their marginalized neighbors, or who opened their doors to strangers and were blessed by visiting angels. We stand firmly on our scriptures and our traditions that this witness is necessary, timely, and in keeping with our faith.

Sincerely,

Rev. Dr. Dave Barnhart
Saint Junia United Methodist Church

Rev. Majadi Baruti
Udja Temple

Rev. Taylor Bell
Baptist Church of the Covenant

Rev. Ramone Billingsley
The Theological Collective

Shastri Janet Bronstein
Birmingham Shambhala Meditation Center

Rev. Adam Burns
Church of the Reconciler, UMC

Rev. Valerie Burton
Baptist Church of the Covenant

Pastor Kurt Clark
Sardis Missionary Baptist Church

Rev. Julie Conrady
Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham

Jim Douglass
Birmingham Catholic Worker

Shelley Douglass 
Birmingham Catholic Worker

Rev. Doreen Duley
United Methodist Church

Rev. Tom Duley
United Methodist Church

Rev. Paul Eknes-Tucker
Pilgrim United Church of Christ

Rev. Joe Elmore
United Methodist Church

Pastor James C. Fields, Jr. 
St. James United Methodist Church

Rev. J.R. Finney
Covenant Community Church, UCC

Rev. Carolyn Foster
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Rev. Joe Genau
Edgewood Presbyterian Church

Rev. Katie Gilbert
First United Methodist Church of Birmingham

Rev. Henry Gibson 
Highlands United Methodist Church

Rev. Cat Goodrich
First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham

Rev. Sonya Gravlee
United Church of Christ

Pastor Isaac Guazo
Iglesia Metodista de México

Rev. Dr. Samuel Hamilton-Poore
Presbyterian Church USA

Rev. Terry Hamilton-Poore
First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham

Rev. Caitlin Harper
Community Church Without Walls, UMC

Rev. Garrett Harper
Community Church Without Walls, UMC

Pastor Sally Harris
Grace Lutheran Church, ELCA

Rev. Ron Higey
Birmingham International Church

Rev. Dr. R. Lawton Higgs, Sr. 
United Methodist Church

Rev. Kelley Hudlow
The Episcopal Church

Rev. Paula Champion Jones
United Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. Kip Laxson
Asbury United Methodist Church

Pastor Eva Melton
The Firm Foundation Church

Pastor Adam Mixon
Zion Spring Baptist Church

Rev. Dollie Howell Pankey
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Rev. Emily Freeman Penfield
Woodlawn United Methodist Church

Rev. Charles Perry 
Magic City Spiritual Community

Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers
The Abbey, Episcopal

Rev. Jennifer Sanders
Beloved Community Church, UCC

Ashfaq Taufique
Birmingham Islamic Society

Nancy Whitt, Clerk
Birmingham Friends Meeting

Rev. Keith O. Williams 
Great I Am Ministries Outreach International

Rev. R.G. Wilson-Lyons
First United Methodist Church of Birmingham

Rev. Rachel Winter
Presbyterian Church USA

Rev. Angie Wright
United Church of Christ