Immigrant family crisis
On Sunday, I preached on the Law of Love, challenging the Scriptural defense (using Romans 13) of the current policy to take children from their parents at the border and invited reading the full chapter of Romans 13 which says that the law is fulfilled in love by not hurting our neighbors (you can see the video of my sermon on our church web-site at cpcba.org).
This week, the Presbyterian Church (USA) is meeting in St. Louis to prayerfully discern how to live our faith in the world today. In response to the immigrant family crisis, the Stated Clerk of the Church issued this statement:
Stated Clerk issues statement on separated immigrant families
On Sunday after worship, I learned that some of the children who have been taken from their parents are staying at the Holy Family Institute, right in our own community. If you would like to help the children, here are some things you can do:
Monetary donations to support Holy Family Institute can be made online HERE or mailed to the address below. If you wish to donate goods, the following items are needed to make certain the children in our care, who range in age from 4 to 14, feel welcomed and engaged while at Holy Family. The items can be gently used unless otherwise stated, and can be mailed to or dropped off during business hours at 8235 Ohio River Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15202. We are unable to accept clothing and stuffed animals at this time.
- Gift cards to Giant Eagle, Wal-Mart, Target, DSW, Dick’s Sporting Good, Dunham’s Sports, Best Buy, Michaels, Jo Ann Fabrics, or Pat Catan’s
- Suitcases and duffle bags, preferably carry-on size with wheels
- Non-toxic art supplies: canvases, acrylic paints, brushes, markers, crayons, coloring books, yarn, and colored pencils.
- Model building kits
- Pool supplies: sunscreen, beach towels, pool noodles, and sunglasses
- Flip flops, new and in all sizes
- Board games, dominoes, Jenga blocks
- Toys: Legos, action figures, remote control cars, dolls (with brown skin/hair)
- School supplies and backpacks
- English Grammar books, Elementary science and math books, and Children’s and Youth literature in Spanish
- Spanish language Bibles
- Musical instruments, including acoustic guitars, electronic keyboards and percussion
- Wii games rated “E for Everybody”
- Birthday party supplies, such as themed plates, napkins, and cups
- Maps relating to the US and Central America
- A foosball table
Sisters and brothers in Christ, will you join me in praying for our leaders to find a better way to address this issue, and for the children and parents to be reunited soon.
Prayerfully yours in Christ,
Pastor Donna