Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly: Living Faithfully in Chaotic Times

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025, 7–8 P.M., in the cathedral nave and livestreamed

In such a time as this, when chaos and confusion are threatening migrant communities, we as people of faith are called to reaffirm our values and uphold the dignity of every human being.

People of all faiths who seek strength in this moment are welcome to this peaceful gathering as we ground ourselves in community, prayer, and song and commit to active and practical solidarity with our migrant neighbors.


UPDATE:

Find the program for this event here.

Find the website discussed by Joey Lopez of the Church Council of Great Seattle here or at http://bit.ly/MigrantSolidarity

A complete video is now available.

Afghan Refugees Arrive in Seattle—Ways to Help

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UPDATE, FEBRUARY 16, 2023

The Popals have now moved to their new apartment in the Shoreline area! They are excited about the location, as it's just 3 minutes away from friends, plus they've already met another Afghan family in the building (with a boy Mustafa's age!) also newly settling in.

They moved off the Saint Mark's Cathedral campus on Tuesday of last week, and express their sincerest thanks for the warm welcome and many gifts and thoughtful donations received as they begin life in the U.S. Upon arriving in Seattle, they didn't know if refugees would be welcomed, but Fareda recently conveyed with a lot of relief, "this feels like a place for me too!" All of the waves hello in the parking lot, smiles, play-dates with other families with kids, help riding the bus together, Wednesday night dinner in Bloedel, the wonderful help moving to Shoreline, and notes of encouragement have all made a big impact and made them feel like they have a Seattle family here for them. The Saint Mark's community, along with the Diocese of Olympia Refugee Resettlement Office, will continue sponsorship and support of the Popal family as they integrate into life in the U.S.

Here is an updated sign-up sheet of needed items:

[The signup has now closed]

Notes of encouragement are also still very much welcomed and go a long way! Thank you for your generosity towards the Popal family.

Here are some snapshots the family took of the kids in the Saint Mark's apartment, and on the Saint Mark's Quilt Ministry quilt! (Click to enlarge.)

UPDATE 1/19/23: The Saint Mark's community responded with overwhelming generosity to the request for household items for the Popal family (note corrected spelling). All the requests for specific items, from baby socks to a laptop, have now been fulfilled. Sajad, Fareda, Mustafa, and Oswa will be living on the cathedral property for some time, so there will be more opportunities to help in the future.


Welcome Popal Family!

Late on the evening of December 28, the Popal family arrived at their new temporary home at Saint Mark’s, where they will be staying for a time on the cathedral campus. Saint Mark’s is providing them emergency housing until they get their bearings, and we will support them in the months to come as they make the transition.

They arrived with lots of smiles and excitement to be in Seattle after 22 long hours of travel with a toddler and baby! The family consists of Sajad, Fareda, their son Mustafa (2 years old) and daughter Oswa (4 months old). Since their arrival, the Popals have been settling in, getting acquainted with the surrounding neighborhood, focusing on English studies and making plans for their new life in the U.S.

If you see them out and about the cathedral campus, don’t hesitate to extend to them a warm welcome and greetings! They welcome the interaction with the Saint Mark’s community and are grateful for the kindness and hospitality of many since their arrival.

A little about them and hopes for the future   

In Afghanistan, Sajad worked as an electrician and hopes to eventually work in that field again. Fareda is a graduate of Kabul University with a focus in legal studies. She worked as an attorney and most recently as a judge. She spent her first year as a judge working in criminal courts, and then three years making judgements on domestic abuse cases. When the government fell into Taliban hands, women judges were immediately at high risk. Fareda describes the day of the Taliban takeover as an “unreal dream.” (This podcast episode telling the stories of women judges in Afghanistan will give some idea of the danger she experienced.) Fareda hopes to find work and obtain a master’s degree. She is researching scholarship opportunities.

The Popals went into hiding for one month until Fareda’s international association of women judges was able to help them escape to a refugee camp in United Arab Emirates, where they remained for over a year. Both Sajad and Fareda have close family members in Afghanistan at very high risk due to their past work with American military forces, and are awaiting evacuation opportunities.

How to help    

The Popals are sponsored by the Diocese of Olympia’s Refugee Resettlement Office with support from the Saint Mark’s community. However, they left their country with few belongings and are rebuilding their household with two small children, so there’s lot’s to do! They have identified their highest needed items. To assist with new or gently used items, please see the sign-up page here. (UPDATE 2/23: a new sign up is now available) Please review the available home and clothing items and click on the button to sign up. Items may be new or gently used and dropped off at the Saint Mark's Cathedral front desk or in the donation bin in the cookie corner of the nave. Sign-ups will be available through Thursday, January 26. The donation bin will be out until January 31. Thank you!

If you wish to be added to the Refugee/Sanctuary ministry group communications, and receive further updates on ways to walk alongside the Popal family as they integrate into U.S. life, please email Rev. Emily Austin, Deacon, at eaustin@saintmarks.org. Kathy Sodergren and I will be providing updates.

2022 Report from El Salvador by Elizabeth Hawkins

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UPDATED WITH VIDEO

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom. Optional community dinner at 6 p.m. ($6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family).

Saint Mark's parishioner Elizabeth Hawkins has been living and working in San Salvador since 2019. A former immigration attorney, she travelled to El Salvador to research the complex factors that lead people to attempt to emigrate to the United States. She will give us an update about the current situation in El Salvador. Elizabeth will share how liberation theology has informed her decision to stay in El Salvador and the work she is currently doing as the Program Director of Programa Velasco, an NGO dedicated to educating and empowering women, children, and families.

Check out Elizabeth's 2019 Rubric article about her experiences in El Salvador.


UPDATE: A complete video is now available below:

Forum on The Santa Marta Anglican Center

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Above: Santa Marta Center donation links. Click to enlarge.

UPDATED WITH VIDEO

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 10:10–10:50 A.M., Bloedel Hall or via Zoom.

The Santa Marta Anglican Center: Supporting LGBTIQ+ youth in El Salvador

The Santa Marta Anglican Center supports LGBTIQ+ youth in El Salvador who are facing homelessness. It is a ministry of the Diocese of El Salvador, part of the Anglican Church in Central America. Attend this Sunday morning form in person or online to learn more about Diocese of El Salvador's work to advance LGBTIQ+ rights, celebrate LGBTIQ+ stories, and support LGBTIQ+ youth and young adults who have been kicked out of their homes.

Check out an article about the work of the Center here.

Their fundraising official, Joseph Russ, is visiting from El Salvador to share the story of founding the Center, the faith that grounds this work, and how this faith becomes action by accompanying queer Salvadoran youth and young adults.

A complete video of the presentation may be seen here:

A Report from a Visit to the Border

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Saint Mark’s Sanctuary volunteers Dee Cappelletti, Melinda Kmitta, George Moore, and Maris Olsen, along with Canon Nancy Ross, traveled to McAllen and Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Mexico, in January 2020. There they joined Episcopalians from around the country witnessing the realities of the dire situation for migrants and refugees at our southern border. They met refugees and asylees, some 2,000 strong, who are camped in a squalid tent city, most waiting months for a chance for an asylum hearing. At a special Sunday Forum at Saint Mark's on February 9, they reported on what they saw... and what we can do.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson speaks about Immigration Reform

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Event Moderated by The Right Rev. Bishop Greg Rickel

Saint Mark’s hosted WA State Attorney General Bob Ferguson on October 17, 2018, in the Cathedral Nave, who shared his thoughts on the current state of immigration both locally and nationally, as well how we can continue our involvement toward sensible and equitable policies.

The event included a follow-up panel discussion moderated by The Right Rev. Greg Rickel, Bishop of the The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, with Marcos Martinez, Executive Director of Casa Latina; Estela Ortega, Executive Director of El Centro de la Raza; and Michael Ramos, Executive Director of The Church Council of Greater Seattle.

Why Sanctuary at Saint Mark’s?

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In Christ’s church, all are welcome, but it’s not just in church – it is in our common life. Saint Mark’s stands in solidarity with all our neighbors, especially immigrants who are living in fear in these fraught times. Sanctuary at Saint Mark’s Cathedral is an outgrowth of our 2016 Statement of Commitment and Action, our response to the climate of increasing division and violence in our nation.

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. –John 13:34

Fundamental in the life of a Christian community, we take a stand to “welcome the stranger, as our Scriptures instruct.” In living into that call as a Sanctuary Hub, we are in relationship with Casa Latina, a leading immigrant worker rights organization in Seattle, with our volunteers trained and serving as witnesses and legal observers, accompaniers, interpreters, and peacemakers, and with Saint Mark’s Safe Space a gathering place for building relationship and a harbor in times of trouble. We stand as Sanctuary because we are all God’s beloved. You are welcome to join us. If you have questions about this ministry or are interested in becoming involved, please e-mail sanctuary@saintmarks.org.

Community Resources:

Casa Latina is an immigrant workers rights organization in Seattle that empowers low-wage Latino immigrants to move from economic insecurity to economic prosperity and to lift their voices to take action around public policy issues that affect them.

The Church Council of Greater Seattle is an ecumenical nonprofit focusing on organizing faith communities around various social justice issues. One of their focus areas is immigrant and refugee accompaniment. Visit their website for details on their work, resources, and contact information.

The Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network is a Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights organizations and individuals that strive to protect, serve and strengthen support capacity and resources to build power and a united voice in Washington.

OneAmerica is the largest immigrant and refugee advocacy organization in Washington State, organizing with and advocating for diverse communities including Latinx, African, and Asian. Initially named Hate Free Zone, OneAmerica was founded immediately after September 11, 2001 to address the backlash, hate crimes, and discrimination against immigrant communities of color, primarily Muslims, Arab Americans, East Africans, and South Asians.

The City of Seattle's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs has a wonderful list of resources and programs on their website. One of their programs includes the Immigrant Legal Defense Network.