Pasadena Church Lauds District Court’s Upholding of Sanctuary Cities

All Saints Church said in a press release Wednesday that it applauds the April 25 ruling by District Court Judge William H. Orrick blocking implementation of the January executive order on immigration, which ordered the Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department to block cities that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement from receiving federal funds.

“As Christians, we believe the Gospel is what Howard Thurman called ‘a manual of resistance for the poor and disenfranchised among us,’” said the Reverent Mike Kinman, rector of All Saints Church. “That is the heart of any movement of Sanctuary – provision of all that is necessary for equity and justice and protection from all that would wish to keep God’s children in chains.”

“At All Saints Church, our participation in the Sanctuary Movement is just doing what we do at all times: putting that faith into action, being Jesus for and with the disinherited,” Kinman said. “We can talk all we want about God’s love, but if we are not embodying that love, particularly among those of us who are most vulnerable, it is just that – talk.”

“When we take to the streets our cry becomes: ‘Immigrants are under attack! What do we do? Stand up! Fight back!’ And when our judges stand up to unjust edicts from the White House our response is to celebrate them as partners in the struggle. ”

This weekend, All Saints will join with faith communities throughout the San Gabriel Valley standing in solidarity with local migrant families for a Sanctuary Sabbath Weekend – April 28-30.

In response to multiple arrests by ICE agents in the Pasadena and Los Angeles areas and rising fears among our local migrant families, faith communities throughout Pasadena, Altadena, and Glendale are dedicating a weekend to showing love and support for our immigrant sisters and brothers.

On Sunday, April 30th, All Saints will dedicate one of its adult education offerings during the 10:15 a.m. education hour to “Stories of Immigration and Sanctuary” – hearing the first-person stories of neighbors directly impacted by the escalation of injustice targeting the immigrant community. The congregation will also collect monetary gifts to establish an emergency support fund for local individuals and families impacted by unjust immigration enforcement and detention. All Saints Church is at 132 N. Euclid Avenue, Pasadena.

For more information, contact Keith Holeman, Director of Communications at All Saints Church, at kholeman@allsaints-pas.org or (626) 583-2739.