Dear friends,
Since July, Edwards Church has been part of a collaboration with faith communities and social service agencies to offer support to hundreds of migrants living in motels in Framingham. We have provided meals and collected snack foods. We have coordinated a multi-faith effort to donate warm clothes to families (and have ourselves supported at least 9 families with clothing). Two church members are teaching English as a Second Language to Haitian families. One church member has hosted three families in her home.
I am so proud to be part of a church that cares so deeply about people who are struggling to find a safe place to live and raise their children. In a complicated and overwhelming situation, we are doing our best to follow Jesus’ example. It is rewarding, and it can also be exhausting. What sustains us? How do we understand what is happening here in Framingham in a broader context? What is happening in our world that has led to an increase in migration, not just to the US but all over the world? How do we move beyond meeting immediate needs to empowering families to build a new life and contribute to the wider society?
These questions prompted the Justice and Love in Action team to propose revitalizing our old tradition of celebrating Epiphany with a joint worship service with Plymouth Church. We expanded the vision, inviting First Church in Natick and Eliot Church in South Natick. (Well, actually, we invited ourselves to First Church in Natick, since they have a newly renovated sanctuary.)
Together we have created a gathering that will help us think more deeply about migration. In the worship service, we will hear a message from Executive Conference Minister (and Edwards Church member) Liz Garrigan-Byerly, who will reflect on migration as a theme in the Bible. Following the service and refreshments, we will gather for a conversation led by Lucia Panicella, Senior Program and Partnership Director of Jewish Family Services. She will help put our recent experiences in a broader context.
That service will be the beginning of our January worship theme, “Living the Kin-dom.” Throughout January and into early February, we will reflect on the nature of the kin-dom Jesus proclaimed, and how we are called to live it into fruition.
I look forward to our joint worship service and to our next worship theme.
Peace, Debbie