We are in uncharted waters in this country. It isn’t only just the disregard for the rule of law, but the callous and cruel treatment and tragic disregard for the value of each human life. In addition to all of the cruelty perpetrated on undocumented human beings, my wise brother-in-law, the Rev. Nathan King, a United Church of Christ minister, notes, “Over the past 3 weeks, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has killed at least three U.S. citizens. ICE has perpetrated violence against U.S. citizens and documented immigrants alike, without cause and with impunity. This violence is not incidental; it is systemic. It is sanctioned. It is celebrated. And it is evil. We are told to argue about legality, about jurisdiction, about technicalities. But legality has never been the measure of righteousness. Slavery was legal. Lynching was legal. The removal of Indigenous children from their families was legal. The question is not whether this violence is legal. The question is whether it is right.” These wise words speak to this moment, which has been years in the planning and making from a morally bereft administration consumed with their version of American Nationalism.
In today’s sermon, recorded before the federal agents Alex Pretti, one of the things I said was, “We do not know what we will be called to do. I would encourage us all to partake in the spiritual vaccination to keep our bodies, minds, and spirits healthy, centered, and ready for whatever the future may bring.” UUCF as a religious institution is all of us and it is true that we need to be present for ourselves and each other. And, this is not just about UUCF. This is about our entire community and how the ideology driving this administration and the ideology behind ICE’s action, has been historically proven dangerous and destructive to the human family as well as their own souls.
As we journey through these uncharted waters, please reach out if you need support. We are considering what options we have for communal gatherings to help with our spiritual and emotional sustenance, and will be communicating more about that.
For now, please remember, centering love in these times is not a passive idea. It is a call to action, an emergent moment for which we all need to find our courage. Please stay warm, be safe, and know that you are loved and you are love, something we all need to remember in these times.
Rev. David A. Miller
Senior Minister