Sanctuary is a deeply meaningful word for Christians. It’s a physical space where we gather together for worship, a place we set aside to connect with God. As we worship together within those walls, we experience the broader meaning of the word sanctuary — a place of refuge. For more than 200 years, our physical sanctuary has been a place where people are welcome to worship, to rest, to feel God’s presence, to learn, to sing, to wonder, to pray.
But what does sanctuary mean when there is violence outside our doors?
Watching the violence that has occurred in Minneapolis and elsewhere across our nation, we are grieved. We know that our faith calls us to love our neighbor, and that Jesus continually broadens the definition of neighbor (Luke 10:25-37). We know that the words of scripture specifically ask us to welcome the stranger, to remember that our ancestors in faith were wanderers in foreign lands (Deuteronomy 27:19, Leviticus 19:33-34, Psalm 146:9, Romans 12:13). Jesus tells us that when we welcome the stranger, we welcome him (Matthew 25:35).
As people of faith, we are heartbroken by acts of violence connected to immigration enforcement. Violence — whether carried out by agents of the state or against them — stands in direct opposition to the teachings of Christ, who calls us to love our neighbors, welcome the stranger, and pursue justice with mercy.
We affirm the inherent dignity of every human being, regardless of immigration status. No person should live in fear of harm, intimidation, or dehumanization. We also recognize the sacred worth of every life, including those who serve in public roles, and we reject retaliation and hatred in all forms.
We strive for our building and for our community to create sanctuary — a space that provides refuge for all.
February 2026 Ad hoc committee members:
Crystal Bacon
Jen Foster, Chair
Jeff Hobart
Pam Powell
Elizabeth Riley
Lee Smith
The work of this Ad hoc committee was affirmed by a unanimous vote in the February Church Conference
