Minute-02-16-25:02: Minute from the Working Group on Sanctuary and the Social Concerns committee of Atlanta Friends Meeting. (See PDF here.)
Atlanta Friends Meeting reaffirms its commitment to being a sanctuary for immigrants. As people of faith who respect the inherent dignity and humanity of people whose immigration status is irregular, we recognize sanctuary as both a spiritual practice and a moral imperative. This commitment calls us to act with courage and compassion, responding to the needs of people seeking refuge while opposing policies and practices rooted in oppression, exclusion, and harm toward all people.
Sanctuary extends beyond physical shelter; it is a collective practice of living into our testimonies of peace, equality, and community. To this end, we call on the entire Meeting to join in the work of creating a just and welcoming alternative to systems of harm. This work may include:
- Providing care, protection, and solidarity to immigrants seeking safety and stability;
- Interrupting systems of deportation and detention through advocacy, accompaniment, and, when led by the Spirit, acts of nonviolent civil disobedience;
- Defending democratic structures that protect the rights of all people;
- Expanding our understanding of sanctuary through education, dialogue, and faithful discernment;
- Supporting organizations that embody these commitments and provide transformative sanctuary models.
We affirm our unwavering support for Casa Alterna as one expression of sanctuary. Under the care of the Meeting, Casa Alterna challenges us to embody its name—a loving “alternative”—as we respond to the realities of injustice with collective care and solidarity.
This call to sanctuary belongs to the Meeting as a whole. We are invited to discern how the Spirit leads us to act through direct participation, advocacy, education, or prayerful accompaniment. Together, we commit to practicing love and justice in a world marked by dehumanization and division.
May we move forward in faith, trusting the Spirit to guide and sustain us in this sacred work.