March 4, 2026

Beloved in Christ,

I pray this finds you certain that our ultimate allegiance belongs to Jesus the Christ.

The bible cries out that God’s people are to love and care for “foreigners,” “immigrants,” “strangers,” and the “least.” Scripture submits this as directive without condition. The Baptismal Covenant is clear that we are to be the people who “Seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves,” as we “…strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.” The call to attention, prayer, and advocacy on behalf of the most vulnerable flows seamlessly from Jesus’ example, our tradition, and the words we use in worship each Sunday.

We have all seen the news of ICE activity in other cities. Families in our own church communities, especially those from Hispanic backgrounds and other immigrants, are being battered by confusion, fear and despair with the changes in immigration enforcement. Concern continues to grow at the possibility of increased ICE activity among us.

I continue to believe that a great nation can uphold the integrity of its borders; remove dangerous criminals from its midst and expect excellence in law enforcement— all while providing asylum to the fleeing and creating safety and a path to citizenship for those who live and labor among us. My faith in God and in people of good faith assures me that we can work together for a more just immigration policy without diminishing the dignity of anyone.

We invite you to join us in continued prayer and faithful action for a more just immigration policy, for those adults and children in detention and those who live in fear, and for our deeper alignment with the biblical mandate to “Love our neighbors as ourselves.”

We will continue to make available specific resources to support immigrants in our communities, including the opportunity to pray by name for those members of our communities known to us who are now living in detention and their families.

Please know I make this offering from my heart to your heart, that some hearts would be strengthened, some would be softened, and all hearts would increase in their devotion to God in Christ for the benefit of all God’s beloved children.

Your brother,
The Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright
Bishop