The Bible often speaks uncomfortable words that go against the politics of our nation. In the case of the children at the border, the Bible clearly calls upon us to welcome the alien. “You shall love the alien as yourself” (Leviticus 19:33). This biblical principle is repeated over and over because God shows God’s self to be the God of the widows, the fatherless, and the strangers. Likewise, Jesus, the breaker of all borders, insists that the little children be allowed to come to him (Matthew 19:13-15). We are aliens and God loves us anyway.

All of our faith traditions call us to respond with charity to those in need. We are called to welcome the children coming to the border and to show mercy to those coming who are fleeing dire circumstances. We need to be their voice, to feed them, to give them shelter and to show them love.

God speaks to us about immigration reform. Exodus 22:21 reads, “Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.” This is highlighted for Americans in the words of poet Emma Lazarus that are engraved in the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.”

The United States was founded by aliens/immigrants and continues in this rich tradition of welcoming new immigrants to our communities. The City of Dayton has taken in many such groups in the past and these efforts continue today in the community initiative “Welcome Dayton” and other programs that reflect our country’s core values of welcoming people of diverse backgrounds, skills and gifts that strengthen the nation. We affirm our proud history, commend Welcome Dayton, and affirm our fellow immigrants.

We call upon all people of good will to refrain from rhetoric that creates fear and dissension and to live up to our highest ideals of compassion and welcome.

Congregations/Organizations

Congregation for Reconciliation, United Church of Christ

Greater Dayton Christian Connections

Individuals

congregations/organizations listed for identification purposes only

Ms. Beth Adelman

Rev. Kathryn C. Anadein

Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky Association, United Church of Christ

Rev. Dr. Pamelajune (PJ) Anderson

Space for Grace Fellowship United Church of Christ

Rev. Kimberly Armentrout

United Methodist Clergy

Mr. Brandon Baker

Bellbrook United Methodist Church

Ms. Linda Bales Todd

Bellbrook United Methodist Church

Rabbi Bernard Barsky

Mr. Michael Bashaw

Create Dayton

Ms. Sandy Bashaw

Create Dayton

Ms. Charlene Bayless

Ms. Mary Ellen Beardmore

Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Ms. Melissa Bertolo

Ms. Megan Bettelon

Huber Mennonite Church

Ms. Joy Bossman

St. Paul United Methodist Church

Sr. Jeanette Buehler

Ms. Lynn Buffington

Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Ms. Ann Byrd

Creation Connection

Mr. Nick Cardilino

Center for Social Concern, University of Dayton

Ms. Mary Cargan

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Yellow Springs

Rev. Dr. Michael D. Castle

Harmony Creek Church: A United Church of Christ and Alliance of Baptists Community

Ms. Joan Chappelle

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Yellow Springs

Ms. Martha Clark

Community Activist

Rev. CC Coltrain

Center for Spiritual Living Greater Dayton

Ms. Agaytha B. Corbin

Community Servant

Mr. Gary Courts

Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Ms. Gwen Crockford

Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Dr. Alice Diebel

Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Ms. Christine Dull

Dayton International Peace Museum/Lower Miami Church of the Brethren

Mr. Ralph Dull

Dayton International Peace Museum/Lower Miami Church of the Brethren

Mr. Stanley Early

Mr. Youssef Elzein

Dayton Muslim

Ms. Paula Ewers

College Hill Community Church

Rev. Darryl Fairchild

Bellbrook United Methodist Church

Mr. Dan Foley

Montgomery County Commissioner

Rev. Dr. Sherry Gale

Grace United Methodist Church

Ms. Gay Gauder

Ms. Mary Sue Gmeiner

Mr. Igor Golovcsenko

Fairview United Methodist Church

Ms. Anna Gough

Mr. Nick Gough

Ms. Mary Grant

Bellbrook United Methodist Church

Mr. Jim Hagan

Kettering Baha'i Community

Mr. Donald L. Hayashi

Community Volunteer

Rev. Terry R. Heck

United Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. Marva O. Hughes

Omega Baptist Church

Mr. Edward Humphrys

United Church of Christ

Mrs. Judith Humphrys

United Church of Christ

Rev. Robert Jackson

Harvest Grove Missionary Baptist Church

Ms. Treva Jenkins

Salem Avenue Peace Corridor/First Baptist Church

Rev. Thomas Johnson

Rev. Dr. Rodney Kennedy

First Baptist Church

Ms. Patricia Kern

United Church of Christ

Mr. Keith Lander

Sr. Laura M. Leming, FMI

Marianist Sisters

Mr. Bob Lewis

Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Dr. Theo Majka

Mr. Jim Maxtree

Rev. Jerome McCorry

The Adam Project

Mr. Ronald McKenstry

Blacks in Government, Greater Dayton Chapter

Rev. Mary M. Moore

Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Rev. Dr. Brian Q. Newcomb

David's United Church of Christ, Kettering

Dr. Don Nguyen

Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Ms. Maureen F. O' Meara

Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Rev. Gabriel Oberholzer

Greenmont-Oak Park Community Church, United Church of Christ

Rev. Dr. John Paddock

Christ Episcopal, Dayton

Ms. Mary Patterson

Ms. Kathleen Pennington

Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Ms. Carolyn Perkins

Dayton NAACP Youth Council Advisor

Mr. Rick Polhamus

Christian Peacemaker Teams/Pleasant Hill Church of the Brethren

Ms. Gilah Pomeranz

First Presbyterian Church, Yellow Springs

Mr. Larry Ramey

Grace United Methodist Church

Mr. Jule Rastikis

Salem Avenue Peace Corridor/First Baptist Church

Mr. David Rench

Ms. Laura Rench

Rev. Carl E. Robinson

Shiloh Church, United Church of Christ

Mr. Tom Robinson

Dayton Friends

Mr. Bill Ross

Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Mr. Fred Schindler

Epiphany Lutheran Church

Sr. Alice V. Schoettelkotte

Pastor Kevin E. Scroggins

Blessed Rock Church, Laborers for God Ministries

Mr. Munsup Seoh

Dayton Korean United Methodist Church

Mr. David Sherman

Create Dayton

Rev. John Shonle

Polk Grove United Church of Christ

Mr. Bill Sibbing

Ms. Lenza Smith

Center for Spiritual Living Greater Dayton

Rabbi David Sofian

Temple Israel

Pastor Monte Stevens

North Riverdale Lutheran Church

Mr. Sky Stewart

Dr. Richard Stock

Ms. Heather Sturgill

Ms. JoAnna Szymborski

Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Mr. Harris K. Tay

Grace United Methodist Church

Mr. Daniel Thomas

Dr. William Trollinger

First Baptist Church

Dr. Jim Vance

Grace United Methodist Church

Rev. Richard Venus

First Universalist Church of New Madison

Mr. A.J. Wagner

Holy Angels Parish

Mr. Tom Wahlrab

Rev. Dr. Crystal Walker

Greater Dayton Christian Connections

Rev. Dr. Daryl Ward

Omega Baptist Church

Rev. Vanessa O. Ward

Omega Baptist Church

Rev. Katie Wilson

Dixon United Methodist Church