Due to our location near the New York State Capitol, many in our Presbytery partner with local advocacy groups. For local advocacy please contact:
Albany Presbytery is an official member New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) community. You can find more information at:
As Presbyterians, social witness is a key part of our work and ministry. For Presbyterian connections:
- Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy
- Compassion, Peace and Justice Ministries
- Ecumenical Advocacy Days (yearly in Washington D.C.)
- Office of Public Witness in Washington D.C.
- Presbyterian Environmental Ministries
- Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations
- Presbyterian Peace Fellowship
- Presbyterian Peacemaking Program
- Presbyterians for Earth Care
- UnBound: An Interactive Journal of Christian Social Justice
Going back to at least 1984, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has expressed concern for the plight of immigrant peoples in the United States, has advocated for compassionate care of immigrants and their families, and has encouraged actions to change immigration policies in the United States.
Albany Presbytery Immigration Network
Albany Presbytery Immigration Network Co-Coordinators:
- Terry Diggory tdiggory@skidmore.edu 518-860-0262
- Rebecca Rector rebecca.rector@yahoo.com
The network maintains an email list for sharing immigration news and events. Sign up by contacting either of the coordinators.
Most Recent Email Newsletter: Sept 2, 2024: Albany Presbytery Immigration Network News
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The Albany Presbytery has demonstrated commitment to issues related to providing sanctuary to those in need…
- Resolution for Protection and Hospitality for Syrian Refugees – November 2015
- Resolution on a Way Forward in Angry and Anxious Times – February 2017
- Sanctuary Training, Albany Presbytery – March 2017
- International Sanctuary Principles Statement – November 2020
The PC(USA) Synod of the Northeast has established Immigration Action Network to provide support and resources for individuals, congregations, and presbyteries to become educated about and involved in this timely, important issue. You may find out more here: Immigration Action Network
The concept of “sanctuary” is at least as old as biblical times, when there were Cities of Refuge established throughout ancient Israel. Many people in the Church today are wrestling with the need for, and the complex issues involved in, declaring their congregation to be a “sanctuary church.” Here is a webpage that offers important and helpful resources about this question: Office of the General Assembly: Sanctuary
Sanctuary – A Discernment Guide for Congregations
Provided by the Office of Public Witness of the PC(USA), this guide gives background on Sanctuary, provides theological grounding for involvement in the movement in a way that is based in solidarity instead of charity, and key discernment questions for congregations to find a starting place in the work.
See the Welcoming Immigrants webpage of a local sanctuary church, Presbyterian—United Church of Christ in Saratoga Springs.
General Assembly Resolutions
Here are several documents that relate to this question:
- The 220th General Assembly (2012)
On taking action concerning the place and plight of immigrant people (both documented and undocumented) - The 220th General Assembly (2012)
Resolution on the plight of immigrant people in our neighborhoods and communities of faith - The 222th General Assembly (2016)
Resolution Reaffirming the Ministry of Sanctuary by Congregations
Advocacy
Advocacy can take the some of the following forms:
- inquiring about programs that involve local law enforcement in enforcing federal immigration laws
- contacting your legislators to urge them to take action on immigration
- direct service in partnership with local immigrant communities
- education on immigration issues
- Sanctuary or Sanctuary-in-the-Streets
- direct actions at immigration facilities
- providing care to immigrants, immigrant families, and/or people called to advocacy and acting on behalf of immigrants (e.g. providing child care, meals, pastoral care, etc.)
Be creative, prayerful and discern how, as a community, God is calling you to respond to the needs of our communities. For information about advocacy in this area, a number of resources are available here:
- County Office – “Who should I contact to advocate? Who are the elected officials for my area?” County Office is a quick reference guide for accurate, up-to-date information about all government offices and public records sources in your local area.
- Office of the General Assembly: Advocacy
- Welcome and the Law a Resource from the Office of the General Assembly legal department
- Travel Information post March 2017 information from the Office of the General Assembly legal department
- Know your Rights from the ACLU
- How to make a Family Care and Safety plan
The webpage for the Office of Immigration Issues of the General Assembly, which has links to a great number of resources (as is updated frequently) can be found here: Office of Immigration Issues of the General Assembly
Additional Local Resources
- Terry Diggory at tdiggory@skidmore.edu / 518-860-0262
- Rebecca Rector at rebecca.rector@yahoo.com
