In my sermon on February 19, I announced that our partners at Missouri Faith Voices have invited us to become a part of a local network of congregations offering solidarity, support, and even sanctuary to individuals facing deportation or detention because of their immigration status, religion, or other identity. Your Board of Trustees has charged and authorized our ministries to pursue a process of discernment about whether to declare ourselves as a Sanctuary congregation. Although we would be the first UU church to declare sanctuary in Missouri, our UUA is a leader in the current sanctuary movement nationwide, and our sister congregation in Denver is currently serving as sanctuary for an undocumented mother and community activist. 

Begin Learning Now

Our Unitarian Universalist association has a wealth of resources on the work of sanctuary.

And our UUA President The Rev. Peter Morales has issued a statement calling UU congregations to prophetic witness in these times.

Our Process

Please join us for one of these two identical conversations as our congregation discerns whether to formally declare ourselves a sanctuary congregation and promise protection to those facing detention or deportation because of who they are, where they are from, or what they stand for. Childcare and light meal provided. If you are unable to make one of these times but wish to join the conversation, please reply directly to me for a potential third opportunity. 

Sanctuary Discernment Conversations

Saturday morning, March 11, 9-10:30 a.m. and
Thursday evening, March 16, 5:30-7 p.m.
Sunday afternoon, April 2, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Monday evening, April 3, 6-8 p.m.

If further follow up is needed after these two meetings, we will continue the process with further conversations as necessary. After a time of discussing legal and logistical questions, our capacity for risk and moral courage, and the calling of our faith, we will hold a congregational vote about this designation at 10am between the services on Sunday, April 9. 

Sanctuary Vote

Sunday, April 9, 10 a.m. between services

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or one of the team working on this process: Allie Gassmann, Dave Gibbons, and Janice Smith. 

In Faith,
Rev. Molly