Sanctuary Churches Training: Building Welcoming Communities

Submitted by Youngsook Kang
Director of Mission and Ministry 

On April 1-2, the Mountain Sky Area will host a training and educational event at Smoky Hill United Methodist Church for congregations and individuals interested in learning more about the ways in which they can become a part of the “Sanctuary” movement. Kristin Kumpf, Director of Organizing,  General Board of Church and Society, will lead our time together and will be joined by local immigration advocates, legal professionals, and members of the immigrant community. Saturday, April 1 will be spent broadly outlining what “Sanctuary” means, how we “Declare Sanctuary” and what the logistics of sanctuary are. We will also hear stories of how churches are currently responding.  Sunday, April 2 will focus on contextual specifics. In addition to the practical information gained, participants will also spend time intentionally engaging with issues of immigration and hospitality from a Christian perspective.  There will be an opportunity to discuss Area wide strategic responses, sharing skills and best practices for response, organizing, and advocacy.
 
We at the Rocky Mountain Conference are striving to see the face of Christ in refugees and immigrants. We are actively working on a response to these executive orders and are pleased to offer a Sanctuary Movement Training as described above.  This training will be live-streamed and recorded for those who wish to view it at a later time.
 
Sanctuary has a long history in our faith and has helped to stop thousands of deportations through individual case advocacy.  The Rocky Mountain Conference as well as the Yellowstone Conference is proud to be a part of this tradition. 
 
If you are interested in becoming a part of the Sanctuary Movement, please contact me at Youngsook@rmcumc.com.   To register for the training, click here. Also, you may find the attached resource kit on the Sanctuary Movement helpful in exploring the possibility to become a sanctuary church. To access the free kit, click here.