…and before I knew it, we were hosting the community-wide vigil to “Stand on the Side of Love.” It was originally going to be at St. Margaret’s– a fitting choice, given the extreme level of fear being experienced in the immigrant community at this time. But in the end, a scheduling conflict prevented the service from being held there, and we were the next logical choice. Of course I said yes!

Members of the musical group, Harmonium, and their leader, Dr. Anne Matlack, have committed to providing music, Fr. Hernan Arias from St. Margaret’s will begin the service with prayer, and immigrants, Muslims, African Americans, LGBT persons and others feeling the pain of the recent days and weeks will offer brief testimonies.

As I said when asked for a quote for a press release, this service is not about who you voted for–it’s about making sure the most vulnerable in our country are not shoved aside.

I encourage members of Redeemer to share the information about this service with your friends (Facebook link is here), to come early and to wear your nametag (and safety pins!), so that Redeemer can most effectively be the “beacon of hope” that our mission statement calls us to be.

Standing on the Side of Love: Thanksgiving Against Fear
En Pie al Lado del Amor: Accion de Gracias Contra el Temor

November 22, 7:45pm, Church of the Redeemer, 36 South Street, Morristown