Working with the diocese’s Sanctuary Task Force, the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Berwyn and a team of community members are preparing the church’s rectory to host several families of asylum seekers. Efforts are underway to outfit the space with donated furniture, linens, housewares, cleaning supplies, toiletries and other necessities. In addition to support from the…
Sanctuary Diocese Task Force
Asylum Seekers Emergency Fund
The Sanctuary Task Force has established an Asylum Seekers Emergency Fund, which supports the immediate needs of new arrivals as they pursue the state benefits and legal status that can put them on the path to independence. The fund was seeded by the $6,776.25 given to the offering at Eucharist at last November’s diocesan convention….
This is Our Faith Made Visible
Since April 2022, nearly 35,000 migrants have arrived in the Chicago area from Texas — most sent by buses chartered by the Texas state government. Many of the new arrivals have crossed the southern border of the United States fleeing violence and poverty and find themselves starting a new life in Illinois after being dropped…
Sanctuary Task Force Asks Episcopalians to Advocate for Asylum Seekers
While the Sanctuary Task Force of the Diocese of Chicago continues its efforts to support the more than 13,000 vulnerable asylum seekers who have been brought to the Chicago area over the past 13 months, the Rev. Sandra Castillo wants people of faith to call on their government officials to take action. “This is a…
Sanctuary Task Force Webinar Recordings
In April and May, leaders of the Sanctuary Diocese Task Force held informational webinars to provide background and information on how congregations in the diocese can support migrants and asylum seekers in the Chicago area. On April 27, the Rev. Primitivo Racimo, priest at St. Margaret of Scotland, led a presentation called Why We Come…
Sanctuary Task Force Seeks Help Responding to Migrant Emergency
The diocesan Sanctuary Task Force is partnering with the local nonprofits to provide critical support for thousands of people who have made their way to the Chicago seeking asylum and protection from prosecution in the United States. The Rev. Sandra Castillo, who chairs the task force, says there are many ways congregations and individual Episcopalians…