PALS Week is Coming! Feb. 24 - Mar. 2

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Dear Katherine,

We are so grateful for your past support of the PALS Fund. Last year, we raised an incredible $96,038 from more than 250 people who believe in the importance of this program. We were able to assist 208 low-income seniors and their pets, and were able to immediately help people in January of this year.

This year, our PALS Fund campaign will run from February 24 to March 2. We'll be sharing stories and pictures online to encourage more people to support this vital program.

There's no need to wait, though. You can make your gift right now. Simply click the button below or mail your check, made out to Senior Services for South Sound with "PALS Fund" in the memo line, to:

The PALS Fund, Senior Services for South Sound, 222 Columbia ST NW, Olympia, WA 98501

Thank you, so much, for your support!

Monarch Children’s Justice & Advocacy Center

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During the month of February St. Benedict Church is making a donation in support of Monarch’s Children’s Justice Advocacy Center in Olympia.

Monarch’s Children’s Justice & Advocacy Center is a program of the Community Action Council  serving children and families in Thurston County, Washington. MCJAC is one of eight operating child advocacy centers in the State of Washington and one of over 600 nationwide. 

Child Advocacy Centers work to reduce the incidence and impact of child abuse by providing a coordinated, multidisciplinary response to victims of child abuse and their families. This response includes prevention, investigation, prosecution, and treatment and includes community partners who are experts in those areas. Monarch provided a wide range of services at no cost to 839 child victims and their families last year.

A Letter from Episcopal Migration Ministries

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Dear Friends,

On January 21, 2025, the Trump administration signed a range of executive orders that will profoundly impact immigration in the U.S. and put the lives of thousands of vulnerable people at risk. Read a letter here from Episcopal Church leaders on the recent immigration executive orders.

We have put together a brief summary of the key actions, as well as next steps for how you can advocate to your members of Congress. 

As followers of Jesus, we are called to love our neighbors and welcome the stranger. Jesus himself was a migrant, fleeing violence with his family, and he reminds us that whatever we do for the least of these, we do for him. The historic and on-going work of Episcopal Migration Ministries is a living expression of Christ’s command to care for those in need and offer hope to the weary. In the days, weeks, and years to come, EMM will continue this vital ministry to address the needs in our communities.

Thank you for standing with us and supporting this ministry to our new neighbors.

Faithfully,

The Rev. Sarah Shipman
Director, Episcopal Migration Ministries

Black History Month

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by Gerald Apple

February was chosen as Black History Month because the second week of this month coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. 

In the summers of 1970 through 1973, I worked on my Master’s degree at Western Washington University in Bellingham.  My major emphasis was on Black History.  I learned about Dr. Martin Luther King and read many of his inspiring speeches.  He became one of my role models.  I had the opportunity to travel to Atlanta, Georgia and visit the Ebenezar Baptist Church he had been a Reverend at.  I did NOT realize how much the history of prejudice played against the African Americans and how poorly they were treated. 

However, learning about Dr. King taught me that is very important to spread love and treat everyone with kindness.  This inspired me that it  is very important to spread love because when I was growing up I was a pretty happy kid.  Now that I am a senior citizen, I can see that society needs so much improvement when it comes to treating all our citizens equally.

Thia is why I enjoy being a member of St Bendict’s Episcopal church because of their outreach/social justice programs and the value of giving.  I had the opportunity several years ago to speak in front of a thousand students at Shelton High School about Black History month and the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. It was a very happy and memorable experience for me.

City Council declares Olympia sanctuary city for trans and queer people

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The City of Olympia has joined a small group of jurisdictions in the country declaring itself a sanctuary city for LGBTQIA2S+ people, just a month after community members came to City Council asking for leaders to expand protections.

Assistant City Manager Stacey Ray presented the council with the resolution during a meeting Tuesday, Jan. 28. The council passed the resolution unanimously.

Ray said the council asked staff in December to draft a resolution declaring Olympia a sanctuary city affirming a commitment to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, feel safe and supported in the community.

“You asked for a collaborative approach to developing the resolution that reflects our community’s values, needs and voice, and that includes actionable statements and with urgency to address rising concerns and fears in light of the new administration,” Ray said. “The resolution before you tonight meets all three requests.”

She said the resolution comes quickly to the council so as to be responsive to the moment. She said it was developed with input and review by LGBTQIA2S+ and allied community members and groups.

The expanded LGBTQIA2S+ acronym stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and trans, queer and questioning, intersex, asexual or agender, and two-spirit. The plus-sign signifies additional identity terms to be inclusive.

Ray said Olympia joins only three other places in the U.S. that have declared themselves a sanctuary city or state for queer people. They are New York State, Kansas City, and Ithaca, New York, she said.

Read more at: https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article299381209.html#storylink=cpy

Immigration Basics & Know Your Rights for Churches and Individuals

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Immigration Basics & Know Your Rights for Churches and Individuals

Join Episcopal Migration Ministries on Monday, February 3rd from 2-3:30PM ET for an extended conversation on the basics of U.S. immigration law and know your rights information for churches and individuals. The webinar -Immigration Basics & Know Your Rights for Churches and Individuals - is provided for informational purposes only, and nothing in the presentation should be interpreted as legal advice. For specific legal advice you may wish to consult an attorney. 

Register HERE.

PRESENTERS 

Christopher Elmore is a managing partner at E.Z. Law, LLC in Chicago and is licensed to practice in Illinois, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and several federal District Courts. He has practiced immigration law as an attorney since May 2012. His practice is focused on removal defense, family-based relief, asylum and other protection-based relief, and FOIA litigation. Mr. Elmore was actively involved in AILA’s response to family detention, volunteering in Artesia, New Mexico and Dilley, Texas, and he has spent time abroad working in refugee settlements. Mr. Elmore was a director on the board of VIDA (Volunteer Immigrant Defense Advocates). In addition to providing legal services, Mr. Elmore participated in multiple service trips to Central and South America and the Middle East to assist in providing humanitarian aid, medical services, participate in building projects, assist orphanages, and meet with government officials to facilitate the provision of resources to populations in need. 

Kathryn R. Weber is a Partner at Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. in Chicago, IL and has been practicing immigration law since 2004. She holds a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School. Ms. Weber practices in the areas of family-based immigration, waivers, religious workers, naturalization, removal defense, asylum, VAWA/U visas, and immigration litigation and appeals. She served on the Executive Board of the AILA Chicago Chapter between 2010 and 2016, and has chaired and served on numerous AILA Chicago Chapter and AILA National committees. She is currently a member of the AILA National Asylum and Refugee Committee, Co-Chair of the AILA Chicago CBP Liaison Committee, and Chair of the Family/Humanitarian Track for the 2025 Midwest Regional Conference. 

DONATE

Sheriff Sanders addresses concerns pertaining to immigration enforcement

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Over the last few weeks, I’ve fielded a number of questions and concerns pertaining to immigration enforcement as this politically charged topic has dominated headlines.

The vision of our Sheriff’s Office is “Unified Public Safety”, and we cannot do this without the help of everyone residing in our community. First and foremost, all people within our county must feel comfortable and confident when they call 911. Fear of deportation decreases the likelihood of calling 911 for help, which erodes our ability to detect and solve crime. This issue becomes even more dire for crimes such as human trafficking and commercial sex abuse.

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office does not participate in immigration enforcement. Our policy prohibits sharing information, arresting, detaining, interrogating, inquiring, or otherwise engaging in immigration enforcement. This applies to all members of the office, from patrol to our jail. The authority delegated to Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is derived from our State Constitution. As an office, we are responsible for enforcing state law and local ordinances. We are not federal law enforcement officers.

There is zero evidence to suggest that immigrants are a major driving factor of crime in Thurston County. Between proactive policing and responding to 911 calls, deputies rarely encounter individuals who have been flagged by federal immigration law enforcement. Consistent with the demographics of Thurston County, the vast majority of our suspects, victims, and witnesses are citizens born in the United States.

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office will continue to seek out and arrest those who victimize others, regardless of their citizenship status, wealth, race, color, sex, religion, or any other class of persons. All persons who commit crimes against others in Thurston County will be sought out and arrested consistently.

Anything short of this standard erodes trust in our criminal justice system to function impartially.

St. Benedict donates to Sacred Heart's Men's Shelter

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St. Benedict has made a donation for the month of January to the men’s shelter at Sacred Heart Catholic Parish. Our neighbors on Bowker Street have been long time providers of multiple services to homeless families, including overnight shelter. They say " Our men's shelter becomes a beacon of warmth and hope  to those who experience harsh conditions....everyone is welcomed with open arms and treated with dignity."  Sacred Heart continues to need volunteers to assist in this ministry.  If you are seeking something with more direct impact such as this work, contact kbfriedt@comcast.net 

https://www.sacredheartlacey.com/community-and-outreach

St. Benedict Church donates to YWCA of Olympia in January

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In January this year, St. Benedict Church is making a donation in support of YWCA of Olympia.

YWCA of Olympia is dedicated to eliminating racism and sexism to advance the political, social, and economic status of those most impacted by oppression.

YWCA of Olympia is a Center for Healing in Community, Antiracist Education, and Participant-Led Advocacy. It provides direct services, empowerment programming, and advocacy to support marginalized individuals and families, especially women and girls of color, while working to challenge structural barriers to equity.

Update on Chaplains on the Harbor (COH): December 2024

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You are invited to access the December newsletter for COH to see the wide range of services being offered, the partnerships which have sustained COH andmostly to have a real sense of the people whose lives are enhanced. One articletells of a documentary, Voices of Resilience on Houselessness,  which might beavailable for SBEC viewing.  There is a QR code  at the end for those who wishto provide a direct donation. 
Please click on the icon below to open the newsletter.

After Political Violence How Do We Love Our Enemies?

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"  One way to build a more peaceful society in the turbulent months ahead is to get involved in ensuring we have a free, fair, and safe election. Sojourners is co-leading trainings for poll chaplains and peacekeepers, so they can be a moral presence at polling places across the country this fall through Faiths United to Save Democracy. This initiative is one way that people of faith all over the U.S. can help ensure that all eligible voters, no matter which candidates they support, can vote in a free, fair, and safe election.

"We can also look to organizations that are focused on building bridges between voters on opposite sides of the United States’ political and cultural divides — groups like Braver Angels and the One America Movement. These groups and so many others help encourage and facilitate encounters that can help us break out of our social bubbles and hear from and build relationships with people of goodwill who have very different perspectives on politics.

"By modeling our commitment to truth and embracing a commitment to love our enemies, we can counter political violence with a faithful witness that builds the Beloved Community and a more just and inclusive democracy."

-excepte from Sojourners magazine