Feature Article: Where St. John’s Wholeheartedness Meets Action

Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;

you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;

you shall be called the repairer of the breach,

the restorer of streets to live in.

— Isaiah 58:12

There is so much work to be done, isn’t there? So much injustice, fear, and unkindness moving through our communities and our world. And yet, again and again, we see the hearts and hands of St. John’s showing up—faithfully, courageously, and compassionately—in ministries that honor the dignity of every human being.

St. John’s stands at the living intersection of service and compassion. We are deeply engaged in EMBRACE, the relatively new diocesan initiative of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington: Episcopal Migrant Belonging, Resistance, and Action Coalition. Yes, it’s a mouthful—and no, no one expects you to memorize the acronym. But you will be able to speak about it with conviction because its purpose is so powerful and profoundly life-giving.

EMBRACE is a network of congregations, groups, and individuals across the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. As its mission statement declares, “Through tangible action, we resist the dehumanization of and violence against our immigrant siblings and honor the dignity of every human being."

How can you get involved?

St. John’s is involved in all six of these EMBRACE initiatives in one way or another:

• Immigration Court Watch and Prayer Vigils.
• Accompaniment to ICE check-ins and immigration court hearings 
• Family Preparation Standby Guardianship 
• Family Support 
• Community Food and Material Support 
• Public Witness and Advocacy 
• Hyper-local work in Maryland with immigrants’ rights collectives 

We are, by grace, repairers of the breach.

If you would like more information, please use the form below to contact the Rev. Anne Derse and Jayne Osgood.  For direct EDOW diocesan contact information, please consult this attachment.

- by Jayne Osgood, Deacon Intern