Northaven Friends, and Friends Beyond,

Those of you at worship today were a part of the beautiful “sending prayer” that the congregation gave me at the end of the service. I was deeply honored to received it.

For those who were not there, or missed the news, on Wednesday I will be traveling to Washington DC with a group of around 150 clergy from across the country. My friend and colleague Rev. Owen Ross, of Christ’s Foundry UMC, is also a United Methodist going from North Texas.

On Thursday, we’ll participate in a non-violent action which involve a march from Capitol Hill to the White House, and likely arrest there.

Owen and I will release a joint faith statement about this “action” in a day or two, just before we leave. But I know we are both eager to stand up for our immigrant brothers and sisters, and to call our national leaders –the President and the Congress– to do more than just “talk.”

Whether it’s the border “crisis” here in Texas, or the lack of comprehensive immigration reform (despite promises that it would happen this session) immigrants are in the news. But they are being talked about as a political issue, not as real human beings. We look forward to standing up for them, even if it means going to jail for our convictions.

Jesus called us to “welcome the little children.” The Prophets call us to “treat the alien as if they are a citizen.” The Bible is replete with passages about how we are called to welcome and love the foreigner, without respect to modern constructions like “legal” and “illegal.” (of which the Bible knows nothing)

This morning, I was deeply gratified by the number of folks who said, “I wish I could go with you!” Or, “You’ll be there on my behalf too.” And, as I noted, the “sending prayer” today, led by Bill McElvaney, was very special.

I will carry all of you in my heart, and carry my Guatemalan stole around my neck.

Stay tuned here, and on Facebook and Twitter, for more as the week progresses. We hope to meet with representatives of Pete Sessions on Wednesday. The “action” march will be on Thursday.

We covet your prayers.

But more than this, we call for your action on welcoming our immigrant brothers and sisters to our immigrant nation.