Statement advocating for Somali immigrants in the U.S.
As Clerk of Session of Edgewater Presbyterian Church, I speak out today with profound disappointment and deep concern regarding the recent comments made by President Donald Trump about the Somali American community.
Our congregation has always shared a unique and enduring bond with Africa. This connection is not abstract; it is personal. Many of our congregants have deep roots in Africa and arrived here seeking refuge and peace, having personally lived through and fled times of violent political strife and persecution.
We know, through the powerful testimonies of our own family of faith, including members of our Session, that the decision to leave one's homeland is made only out of immense courage.
Therefore, when the President chooses to refer to people who have rebuilt their lives here as "garbage" and claims they "contribute nothing," he is not only attacking the Somali community, but he is attacking the core narrative of our own church family and the foundational values of this nation.
The Somali Americans who live, work, and worship in our communities are our neighbors. They are responsible citizens, dedicated professionals, and resilient families who have enriched our economy and culture. Their journey, marked by perseverance in the face of adversity, should be met with respect, compassion, and welcome, not hateful dismissal.
As a servant of our African congregants, I stand firmly against this rhetoric of division and dehumanization.
The Presbyterian Church (USA) believes that every person is created in God's image and that our strength as a nation is found in the richness of our diverse populations.
Let us now offer a prayer:
A prayer for wisdom and empathy
O God, we pray for all those in positions of authority and power, that they may be granted the gifts of wisdom and empathy. Soften their hearts and open their minds to the experiences of all your children. Bestow upon them a grace sufficient to dispel any prejudices or notions they may hold that speak against any ethnic group who have done nothing to warrant such unwarranted attacks. Let them see the face of the immigrant, the refugee, and the stranger as the face of a neighbor and a fellow human being. Guide them to speak words that heal, unite, and reflect the dignity you have bestowed upon every soul.
Amen.
