The following was submitted by the Emmanuel Episcopal Parish of Orcas Island.

In a thoughtful conversation about values and Christian responsibility, the members of Emmanuel Parish were able to move beyond partisan politics to focus on the uncertainty and suffering of the vulnerable in our community, our nation, and our world. In that, we seek to model and support continued civil discourse.

We, the members of the Emmanuel Episcopal Parish of Orcas Island, as a community of faith and a people of conscience, have pledged in our baptismal covenant to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves; to strive for justice and peace among all peoples, and to respect the dignity of every human being.

Therefore, we believe that the deportation of undocumented immigrants, without respect for individual and family circumstances; and that discrimination against refugees fleeing from war, violence, famine, and persecution, based on nationality or religion, conflict with these promises and the founding principles of our nation.

Resolved, therefore, that Emmanuel Episcopal Parish of Orcas Island will serve as a place of welcome, refuge, healing and other forms of support for those targeted by hate or discrimination due to immigration, refugee or other status, and that we will work with friends, families, and neighbors to ensure the dignity and human rights of all persons regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, age, income, ability, sexual orientation, national origin or any other difference targeted by discrimination and/or hate; and be it further

Resolved, that Emmanuel Episcopal Parish of Orcas Island will connect with local, state, and national communities and institutions, immigrant and civil rights groups and coalitions to organize, advocate, and take other actions as deemed appropriate in each context to support the needs of the vulnerable in our community, our nation, and our world; and be it further

Resolved, that Emmanuel Episcopal Parish of Orcas Island will educate and equip its members and others to engage in such work, appropriate to our local context, capacity and discernment; and be it further

Resolved, that Emmanuel Episcopal Parish of Orcas Island will promote inquiry and civil discourse into issues related to immigration, refugee and other differences targeted by discrimination and/or hate.