Dear Editor:
At the twilight of one year and the dawn of another, we keep coming back to words from the ancient Book of Isaiah —
“Learn to do good;
seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow.”
Ancient faith traditions practiced in our houses of worship remind us to welcome the stranger, the foreigner, the refugee, the immigrant.
We invite all of us to do some reflection at this pivot between years, and discern what we can do individually and through area community groups from Peekskill to Ossining to welcome, protect and respect immigrants, DREAMERS, and refugees.
Especially in New York, supporting individuals and families looking for a second chance is in line with the best of who we want to be, and say we are. Remember, the poet Emma Lazarus once described the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of resistance to slavery, as the “Mother of Exiles.”
Best wishes for 2025 – despite all the obstacles, may we grow in wisdom, live compassionately and work for justice.
Thank you,
Pastor Bette Sohm
Asbury United Methodist Church Croton on-Hudson & United Methodist Church of Mt. Kisco
Rev. Daniel Lawlor
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Hudson Valley
Rabbi Jennifer Jaech
Temple Israel of Northern Westchester
The Rev. Jennifer Owen+
Rector, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church
Rev. Dr. Justin Johnson
Our Saviour Lutheran Church
