Images below of the AMMPARO Candlelight Prayer Vigil on Wednesday, July 30 at Peace Park on the campus of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, located across the street from the Phoenix Convention Center where the ELCA Churchwide Assembly convened.
Photos courtesy of ELCA photographers assigned to the prayer vigil.
Approximately 250 participants gathered to listen and to pray, recognizing and preserving the human dignity of all God's people, with special emphasis on migrant, asylee and refugee communities. Faith leaders underscored that this a critical time to respond to the needs of our neighbor as we continue to live our faith in action, to care for the most vulnerable among us, those whom Jesus has told us to love and to care for, the poor and the marginalized.
The 30-minute program included remarks from the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA; the Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer, bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA; the Rev. John Dolan, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix (and our host); Sister Lika of the Casa de Misericordia, Nogales; Connie Phillips, president and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest; Mary Campbell, director of ELCA AMMPARO; and Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (D-CD03). Closing song by the Rev. Felix Malpica, bishop of the La Crosse Area Synod of the ELCA.
Interfaith partners joining in support and prayer included:
Rev. Katie Sexton, Executive Director, Arizona Faith Network, Disciples of Christ
Rev. Gerald Richard, AFN Board Chair, Historic African American Church
Rev. John Dolan, Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
Sandra Weir, Unitarian Universalist Association
Gerrit and Judy Steenblik, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Rev. Dr. Gloria J. Smith, Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ
Rev. Melissa Rynders, United Methodist Church
Bhikkhu Vasu Bandhu, Interfaith Manager, Arizona Faith Network, a representative of the Dhammapada Sangha
The ELCA practices an accompaniment model, which means we work together in solidarity with our global companions, striving to share God's love and to participate in God's mission together.