Church Decries Trump Executive Order and Western Complicity, Pledges to Support Refugees

A Georgetown church known for its social activism is challenging the Trump administration over what it calls “cruel” refugee and anti-Muslim actions.

Dumbarton United Methodist Church issued a statement decrying President Trump’s Feb. 3 executive order “trapping travelers and thwarting those fleeing violence in war-torn countries. His order reflects the president’s inflammatory portrayal of Islam as the source of terrorism, ignoring over a century of Euro-American military occupation and exploitation of Middle Eastern lands.

“Jesus’ call for us to be peace-makers requires us to reject false and self-serving claims about Islam. We call on Americans to acknowledge that the United States has contributed to the circumstances from which terrorism has arisen. We demand bold, creative and enlightened steps, inspired by God’s Love, to craft lasting peace in the Middle East.”

Approved by the Church Council, the statement says: “God’s love is not apportioned by nationality, religion, race or creed, but rather flows extravagantly to all. More than 65 million people are currently displaced worldwide, more than during World War II. The United States has an urgent moral and legal responsibility to open its doors to receive these refugees and asylum seekers.”

The church also pledged itself “to reach out to and comfort our Muslim brothers and sisters, individually and as a community, so that God’s love flowing through us might calm the fears and insecurities brought on by our president’s actions

“We pledge ourselves to support refugees escaping violence and personal threats as they seek welcome in our home jurisdictions and neighborhoods. And we pledge to renew our historical role as a sanctuary congregation willing to shelter and support those who fear for their lives or through no fault of their own face legal actions threatening their safety and well-being.”

In 1985, Dumbarton became a sanctuary church, sheltering a Salvadoran immigrant who risked deportation. Dumbarton was also the was first United Methodist church in Washington to perform same-sex weddings in 2010, and in 1987 it became one of the few churches to openly welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons to worship.