Tips for Declaring Sanctuary

Sanctuary is a process; it will look different for each congregation.
How does your congregation handle change? Choosing to become a Sanctuary congregation is a change that will need to be accommodated and accepted.
A part of accepting change is navigating congregational fears around it. What is your congregation potentially losing through this change?
Create a statement of purpose that connects the congregation mission and theology. This can help bring clarity around the purpose and focus of your congregation as a Sanctuary.
Make the connection with various immigrant narratives. What’s your family history? How did they arrive here? Why was the move important? How can we use our history to connect with immigrant families today?
Discern how your community works. Organizational structures? Teams, committees?
Possibly create or utilize a social action/justice committee to help navigate the process.
This is an ever-changing issue. Assessing needs and capacity will need to be revisited. Prepare to reassess the presented needs and how you can respond.