Interfaith Prayer in Solidarity with Migrants
Thursday, June 24, 2025
Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Ave, Cleveland OH 44115
Welcome — The Rev. Canon Adrienne Koch, Canon for Mission and Transformation, Episcopal Diocese of Ohio
Office of Mayor Justin Bibb — Jaden Baxter, Special Assistant
Office of Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne — invited
Opening prayer: The Rev. Canon Adrienne Koch
We are gathered for worship today in the name of God who takes care of every creature as a father and as a mother; Who is on the side of the weak and those who are treated without justice; Whose Spirit gives us the capacity to give solidarity to those who suffer and the power to resist all that threatens and destroys life. We believe that our help comes from God who made heaven and earth. For that we bless God’s name forever.
Congregation responds: Blessed be God’s name forever
Opening Song: All are Welcome
Islamic Scripture: Imam Ramez Islambouli
A reading from the Quran: “He who emigrates in the way of Allah will find in the earth enough room for refuge and plentiful resources. And he who goes forth from his house as a migrant in the way of Allah and His Messenger, and whom death overtakes, his reward becomes incumbent on Allah. Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, All-Compassionate.” (Quran 4:100)
Faith statement – Imam Ramez Islambouli, President of Muslim Association of Cleveland East
First testimony – Building Hope in the City, Center for Refugees & Immigrants
Moment of silence
Prayer
All: O Holy One, today you call us to welcome the members of your family who come to our land to escape oppression, poverty, persecution, violence, and war. Yet we are filled with fear and doubt and even suspicion. We build barriers in our hearts and in our minds.
Help us by your grace,
Right: To banish fear from our hearts, that we may embrace each of your children as our own brother and sister;
Left: To welcome migrants and refugees with joy and generosity, while responding to their many needs;
R. To realize that you call all people to your holy mountain to learn the ways of peace and justice;
L. To share of our abundance as you spread a banquet before us;
R. To give witness to your love for all people, as we celebrate the many gifts they bring.
All: We praise you and give you thanks for the family you have called together from so many people. We see in this human family a reflection of you the most Holy One, in whom we make our prayer. - Author Unknown
Christian Scripture: Dr. Kate Gillooly
A Reading from the Gospel of Mark (Mark 12: 28-31): “One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and he asked him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Faith statement – Dr. Kate Gillooly, Minister/Settled Pastor at Heights Christian Church (Disciple of Christ)
Second testimony–The Hope Center for Refugees and Immigrants
Moment of silence
Intercessory Prayer
Reader 1: God, we bring to you the weeping and wailing of the mothers of this world, waiting for their children who have disappeared in the sea, in the desert, in uncertainty:
Congregation: “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me”
Reader 2: We bring to you refugees, men, women and children, from the war zones of this world, who are fleeing hunger and poverty, in the hope of a better, more secure life.
Congregation: “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me”
R1: We bring to you our lament for those who have died stranded at our borders, those who have died fleeing through deserts, mountains and seas. We call upon you and we join in the cry of those who have died seeking justice and a better world.
Congregation: “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.”
R2: God we bring to you our shame for turning away and remaining silent. We have enough to eat in the United States- and do not see that we also create the causes of hunger. We are insatiable and do not realize that is the cause of many wars. We’re silent, when we should speak and act.
Congregation: “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.”
R1: God, we bring before you our political leaders, who are not making decisions about mere numbers, but about the destiny of many human beings. Sharpen their awareness of how things are interrelated. Keep their consciences alert. Let them develop rules that are guided by humanity and a vision of peace.
Congregation: “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.”
R2: God, give us the strength to bear witness to the suffering of your children on the run, on their way to us, at our borders, in refugee camps and among us, in detention, waiting to be deported, in fear of the dangers that lie ahead, in mourning for those who have died. Help us, O God.
Congregation: Hear our prayer. Amen
--From Liturgy for Migrants and Refugees 2019 European Methodist Council
Jewish Scripture: Rabbi Enid Lader, Rabbi Emerita Beth Israel
A Reading from the Book of Leviticus [19: 33-34]. When an alien resides with you in your land, do not mistreat such a one. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the LORD, am your God.
Faith statement: Rabbi Enid Lader, Rabbi Emerita Beth Israel - The West Temple
Prayer
Leader: Let us hold all those impacted by migration in our hearts as we pray Psalm 126:
ALL: Glory to you, God of life and freedom, praise and thanksgiving now and forever.
(Read Antiphonally)
Right: When God restored the captives of Zion, we thought we were dreaming.
Then our mouths were filled with laughter; our tongues sang for joy
Left: Then it was said among the nations, our God had done great things for them. Our God has done great things for us; Oh, how happy we were!
R Restore our captives, O God, like the dry stream beds of the Negeb. Those who sow in tears will reap with cries of joy.
L: Those who go forth weeping, carrying sacks of seed, Will return with cries of joy, carrying their bundled sheaves.
R: Glory to God who is our Creator, Our Redeemer and our Sanctifier
L: As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
All: Glory to you, God of life and freedom, praise and thanksgiving now and forever.
--Prayer Service in Solidarity with Migrants, US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Call to action – IRTF staff and student interns
-visit the tables of organizations represented today to learn how you can volunteer: Re:Source Cleveland, Building Hope in the City, Migration and Refugee Services (Catholic Charities), Cleveland Heights for Immigrant Rights, InterReligious Task Force on Central America & Colombia, NEO Friends of Immigrants / AMIS
-consider your position in your community. Think about how you might assist: legal professionals, school employees, notary, mental health professionals, nonprofit community workers
-join the Network (Catholic social justice lobby) migrant justice prayer walk at 1pm today (meeting at Perk Plaza Plaza, E 12th and Walnut)
-contact your US congressperson and senators to register your opposition to the budget bill that increases immigration enforcement (policing, apprehension, detention, deportation) by 143% ($168B): http://bit.ly/449yaY7
Closing prayer:
All: “Creator of all, you have formed every human with love and intrinsic dignity. Be with your children throughout our nation. Grant our immigrant neighbors your grace and blessing,, especially those who are overwhelmed with fear. Grant our policy-makers your compassion toward those who come to our country seeking safety and justice. Grant our congregations your courage to stand up for those on the margins of our society. Lord, who is continually moving, migrating toward justice, help our community to see your face in our immigrant neighbors. Give us all the grace to be your presence. in this world.” -- Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
Closing Hymn: This is My Song
SONGS
Opening song: All are Welcome
Let us build a house where love can dwell, and all can safely live,
A place where saints and sinners tell, how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions, Rock of faith and vault of grace,
Here the love of God shall end divisions
All are welcome, all are welcome All are welcome in this place
Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children dare to seek, to dream God’s reign anew.
Here our faith shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace;
here as one we claim the faith of all ages.
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone,
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Love they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger, bear the image of God’s face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger.
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace,
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter.
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
Marty Haughen copyright 1994—GIA publications. Used with permission
Closing Hymn: This is My Song
This is my song, O God of all the nations, A song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is; Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine;
But other hearts in other lands are beating With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country's skies are bluer than the ocean, And sunlight beams on clover-leaf and pine.
But other lands have sunlight too and clover, And skies are everywhere as blue as mine.
Oh, hear my song, O God of all the nations, A song of peace for their land and for mine.
May truth and freedom come to every nation, May peace abound where strife has raged so long;
That each may seek to love and build together, A world united, righting every wrong.
A world united in its love for freedom, Proclaiming peace together in one song.
Jan Sibelius 1899- Finlandia Words, Lloyd Stone-1934 https://www.hymnlyrics.org/lyricst/this_is_my_song.html
https://mosaicharmony.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ThisIsMySong.pdf
