Rescue the Oppressed

The Lord proclaims: Do what is just and right; rescue the oppressed from the power of the oppressor. Don’t exploit or mistreat the refugee, the orphan, and the widow. – Jeremiah 22:3

It seems that in welcoming the Allimi family to Towson, Trinity is resuming a history of caring for those who have come to us – and to the United States – in need and distress. We have even had families living in the Parish House, on the second floor! In “A Brief History of Trinity Church Towsontown 1960 to 1995”, the Rev. P. Kingsley Smith writes of the efforts of Trinity to support a number of refugee families:

“Refugee sponsorships were a substantial form of mission in the Spirit of Christ during the 70’s and 80’s. The first group was the extended family of Ayub Sadik, Ugandan citizens of Pakistani origin who, with thousands of other Ugandan Asians, were brutally expelled in 1972 by the dictator Idi Amin. Trinity, Holy Comforter, Towson Presbyterian and St. Thomas More Roman Catholic churches sponsored a total of 27 men, women and children who were otherwise homeless and helpless and who soon became productive citizens of their new homeland. Even more difficult was the resettlement on Yan Vay Chhung and his family, Chinese Cambodians who fled in terror from the “killing fields” of the Khmer Rouge forces of Pol Pot in September, 1979. Trinity and Epiphany, Timonium [now St. Francis] together gave new life to the 11 Yams who arrived in Towson tired, hungry and sick (plus a baby born 5 months later). Another crisis came with the harsh oppression of the people of Poland who fought in the Solidarity movement and were expelled; Trinity welcomed Krystofer and Krystina Jesionkiewicz and their son Peter in 1983. Then, in 1989, with the Church of the Holy Comforter, yet another refugee family were given new life: Merhvan and Kati Irani and their two children, Irania Parsees who had barely escaped death at the hands of the Ayatollah Khomeini government. … all found new lives of prosperity, peace, and, most important, freedom. It is interesting to note that they were, and are, Muslims, Buddhist, Roman Catholics or Zoroastrians. Suffering knows no boundaries, nor, thank God, does Christian love.”

We are glad to be able to resume this ministry of caring for those who have been displaced from their homes, coming to this place for refuge and new life.

Thank you all for your offers of help and support. Members of the Outreach Team have begun working with the family to find jobs and navigate the school system, and we will be receiving more information about specific needs and ways to sign up for particular tasks soon. In the meantime, if you would like to know more or volunteer your time, please feel free to reach out to Laura McGuire in the Church Office, or Ted Miller.