Grand Haven faith community gathers to grieve victims of ICE

GRAND HAVEN — On Thursday night, anger and outrage over President Donald J. Trump’s policies on immigration hit home when a solemn worship service took place at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven.

“What we deeply need are pathways for effective resistance. However, the path of nonviolent resistance is not the path of acceptance," said the Rev. Jarad Cramer, lead pastor at St. John’s, who led those gathered in a service of prayer and remembrance, said during his sermon.

Many of those in attendance were members of various local churches, along with the public at large, who gathered to mourn the deaths of Renee Nichole Good and Alex Pretti, both of whom were recently killed by federal officers in Minneapolis. Also remembered were 37 individuals who to date have died in the custody of ICE.

The sanctuary at St. John’s was filled to near capacity. The church’s St. Cecilia Choir led the singing of hymns, celebrants read biblical scripture and led those in attendance in prayer, followed by a sermon delivered by Cramer. An offering was collected with all funds going to the parish’s Immigrant Relief Fund. The service concluded with the Holy Communion, which was open to all in attendance. 

Asked for reactions after the service concluded, United Methodist Church of the Dunes members Dave and Nancy Parsons said: “As Christians, we wanted to show respect and support to victims of the pain, cruelty, and death inflicted by ICE. Rev. Jared Cramer gave a powerful sermon of recognition and remembrance and a call for peace.” 

“I found the service very sobering and emotional. Lighting the candles and naming all [the] people killed by ICE, followed by ringing of the church bells for each person killed," said longtime resident of Grand Haven and member of St. John’s Episcopal Church Hank Werksma.

"As the church bells rang, I thought of the words of John Donne: ‘Do not ask for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.’”

“The Service of Prayer and Remembrance at St. John’s Church was very calming to me. Our human beings who lost their life in this ‘immigrant roundup’ were cared for in words of truth from Father Jared, the Bible, from parishioners, in hymns and anthems," said Mary Jane Boettcher, a longtime member of nearby First Presbyterian Church in Grand Haven. "I pray those lives lost are now resting and at peace with God. As Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said: 'Free at last, free at last. Thank God I’m free at last.'"

"It was a powerful reminder that God is always on the side of the poor, those who mourn, and those who are oppressed," said Rev. Kristine Aragon Bruce, associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Grand Haven. "I was so thankful to have a worship space where, in community, we could lift those who have died due to the actions of ICE. They were God's children, too." 

"It is very meaningful to see so many people here who aren’t part of our congregation. This is our community, and I think the turnout demonstrates that so many hearts are broken and that people want to find ways to find solidarity to resist injustice," Cramer said after the service. “It was very encouraging to see so many people tonight.”