LGBT, Immigrant-Friendly Church's Service Centers Around 'Call to Action'

WORCESTER, MA—"If you're looking for an opportunity to show support to the LGBT and immigrant communities, tomorrow's service at Hadwen park church is centering around a call to action, how to positively move forward in the face of fear," wrote Anne Arsenault, Hadwen Park Congregational Church's music minister.

The church, long regarded as a welcoming community and haven for the LGBT and immigrant community, is led by Pastor Judy Hanlon and also the host of the LGBT Asylum Task Force. The group provides legal support, food and services to persecuted gays and lesbians worldwide, and helped many escape from oppressive, cruel situations to come to America.

"It's hard for Americans to imagine that in 2016, people in some countries who love members of the same sex are subjected to prison, torture and even death," wrote Worcester Telegram and Gazette Columnist Dianne Williamson. "The local Task Force has helped more than 150 asylum-seekers who have fled to the United States from 16 countries, including Jamaica, El Salvador, Iraq, Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, Zambia, Nigeria and Lebanon."

The service, taking place at 10 a.m. at the church at 6 Clover St. in Worcester, will center around supporting those who sought asylum, but have not yet gained citizenship, and are "terrified of being deported," said Arsenault.

"This spring, some of you heard the story of a gay Ugandan man who lost his partner and their home in a fire because of their crime, homosexuality," wrote Arsenault on her Facebook page. "A Muslim lesbian shared her story of rape and imprisonment. After she fled to our country, one woman's father sent her a video he took while he burned her girlfriend to death. Their lives are better here but they are terrified of being deported as they have not completed their journeys to citizenship. Any love and support you can show, even just by being there tomorrow [Sunday], would be amazing."

Photo via Hadwen Park Congregational Church