Howard County Interfaith Groups Sponsor Afghan Family

In August 2021, as the Taliban descended on Kabul, Afghanistan, members of Christ Episcopal Church in Columbia resolved to take action to assist refugees.

Parishioners researched ways to help individuals fleeing the country and decided to co-sponsor an Afghan refugee family consisting of three young men and their mother.

The initiative, Christ Church’s Refugee Ministry, is a collaborative effort involving St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Patapsco Friends Quaker community, and the Columbia Jewish Congregation.

Together, these groups have provided significant aid to the family since their arrival in Howard County late in 2021, helping them secure a townhouse and a car, and covering essential costs like food and utilities.

The Rev. Denise Schiavone, who spearheaded the ministry, noted the strong community bonds formed and the collective effort supporting the family’s transition to self-sufficiency.

On Sunday evening, an interfaith prayer vigil called “United We Pray” was organized by these congregations, along with Dar Al-Taqwa Mosque and Hindu American Seva Communities.

The event, held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, featured prayers, readings, and reflections from various traditions, emphasizing the need for Howard County’s community to welcome refugees with open arms.

Rabbi Michael Hess Webber expressed gratitude on behalf of the interfaith community, acknowledging the presence of newcomers as a strength for building a more inclusive future.

Also involved was the Luminus Network for New Americans, a long-standing Howard County nonprofit offering legal, social, and language services to refugees and immigrants.

Source: Read the original report