10/11/2026
Concerned Clergy of Olympia (CCOly) is a coalition of religious leaders collaborating on social and civic issues impacting the greater Olympia community. Rooted in the shared understanding of our interconnectedness, we gather in solidarity across religious traditions to uphold the values of our faiths in the public square.
Both Diane and Kathleen are active members of CCOly. Below is their latest statement about protecting our immigrant communities. CCOly will be presenting this letter in person, on Tuesday, Oct. 13th, at the Olympia City Council meeting. We invite you to share this letter with your friends, family and neighbors, and we invite you to attend the City Council meeting on the 13th. For more information please contact Kathleen.
Statement from Concerned Clergy of Olympia:
Standing Together for Justice and the Protection of Immigrant
Communities
October 2026
As faith leaders in Olympia, WA, we stand together at a moment of deep moral urgency. We stand with our immigrant neighbors, and we stand against injustice wherever it occurs. We stand together, fearful for the soul of our country, and yet we commit ourselves to act — to fight for a world where human dignity is honored, and all are safe.
We start here in Olympia, recommitting to: caring for our neighbor,
protecting the vulnerable, welcoming the visitor, practicing compassion, justice, and loving-kindness. These are not abstract ideals — they are the core teachings of the world’s great religious traditions and the lived expression of genuine faith.
In Judaism, the Torah teaches us, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” and to love the stranger, for we were strangers in the land of Egypt. In Christianity, Jesus calls us to care with compassion for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized.
It is because of these shared spiritual commitments that we are outraged and heartbroken by the violence unfolding across the United States — where federal immigration enforcement has resulted in deaths, terrorized communities, and sparked protests in the streets. These actions are not isolated incidents; they reflect a system that too often prioritizes power over human life, enforcement over justice.
We mourn with all who grieve — especially immigrant families, people of color, members of the LGBTQAI2S+ and those who now fear seeking safety or accessing basic services. We call for immediate accountability for these actions, transparency in enforcement, and systemic change to ensure that no one is treated as expendable. Violence and fear have no place in a society that claims to honor the image of God in every person.
Now more than ever, our moral and spiritual traditions demand that we see the humanity and dignity of every person, regardless of immigration status, and that we stand boldly, speak out clearly, and act decisively in defense of those most vulnerable. Loving our neighbor must be more than an ideal — it must guide our policies, our communities, and our public life.
As clergy of many faiths, we affirm:
â—Ź The inherent worth of every human life
â—Ź The responsibility to protect the vulnerable
â—Ź The imperative to welcome the stranger with justice and love
â—Ź The call to be agents of peace, accountability, and healing in divided times
We pledge to be steadfast in our witness, resolute in our compassion, and united in action — until the day when all who seek refuge, safety, and dignity are met with justice and love.
Signed,
+Rev. Kathleen Bellefeuille-Rice
Rev. Matthew Benz–Whittington
Co-Clerk Patricia Bultena
The Rev. Geoff Browning
Rev. Jaime Case
The Rev. Paul Collins
Rev. Kellen Corliss
Rev. Lara Crutsinger-Perry
Reverend Kelly Dahlman-Oeth
Rev. Alexa Eisenbarth
Rev. Mary Gear
Rabbi Seth Goldstein
Rev. Randy Henderson
The Rev. Zach Herzog
The Rev. Julie Hutson
Rev. Julie Scheer Johnson
Rev. Janis Johnson-Smith
Rev. Allison Mattocks
Rev. Carol McKinley
Rev. Philip E. Meddaugh
Reverend Terry Murray
Rev. Corey Passons
Rev. Mark Rambo
Reverend David L. Reaves
Rev. C. Nancy Reid-McKee
Rabbi Marna Sapsowitz
Rev. Dr. Tammy Stampfli
Rev. Liz Ullery Swenson
Rev. Carol Tomer
Rev. Jan Van Pelt
Rev. Dr. Janet Waggoner
Rev. Dr. Diane S. Whalen
Rev. Joshua Young
