‘Never underestimate what neighbors can do for neighbors:’ the small town that teamed up to take in two families
At a time when support for immigration is waning, the people of Stone Ridge, New York, adopted Afghan refugees – and helped them build a new lifeEvery third Thursday evening, an episcopal church in upstate New York transforms into an Afghan takeaway restaurant. It’s a “very foodie congregation”, says the Rev Marcella Gillis. The church does not charge the fledgling catering company overseen by Saida Faqirzada, a refugee from Kabul, for use of its gleaming commercial kitchen.That decision, unsurprisingly, reminds Gillis of a familiar biblical parable. Several bystanders pass by a distressed person who has been mugged, who beaten up, robbed and left for dead. They say, “I’m not allowed to help them. I shouldn’t help them. Someone else will help them.” So they walk past. Continue reading...
At a time when support for immigration is waning, the people of Stone Ridge, New York, adopted Afghan refugees – and helped them build a new life
Every third Thursday evening, an episcopal church in upstate New York transforms into an Afghan takeaway restaurant. It’s a “very foodie congregation”, says the Rev Marcella Gillis. The church does not charge the fledgling catering company overseen by Saida Faqirzada, a refugee from Kabul, for use of its gleaming commercial kitchen.
That decision, unsurprisingly, reminds Gillis of a familiar biblical parable. Several bystanders pass by a distressed person who has been mugged, who beaten up, robbed and left for dead. They say, “I’m not allowed to help them. I shouldn’t help them. Someone else will help them.” So they walk past.
