Migration with Dignity Prayer Vigil and Food Drive - Aug. 20, 2025 | Community Engagement

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August Migration with Dignity Prayer Vigil and Food Drive

On Aug. 20, St. David’s was grateful to host our first interfaith gathering of the Migration with Dignity Prayer Vigil and food drive in downtown Austin. Nearly 200 people attended this inspiring special event organized to bring to together communities of faith to further support refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrants.

Under the leadership of the Rev. Alyssa Stebbing, the Rev. Josh Kulak, the Rev. Jim Harrington, and the Rev. Hope Benko, with the support of St. David’s Advocacy Group, this event was created as a chance to pray for refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrants, bear public witness to the injustices experienced by our migrant neighbors, and to support each other as we take faithful action to work for justice within the immigration system.

Thank you to St. David's Youth Ministry, the Austin Sanctuary Network, Matt Davila, the Rev. Peggy Lo, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, the Rev. Scott Madison, Resurrection Episcopal Church, South Austin, the Rev. Eileen O'Brien, St. James Episcopal Church, the Rev. Dr. Shawn McCain Tirres, Resurrection Episcopal Church, South Austin, the Rev. Minerva Camarena Skeith, St. John's Episcopal Church, and all who took part in the service.

Ongoing Migration with Dignity Prayer Vigils

St. David’s Episcopal Church
301 E. 8th Street

Third Wednesdays
Sept. 17, Oct. 15, and Nov. 19

5:30 p.m. Community Dinner
6:30 p.m. Prayer Vigil

Everyone is welcome to our next Migration with Dignity Prayer Vigil and food drive on Wednesday, Sept. 17. Participants are welcome to attend our community dinner at 5:30 p.m. in Sumners Hall before the prayer vigil, which begins at 6:30 p.m. This service will be offered on the third Wednesday of each month. Parking is free during church services and events. Enter between 7th and 8th Street on Trinity Street. Childcare is available during worship services.

To help with the food insecurity caused by the immigration crisis, these events will also serve as a food drive for El Buen Samaritano's pantry. Participants are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items.

Migration with Dignity Prayer Vigil - Wednesday, Aug. 20

Migration with Dignity Rosary

Created by St. David’s parishioners, the “Migration with Dignity Rosary” is a 25-foot, hand-made Anglican rosary dedicated to all those impacted by the injustice of our migration system.
Our rosary is an embodiment of our faith as we work to aid migrant communities and pray for all who need hope, strength, courage, and love within the immigration system.

Symbols of Migrant Struggles & Resilience

Rosaries and prayer beads have become powerful and poignant symbols that reflect the struggles and resilience of migrants and asylum seekers – especially for those who risk their lives on perilous journeys to reach the U.S. border. Carrying a rosary through the dangers of migration is a testament to the immense sacrifices migrants make in their quest for safety, security, and dignity.

Rosary Invitation

You are invited to be part of this project by personally adding (handwriting) a name or names of those struggling with immigration to the rosary.

You can also add your own name, as we all need strength to continue to bear witness to the suffering of migrants and to work for fairness and justice. The names on the rosary will serve as a reminder of the real impact of immigration injustice on our community, as well as provide inspiration for us to move forward together.