Senator Cory Gardner
354 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
16 January 2019
Dear Senator Gardner:
As faith leaders with Together Colorado, we are committed to working with our congregations and with you as one of the most powerful political leaders in our state to make sure that Colorado is a place where respect for human dignity is at the center of our public policy.
We see our nation sliding into a dangerous and disorienting period which threatens the fabric of community and the conviction that we are all sisters and brothers to one another. In disorienting times such as these, we return to the faith values which root all of our traditions: love, human dignity, compassion and justice.
We are deeply aggrieved by the current breakdown of our democratic system manifest in the government shutdown. Tying the shutdown directly to President Trump’s anti-immigrant border security agenda and the building of a wall or barrier on our southern border with Mexico is not leadership; holding government workers hostage, and targeting the immigrant community, are not acceptable collateral damage in this political & ideological fight.
We applaud your comments last week in support of a continuing resolution to temporarily fund the government, without funding for the border wall. We call on you to use your power as a Republican in the US Senate to:
- Speak with your Republican peers, including Senate leadership, about the importance of moving past the current stalemate by passing the bill that has already cleared the House.
- Vote for funding to end the shutdown & reopen the government, and decouple the Immigration policy debate from the approval of the 2019 Budget.
Your leadership on this issue is needed now. We will be holding you in prayer, in our various faith traditions, as we move through the days ahead.
Signed by 148 Faith Leaders from throughout Colorado.
Imam Husayn Abdullah-Aziz
Ahi al-Bayt Assembly of America
Castle Pines
Rev. Jessica Abell
Green Faith
Denver
Sarah Adam
Evangelical Church in America
Denver
Fr. Stephen Adams
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish
Loveland
Janet Altmann
Native American Spirituality
Pueblo
Rev. Kaila Armbruster
Evangelical Church in America
Grand Junction
Rev. Eric Banner
Jefferson Unitarian Church
Golden
Dr. Joe Barrera
Black/Latino Coalition
Denver
Rabbi Eliot Baskin
Temple Emanuel
Denver
Ross Bensman
Temple Emanuel
Aurora
Madelyn Birgers
First Unitarian Society
Pueblo
Rev. Bonita Bock
Evangelical Church in America
Denver
Susan Bolduc
Evangelical Church in America
Colorado Springs
Rev. Cristina Bordes
Interfaith
Boulder
Rabbi Deborah Bronstein
Congregation Har HaShem,
Reform Synagogue
Boulder
Rev. Lewis Brown, Sr.
New Beginnings Cathedral of Worship
Aurora
DeAnne Butterfield
Boulder Meeting of Friends
Boulder
Rev. Bill Calhoun
Presbyterian minister
Denver
Robert Calhoun
Plymouth Congregational Church
Fort Collins
Rev. Paul Carlson
Evangelical Church in America
Denver
Rev. Dr. Neema Caughran
Center for Inner Peace
Pueblo
Rev. Cole Chandler
Mountain States Mennonite Conference
Denver
Rev. James Chapman
UCC
Colorado Springs
Fr. Bert Chilson
Catholic
Glenwood Springs
Sr. Nancy Crafton, SC
Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, OH
Pueblo
Rev. Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson
First Congregational Church of
Loveland
Elder Norman Davey
The Way Church,
Christian Evangelical Church
Aurora
Rev. Dr. Robert Davis
Park Hill Seventh Day Adventist Church
Denver
Rev. Tawana Davis
African Methodist Episcopal (AME)
Denver
Mary Derbort
St. Michael’s Catholic Church
Cotopaxi
Rev. Jerry Jyoti DeVernie
Center for Spiritual Living
Boulder Valley
Broomfield
Rev. Kelly Dignan
Unitarian Universalist Church of
Boulder
The Reverend Mary Ann Dimand
The United Methodist Church
Arvada
Rev. Jeffrey Dodson
United Church of Christ
Grand Junction
Minister Marrton Dormish
Broomfield
Dr. Michael Earnest
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Denver
Pastor Emily Easton
United Methodist clergy, retired
Pueblo
David Edwards
Congregation Ohr Shalom
Grand Junction
Rev. Tom English
United Methodist
Denver
Co-pastor Kathy Escobar
The Refuge
Broomfield
Rev. Lydia Ferrante-Roseberry
Boulder Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Lafayette
Rabbi Brian Field
Judaism Your Way
Denver
Rabbi Dr. Tirzah Firestone
Congregation Nevei Kodesh
Boulder
Rev. Robert Gallagher
Catholic priest
Colorado Springs
Rev. Debra Gerkin
Fireside Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
Aurora
Rabbi Bernard Gerson
Congregation Rodef Shalom, retired
Denver
Rev. Steven W Goering
Mennonite
Fort Collins
Pastor Aaron Gray
United Methodist Church
Grand Junction
Rabbi Fred Greene
Congregation Har HaShem
Boulder
Rev. Annie Grogan
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Montrose
Rev. Jann Halloran
Prairie Unitarian Universalist Church
Centennial
Dr. Christie Hanzlik, CS
First Church of Christ, Scientist
Boulder
Rev. Amanda Henderson
Christian Church, Disciples of Christ
Littleton
Rev. Angela Henderson
Hospital Chaplain
Westminster
Rev. Dr. Daniel Holt
Evangelical Church in America
Colorado Springs
Pastor Ann Hultquist
Augustana Lutheran Church
Denver
Rev. Patrick Hurley
First Presbyterian Church
Pueblo
Judith Huston
Boulder Friends Meeting (Quaker)
Boulder
Rev. Jason Janz
Providence Bible Church
Denver
Co-Director Mary Frances Jaster
Colorado Vincentian Volunteers
Denver
Rev. Jane Jebsen
Faith Lutheran Church
Golden
Rev. Charles Johnson-Kelly
Corinthian Bridge/
First Presbyterian Church
Pueblo
Rev. Nature Johnston
Episcopal Church of the Nativity
Grand Junction
Rev. Wendy Jones
Unitarian Universalist
Grand Junction
Rabbi Hillel Katzir
Jewish Action Network of Northern Colorado
Fort Collins
Rev. Marla Kauerz
United Methodist
Centennial
Dr. Ben Keller
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Pueblo
Rev. Dr. Cathie Kelsey
Iliff School of Theology
Denver
Sister Susan Kenney
Loretto Community
Lakewood
Rev. Janet Kettering
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran
Boulder
Rev. Phil Kettering
King of Kings Lutheran
Pueblo
Pastor Robert Kippley
Evangelical Church in America
Canon City
Rev. Bill Kirton
Methodist
Denver
Brother Daniel Klawitter, OSL
Episcopal
Lakewood
Rev. Chad Kohlmeyer
Atonement Lutheran Church, ELCA
Boulder
Rev. Ben Konecny
First Congregational Church
Greeley
Rev. Paul Kottke
United Methodist
Greenwood Village
Christopher Lamb
Unitarian Universalist Church of
Boulder
Rev. Bradley Lauvrick
Highlands United Methodist Church
Denver
Rev. Wayne Laws
Mountain View United Church
Aurora
Rev. Marnie Leinberger
Milagro Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
Pueblo
Rev. Martin Lettow
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
Denver
Pastor Karen Lewis-Young
Presbyterian
Denver
Rev. Laurel Liefert
Namaqua Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Loveland
Rev. Inga Oyan Longbrake
Messiah Community Church, ELCA
Denver
Deacon Judy Lounsberry
Holy Trinity, ELCA
Centennial
Trustee Frank Lytle
Christ Temple Church
Colorado Springs
Rita Marquez
Disciples of Christ
Pueblo
Sr. Patricia McCormick
Catholic
Denver
Rev. Julia McKay
Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church
Littleton
Rev. Mark Meeks
Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church
Bailey
Rev. Sally Megeath
Episcopalian
Denver
Rabbi Anat Moskowitz
Congregation B’Nai Torah
Westminster
Rev. Anne Mundt
United Methodist
Denver
Pastor Doug Nelson
The Refuge
Arvada
Pastor Dr. Eric Nelson
Heritage Christian Center
Aurora
Rev. Thomas Nelson, CM
Vincentians
Denver
Rev. Bich Thy Nguyen
United Methodist
Denver
Bishop Karen Oliveto
The Mountain Sky Conference of
The United Methodist Church
Greenwood Village
Rev. Kevin Olsen
United Church of Christ
Pueblo
Pastor Juan Pena
Providence Bible Church
Denver
Brother Scott-Michael Powerenk, BSG
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Denver
Dr. Sandra Powell
Soul Care Full Gospel Center
Commerce City
Rev. Dr. Terry Purvis-Smith
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Denver
Jill Ramos
King of Kings Evangelical Lutheran Church
Pueblo
Rev. Jane Reina
Hospice
Fort Collins
Rev. Elizabeth Reinking
Epiphany Lutheran Church ELCA
Denver
Rev. Dr. Vernon K. Rempel
Beloved Community
Littleton
Lisa Reynolds
Loretto Community
Denver
Rev. Dr. Anne Rice-Jones
Rose of Sharon Tabernacle
Lakewood
Rev. Amelia Richardson Dress
United Church of Christ
Boulder
Rev. Ruth R. Rinehart
JUUST Living
Golden
Barbara Ripperger
King of Kings Lutheran Church
Pueblo
Rev. Jane Ritterson
Presbyterian Church USA
Denver
Rev. Patty Rumpza
Center for Spiritual Living
Grand Junction
Andrew Saunders
Ascension Lutheran Church
Colorado Springs
Sharla Saunders
Ascension Lutheran Church
Colorado Springs
The Rev. R. Justice Schunior
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Denver
Rev. Anna Scott
Center for Spiritual Living
Grand Junction
Mary Sealing
First Congregational UCC
Fruita
Rev. Simon Shadowlight
Mile Hi Church
Lakewood
Rev. Dr. Douglas Sharp
First Congregational UCC
Colorado Springs
Rev. Jeannie Shero
Unitarian Universalist
Denver
Rev. Pedro Silva
United Church of Christ
Boulder
Rev. Elizabeth Sollie
Unitarian Universalist
Northglenn
Rabbi Marc Soloway
Congregation Bonai Shalom, Conservative Jewish
Boulder
Rev. Sandra Spahr
United Methodist
Pueblo
Rev. Elena Stahlberg
Lord of the Mountains Lutheran Church
Dillon
Rev. Paula Stecker
Christ the King Lutheran Church
Colorado Springs
The Rev. Laura Stephenson
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Grand Junction
Rev. Val Stepien
Eyes of Compassion Sangha
Denver
Marilyn Stranske
St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral
Denver
The Rev. Dr. Laura Sugg
Wheat Ridge Presbyterian Church
Wheat Ridge
Rev. Nadine Swahnberg
Jefferson Unitarian Church
Lakewood
Sandy Taylor
Christ Congregational UCC
Beulah
Pastor Caitlin Trussell
Augustana Lutheran Church
Lakewood
Rev. Jeni Umble
Mennonite
Broomfield
Father Joseph Vigil
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
Pueblo
Michelle Warren
Christian Community Development Association
Denver
Rev. Gary Weaver
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Pueblo
Rev. Dr. Dana Wilbanks
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Denver
Mary Williams
United Church of Christ
Denver
Rev. Wendy Williams
Jefferson Unitarian Church
Golden
Rev. Karen Winkel
Community Spirit UCC
Montrose
Pastor Sara Wirth
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, ELCA
Boulder
Pastor Kirk Yamaguchi
Canon View Vineyard Church
Grand Junction
Donna Young
Canon Sanga
Canon City