Prayer Vigil for Immigrants

On April 3, 2026 — Good Friday — RMM, the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester and the Temple
Sinai Social Action Committee co-sponsored a gathering that drew more than 150 people from
all faith backgrounds at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Irondequoit Border Patrol
Station. 

Unlike many important protests taking place around our region, this gathering took a different approach, one rooted in love and seeking another pathway through stories of humanity, the power of prayer, and silence.

We prayed for immigrants, our government officials, and those who work for Homeland Security. We prayed that we would find the empathy, mercy, and courage to recognize and affirm the humanity of all immigrants and their families. We gathered to reclaim and reconnect the humanity and empathy of all people, including immigration enforcement officers.

We’re grateful to all those who gathered, carrying signs of affirmation; to the singers and musicians who lifted up all of our voices; and to our speakers:

The Rt. Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester

The Rev. Richard Witt, Executive Director of RMM

Rabbi Or Zohar, Temple Sinai, Rochester

Cantor Renata Braun, Temple Sinai, Rochester

Dr. John Sherer, Director of Music, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Rochester

Michael Marshall, Immanuel Baptist Church, Rochester

Ana Mendez, Western New York Regional Coordinator, RMM

Andrea, Justice Organization of Youth participant, RMM

To see coverage of the Prayer Vigil from ABC 13Wham News, click HERE.