“When you leave home, whether by choice or by force, you carry more than just your belongings. You carry your faith, your values, and your sense of who you are.”
In this sermon, Pierre Uwimana, the Florida State Refugee Organizer with the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC), shares his personal journey from a displaced immigrant to a community leader. Drawing from his childhood in Rwanda as the son of a minister to his early days in Jacksonville navigating life on a bicycle, Pierre reflects on the profound difference between being treated as a “stranger” versus being welcomed as a “neighbor.”
Connecting his lived experience with Unitarian Universalist principles and sacred texts from Leviticus, Micah, and Matthew, Pierre challenges us to move beyond “convenient kindness” toward a radical, actionable compassion.
In this sermon, you will hear about:
- The Immigrant Reality: The hidden fears of Floridian neighbors—from avoiding doctors to creating emergency family separation plans.
- The Power of Small Gestures: How a simple car ride from a local church member transformed Pierre’s sense of isolation into a sense of belonging.
- Justice, Mercy, and Humility: How these three values intersect to challenge harmful systems and empower the marginalized.
- The Work of FLIC: How the Florida Immigrant Coalition is organizing “Know Your Rights” trainings, citizenship drives, and community response networks to protect the vulnerable.
About the Speaker:
Pierre O. Uwimana is a dedicated community leader and Florida State Refugee Organizer. Originally from Rwanda, he has over a decade of experience in international development and refugee resettlement with organizations like World Relief and World Concern. He holds an MBA in Finance and is fluent in seven languages.
Take Action & Connect:
We are called to build a world where dignity is real and belonging is shared. Here is how you can help:
- Stay Informed: Seek the truth behind immigrant stories and challenge misinformation.
- Show Up: Join local advocacy hubs, vigils, and community gatherings.
- Volunteer: Reach out to the Florida Immigrant Coalition to offer your time and resources.
- Build Relationships: Reach across cultures to find the “more love” that exists right here in our community.
Topics: Social Justice, Society & Culture