The October 4, 2026 Iu Mien Cultural event at Parkview was a shining beacon of hope and friendship. It was so meaningful to hear stories of resilience and joy from immigrants and immigrant families at a time when our country’s ICE and law enforcement officers are treating immigrants and citizens with such cruelty and brutality.
Here’s a portion of the heartwarming email that Susan Saechao, the Executive Director of Sacramento’s Iu Mien Community Services, sent me on Sunday afternoon, only hours after the Iu Mien team exited our church parking lot:

On behalf of Iu Mien Community Services, our Board, staff, and community, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you and the entire Parkview Presbyterian Church congregation for so graciously opening your church to us today. Thank you for allowing us to be fully present and welcomed into your community. From participating in the worship service to gathering together afterward in the social hall. We felt incredibly welcomed throughout the entire experience. The warmth, kindness, and generosity shown to us were truly overwhelming. We feel extremely blessed to be in community with Parkview. Today was about so much more than fundraising. It was an opportunity to share Iu Mien culture, build relationships, and experience the genuine love and support of your church community. Our Board, staff, and I left feeling deeply grateful and uplifted. I am also happy to share that the fundraiser was a wonderful success! We raised a total of $3,176 through the silent auction, sales, donations, and service offering. We were truly amazed by the generosity of the Parkview congregation. These funds will directly support the work of IMCS and the community we serve, and we are incredibly grateful. Please extend our sincere thanks to the congregation, the Parkview Presbyterian Women’s Group, and everyone who helped make today possible. We could not have done this without your hospitality, generosity, and willingness to open your doors and hearts to us.

Isn’t that an encouraging note? Many thanks to Maurine Huang for her many years of friendship and service to the Iu Mien community, and to Janet Hill, who, at a recent Parkview prayer team meeting, suggested we hold a cultural event at Parkview with the Iu Mien community to show our solidarity and support them financially in these difficult times. Thanks to Ben Pryor and our choir for their anthem emphasizing God’s welcome to all, and for Donna Komure-Toyama and everyone who kindly provided terrific fellowship food after worship. Thanks be to God for joining our hearts with new Iu Mien friends as we walk this earth together.

– Submitted by Pastor Sarah

Photos courtesy of Maurine Huang