First Congregational Church
of Ashfield
Creating Community, Welcoming All
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COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD Hilltown Churches Food Pantry Distributions: Tuesdays, 3-5 July 8 & 22, August 5 
Ahmadi Family Update
From Ashfield Churches Together UPDATE - 6/24/25 Sue Craft at St. John's and Annie C. from First Church recently heard from Jafar about his plans for 2025-2026. We also invited him and his family to attend one or both of our summer picnics. Our fundraiser has made it possible for us to send them another $10,000 since we announced it several months ago. Jafar sent this message to us this morning, June 24. My position as a Research Scholar at Bard College will continue through June 2026. In addition, I will serve as a Visiting Scholar at New School University, collaborating with a clinical psychology professor at the Center for Global Mental Health and working alongside that professor’s graduate students who specialize in trauma. Your email filled our hearts with joy, and your continued kindness and love deeply move us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I hope one day I can repay even a small part of the generosity you’ve shown us. In this chaotic world, kindness has the power to extinguish the flames of anger and hatred. It gives me hope that, together, through love and compassion, we can plant the seeds of peace and understanding in all communities. This is not just a wish — it is a promise that I truly believe will come true. We deeply miss you. As I write these words, tears are streaming down my face. For a moment, I forgot the feeling of loneliness, remembering those who, in this same world, are experiencing traumas even greater than our own. Your kindness has been a light in our lives — one that we will carry with us always, even into the next world. I will tell my God about Ashfield’s kindness. Your compassion inspires us to be more compassionate, to give more, and to nurture the orchard and fields of kindness with care and hope. Please accept my warmest thanks once again. I send my heartfelt greetings and love to all of you. We would be honored to join you at the summer picnics — what a joy it would be for our children to return to Ashfield and feel that sense of belonging again. We’ll confirm as soon as possible regarding overnight accommodations. With gratitude, love, and respect, Jafar UPDATE - 5/29/25: Because of the recent announcement about the removal of Temporary Protection Status for Afghans in the US, we asked Jafar to clarify their situation. We will keep you posted as their situation evolves. And please share this with anyone you know who might want to support this particular family of refugees. From Jafar: Thank you so much for your message and your care — it truly means a lot to us, especially during these uncertain times. We feel so fortunate to have your support and the kindness of the Ashfield community behind us. Yes, your understanding is mostly correct. We are not in the TPS program. I’m currently in the U.S. on a J-1 visa, and Zeinab is here on a J-2 as my spouse. I’ve applied for an EB2 visa, and our family has also filed for asylum. We will be moving to another location in Red Hook at the end of June, but we haven’t finalized the new address yet. As soon as we do, I’ll send it along so you can kindly share it with anyone who wants to reach out. Your messages and gestures of support mean more than words can express — they give us strength and hope. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Like so many innocent people, the Ahmadi family has been caught up in the USAID and immigration turmoil in DC. Today the family is still in Red Hook, NY, where Jafar is a psychologist and research scholar at Bard College. Zeinab was working remotely with Afghan girls and women who escaped to Pakistan, but one of President Trump’s Executive Orders canceled funding for that program, so now she has no income. Work Situation Jafar’s position at Bard ends in July, so he must find work elsewhere, or remote work. He has applied for positions at academic and research institutions but has not received any responses. Jackie Baillargeon, the Deputy Director of the Threatened Scholars Initiative at Bard, sent us this message, “Jafar needs a job because he has to leave Bard in July. He is an amazing researcher so I imagine he could do research on many issues. A remote job would be great so the family can stay in Red Hook, and it is also possible he could travel for a hybrid position 3 days a week. Zeinab is also a good researcher and teacher, and she’s good at administrative tasks. She would really like to get into a psychology PhD program. If folks in your community have ideas, please reach out. July is not that far away.” Immigration Status Jafar said this about their immigration status: The new administration will affect our status. It will make the case processing very slow and rejections will increase. However, I have submitted two applications to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The first form for asylum was submitted in May 2023. The fingerprinting was completed, and we are waiting for the interview appointment. Additionally, I submitted the I-140 EB-2 NIW form to USCIS in May 2024. If we receive approval for that, we can obtain a green card or residency without having to go through the asylum process. So far, the attorney fees and filing costs have amounted to approximately $5,800. If this application is approved, medical expenses [$200-300 per family member] and the green card application [$2,000-3,000 for family] will be necessary. With new White House announcements, we expect the process to be delayed, but we trust God. How you can help this family 1. Send notes of support to 32 Old Rt. 199, Red Hook, NY 12571. Or email greetings. Jafar’s email is sjahmadi2002 at gmail.com. Zeinab’s email is zm.musavi2020 at gmail.com 2. Help them defray immigration costs. Send a check to St. John’s Episcopal Church with “For the Ahmadi Family” written on the Memo line (PO Box 253, Ashfield, MA 01330). Your donation will be tax deductible, and we will forward all of the funds to the family. 3. Make inquiries about PhD programs and research positions in your networks. On behalf of Jafar, Zeinab, and their children, thank you for your support over the past three years. Annie Cheatham and Sue Craft for Ashfield Churches Together |
Be thou a smooth way before me, Be thou a guiding star above me, Be thou a keen eye behind me, This day, this night, for ever. — St. Canaire
OF NOTE:
IN PERSON & ZOOM WORSHIP First Congregational Church continues in-person Sunday services at 10AM, masks optional. Join the Sunday Zoom service here.
Meeting ID: 878 8863 1016 
Find previous recordings here.
♫ Happy Summer! ♫ Ashtones and Coffee Hour 7/6 (Lakeside), 7/13, 8/3, 9/7 7/9 potluck 5:30 pm, rehearsal 7:15 pm 7/13 Sanderson Sunday Recording of Sherrill Hogen’s talk about her most recent trip to Palestine From Traprock Center for Peace and Justice and Sherrill: Here is a link to the talk by Sherrill on July 24th: “Let’s Talk About Palestine."We are delighted to be able to offer it to you here, in full, courtesy of Greenfield Community TV: https://youtu.be/jBjQDSp2hmM "It’s in that convergence of spiritual people becoming active and active people becoming spiritual that the hope of humanity now rests."
VAN JONES 
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Creating Community, Welcoming All
Welcome
“Creating Community, Welcoming All” -- Those words sum up our aspirations for our Ashfield church. For over 250 years, we have been group of people who strive to know God — in each other, in our life together, in the wider community, and in ourselves. Read more. |
Worship
First Congregational Church of Ashfield is offering both in-person worship services and on-line access for those who wish to connect virtually. To receive information about online services, contact [email protected]. Read more. |
Spiritual Resources
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