First Parish Brewster Hosts Benefit Concert For Migrant Families

BREWSTER – More than ever, asylum seekers, refugees and migrants are struggling to afford basic necessities, find stable jobs and obtain permits like driver’s licenses. A group of congregants at First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universalist is hoping to help.

 Building a Bigger Table, a local committee affiliated with the church, is hosting a benefit concert on Saturday, Dec. 6 featuring singer-songwriter Zoë Lewis.

 The committee is a self-described humanitarian group of individuals “who believe in creating a welcoming community for those who have been displaced from their homes due to persecution, human rights violations, armed conflict or other reasons.” 

 The group builds relationships with local families or individuals who have been displaced. They are then able to determine what the exact needs are. In most circumstances, the group is able to connect these families and individuals with resources, assist with finding housing or employment opportunities or providing financial assistance.

 The committee has also worked with other local organizations, providing support via volunteer opportunities or fundraising efforts. Currently, they are actively involved in supporting the migrants housed on Cape Cod as part of the Healey administration's response to the increasing number of migrant families in need of shelter. Outreach efforts are ongoing but include providing clothing, offering a social knitting group and teaching ESL classes.

 “Two years ago around the holidays I did a show for [First Parish],” said Lewis. “And it was just great, it’s really [a] community. I love that church and Building a Bigger Table.” 

 Lewis said she relates greatly with the motivation for the benefit concert. As a world traveler herself, she has relied on the “kindness of strangers,” she said. Lewis is originally from England but has lived in Provincetown for over 30 years. Her music has taken her around the world as well, performing most recently in Mexico. 

 “I am a global citizen, so this speaks very much to my heart,” she said. “I just feel that the power of community and the power of every tiny act creates an avalanche of kindness and that’s what I can really get behind.” 

 Lewis’ participation in the event is apropos given the content of her music. By definition, she combines a multitude of instruments, the genres of gypsy jazz and swing to produce original tunes that share a story. She has also been called “a band in a body.” 

 Lewis’ inspiration can be tracked through all of her traveling adventures, with influence from a number of other musical genres. 

 Her set will be around an hour and 15 minutes, and she hinted at the possibility of some guests joining her on stage. 

 Building a Bigger Table was started in 2019 by a Dennis couple in response to the migrant crisis at the border. After hearing firsthand accounts of deportations to Nogales, Mexico, the couple decided to open their home to families who had been displaced. Connecting with the Kino Border Initiative, a humanitarian aid organization in Nogales, the couple was able to discover multiple families in need of assistance. 

 After attending an event at the church protesting the separation of migrant families at the border, the couple connected with parish members to create the committee. The first fundraiser was held in November 2019. 

While tickets are free and available at the door, a donation of around $10 to $30 is suggested. All donations will benefit Building a Bigger Table and its mission.

More information about the organization can be found at buildingabiggertable.org.