PORTLAND — On Sunday, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 425 Congress St., is presenting its 2012 “Chefs and Musicians for Safe Harbor” concert to renew its resources for legal advocacy on behalf of asylum seekers.

The concert will include singer Peter Alexander of Bath opening for the Adam Ezra Group of Boston — strong supporters of asylum advocacy — with the addition this year of Batimbo Beat, a local Burundian drum corps.

According to the Rev. Christina Sillari, the launch of the church Safe Harbor Fund in 2011 has helped her ministry — now in its third year — to address the desperation of those she meets who are fleeing personal persecution in their homelands. With help from the fund, two of its new friends have obtained asylum, including charismatic Luc Mpangaje, who spoke and guest performed with the Adam Ezra Group at the launch event last year.

Asylum seekers are supported each step of the way — with friendship, household wares, warm clothes — and after many months of waiting for a work permit, with job hunting help. Most critical is prevailing in federal court, where an attorney has proved essential to increased odds of success.

“Safe Harbor has become a budget commitment for our congregation,” said the Rev. Sillari. “We will continue this work as long as the need for legal representation exceeds the resources of the Immigrant Legal Assistance Project. Their caseload compels them to turn away worthy applicants, whose best hope becomes the faith community. We are privileged to be a partner in this ecumenical humanitarian effort.”

The cost for dinner, which runs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., is $10 for adults and $5 for children younger than 12.