christianity

Preparing for Immigration Raids: A Faithful Guide for Congregations

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Originally posted at blogs.elca.org/ammparo/what-can-congregations-do-to-prepare-for-immigration-raids

As immigration enforcement activity increases in many of our communities, Lutheran congregations across the Grand Canyon and Sierra Pacific Synods are asking a faithful and urgent question: How can we prepare to offer care, accompaniment, and sanctuary to our neighbors?

A new guide from AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities), a ministry of the ELCA, outlines practical steps congregations can take to prepare for encounters with immigration officials, rooted in our Gospel call to love the stranger and seek justice.

Key Steps Congregations Can Take:

  • Connect locally: Reach out to migrant organizations and Rapid Response Networks in your area to understand needs and how your congregation can be part of the response.
  • Offer Know Your Rights sessions: Host events with local attorneys or organizations to share critical legal information with members and community neighbors.
  • Distribute Red Cards: Provide Red Cards that outline legal rights to carry in the event of an ICE encounter.
  • Prepare ministries: If your church hosts ESL classes, meal programs, or other outreach ministries, ensure you have a written response policy, clear signage about private/public areas, and trained staff who know how to respond to enforcement encounters.
  • Avoid offering legal advice: Instead, connect individuals to licensed immigration attorneys and share trusted resources like the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Grounding Our Response in Lutheran Theology

This is a time to embody our Lutheran commitments: to serve our neighbors, to welcome the stranger, and to speak out with love and clarity. As Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton recently stated, “This church is committed to upholding the humanity of everyone, regardless of who we are or where we come from.”

Participating in this work is not only about crisis response—it’s also about long-term accompaniment. Congregations can join the AMMPARO U.S. Network as Welcoming Congregations, staying connected to advocacy alerts, training, and mutual support.

Additional Resources and Actions:

  • Visit ELCA.org/AMMPARO for multilingual “Know Your Rights” flyers, prayers, and webinar recordings.
  • Sign up for the ELCA Advocacy Network to support state and federal efforts for compassionate immigration reform.
  • Learn how to responsibly share post-raid stories by reviewing guidance on trauma-informed storytelling and media engagement.

In this season, we remember our calling as Christians to be people of refuge, justice, and peace. May we prepare not in fear, but in faith—knowing that God walks with us as we walk with one another.

📖 Read the full guide and access resources: https://blogs.elca.org/ammparo/what-can-congregations-do-to-prepare-for-immigration-raids

Lutheran Nevadans Lobby For ‘The Least of These’

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Carson City Event Includes Legislator Meetings

On Monday, February 10, Lutherans from across Nevada gathered at St. Paul’s Lutheran Family in Carson City for Lutheran Lobby Day, a day of learning, advocacy, and action.

The morning started with worship, grounding us in “Who is our neighbor?” We learned about Nights off the Street, a crucial program in Carson City that provides overnight shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Participants explored what it truly means to love and advocate for our neighbors, grounding their work in faith and justice. 

The afternoon buzzed with energy as attendees met with key state leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Robin Titus, Assemblymembers Selena La Rue Hatch, Richard DeLong, PK O’Neill, Erica Roth, and Speaker of the Assembly Steve Yeager. They raised their voices on Voter Engagement, Creation Care, and Affordable Housing issues.

Lutheran Lobby Day attendees
Nevadans gathered at St. Paul’s Lutheran Family in Carson City for Lutheran Lobby Day on Monday, Feb. 10.

Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada is committed to keeping this momentum going—empowering Lutherans across the state to advocate, organize, and hold elected officials accountable. The work doesn’t stop here. Join the movement and be part of the change! Democracy begins with you, so tag you’re it. — Pastor Paul Larson, LEAN Director/Advocate

ELCA Response to False Social Media Accusations

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Statement from Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, February 2, 2025

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America seeks to be a witness to Christ by feeding people who are hungry, caring for those who are sick, and advocating for justice, peace, and the dignity of all people. This has been the calling of the church for over 2, 000 years. 

Today, false accusations were made on X, formerly Twitter, regarding government funding to Lutheran organizations. The claims were those of money laundering and illegal payments. Yet these organizations have done the same work for 85 years in serving legally admitted refugees and immigrants. 

As church, we follow the eighth commandment of the scriptures which states: you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Despite misinformation and baseless doubt cast today on funding that supports Lutheran organizations across our country, the ELCA remains steadfast in our commitment and work with our many Lutheran partners and expressions of our church. The ELCA is also concerned for other faith based communities and organizations who have similarly come under attack.

We strongly urge political leaders at all levels of government to use their offices and platforms responsibly. They should consider the impact of misleading statements and conjecture without regard for the impact those statements have on the communities targeted by these messages. 

Our call to love our neighbors as ourselves remains steadfast: Seek the truth and share the good news of Jesus Christ as we continue to follow his teachings. 

Let me tell you a story. In the year 258, the Roman Empire, during one of its many persecutions of the Church, ordered that the Church turn over its treasure. The task fell to a young deacon named Lawrence, who was given three days to complete it. Immediately, Lawrence sold all the liquid assets and gave that to the sick and to the widows. He liquidated also all of the property and divided that up amongst the poor. On the third day, he appeared before the emperor who demanded to see the treasures of the church. Lawrence gestured behind him, and there were standing those who were sick and hungry, the poor, the naked, the stranger in the land, the most vulnerable, and Lawrence said, “these are the treasures of the church.” He was martyred for that. 

Be of good courage, church, and let us persevere.

More: Read Global Refuge Statement on “Misinformation Around Our Humanitarian Work.”

Join LEAN at Lutheran Lobby Day Feb. 10

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Meet Fellow Nevadans To Advocate For Justice As Legislative Session Begins

Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada invites you to participate in Lutheran Lobby Day on Monday, February 10, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This powerful day of worship and advocacy is an opportunity to live out our Lutheran values of justice and compassion while making a meaningful impact in Nevada.

The day begins at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (1201 N. Saliman Road, Carson City, NV 89701) with a worship service that centers our efforts in prayer and faith. From there, we will move to the Nevada State Capitol, where participants will have the chance to meet with legislators and advocate for issues that align with our Lutheran commitment to justice and the common good.

As Lutherans, we are called to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). Lutheran Lobby Day is a tangible way to answer that call, ensuring our voices are heard on critical issues facing our communities.

Registration is required to participate in this impactful event. Register here and join us as we gather in faith and solidarity to advocate for policies that reflect God’s love for the world.

LEAN Names New Advocacy Director

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Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN) announces that Rev. Paul Larson, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Family in Carson City, NV, has been named to the position of Advocacy Director. He will serve as legislative advocate on behalf of Lutheran parishioners across the state of Nevada, reporting to the LEAN Policy Council. The 83rd Session of the Nevada Legislature convenes its 120-day biannual session on Feb. 3, 2025.

As a registered lobbyist, Rev. Larson will keep abreast of social justice issues facing individuals and families in Nevada, as well as issues relating to the care of creation. Under the Policy Council’s direction, he will monitor the introduction of relevant bills; advocate the LEAN position on issues with elected officials; conduct speaking engagements and/or workshops (in person or online) at a congregational level on active advocacy and participating in the legislative process; and perform various other outreach and advocacy duties, including helping plan a “Lobby Day” at the Nevada Capitol in February. He will also network with local, state, and national advocacy groups pursuing a similar public policy agenda, and, where appropriate, serve as a member on relevant state-level boards and coalitions.

As a body, LEAN operates under direction and with support of the Grand Canyon and Sierra Pacific Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

“Over LEAN’s nearly three-decade history, we’ve always had strong, committed, spirit-led advocates to represent Christian principles in the halls of Nevada power,” says Vic Williams, longtime LEAN Policy Council member and current secretary/treasurer. “Rev. Larson is the latest in a long line of dedicated servants, and we truly look forward to working with him to further our mission, with the ELCA’s Social Statements as our foundation.”

Before being called in October 2024 as lead pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Family, Rev. Larson served as pastor at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in his native Salinas, CA, for two years; during that time he also served as Chaplain for Lutheran Campus Ministry of the Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz. Previous positions include Strategic Designer for Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Young Adult Ministry in Chicago, Illinois; Interim Youth Director for East Bay Lutheran Youth Parish in Oakland, CA; and Vicar at Advent Lutheran Church, Westminster, CO. He also brings a wealth of community organizing and communications experience to his new LEAN position.

“I was interested in this position because of today’s changing political landscape, and how people of faith respond to it,” says Rev. Larson. “There are plenty of issues in play for the upcoming session, from immigration to early childhood development to food insecurity, to addiction. How do we support families through these and other challenges? I look forward to representing congregations and LEAN as we advocate for all Nevadans.”

Rev. Larson holds an M.DIV from United Lutheran Seminary, Philadelphia, PA, and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Sociology and Political Science from Luther College in Decorah, IA.

To reach Rev. Larson, please email him at paullarson@leanforjustice.org.