See Christ in the neighbor.
Be Christ to the neighbor.
How can congregations be a part of this transformative ministry?
- Donate funds to the SEMN Synod AMMPARO ministry
- "The God Who Sees" book study
- Sponsorship ministry: Discernment & Welcome ministry
- Adult forum: AMMPARO
- Pray for migrants & refugees
- Border immersion visits
- AMMPARO network events
- Volunteer in your local school
- A Migrant Journey interactive experience
- Adult forum: Border Visit Stories
- Monitor RCWeekly for AMMPARO events
- Sponsorship Ministry Network
- Advocacy: Local, State, National
- Adult forum: Ministries of Welcome
- Letter-writing ministry
- Local ministry partner initiatives
- Volunteer at your local food shelf
Explore education, engagement, and advocacy ministries for your congregation!
Contact Kathy Chatelaine for additional information.
Local Ministries
- Basic needs for local migrant youth
- National/local ministry partners (Global Refuge, Border Servant Corps)
- Sponsorship congregations
International Ministries
August 2016:
The ELCA adopted AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrants with Protection, Advocacy, Representation, and Opportunities) at its 2016 Churchwide Assembly (CWA).
SEMN Synod forms an AMMPARO Team.
July 2018:
In response to news reports of the separation of children from their parents at the U.S./México border, SEMN congregations actively engage in migrant ministry initiatives.
January 2019:
The SEMN AMMPARO Team participates in the Border Servant Corps (BSC) Immigration Immersion experience in El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Upon return, team members share their stories in congregations.
Global Ministry Table affirms partnership with BSC.
2020:
Two SEMN Synod teams visit the borderland in January. As people are isolated due to COVID-19, the "Stories from the Borderlands" webinar takes place. This webinar series shares border visit stories, borderland ministries, and local initiatives.
The Lutheran Church of Colombia (IELCO) joins the AMMPARO Network as it expands its accompaniment of Venezuelan refugees.
2021:
A Migrant Journey Interactive Experience is developed for confirmation youth.
The ministry of sponsorship begins.
2022:
"The God Who Sees" book study launches via Zoom.
LIRS (now Global Refuge)/SEMN Synod immigration Lunch and Learns convene.
2023:
Border immersion visits resume.
A Migrant Journey Interactive Experience expands to adult forums and special events. By early 2025, approximately one-third of SEMN congregations will have engaged in this transformative experience!
ELCA AMMPARO Initiative
ELCA AMMPARO: Impacting Lives
ELCA AMMPARO: A Wholistic Approach to Migration
Have you thought about the language you use when you talk about the undocumented people in the US? The previous administration started using the word ‘illegal’ to describe human beings, not an action or a status. Unfortunately, it became a word popularly used even in pro-immigrant circles. The ELCA has created a new resource around language.
Read: Words Create Worlds
In the drop-down menu, select "Hand-in-Hand." Both individuals and congregations can share direct gifts to our global partners through this fund.
Office of the Bishop Contact Person:
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Southeastern Minnesota Synod Office