By Ruth Ivory-Moore

“We can’t grow by repeatedly following prescriptions.  We can grow only by making new choices.  We are the sum total of the choices we have made in the past.  We can change what we are in the future through the choices we make today. Think about that. Who do you choose to become?  What do you choose to accomplish?”¹  

This quote from Nido Quebein (President of High Point University in High Point, NC where the slogan is to “Be Extraordinary”) resonated with me on October 7, 2016.  I had just left a Care of Creation Retreat at the serene, peaceful setting of Luther Glen  located in Yucaipa, CA.

What Choices were made?

After leaving the retreat, I was among a number of members of the Lutherans Restoring Creation group who visited the Lutheran Mission (henceforth Mission) in San Bernardino, CA.  At the Mission, I was awestruck by the level of poverty, high unemployment, and crime rate in the area. This is a city rich in history and cultural diversity, with influences of Native Americans, Mexican settlers, Spanish missionaries, and Mormon migrants. President Lyndon B. Johnson was an elevator operator here. The Rolling Stones played their first U.S. concert here.

As we talked with staff at the Mission, I was very surprised to learn about what appears to be an apparent disparity in water quality among area residents. The Hispanic staffer spoke of the water in her faucet being cloudy in San Bernardino, while water in the home of the white staffer living in Riverside—was clear.  I ask pointed questions to get answers regarding accountability, but no satisfactory answers could be given. How can this happen in the richest country in the world? What choices were or were not made in a place like San Bernardino. Notwithstanding these accounts, I learned later that San Bernardino is actually in a better position than others in the United States when it comes to clean water.

I also learned that an estimated 40% of residents living in the Navajo Nation (100 miles west of Albuquerque, NM) do not have access to running water. The area’s heroine is Darlene Arviso; she is known as the “Navajo Water Lady” because she uses her automobile to deliver water to other residents.  I invite you to listen to her story: “Navajo Water Lady”.  Ms. Arviso is a determined soul in this area of the country that is too often forgotten.

Let’s choose to not leave anyone behind

We are a nation of extraordinary people.  But, obviously, much work is needed. We must make choices that leaves no one behind. We must remember that when poverty affects one of us, it affects us all. We must resolve to take care of all and to help positively change the future of those who live in places like San Bernardino or the Navajo Nation.

We must remember to seek God’s guidance in all our decisions and choices to ensure that all people are taken care of and have access to clean water. Let us begin by praying.

“Sovereign of the universe, your first covenant of mercy was with every living creature. When your beloved Son came among us, the waters of the river welcomed him, the heavens opened to greet his arrival, the animals of the wilderness drew near as his companions. With all the world’s people, may we who are washed into new life through baptism seek the way of your new creation, the way of justice and care, mercy and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.” (ELW)

• Nido R. Quebein, Daily Motivation (Simple Truths, Naperville, Il, 2016), p. 363
• http://thesoutherncalifornian.blogspot.com/2015/12/15-fun-facts-about-san-bernardino.html

 

Bryan Jaster, Winchester, VA

 

Warm-up Question

What’s something that has happened in your life that has made you feel afraid or uncertain?

Love is Greater

The end of January has been pretty intense for the United States and likely for neighbors around the world.  The transition from one president to another is normally a time of leadership upheaval and of fulfilling promises made during presidential candidacies. In addition, at this time high levels uncertainty, fear, and anxiety have taken root for many.  Relationships with our neighbors in Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Mexico, and other communities around the country are stretched and strained.    Tension is high in the Congress.

A recent executive order fulfilled the promise our new president made when he said, “We’re going to build a wall.”  This new wall is designed to keep America separate from Mexico so that fewer people come into America.  Regardless of whether this will be an effective strategy to stem immigration, building the wall would keep people apart.    See http://www.npr.org/2017/01/25/511619026/donald-trumps-moving-forward-with-his-wall-is-it-really-going-to-happen) for the story.  The president’s press secretary reported that Mexico will be forced to pay for this wall.

Many scientists are feeling the weight of fear and uncertainty.  Recently employees of the EPA and departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and the Interior have received notices to remove web pages and limit communication to the public.  See (http://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-scientists-are-launch-rogue-twitter-account-to-defy-trump-2017-1).  These scientists and government employees have been ordered to post only public safety information and to avoid anything that might influence political or national policy.

In response, many of these agencies have setup “rogue” Twitter accounts where anonymous government employees or scientists post to respond to censorship.  They provide a space where scientific facts about climate change, information about swearing-in day attendance, immigration stories, and civil rights advocacy can be shared.  Persons post anonymously for fear of being disciplined or fired.

Discussion Questions

• Have you ever been a leader of a group, a sports team, or a school assignment? What made leading difficult?  What did you learn from it?
• Why would being the president of the US be difficult? Would you want to be president?
• Do you agree with the orders recently made?  Why or why not?

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Matthew 5:21-37

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

 

Gospel Reflection

Matthew’s Jesus says you are given the fires of hell for being angry with someone?…that you should rip out your right eye and throw it away if it offends?…or cut off your right hand if it causes you to sin?

What?  Jesus, are you serious?   Jesus was all about cuddling sheep and blessing children, right?

Let’s take another look at this story.

There are four sayings in our reading and each one refers to another biblical story.  Four times Jesus says, “You have heard it was said…”   The stories referenced are from the Ten Commandments in Exodus.  See Exodus 20: 13, 14 and 7 to see what commands Jesus is talking about.  When Jesus talks about divorce he quotes from Deuteronomy 24:1-4.

These commands to which Jesus refers are central to what is often called “the Law of Moses”.  The Law is designed to keep good order and relationships between people in the world.  The prohibitions against murder, adultery (having sexual relations with someone you are not married to), and swearing falsely are given to ensure the health of relationships, as was the demand that a certificate of divorce be provided.

Back now to the fires of hell and the ripping and cutting off of body parts….Scholars think that rather than being interested in people becoming physically maimed, Jesus is caring deeply and passionately about our relationships.  Jesus uses hyperbole to emphasize that God loves us so much that God cares about how we treat each other.  God’s love is greater than our anger, our lust, our fractured marriages, and the words we use to hurt.

Think about murder.  Jesus wants more than the killing to stop.  He wants us to treat one another as God’s beloved and to not speak hate.

Think about adultery.  Avoiding the physical, sexual act isn’t enough.  We also do not make other people objects by lusting after them.

Think about divorce.  People aren’t like trash to be discarded with a certificate; instead we provide for and protect the most innocent and vulnerable.

Think about swearing falsely or lying.  Jesus urges us always to speak and act truthfully so that we don’t need to make oaths at all.

Jesus says these things because God’s love for us is greater than all the things that might rip us apart.

Discussion Questions

• Why do you think Jesus reinterprets Moses’ law? Wasn’t it good enough the first time around?
• What is the impact on people of murder? Of divorce?  Of married people having sex with others?  Of lying to one another?
• Give an example of where staying connected in a relationship overcame something negative like hate, hurt, or deception? Is love really greater?

Activity Suggestions

LOVE IS GREATER DAY.  Today is February 12^th.  Tuesday is February 14^th.  Let’s turn Valentine’s Day into “Love is greater day.”  (See oldlutheran.com for tshirts, mugs and bumper stickers to spread the word).  Maybe sharing God’s love with the world is great than all that rips us apart!

In pairs or as a small group come up with some actions you can do to share God’s love. Some examples to get you started:

• Support Refugees and Immigrants around the world who need help. http://blog.lirs.org/5-ways-to-support-lirs-in-new-year/
• Visit your local police department and thank an officer.
• Get to know someone who has angered you. Who would that be?
• Pay someone’s bill at a restaurant.
• Write a letter or encourage a public servant like your congressman or representative.
• Talk to someone in person who disagrees with you about an issue of science, immigration or religion.

Closing Prayer

God who loves us so deeply.  Help us to NOT murder, hate, divorce, commit adultery, lust or speak falsely but instead to love, honor, serve and support all people.  Help us to hold onto your love which is greater than everything else.  Amen!

 

 

We may be in a time of numerical decline among denominations, yet the church has a grand opportunity for spiritual deepening.  Now is the time to reclaim the traditional path of discipleship—through a faith formation process known as the Catechumenate.  This ancient/future way of learning and creating disciples invites us to hear one another’s stories in the light of God’s story.  It is a baptismal journey with Jesus that is life-giving and transforming—not only for individuals but for entire faith communities.

You are invited to experience this simple yet profound way of making disciples at a Training Institute being held May 4-6, 2017 in Arden, North Carolina.  The event for pastors, seminarians, and lay leaders is co-sponsored by Journey to Baptismal Living (NAAC) and the North Carolina Synod (ELCA).   Bring a team and be immersed in the movements and worship rites of the Catechumenate.  Every participant receives a training manual and free copy of Go Make Disciples: An Invitation to Baptismal Living (Augsburg Fortress) that will help you introduce this discipling process to your congregation.

The Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Arden—located near the Asheville airport—is hosting the training institute.  Because of a synodical grant, registration (including meals, program, and materials) is being offered at the low cost of $175 per person (or $125 to the first 25 people who register).  Housing is available at the discounted conference rate of $89 per night at the nearby Mountain Inn and Suites Airport Hotel—but rates are only guaranteed through April 4, 2017 by calling 828-684-0040.

Full scholarships (including housing) are available for students/seminarians.  For more information contact Pastor Mark Fitzsimmons at mfitzsimmons@nativityarden.org or call 828-684-0352.  One can register online or download a brochure with registration form at the NAAC website: www.catechumenate.org.

 

 

On a cold January weekend this year, the Rocky Mountain Synod was a buzz with 400 middle school youth, adults and peer ministers gathered for fun, fellowship and formation under the theme “Reform.” From participating in ELCA World Hunger’s “Act 2Day 4 Tomorrow” activities to sharing a hunger meal and food packaging, hunger was at the forefront of the Rocky Mountain “reforms.”

“We put on a hunger meal to raise awareness,” said Sophia, a sophomore and peer minister from Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, Colorado.

“The kids are divided into different groups with different social classes, and they get different amounts of food. As you go up [the classes], there are fewer people in each class. I was the cook for the meal,” said Anand, a classmate of Sophia’s at Poudre High School. “I volunteer at the foodbank a lot, and many times, even though they were getting food, it wasn’t always the best or healthiest. That inspired me,” Anand went on to share.

 

The youth also took part in packing food kits for local non-profits that help feed people experiencing homelessness and hunger in the area. Rocky Mountain Synod hunger leader Carol McDivitt from King of Glory Lutheran Church in Loveland did the pre-work of calling local agencies and cleared the local food packing projects to make sure the food was usable for the groups.

When asked what message she hopes the hunger meal conveys to the youth, Sophia responded, “I want people to realize that they can make such a huge difference, that they are making a difference. World hunger is being solved; it’s actively being solved. It’s important to remember that even if it does feel hopeless, it’s not.”

Way to go, Rocky Mountain Synod youth! #untilallarefed

 

Lutherans are taking action across the country! Below you will find our monthly State Advocacy Newsletter. Share with your friends!

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2017 ELCA Advocacy priorities

This year’s goals are evaluated for their potential to further racial and gender justice, fulfill our Lutheran social statements and messages, and address key policy concerns of ministries across the U.S.

CARING FOR GOD’S CREATION:

ELCA Advocacy is working to protect God’s creation from the impacts of climate change by encouraging policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring a just transition to renewable energy occurs and necessary steps are taken to make sure all Americans have access to clean water.

PROVIDING HOSPITALITY TO OUR NEIGHBORS:

ELCA Advocacy encourages Congress and the White House to address the urgent need for protection of vulnerable migrant children and families from Central America, while also focusing on long-term solutions that create safe, sufficient and sustainable livelihoods for all.

CONCERN FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS LIVING IN POVERTY AND STRUGGLING WITH HUNGER:

ELCA Advocacy urges Congress to protect and reauthorize federal programs that help end hunger in the United States.

Through the fiscal year 2017 federal budget, ELCA Advocacy urges Congress to:

• Responsibly act to ensure all people have access to affordable health care by protecting expanded access to affordable health insurance coverage in the U.S.;
• Increase support for programs that seek to end homelessness and focus on uplifting community members who are most heavily affected, including seniors, rural residents, LGBTQ youth, ex-offenders seeking re-entry, and low-income families; and
• Continue to fund humanitarian relief and development programs that address extreme hunger and poverty around the globe.

SEEKING JUSTICE AND PEACE FOR ALL PEOPLE:

ELCA Advocacy continues to work toward the elimination of gender-based violence around the world by supporting the International Violence Against Women Act and educating Congress on the importance of addressing this problem in the U.S. and globally.

As part of our commitment to challenge systems of racial and economic injustice, ELCA Advocacy urges Congress to pass sentencing reform that shifts our nation’s model of criminal justice from one that criminalizes addiction for the benefit of the prison industry to one that focuses on treatment and support for our communities.

ELCA Advocacy, through the Peace Not Walls Network, continues to call for a peaceful and lasting negotiated resolution to the Palestinian Israeli conflict.

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ELCA Advocacy Office, Washington, D.C.

The Rev. Amy Reumann, director

ELCA.org/advocacy

MIGRATION POLICY: President Donald Trump signed several executive actions on immigration enforcement and refugee policy restrictions last week, in a move that received critical backlash from the faith community. In addition to highly publicized orders to begin construction of a wall along the border with Mexico and ending federal grants to so-called ‘sanctuary cities,’ the Executive Order also calls for an increase of the detention of migrants and implements measures that cripple the asylum system. Subsequent executive actions included halting migration from seven predominantly Muslim countries and pausing the refugee resettlement program for 120 days.

ELCA Advocacy sent an action alert Thursday encouraging our network to contact their Members of Congress to support compassionate policies that provide safety for vulnerable people. Congress will be able to impact the outcomes of the Executive Orders by allocating or restricting funds to agencies that will implement them. Our faith partner, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and Presiding Bishop Eaton likewise shared statements voicing concern on weakening refugee protection policies. With details and the future of refugee resettlement and protections still unclear, ELCA Advocacy will continue to monitor and share details on the evolving situation. More executive actions impacting migrants are expected in the coming weeks. 

PRESIDENT ACTION ON HEALTHCARE: At the start of the 115^th Congress, lawmakers formally adopted a budget resolution, completing the first procedural step toward repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Legislators did so without offering a plan for a replacement, an action that could possibly leave millions of Americans without health insurance and significantly raise taxes on middle and low income families. ELCA Advocacy and Lutheran Services in America encouraged people of faith to speak out in favor of responsible action for health care. Prior to the passage of the Budget Resolution, ELCA Advocacy sent out an action alert urging Congress to not repeal the 2010 healthcare law without first implementing a replacement that actively promotes the wellbeing of those experiencing poverty or illness in the U.S.

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SUPPORTS THE GREEN CLIMATE FUND: On Jan. 18^th, just prior to the start of the Trump Administration, the U.S. State Department announced that it had provided an additional $500 million grant to support the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This brings the total U.S. contribution to the GCF to $1 billion—reinforcing our national commitment to challenging climate change.

The Green Climate Fund is dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable among us from the impacts of climate change. It provides funding to foster developing nations’ efforts to adapt to a changing climate, and will help communities build technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This latest decision came after thousands of Lutherans and other faith advocates voiced their support for the investment last year. As an ELCA Advocacy issue priority for 2015 and 2016, we celebrate the additional funding that the U.S. will contribute to the GCF, as it builds solidarity in our shared responsibility to care for creation.

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Lutheran Office for World Community, United Nations, New York, N.Y.

Dennis Frado, director

SECRETARY GENERAL FIRST ADDRESS: On Jan. 10, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, delivered his first address to the Security Council. In an open debate organized by Sweden, which currently holds the Security Council’s presidency, he outlined his partnership priority with the Security Council, emphasizing the need for increased conflict-prevention measures.

Guterres highlighted the need for an integrated approach toward conflict prevention and lasting peace, emphasizing his desire to integrate differing U.N. pillars toward this goal. He commended civil society in its role of raising an alarm and saw the need for the U.N. to partner with all sectors of society. All delegations welcomed his remarks and highlighted the need for multilateral action, strong institutions, and political solutions to conflicts.

COMBATING MUSLIM DISCRIMINATION: The Permanent Missions of Canada, the United States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the delegation of the European Union sponsored a forum on combatting anti-Muslim discrimination and hatred. The forum highlighted the growing challenges of anti-Muslim discrimination and hatred in various regional and national contexts. The event cited examples of local collaboration in Dallas and Tennessee, as well as coordinated advocacy following attacks on mosques.

Noteworthy was the panel on positive narratives to promote pluralism and inclusion. It raised the importance of telling stories (personally and via various media such as television, film, radio and social media) which often are more effective than a recitation of statistics.

PACIFISM  AND WEST AFRICAN ISLAM: The Council on Foreign Relations hosted an interactive dialogue with Dr. Lamin Sanneh, discussing his new book, “Beyond Jihad: The Pacifist Tradition in West African Islam.” Professor Sanneh began by commenting that Africans converted to Islam peacefully. Much of his analysis drew from the American experience, comparing the role of religion as a catalyst for civil society – an important actor in nurturing and bolstering civil society. He argued that there is a peaceful impulse of Islam, often corrupted when mixed with politics.

THE THIRD-ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM: THE ROLE OF RELIGION AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS:

On  Jan. 23, the World Council of Churches, the United Methodist Church and the Seventh-day Adventist Church organized the Third-Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations in International Affairs, in partnership with the U. N. Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, the U. N. Inter-Agency Task Force for Engagement with Faith-based Organizations and the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations. The symposium addressed cooperation among faith-based organizations, member states, civil society and international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, in fostering just, inclusive and sustainable peace.

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California

Mark Carlson, Lutheran Office of Public Policy

loppca.org

HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS: LOPP-CA Director Mark Carlson was in the Assembly gallery for the opening invocations by a prominent Muslim cleric for the floor sessions before and after the presidential inauguration, a symbolic statement by the Assembly leadership. (See picture)

Gov. Jerry Brown, facing a round of prostate cancer treatments, delivered a stemwinder State of the State address, defending California’s leadership on immigration, health care, and climate change, issues in which LOPP-CA is engaged. The Legislature ratified the appointment of U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra, of immigrant roots, as the state attorney general, after extensive questioning and debate on the First and Second Amendments. LOPP-CA has organized an ELCA table for the annual MLK Gala, with a program ad that links Martin Luther’s 95 theses with the Rev. Dr. King’s “Letter from the Birmingham Jail” (from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s statement).

CARE FOR CREATION: Mark will be attending the initial 2017 policy briefing by the CA Environmental Justice Alliance, and plans are firming up for LOPP-CA to be a host site, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, for the Trinity Institute, March 22-24:  “Water Justice.”  At the California Climate Change Symposium, state Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross, a Lutheran, got the loudest applause on a panel that included the secretaries of the Resources Agency and CalEPA and the president of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), when she called on the hundreds gathered to defend science, and for scientists to stand up (the PUC chair said he feared a “federal lobotomy). LOPP-CA is promoting the March 11 annual Yolo Interfaith Climate Justice conference, keynoted by professor Cynthia Moe-Lobeda.

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Colorado

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–Colorado

Lam-co.org

LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS: The Colorado General Assembly began its 2017 session on Jan. 11. Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado will advocate on its anti-poverty, pro-dignity agenda throughout the 120-day session.

REFUGEE ADVOCACY: Our partners at Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains have led an advocacy effort to encourage members of Congress to not halt or severely curtail refugee resettlement efforts in the United States. We join their call to our elected leaders to live up to the United States’ proud heritage of being a place of welcome and refuge for those fleeing violence and discord.

DEATH PENALTY REPEAL: The Colorado Legislature will take up the question of repealing the state’s death penalty statue in February. Senate Bill 17-095, sponsored by Sen. Lucia Guzman and Rep. Alec Garnett, would eliminate capital punishment. The bill is supported by a broad coalition of faith leaders and other criminal justice advocacy groups.

OTHER ENDORSEMENTS: LAM-CO has endorsed several measures so far this session, including HB 17-1002, extending the state’s child-care expenses tax credit, and HB 17-1116, continuing an energy bill assistance program for low-income households.

FAITH ADVOCACY DAY: We encourage all local advocates to join us on Feb. 11 for Colorado Faith Advocacy Day! Register at www.lam-co.org.

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New Mexico

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–New Mexico

Lutheranadvocacynm.org

The 2017 legislative session began with intensity since the current fiscal year’s state budget was out of balance by about $70 million and the state constitution prohibits the state from deficit spending. Consequently, the first eight days of the session were used to pass four solvency bills. LAM-NM is working with several groups to advocate that next year’s state budget not be balanced through further severe programmatic cuts but that increased revenue be sought.

LAM-NM Director Ruth Hoffman was one of about 400 people who recently met with New Mexico congressman Ben Ray Lujan to urge him to protect the Affordable Care Act and to particularly protect the Medicaid program, which covers almost 900,000 low-income New Mexicans.

LAM-NM joined other advocates to testify for an increase in the state minimum wage during a legislative hearing of the House Labor and Economic Development Committee. The bill passed that committee and now moves to another committee for consideration.

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Ohio

Nick Bates, The Hunger Network

hungernetohio.org

The budget is here!

The Ohio budget was released on the 30^th during the afternoon and hearings began on the 1^st of February in the Ohio Legislature. (See the budget process here).

Again this year, Gov. John Kasich has proposed tax shifts that will reduce resources available instead of investing to solve problems. The budget is a moral document, and the faith community issued a letter to Ohio public officials asking that they do the following three things in the budget this year:

Protect health care

Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?
Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored?
Jeremiah 8:22

Create stability in the home

My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
Isaiah 32:18

Create food security

If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them,
“Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,”
and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?
James 2:15-16

If you would like to see the full letter (AND SIGN ON YOURSELF!), please click here!

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Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy–Pennsylvania

Lutheranadvocacypa.org

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania has seen a spike in requests to engage in faith-based advocacy this month – from Lutherans and others whose church bodies have no advocacy offices.  Through our network and social media, LAMPa invited disciples to engage on a more personal level in the hours right after the presidential inauguration, and our advocates have been directing others to connect

LAMPa Policy Council member the Rev. Titus Clarke and LAMPa Director Tracey DePasquale participated in a joint meeting of York Conference Lutherans and members of the York Black Ministerium shortly before Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The meeting, hosted by SpiriTrust Lutheran, focused on commonalities and how the faith leaders and their congregations could work together to serve the community, including addressing racism. Re-entry for returning citizens was named as one possible area of joint service and advocacy. The faith leaders will continue to build relationships, with a goal of worshiping, serving and advocating together on MLK Day 2018 (See picture).

LAMPa also partnered with Pennsylvania Power & Light to promote vigils for climate change around the first 100 hours of the new administration. Among the congregations participating was St. Mark’s Lutheran in York (see picture).

As part of InsurePA, LAMPa attended a rally in defense of health care for all Pennsylvanians on Jan. 23 to highlight the risks to Pennsylvanians of repealing the Affordable Care Act (see picture).

In February, Tracey will meet with First Lady Frances Wolf to work on school breakfast expansion. LAMPa is also preparing for the Feb. 7 budget address.

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Southeastern Synod

Hilton Austin

It has been an exciting and busy month. We had our first Policy Council meeting at Lutheranch. It was very productive and invigorating. Our Policy Council is made up of two people from each state, as well as Bishop Julian Gordy, a liaison from synod council, and myself. While we have been quite active in Georgia and Tennessee, we now have the ability to organize in Alabama and Mississippi. We continue to work on improving communication between the four states.

We are currently preparing for our annual advocacy gathering to be held at St John’s Atlanta on Feb. 11. Sherry Boston, Dekalb County district attorney, will be one of our morning speakers. There will be five workshops to choose from in the afternoon: Criminal Justice Reform, How to Write an Op-ed, Care for Creation, Advocacy 101, and Immigration/Refugee Resettlement; the topic of the immigration workshop is still to be determined depending on the new administration’s actions.

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Texas

Samuel Brannon, Texas Impact

Texasimpact.org

Mark your calendars and register for the third-annual Tri-Synodical Lutheran Legislative Event in Austin, Feb. 12-14. The event sponsored by the NT-NL Public Witness Team, the Southwestern Texas Synod‘s Poverty and Justice Task Force, will be at Gethsemane Lutheran Church and include a series of informative speakers and workshops all geared to prepare attendees for their important role in faith-based advocacy. Keynote speakers include author and advocacy trainer the Rev. Alexia Salvatierra, and the Rev. Amy Reumann, director of the ELCA Advocacy Office in Washington D.C. (See poster below.)

In late January, Texas Impact sponsored the eighth- annual United Methodist Women’s Legislative Event in Austin. The Lutheran and Methodist events are similar in scope and content. The Methodist event had a great number of “first timers,” more than ever before. Staff members at Texas Impact are thrilled at the level of congregational enthusiasm toward Methodist advocacy and see similar determination as they watch the number of Lutheran registrations increase daily.

Staff at Texas Impact are noticing a significant increase in activity from Lutheran synods, congregations and individuals. It appears that more people of faith are developing an interest in faith-based advocacy as we advocate for gospel principles and lift the voices of the poor and the disenfranchised.

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Washington

Paul Benz, Faith Acton Network

fanwa.org

2017 LEGISLATIVE SESSION: Washington’s legislative session is now in its third week, and FAN’s lobby team is visiting with legislators and testifying in support of many of the issues on FAN’s Legislative Agenda, in particular, a solar tax incentive bill and a package of wage theft prevention bills. This year, many of those issues could be addressed by the biennial state budget, including funding for K-12 education, Washington’s mental health system, an office of civil legal aid, small-farm direct marketing and farm to school programs, and youth homelessness prevention.

WOMEN’S MARCH: FAN advocates gathered on Jan. 21 to participate in the Washington State Women’s March. They joined an estimated 175,000 marchers in Seattle and 10,000 in our capital city, Olympia. FAN advocates marched for a variety of causes, including racial and gender equity, sexual assault awareness, access to health care, and protecting the environment (see photo).

INTERFAITH ADVOCACY DAY: On Feb. 9, FAN will be bringing hundreds of advocates from all over the state to our annual Interfaith Advocacy Day. We’re excited to bring people of many different faith traditions to engage with interfaith and legislative speakers, workshops, and caucuses by legislative district. Advocates will meet with their legislators and/or their staff and hear key legislators speak about current, critical issues in the Legislature. FAN is also very involved in our two other advocacy days in Yakima (central Washington) and Spokane (eastern Washington).

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Wisconsin

Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin

Loppw.org

CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION: LOPPW’s director recently joined the leadership team for the Wisconsin Climate Table, which is made up of 28 organizations aligned behind four campaigns to diminish carbon dioxide emissions.  LOPPW is part of the Clean Power Plan campaign.

One of the members of the South-Central Synod/LOPPW Care for God’s Creation Team has become a regular speaker on climate change via the synod’s speaker’s bureau. We have begun strategizing approaching local municipalities about their policies on renewable energies.

LOPPW is staying alert for bills that would weaken regulations on Wisconsin wells that, according to a state senator, are expected to be proposed this legislative session. LOPPW’s environmental focus is on climate change and clean water.

ADVOCACY MINISTRY: LOPPW’s director recently led a workshop on Martin Luther and economic justice and spoke on a panel of advocates and community organizers at the La Crosse Area Synod’s event, ACT: Action for Community Transformation. One person so far has volunteered to create a synod team that will help give congregations guidance in the area of advocacy ministries.

IMMIGRATION: Along with staying alert for proposed bills related to immigration, A LOPPW council member and staff are networking with a statewide group that promotes workers’ rights, immigration reform and sanctuary.

ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING: LOPPW’s director was a keynote speaker at a community-wide forum on anti-human trafficking at an ELCA congregation in Janesville and encouraged participants to respond to proposed legislation in the Legislative Reference Bureau (see photo).

Teen pregnancy is both a personal and a social issue, and teenage mothers often must face personal, psychological effects as well as social stigma.  In the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, managed in part by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), most of the teenage mothers have experienced familial rejection and sexual- and gender-based violence. In the long term, many may also face depression, forced marriage and social rejection.

The LWF child protection department plays a major role in minimizing the factors that lead to teen pregnancy and in working to ensure the well-being of teenage mothers and their children.  The intervention and psychosocial support LWF provides is critical to their safety, health, and wellness. This program at Kakuma is supported in part by ELCA World Hunger.

Nyamok was only three years old when she and her siblings fled violence in South Sudan in 2002. They eventually made their way to Kakuma. Nyamok’s older sister, Nyaduk, cared for her until 2014, when Nyaduk left the camp to return to South Sudan.

In 2013, when she was 14, Nyamok was impregnated by a 25-year-old man from her tribe at the camp.  The man ran away after learning about the pregnancy, despite attempts by the community to arrest him. Nyamok faced both the personal effects of sexual violence and the social stigma of teenage pregnancy.  Shortly after finding out she was pregnant, Nyamok dropped out of Unity Primary School in Kakuma, losing hope of ever being able to finish her education.

Nyamok received counseling support from LWF Child Protection and enrolled in a support group for teenage mothers. This support helped her feel encouraged enough to return to school in 2015, one year after her daughter was born. Returning to school was not an easy choice. According to Nyamok’s cultural traditions, once a girl is pregnant, she is expected to marry. Nyamok did not marry, though, and faced stigma and isolation from other students her age. Still, she remained determined to continue her education.

In 2016, Nyamok sat for examinations for her Kenya certificate of Primary Education and did excellently, scoring in the top two percent of students. She is now trying to enroll in secondary school to pursue her dream of protecting girls and women as a lawyer.

Because of the support she received, Nyamok can now see a bright future for herself and her daughter. “God has a plan for each one of us,” she says. “I can tell that one’s attitude toward education is an important factor to success.” Her message to other child parents is hopeful: “Many people have gone through many hardships, but they have accomplished in life. You, too, can do that.”

Despite the challenges that refugees like Nyamok face, their resilience and hard work and the support of LWF make it possible for them to thrive. Through the LWF child protection department, ELCA World Hunger continues to accompany Nyamok and other teenage mothers as they pursue their dreams at Kakuma.

Photos: Lutheran World Federation

Aware of the special challenges refugees, migrants, and displaced persons face, ELCA World Hunger has long supported companions and partners that work with people who have been forced to leave their homes for a variety of reasons.  Partners like Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) are critical actors in this work.

Donald Trump’s recent executive order to halt refugee resettlement in the United States for 120 days has elicited concern, fear, anger, and confusion from members of the ELCA, our ecumenical partners and our international companions.  In response, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton released a statement reminding Lutherans and other Christians of our gospel call “to welcome the stranger and treat the sojourner as we would our own citizens.”  At this point in time, we may also be reminded of Martin Luther’s admonition to preachers:

“Those who are in the office [of ministry] and are called to do so shall rebuke their [rulers] boldly and openly…To rebuke rulers is not seditious, provided it is done in the way here described: namely, by the office by which God has committed that duty, and through God’s Word, spoken publicly, boldly, and honestly.”[1]

Below are some key resources that may be useful to those called to “speak publicly, boldly, and honestly” about the recent executive order and its effects.

1. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton affirms the ELCA’s commitment “to continuing ministries of welcome that support and build communities around the country and stand firmly against any policies that result in scaling back the refugee resettlement program.”
2. The Lutheran World Federation, the World Council of Churches and ACT Alliance jointly issued a statement, calling the ban “an abysmal failure of compassion and responsibility.” LWF also has a short video with a powerful reminder: “Refugees lose many things when they flee, but never their human rights.”
3.  ELCA’s Social Message on Immigration (1998)
4. ELCA World Hunger offers some food for thought in this blog post on Lutheran faith and refugees.
5. Hear the story of the Kafley family resettling in Chicago, Illinois, thanks to support from ELCA World Hunger and RefugeeOne.
6. Learn how  St. Andrew’s Refugee Service in Cairo, Egypt, accompanies refugee youth with warm meals, psychosocial support and education.
7. Hear the reactions of refugees awaiting resettlement as they get news of the ban in Dadaab, the largest cluster of refugee camps in the world.
8. Advocate for change. Join ELCA Advocacy in lifting your voice in support of refugees and migrants by participating in this critical advocacy action. Visit Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), a long-time partner of ELCA World Hunger, and learn steps you can take to advocate for refugees and migrants.
9. The intercessory prayer for February 5, 2017, from Sundays and Seasons is particularly timely and scripturally relevant, for those with a subscription. For those without a subscription, LIRS offers some great resources for remembering refugees in your worship and prayers.
10. Support the ongoing accompaniment of refugees and many other programs made possible by gifts to ELCA World Hunger. Through ELCA World Hunger, this church supports needed programs in refugee camps, protection and advocacy for migrants and refugees, and resettlement efforts through our network of companions and partners. Consider ELCA Good Gifts, such as feeding a refugee family for one week or for one month.

 

[1] Luther’s “Commentary on Psalm 82,” Luther’s Works vol. 13, pages 49-51. Quoted in Carter Lindberg, “Luther and the Common Chest,” in Carter Lindberg and Paul Wee, eds., The Forgotten Luther: Reclaiming the Social-Economic Dimension of the Reformation (Minneapolis: Lutheran University Press, 2016.)

 

In northeast Kenya, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) helps manage the largest cluster of refugee camps in the world. At their peak, the Dadaab camps were home to nearly 500,000 people, most of whom are children, women, elderly and people with disabilities who have fled conflict in Somalia, one of the countries included in President Donald Trump’s travel ban. Today, 240,000 refugees remain at the camps, though Dadaab is slated by Kenya for closure later this year. For many young people, the camp is the only home they have known. It is safer than their countries of origin, but like other refugee camps, Dadaab was not meant to be a permanent home.

LWF, with support from members like the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is working with other agencies to provide sufficient, equitable education, food and health care at the camp, but many residents still struggle to meet their needs. While the care they receive is critical, many refugees still long for a permanent home of their own. Refugees often spend years in Dadaab waiting for resettlement in a new country or repatriation to their country of origin. Resettlement is a lengthy ordeal, with numerous background checks, interviews, and delays. Some refugees at Dadaab have been in the process for up to nine years.

Abroon*, a refugee from the Dagahaley camp in Dadaab, has been working toward his family’s resettlement since 2008. The news of the executive order was a significant blow to his hard work and hope.

“Finally, I had completed all the processes and was waiting for flight confirmation,” he says. “The ban simply means that the United States of America does not want refugees, and I am very demoralized. If someone stops you from going to his house, then you have no option but to go away and look for where you will be accepted and you can belong.”

Shire, a refugee in Kambioos camp, was also disheartened.

“The ban by the USA has just made me make a decision to withdraw my resettlement case,” he says. “It has been a long and tiresome process, but now I concede defeat.”

The President’s executive order for suspension of admission of refugees into the United States sent shockwaves through Dadaab. The immediate effects reverberated around the world as officials struggled to understand the order’s implications for enforcement. But in Dadaab, the effects were not merely confusing but dispiriting. Bashiir, a refugee from Ifo camp in Dadaab remarked,

“I had just finished the whole resettlement process and was only waiting for flight confirmation. Now my case is unknown. After the announcement, I could not sleep and it feels like my dreams and aspirations have been shattered.”

When the executive order was implemented, refugees awaiting travel were sent back to the camps to wait for more information. Because they were planning for resettlement, some had quit their jobs in the camps or sold their possessions to other refugees. Asad, from Ifo camp, had a flight confirmed for January 29, 2017. He notes with frustration,

“I was already in the USA in my mind, and I had finally been able to get this opportunity to belong. When I return to the camp, where do I start from? I had sold and given out all my belongings and even said goodbye to my friends. What does a human being do? I even have the ticket in my hand.”

Culan, a single mother with a disability and three children was also left in a serious lurch.

“I had bought items for my travel and back at the camp I have nothing to go back to but the many problems that exist,” she says.

While some commentators in the United States downplay the significance of the refugee ban because of its intended 120-day duration, those three months put refugees in Dadaab ever-closer to the closing of the camps. For many, it closes one possible avenue away from the violence they fled. Representatives of the LWF note that Somali refugees in Dadaab fear returning to the conflict they once escaped. Dubad, a Somali refugee, had been trained for work in motor vehicle maintenance at Dadaab, with support from LWF. “I passed my exams and even secured a job in Somalia, but due to threats on my life and family problems, I had to return to Kenya to seek refuge,” he says. Being from a minority clan in Somalia leaves Dubad at risk from ethnic violence.

“The announcement has left me hopeless since it feels like every time I seek an opportunity to get better life for me, my family and children, I get a challenge.” Unlike Asad, Dubad had not yet sold his belongings or purchased a plane ticket. But the emotional and psychological cost of Trump’s executive order have been difficult to bear. “My life is still at a threat, and I do hope things get better and that President Trump stops this discrimination and rejection.”

Even those who were not in the process of being resettled are confused and afraid. Lennart Hernander, LWF World Service’s program representative in Kenya-Djibouti, notes that young people were particularly disheartened, losing hope in the resettlement process entirely. Other refugees with family already living in the United States are fearful that their resettled relatives will be deported. These same relatives are often a vital form of assistance, sending remittances to their family back in the camp so they can buy the essentials they need to survive in Dadaab.

The United States, once the source of hope for many refugees seeking resettlement, safety and a new start, has become for some a symbol of exclusion and rejection. Ishaar, a refugee in Hagadera camp and also from a minority clan in Somalia, echoes Dubad’s sentiments:

“I had already been confirmed [for resettlement] and told that my process was successful and to travel on February 28, 2017, to the USA. I thought I was going to be safe, but now the USA has rejected me. Where do I belong since I cannot go back to Somalia for I fear for my life?”

For some, a sliver of hope remains that as borders against resettlement seal and the date to close Dadaab grows closer, new possibilities will be opened by welcoming communities around the globe. But in the wake of the executive order from the United States, the fearful prospect of returning to the places they fought so hard to escape draws closer to reality.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton released a statement yesterday that affirmed the ELCA’s commitment “to continuing ministries of welcome that support and build communities around the country” and to “stand firmly against any policies that result in scaling back the refugee resettlement program.”  Read the full statement here.

*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the persons quoted in the article. Quotes are courtesy of LWF World Service, Kenya-Djibouti.

 

Scott Mims–Virginia Beach, VA

 

Warm-up Question

• On a scale from 1 to 10 – with 1 being totally pessimistic and 10 being totally optimistic – how do you see the world today?
• Using the same scale, how do you view the possibilities for your future?
• Do you think that our present vision of reality – how we “see” things today – impacts the future we will experience? Why or why not?

Vision for the Future

On Friday, January 20, Donald Trump was officially sworn in as the 45^th President of the United States.  In his inaugural address, President Trump laid out an assessment of our nation’s current situation, as well as a vision of the challenges that his administration will overcome as part of a “great national effort to rebuild our country and to restore its promise for all of our people.”  With stirring images that evoke solidarity, unity of purpose, and a focus on America first, President Trump presented, in broad, bold strokes, a plan to “make America great again.”

Naturally, reactions to the President’s speech have been mixed.  His words have met with great approval among many Americans. They have found this address “revolutionary,” “memorable,” and “inspiring.”[1]  Others have characterized the speech as “dark and defiant,” both in terms of the current picture it paints of our nation, and the path that it lays before us.[2]  We will all have to wait and see how President Trump’s vision for America actually unfolds in the coming years, but, for the moment, his first address to the nation as President has provided much for people to think about and discuss.

A full transcript of President Trump’s speech can be found online:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/20/politics/trump-inaugural-address/

Discussion Questions

• Did you watch the inauguration or a replay of the President’s speech? If so, what do you think about his address? How do you feel about the vision it presents?(Note: if your group is particularly divided in opinion, of if there are strong feelings present, practice the discipline of listening to one another in love by giving each person an opportunity to simply share their feelings or opinions without rebuttal, debate, or any need to convince others.)
• Using a piece of paper, a dry erase board, or some way of making a list, record your group’s answers to the following two questions:
  1. When you think about your community, our nation, and the world today, what is the “darkness” that you see? That is, what are some of the issues, situations, or problems that make you most worried, fearful or anxious about the future?
  2. What “light” is there for you? What makes you hopeful, encouraged, or inspired?

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Isaiah 58:1-9a [9b-12]

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 [13-16]

Matthew 5:13-20

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

This week’s gospel lesson is from a collection of Jesus’ teaching that we call The Sermon on the Mount.  Though the crowds are listening in on this “sermon”, Jesus’ is speaking primarily to his disciples.  And so, his teachings today are especially for all who would seek to follow him.

Salt and Light

“You are the salt of the earth….” Jesus often took ordinary things and turned them into lessons that explained deeper realities, and that is exactly what he is doing in verses 13-16. To begin with, salt was a very precious commodity in the Ancient world.  It was used to preserve food as well as to season it.  There is a distinctive “flavor” that Jesus’ followers are to bring to the world as we seek to impact things for good. Even so, salt back then often wasn’t pure.  It could lose its saltiness, leaving behind the impurities in the form of a useless white residue.  In a similar fashion, those who claim to follow Jesus, but whose lives are not characterized by service, care for others, self-discipline and mutual love, are like this “non-salt” – empty of any real flavor.

“You are the light of the world….”  Like salt, even a little light in a darkened room can make a big difference. It lights up the way, exposes the shadows for what they really are; it brings direction, help, clarity, comfort. According to the Prophet Isaiah, part of Israel’s calling from God was to be a “light to the nations.” (Isa. 42:6; 49:6)  They were to be light-bearers to shine God’s light and love into all of the dark corners of the world.  Like a lamp giving light to all in the house, their lives were not just to show evil up for what it really is, but to allow people to find their way out by coming to know God. In the same way, our good works are not to be hidden.  We, too, are called by God in baptism to be light-bearers as we reflect the light of Christ into our world.  As we say when we hand a candle to those who have just been baptized, we are to let the light within us shine, that people may see our good works and give God praise and glory.

Another point to make about these verses is that the “you” in them is plural, not singular. Or, as we would say where I grew up, “All y’all are the salt of the earth….” The point being that it is the community of Jesus’ followers as whole that is being challenged to live as salt and light together.  We cannot accomplish these things all on our own, we need one another and a community of faith.

And finally, being salt and light is based on who we already are in Christ.  Jesus says, “You are salt…you are light,” not that doing certain things will make us salt and light.  As Lutherans, we understand that it is God’s love and grace in our lives that saves us and makes us God’s own. Our good works, our living out our “saltiness” and sharing the light of Christ with the world, come as our response to what God, in Christ, has first done for us.

The Law and the Prophets

There has been much scholarly debate over the second part of our gospel lesson, and what exactly it means for Jesus to fulfill the law and the prophets.  That is, what does it mean that the whole story of Israel – all of the commands and promises of the scriptures – are to come true in him?  Is it Jesus’ own personal keeping of Torah?  Is it, as Matthew often points out, the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus’ life?  Is it Jesus’ own authority, and his teaching as expressed in the love-commandment (22:40) from which the other commandments take their meaning? Is it all of these and more? Many possibilities are discussed.

Yet, whatever Jesus’ fulfillment of the law and prophets ultimately means, it is clear that he does not throw out the Hebrew Scriptures – what we call our Old Testament.  Even though Jesus does reinterpret key passages at later points in Matthew’s gospel, the law and the prophets are still important for followers of Jesus.

It is also clear, from the final verse of this passage, that the sort of righteousness – that is, right behavior and actions – that Jesus is looking for is the righteousness which comes from hearts and minds that are guided by his teachings and example.  In short, we are to “practice what we preach.”  This will become even more apparent as we continue through the Sermon on the Mount over the next several Sundays.

Discussion Questions

• What do you think it means to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world?” Can you think of specific attitudes, actions, values or beliefs that go along with being salt and light?
• What are some of your favorite verses from the Bible? How do you experience God speaking to you through these scriptures?
• How might you be “light” to one another? What are some ways you can support one another in your daily walk of faith?
• Revisit your list of “darkness” and “light” from the current events discussion. How might you bring the light of Christ into some of the areas of darkness you have listed? Can you choose an issue or two and brainstorm some individual or group actions that you could possibly take?  Don’t underestimate the power of small acts.  Remember, it only takes a little salt to season a dish; it only takes one candle to pierce the darkness.
• Vision is a powerful thing. The pictures we hold in our minds have great impact, not only on how things turn out, but on who we are.  Talk together about Jesus’ vision for his followers – his vision for the church. As we approach the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation, where do you think we need to be re-formed today?  What might that mean for you personally?

Activity Suggestions

• How could you be “salt” together in your own community? Are there needs or issues that you could address in even small ways?  How might your group serve together?

• For a more active take on the above question, split into groups of 3-4 participants. Give each group a large, blank sheet of paper some markers.  Have them draw a picture of a “salty Christian,” depicting / labeling specific attitudes, actions, or values. For instance, they might draw a “heart of faith,” “hands for serving,” etc.

For further ideas on being “salt” and “light” in regards to some of the larger issues faced by our nation and world, check out the article “Advocacy as witness: A voice for common good” in the October 2016 edition of Living Lutheran.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you name us your own and call us to reflect your love into the world.   Help us to do so.  Give us eyes to see the many opportunities for sharing and experiencing grace that you give to us day by day.  Give us feet to walk in your way, and catch us when we stumble.  And give us hands to reach out in love and action that we may bring your light to dark places. This we pray in your holy name.  Amen

 

This story is also available as a bulletin insert as part of ELCA World Hunger’s newest “reproducible stories” series. Click here to download a copy.

Yohannes (not pictured) was 16 when he arrived in Cairo, Egypt, alone. He made his way to Egypt from Eritrea, in East Africa. It was an arduous journey from Eritrea, through Sudan and, finally, to Egypt.  Along the way, food was hard to come by. Yohannes had lost weight and was not well.

Upon arriving in Cairo, Yohannes came to St. Andrew’s Refugee Services (StARS) seeking help. He had not eaten for two days, so the first thing StARS provided was a warm, home-cooked meal. StARS, a program supported by gifts to ELCA World Hunger, offers unaccompanied refugee children food, education and psychosocial support.

Through gifts to ELCA World Hunger, StARS feeds 350 refugee children two meals a day, four days a week. And, with the help of the program, Yohannes has learned about nutrition, budgeting, and services available to him in Cairo.

Unaccompanied children in Cairo often live together in overcrowded apartments so that they can afford the rent. Some receive a small amount of financial support from the United Nations once they register, but most find it very difficult to make ends meet. Financial support from the ELCA and other partners allows StARS to employ a refugee as a chef and to provide part-time work to six young refugees as kitchen assistants and cleaners. Without this work, they would have no means to support themselves as they struggle to survive in Cairo.

For Yohannes and other unaccompanied refugee youth, StARS provides something else that is crucial to well-being – the chance to be children. The program provides food, education and, importantly, a safe space for playing sports and building friendships. “If StARS did not exist, I would go without food for the entire day,” Yohannes said. “Nobody can study with an empty stomach.”

“And here I get the chance to learn and to be with my friends.”

According to UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, over half of the world’s refugees are children. Many have experienced or witnessed violence, exploitation, trafficking and abuse. Yet, the children’s resilience helps them cope in new communities, if they are given the support they need to make new friends, learn and play.  Faith-based organizations like StARS help make this possible.

Today, Yohannes is attending school. He has a brighter future thanks to the support of ELCA World Hunger and St. Andrew’s Refugee Service.

(For more on Lutherans and refugees, see here. Visit ELCA World Hunger on Vimeo for “The Kafley Family” story to hear one family’s story of finding a new home in Chicago, with the support of ELCA World Hunger and RefugeeOne.  To learn more about refugees and resettlement, visit Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service at www.lirs.org, a long-time partner of ELCA World Hunger.)