ELCA Racial Justice Ministries and ELCA African Descent Ministries invites you to join us at the Rise & Remember Festival in Minneapolis, MN. The 3-day, annual event “exists to hold in remembrance George Floyd and those we have lost unjustly to the pervasive impacts of systemic racism. Activities focus on education, empowerment, healing, celebration, and our collective pursuit for racial justice and equity.”

We hope you will join us for the gospel concert and candlelight vigil on Sunday, May 25. We will meet in front of Calvary Lutheran Church (clchurch.org) at 5 pm.

If you plan to attend, please let us know by completing this short, 6-question survey:  https://forms.office.com/r/d3ZW4T7iWs

Catalyst Question

If you were living on a desert island for a year, with enough food and water to last indefinitely, what is one thing you would want to bring to make it the best life possible?

Peace with a Purpose

In John 20:19-31, a resurrected Jesus appears to his disciples twice. Often, when we read this passage, we focus on Thomas. He wasn’t present the first time Jesus showed up, and so was skeptical until Jesus appeared a second time. Some call him Doubting Thomas. Others emphasize Thomas’s devotion because he would only settle for the real Jesus and not any potential imposters.

Today, let’s instead focus on what Jesus says to the disciples during his appearances. Jesus sends the the disciples, just as God the Father sent him. Jesus equips the disciples to forgive sins. Jesus empowers the disciples, never alone, but with the Holy Spirit. As essential as each of these commissions are, they’re built upon something else.

Three times Jesus declares peace. In part this is because the disciples knew him to be dead just a few days before. Now he’s here, but with wounds still showing the evidence of his murder. How threatening would that feel!? Peace is needed. But more than this moment, peace is needed for the movement ahead. After a death wrought by violence, Jesus declares that the way of life is the way of peace.

Even so, violence still remains too present in our world. Another mass shooting, this time at Florida State University, reminded us of the violence so prevalent in the United States. This occurred after years of war in Gaza and Ukraine. In the face of such death, and at the absence of peace, we might despair.

Yet, that’s why Jesus resurrection reminder is so essential still for today. Peace is no less essential for life in our world than it is for the recently resurrected Lord. For life to continue, for life to thrive, peace is required. Easter reminds us that we live in the hope of resurrection, and therefore the hope of peace, even amidst the signs of death.

Small signs like that still show up. For instance, after three years of war in Ukraine, Russia recently indicated openness to substantive peace talks for the first time. This is no guarantee, but it is progress, especially since just a few weeks ago there seemed to be no end in sight. Now, we may see only a glimmer of possibility, but it is there.

The peace that Jesus sends us with is much more than this. It is a peace that passes all understanding. It is a peace that relies not only on the natural instincts of survival, but the supernatural experience of resurrection. It is a peace that promotes not only coexistence, but life abundant! That is the peace Jesus gives to us in the resurrection, and it is peace with a purpose: to bring abundant life to the very ends of the earth.

Ask Yourself

What does peace look like? What does peace sound like? What does peace feel like? Take time to reflect on these different senses of peace.

Ask a Friend

How can we work together to bring peace to places where we notice conflict? Strategize two different ways you can share peace in your daily lives.

Catalyst Question

What kind of evidence do you need to believe something is true?

Evidence of Life

Recently, the possibility of life on another planet hit the news. While studying a planet 124 light years away from Earth, scientists made a surprising discovery. Thanks to NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and an advanced understanding of physics, scientists identified two gasses in this plant’s atmosphere that, in our experience, are only produced by bacteria and phytoplankton. How could anyone know that these particles exist from such a distance? The telescope can identify the composition of the planet’s atmosphere by studying the way that light passes through it. Different gaseous components will mean that light behaves differently as it moves through those elements. Right now, with 99.7% confidence, scientists believe that the atmosphere of planet K2-18b is showing signs of organic life.

Artist’s rendering of planet K2-18b based on observed data. Used with permission from NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI)

The certainly of life was much lower when Mary Magdalene and the other women visited Jesus’ tomb on the Sunday morning after his crucifixion. In fact, they were expecting death. Luke 24:1-12 tells us that they’d brought spices to anoint him for burial, which was impossible to do after his death since the Sabbath had begun. They were showing up to complete the funerary process. But there was just one problem.

There was no body.

After a brief encounter with an angel, who said in no uncertain terms that “he is risen,” the women ran back to share the good news with the other disciples. Though they were much closer than 124 light years, no news could seem further from the truth. What evidence of there was life? At this point, none. There was, after all, an incredible lack of evidence. There was no body. Just like the particles on K2-18b, no one had yet touched Jesus body, whether it was alive or dead. It was just as possible at this point that someone had stolen Jesus’ body for reasons unknown; in fact, most of the disciples thought the testimony to the resurrection was an “idle tale.”

Yet, there were signs. That brief encounter with the angel was kind of a big deal. That angelic presence matched their previous experience of voices from heaven, miraculous healings, and power over nature. There was evidence that this resurrection thing was possible. It just wasn’t something they had touched. Not yet.

Today, none of us have touched Christ’s resurrected body. We, too, rely on the testimony of those who came before us. Just like this faraway planet, we might wonder how reliable the evidence really is. But there are signs. The taste of grace at the communion table is a sign. Waters washing away sin at baptism is a sign. Hope that perseveres despite the most dire circumstances is a sign, all that nothing–not even death–can separate us from the love of God.

Easter Sunday isn’t about academic certainty. Christ’s evidence of life is found in faith passed down from Mary Magdalene to today. Some will come to know this on the road to Emmaus. Others by touching his wounds. Still others like you and I who, for generations to come, by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. So today, and every day, we proclaim together:

Christ is risen!

Ask Yourself

What are three ways that I can emulate Mary Magdalene and share the story of Christ’s resurrection with my own community?

Ask a Friend

This Easter, what about the story of Christ’s resurrection gives you the most hope?

The following is shared from the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) newsletter for Wednesday, April 9, 2025. 

Catalyst Question

How do you identify the heroes in your life?

Joy Amidst the Sorrow

We’re at a turning point in the season. The long journeys we’ve been on are finally coming to a conclusion, identifying the heroes and champions, as well as the wannabes and villains. Though the wait has been long, we can finally see the finish lines.

This could be about sports. After all, we just wrapped up both the Men’s and Women’s NCAA tournaments, crowning two champions (Florida and UConn, respectively). With few cinderella stories and the top-8 seeds in both Final Fours, these playoffs felt like money and pedigree were the most important factors to victory. Whether you consider the final victors heroes or villains likely depended on your rooting interest before the tournament began.

Of course, that’s not the only season that’s wrapping up. We’re headed through the final days of Lent, into Holy Week, and culminating with Easter. This Sunday’s reading from Luke 19:28-40 shows a different approach to recognizing heroes. Jesus didn’t enter Jerusalem as a top seed, but as a backwater preacher. Yet, peopled hailed his entry. His arrival didn’t require fine chariots pulled by thoroughbred horses, but just a donkey. The crowds didn’t cheer for him because he was the odds-on favorite. These everyday people cheered him because he, too, was an underdog, and they were looking for liberation from oppressive influence of Rome’s money and pedigree.

You see, while we hail Jesus as King on Palm Sunday, we do so in the shadow of Holy Week. Even that first Palm Sunday was a revolutionary moment, because Pontius Pilate was likely arriving to Jerusalem on the other side of town. The simplicity of Jesus entry was a counterbalance to the extravagance of Rome’s arrival. What power do palm fronds have over spears, or peasants over centurions? Yet, in Jesus, the people found the hero they needed, however unlikely he was.

There’s still much more to the story, with a last meal with friends on Maundy Thursday, followed by abandonment by those very same friends before his death on Good Friday. For now, though, take note of how people in real need identify their heroes. Rather than the ones that have all the money to buy allegiance and all the power to force submission, they cheer a man who healed their illnesses and fed their hungry bellies, all while forgiving their faults. That’s the hero that we welcome on Palm Sunday. That is Jesus Christ.

Ask Yourself

It’s fun to root for underdogs, though we often don’t expect them to win. How does the unlikely nature of Jesus’ ultimate victory make you think differently about Palm Sunday?

Ask a Friend

Who are the people in our lives that we’ve written off because they didn’t seem like they had a chance to succeed? How might we reconsider their role given Jesus’ cinderella story?

Due to the historic misuse of “the Jews” in John’s passion to justify anti-Judaism, please consider how this gospel is read and heard in your assembly’s worship. The Consultation on Common Texts, the ecumenical body that curates the Revised Common Lectionary has provided the following paragraph. You are invited to include it in printed worship folders or read it aloud before the gospel is proclaimed. 

Throughout Christian history, references to “the Jews” in scripture—particularly in John and Acts—have been used to perpetuate negative stereotypes and falsely assign blame for the death of Jesus. These references gloss over significant distinctions among religious leaders, such as Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees, and obscure the fact that Jesus and his disciples were themselves Jews. As Christians, we confess and lament the history of anti-Judaism associated with these texts. We renounce the evils of violence and discrimination against Jewish people. We strive for mutual understanding, respect, and partnership with Jewish neighbors and commit ourselves to the work of reconciliation among people of all faiths.

Several ELCA resources are available to help guide worship planners and preachers in navigating these important concerns. Preaching and Teaching “With Love and Respect for the Jewish People” is available from the ELCA Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Jewish Relations. An essay titled, “The Jews” in John’s Passion was published in the 2020 edition of the Sundays and Seasons worship planning resource from Augsburg Fortress. 

(This message was written by Pr. Jamie Gallagher, Pastor of First Lutheran Church, Monmouth, IL.  The Northern Illinois Synod held its annual Congregational Resourcing Event (CRE) on March 22, 2025.)

Since the announcement was right before Lunch, I started by asking who was hungry — with a lot of hands going up, I simply said, there are millions of people who are asked that question and there is not a table of lunch sitting right there waiting for them.  I then reminded the gathering that it was 50 years ago when Lutherans just like us gathered in a room just like this had someone raise their hand to ask “Can’t we do something about the hunger crisis” and all the other hands went up and said, “yes we can”.  Today, ELCA world Hunger is a ministry worth over $21 million dollars, but that money doesn’t come from thin air, it comes because we Lutherans still raise our hand and say, “Yes we can”.

I then spoke about the giving challenge, and how it is the generosity of a donor from our synod that is going to match up to $100,000.  And I don’t really remember how else I said everything, I didn’t have anything written down. I just went up there and spoke about it.  I also shared the story of how my congregation is giving toward this, and how as of that morning I was anticipating over $1,200 to go toward ELCA World Hunger.

What I didn’t know Saturday but what I do know today is that my congregation is at $1,698 and I have one more week to collect for ELCA World Hunger.  This has been the largest single month collection for what our church calls “vision and purpose giving” our monthly outward benevolence offering collection.  And it isn’t even close.  I think for St. Jude’s we once raised $650.  For LDR last month, we raised $515, but that is the best we have done before. So, I am excited for the enthusiasm my congregation is pouring into this, and I am looking forward to our synod having that same enthusiasm.

The workshop I led had 10 participants.  I used the take home version of the Generation Zero activity from the 2024 Youth Gathering.  They were assuming family roles and playing them well – they were counting candies in the jar and guessing way off but having fun.  They played with playdough and made goats, some good, some not so good, but all in good fun, and they learned what some of the root causes of hunger are and what ELCA World Hunger is doing amid those causes.

It was a great time.  We also collected a bunch of new ideas we will be sharing on our synod website for fundraising ideas for ELCA World Hunger as they all had great ideas.

So, it was a great day to announce the challenge and present the workshop.

Each month ELCA Worship highlights resources from Augsburg Fortress Publishers that support worship leaders, worship planners, musicians, and all who care about the worship of the church. ELCA Worship also features resources from other partners in a monthly blog post.

The Three-Day Feast: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter

Recent decades have witnessed the revival of the ancient liturgies of the Three Days—Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. In this book Gail Ramshaw gives a little history and a lot of suggestions about how these services can enrich the worship life of your entire assembly.

Using Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Vol 2: The Christian Life

This volume of Using Evangelical Lutheran Worship focuses on the formative role of baptism not only for the individual being baptized but the church. After it examines baptism and the related rites of affirmation of baptism, welcome to baptism, and confession, it moves to consider other rites in which the baptismal center is clearly seen: Healing, Funeral, and Marriage. Also available as an eBook.

Forged: Following Jesus into a New Kind of Family

The Jesus Way calls us into community with others to form a new kind of family— a forged family. In an era when relationships with our families of origin are more complicated than ever, pastor T. C. Moore shows us how following the way of Jesus can lead us to forged families that are authentic and life-giving. Forged weaves together stories from the author’s experience with urban, multiethnic ministry all over the US, principles from Scripture, and his own experience as an ex-gang member turned church planter and pastor. It proposes a way of approaching faith in community that rejects hierarchical, bureaucratic structures in favor of formative, inclusive friendships that last.

Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible

Before the Nazis banned him from publishing, German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer published this book on the Psalms. This classic reveals how the Psalms are essential to the life of the believer and offers Bonhoeffer’s reflections on psalms of thanksgiving, suffering, guilt, praise, and lament. Now with an introduction by Walter Brueggemann and excerpts from the Psalms, Bonhoeffer’s timeless work offers contemporary readers ancient wisdom and resources for the living of these days.

Mystery Manifest: The Triune God, Figuratively Speaking

Renowned liturgist and scholar Gail Ramshaw mines the treasures of the Bible, patristic sermons, theological treatises, mystical reveries, liturgical texts, hymns, and poetry to craft a richly textured collection and framework for thinking about the language Christians use to address and describe the triune God. More than a compilation, Mystery Manifest is a volume that liturgists, ministers, and theologians will return to again and again seeking wisdom and insight into the figures of speech humans have developed to express the ineffable. Scholars and ministers alike will want to keep a copy readily available on their shelves for liturgical study, homiletical preparation, worship preparation, and theological reflection.

Summer Music Clinics

Join us this summer for our annual music clinics. This year’s phenomenal clinicians are Jennaya Robison (choral) and Jan Kraybill (organ). Check out our website to read more about these talented practitioners, explore the daily schedule, and register for a clinic in your area!

• July 18–19, Columbia, S.C.
• July 21–22, Columbus, Ohio
• July 24–25, Philadelphia, Pa.
• August 11–12, Twin Cities, Minn.
• August 14–15, Chicago, Ill.

What Can Congregations Do to Prepare for Immigration Raids?

April 1, 2025

The information shared here does not constitute legal advice and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Individuals are strongly recommended to seek the advice of an attorney to discuss their unique circumstances.

Through this guide, AMMPARO seeks to educate congregations and others about their rights under the law to help them better prepare for encounters with immigration officials.

Executive Summary:

There are various steps that congregations can take to prepare for possible encounters with immigration or immigration-related officials. The guide below discusses some of these steps in detail and provides links to other information that can further elaborate on these steps.

1. Research and then connect with migrant organizations in your community to learn what is needed; engage with them and support their work when possible.
2. Organize Know Your Rights sessions for church and community members if the congregation is in a community where persons are vulnerable to immigration enforcement to help people be prepared to respond in an encounter.
3. Have Red Cards available for members of the congregation and visitors to take and keep in their wallets to use in possible encounters with ICE.
4. Research Rapid Response Networks in your community and see how the congregation can be part of them.
5. If the congregation offers meal programs, ESL services or other kinds of ministries, prepare for a potential encounter with immigration enforcement by:
   • Developing a written response policy and preparedness plans in advance.
   • Designate an authorized person to review warrants or access to a lawyer to review them.
   • Understand the difference between public and private areas and have signage.
   • Train staff and volunteers on how to respond to ICE requests.
   • Document all interactions with immigration enforcement.
   • Connect with immigration response networks in your area.
6. Encourage anyone with questions about their immigration status to consult a lawyer.
7. Join the AMMPARO US Network as a welcoming congregation to stay updated on ways to advocate for justice for vulnerable people.

Empowering information congregations can share before a raid

All people in the United States have certain rights regardless of immigration status. Congregations can respond to recent uncertainty by making know-your-rights information and family preparation plans widely available to people in their communities, regardless of immigration status.

• Share Know Your Rights resources in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Arabic, Chinese, etc.) informing immigrant families, regardless of their status, of their rights. Resources can discuss practical tips for how immigrant families can prepare in case of a possible encounter with immigration and law enforcement.
• Organize Know Your Rights sessions for church and community members to inform all people of their rights and how prepare in case of a possible encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Successful sessions will include participation from local community-based organizations, local law offices, or local government officials.
• Have Red Cards available for members of the congregation and visitors to take and keep in their wallets to use in possible encounters with ICE.

Actions ministries and places of worship can take to prepare before a raid

Not all, but many congregations, may be concerned about heightened enforcement activity in their communities. This is an especially important time to respond with empathy and foster trust in the community. Heightened fear can permeate the community, affecting citizens and non-citizen alike, creating a chilling effect impacting attendance at services and access to essential services. If the congregation offers meal programs, ESL services or other kinds of ministries, prepare for a potential encounter with immigration enforcement by:

• Developing a written response policy and preparedness plans in advance
• Designate an authorized person to review warrants and subpoenas or have access to a lawyer to review them.
• Understand the difference between public and private areas and have signage that indicates what areas are private and/or if areas are only open to the public at certain times.
  • To enter a private area, ICE is required to show a valid judicial warrant, unless staff at those areas consent to the search. The Fourth Amendment protects areas where people have a “reasonable expectation of privacy” however within the 100-mile zone of the border, some Fourth Amendment rights are reduced like on buses.
• Train staff and volunteers on how to respond to ICE requests.
• Document all interactions with immigration enforcement.
• Connect with immigration response networks in your area.
• Understand the law that applies to sanctuary congregations.
  • Congregations that choose to designate themselves as “sanctuaries” should be aware of potential legal implications and seek legal counsel to advise in their unique circumstances.

Sharing Legal Resources 

Encourage individuals to seek trusted legal providers to determine status and employment authorization eligibility.

• Encourage anyone with questions about their immigration status to consult a licensed immigration attorney.
  1. American Immigration Lawyers Association
  2. Executive Office for Immigration Review List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers at the United States Department of Justice
• Encourage individuals to be cautious of immigration fraud and scams.
• Do not offer legal advice.

General Post-Enforcement Messaging Guidance

Congregations may want to share stories* with the media after an immediate threat has passed. Here are some tips for ethically and responsibly sharing these stories, adapted from the Housing Narrative Lab, Interfaith Immigration Coalition, and Frameworks Institute.

*You should be cognizant of the various risks involved, including but not limited to possible trauma responses and privacy considerations for the person(s) involved. This warrants a high level of care and sensitivity, as well as checking with the impacted person’s lawyer and family if possible.

• Establish shared values and appeal to shared humanity: “As a Christian and Lutheran, my commitment to serving my community is rooted in God’s love and call to serve our neighbors…”
• Emphasize systemic root causes: “We need to acknowledge the exclusionary immigration policies and broken systems that have resulted in these outcomes…”
• Include the community: “we need to ensure we build communities where people from different incomes, beliefs, and backgrounds can live and work in dignity…”
• Focus on lived experiences: “My family fled repression, eventually coming to the United States because of the religious freedom, opportunity, and liberty this land offered…”
• Focus on solutions: “We need immigration reform that not only enforces the law and keeps communities safe but that also improve access to legal status, ensuring that immigrants and refugees can raise their families, attend worship, and work in dignity…”
• Call together a broad-based coalition: “People of faith in this congregation, local businesses, schools, we all thrive when we work together”
• Counter false narratives, carefully:
  • Redirect misinformation. Don’t engage into direct tit-for-tat or repeating negative messaging, which can reinforce the misinformation.
• Provide a call to action with specifics: “We urge our elected representatives to come together to work for an immigration reform and just policies…”

Mobilizing for Change Locally

Build robust networks with community-based organizations in your area. Share resources, strategize, and stay alert together. But exercise caution sharing unverified information.

• Research and then connect with migrant organizations in your community to learn what is needed; engage with them and support their work when possible.
• Contact local congregations engaged with migrants and refugees to see how your congregation can support their work.
• Find out if there are any Rapid Response Networks in your community and see how the congregation can be part of them.
• Investigate and connect with immigration raid hotlines to report raids, seek assistance for detained individuals, and report missing people.
• Become a welcoming congregation and join the AMMPARO US Network to stay updated on ways to advocate for justice for vulnerable people.

Advocating Locally and Nationally

Raise your voice locally with your school board, county, state legislature. You can raise it nationally with your elected representatives including your two Senators and member of Congress.

• Sign Up for the ELCA Advocacy Network.
• Federal Legislative Advocacy: ELCA advocacy works for national and international public policy change based on the experience of Lutheran ministries, programs, and projects around the world including AMMPARO—and it takes direct input from the entire church through social messages and statements and other churchwide actions. On migration issues, this includes to the ELCA’s social message on “Immigration” and “Toward Compassionate, Just, and Wise Immigration Reform.”
• State & Local Legislative Advocacy: The ELCA works through a network of State Public Policy Offices (SPPOs) across the country to engage in faith-based advocacy on critical issues affecting our communities. These offices advocate for policies that reflect our Lutheran commitment to justice, peace, and care for our neighbors, ensuring that Lutheran voices are heard in state and national policy conversations
• AMMPARO: AMMPARO is a holistic, whole church commitment by the ELCA, as a church in the world, to accompany migrant children and families. In the Americas, and increasingly around the globe, we work across congregations and synods, with secular and religious partners, and local migrant community organizations in these regions to support youth, women, and families and to address the root causes of migration.

Spiritual Accompaniment & Prayer

• Visit ELCA.org/AMMPARO for prayer resources.

RESPONDING TO RECENT POLICY CHANGES

As we continue to monitor policy developments, we would like to highlight a few ways the ELCA has addressed recent changes.

• Recently, ELCA AMMPARO has organized several informational webinars and distributed essential “Know Your Rights” information to our networks.
  • On the ELCA website, AMMPARO has continued to update a blog with Know Your Rights resources and uploaded one-pagers with crucial information about immigration enforcement in the home, public, and workplaces.
  • On Jan 17^th, ELCA AMMPARO sponsored a joint webinar with Episcopal Migration Ministries for ministry leaders by lawyers with basic know your rights information. Over 1000 registered and 500 attended. A follow-up event in was provided in March.
  • On Jan 30^th, ELCA AMMPARO sponsored a joint webinar with Global Refuge on Executive Orders and resources for congregations to respond.
• Recently, Presiding Bishop Eaton has spoken about various themes in response to public policy changes:
  • On Jan 24^th, Presiding Bishop Eaton shared a “Pastoral Message on Executive Orders” which reads, in part: “This church is committed to upholding the humanity of everyone, regardless of who we are or where we come from. We are a church called to love our neighbors and accompany all people in their joys and struggles.”
  • On Jan 28^th, Presiding Bishop Eaton shared a “Statement on Immigration Executive Orders” which reads, in part: “The ELCA supports the view that nations have the responsibility to protect their borders and safeguard their communities. However, these policies must cause ‘neither undue repercussions within immigrant communities nor bias against them’ (‘Immigration’ social message, page 7). Just policies include recognition of the humanity of immigrants without status, respect for the dignity of those at the border and refuge for displaced people.”
  • On March 4, Presiding Bishop Eaton shared a The Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refuge, with 45 ecumenical partners.
  • On March 7, Presiding Bishop Eaton shared an Interfaith Solidarity Statement on Refugees and Immigrants during the overlapping season of Purim, Ramadan, and Lent with 11 interfaith partners.

In honor of Arab American Heritage Month, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries will be elevating the voices of our Arab and Middle Eastern Descent peers and reposting their works from others sources around the ELCA. The following article is cross-posted from Living Lutheran online. The original post can be found here.

Rodny Said, a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), leads a children’s sermon at the Church of Hope in Ramallah. Photos: ELCJHL

Said leads a bible study with youth during a youth retreat in Jordan.

Sani Ibrahim Azar, bishop of the ELCJHL, delivers a sermon at the Church of Hope.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two spouses living in two places—kept apart by two kinds of government ID.

It may sound like Romeo and Juliet, but that was life for Rodny Said, a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL).

With a Jerusalem ID, Said could cross the checkpoints between his East Jerusalem home and his congregation, the Lutheran Church of Hope in Ramallah. His wife lived with her parents because she couldn’t enter East Jerusalem with her Palestinian ID.

“We started the process of reunification, as the Israeli government calls it,” he explained during an Advent Pilgrimage 2024 webinar, “but it can take years for a person from East Jerusalem and a person from the West Bank to live together.”

Fortunately, Said’s wife received her permit shortly after the webinar, and the couple can now live and travel together between the two communities.

The webinar series was a program of Sumud, the ELCA’s initiative for justice in Palestine and Israel. Previously the ministry was known as Peace Not Walls, named after the 440-mile barrier wall that the Israeli government was building to separate Palestine from Israel. The wall is complete today.

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“To us, sumud means to in our country and continue bearing witness.”

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Sumud, an Arabic word meaning “steadfast,” conveys the determination it takes to be a Palestinian Christian. “Palestinians struggle to get to work, to universities, to churches and schools,” Said noted in the webinar. Since the onset of the Gaza War in 2023, many lost their jobs because they are no longer allowed to work in Israel. Many families are separated even though they live just a few blocks apart.

Life has gotten so difficult that the number of Christian families—already only 1% of the West Bank population—who are leaving is increasing. “They don’t see a future,” he said.

Emigration “means more pressure on us as a Christian community,” Said noted—especially for the ELCJHL, whose six congregations and four schools are supported by only 2,000 members.

“I think the easiest way is to leave,” Said added, “and the hard and painful way is to stay.”

Staying put, enduring and never giving up hope—that’s sumud. Through the initiative, the ELCA seeks to accompany Palestinians in their daily lives and advocate for peace with justice in Palestine and Israel.

Creating possibilities

For Maddi Froiland, program director for Sumud, a prime goal is making ELCA members more aware of what life under occupation is like.

As someone who spent four years in East Jerusalem and the West Bank—one as a Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM) volunteer and three years as communications officer for the ELCJHL—Froiland watched Christians live out Luke 6:31 (“Do to others as you would have them do to you”) even with soldiers who had arrested their sons. “The experience,” she said, “made me redefine what it means to be a Christian.”

Froiland said Sumud’s webinar series drew over 100 viewers who heard ELCJHL pastors and youth group members share stories of “resistance through existence” by living and worshiping together under occupation. Attendees heard their main message: Christians living in the Holy Land need to know someone is listening to and supporting them.

The Sumud initiative, Froiland said, “underscores that justice in Israel and Palestine means everyone has dignity and human rights. Right now the people who are lacking human rights are our Palestinian partners.”

Froiland is building synod-level networks of Palestinian Christians, YAGM alumni and others who can share their experiences in the region. “These networks will build communities that are both aware of the context of our siblings in the ELCJHL and are empowered through their faith to advocate for justice in Palestine and Israel,” she said.

A new ceasefire currently being negotiated between Israel and Hamas could open the door for healing and recovery from a war marked by violence and displacement. The ELCA supports that process through Sumud, Lutheran Disaster Response, the ELCA Middle East and North Africa desk, and deployed personnel in the region. Witness in Society, the ELCA’s public advocacy team, continues to advocate for a negotiated resolution to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and to ongoing acts of violence.

On the ground, the ELCJHL creates possibilities for Palestinian Christians. “We do this through offering quality education for our youth, diaconal ministry for the vulnerable, environmental ministry for God’s creation, gender justice ministry and supporting our youth,” said Sani Ibrahim Azar, bishop of the ELCJHL.

“To us, sumud means to stay in our country and continue bearing witness as the Indigenous Christians of this land. This important and meaningful Arabic word … gives us strength—that we are not alone, we have our partners, our brothers and sisters, who will be steadfast in accompanying us.”

Anne Basye
Basye, a freelance writer living in Mount Vernon, Wash., is the author of Sustaining Simplicity: A Journal (ELCA, 2007).