To Establish District Commission on Immigration and Immigration Resources

Official Workbook overture source text

3-05 
To Establish District Commission  
on Immigration and Immigration Resources 
WHEREAS, The issue of United States immigration procedures is 
under great scrutiny nationally and within the boundaries of the  
LCMS Atlantic District, and neighboring districts; and 
WHEREAS, The district has been at the forefront of welcoming 
immigrants into its congregations since its founding in 1906, 
including called church workers specifically for immigrant 
populations; and 
WHEREAS, The district has fostered immigrant pastors in recent 
years to complete the process of entering the clergy roster of the 
Synod, with 18 first- generation immigrants currently serving 
district congregations; and 
WHEREAS, T he membership of the d istrict congregations 
currently is composed of a substantial number of first- and second-
generation immigrant families, representing significant percentages 
of the membership in many congregations; and 
WHEREAS, T he blessing of those immigrant members has 
produced leaders serving in diaconal and parish ministries as well 
as at the district level; and 
WHEREAS, S ome of these members currently fear unjust 
detainment and deportation; and 
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions speak 
directly to care and hospitality for the stranger; and 
WHEREAS, In 2012 , the Commission on Theology and Church 
Relations (CTCR) published the report, Immigrants Among Us: A 
Lutheran Framework for Addressing Immigration Issues , that 
advises congregations and other members concerning immigrants, 
and in 2018 , the CTCR published a complementary Bible study 
based on the 2012 report; and 
WHEREAS, Lutheran Social Services of New York (LSSNY) and 
Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee 
Service) are collaborative partners in programs and opportunities 
for refugees, asylum-seekers, and immigrants; and 
2026 Convention Workbook
300 MERCY