April 19, 2017
 
A Special Letter regarding Care for Refugees and Immigrants
- from Bishop Rick Jaech
 
 
How should we respond to the refugees and immigrants already among us, as well as those seeking to enter the United States?  That issue is being debated in courthouses, in state and federal halls of congress, and in every media outlet.  It is also being discussed in many churches.  During the past months, a number of our Synod congregations have contacted the Synod Office asking for advice or background information that will help them discuss and discern their role with refugees and immigrants.  I would like to offer a few of my thoughts on this matter, together with some links to more detailed resources and information.
 
I want to start by acknowledging that within our Synod and among our church members there are many different opinions about the issue of refugees and immigrants. In other words, we do not all agree about this matter.  There are multiple, complex factors that we wrestle with, such as national safety, international suffering, effective policy and Christian compassion.  Within our Synod and our nation, we will need to engage in continuing dialogue and respectful debate in order to fully address this question.  Therefore, I do not claim to speak for everyone and, in fact, would like to hear your thoughts on this matter and learn from you.  In this letter, I would like to offer my views, which also represent recent statements by our church body, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  (See the ELCA Social Message on Immigration at http://www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Social-Messages/Immigration )
 
Jesus said to them,"... I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me..." Matthew 25:35  Read entire letter

Southwestern Washington Synod
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A Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Rev. Richard E. Jaech, Bishop