March 24: Pastor Gilo Agwa will share with us how the Asylee process works. Gilo came to this country as an Asylee in 2011 and his family arrived as Asylees in 2014. To be an asylee, a person has to show proof that his life is in danger if he returns to his home country and then must go through the legal process and wait for clearance to stay in the USA until his application for Asylum is granted. Pastor Agwa will share how difficult it was for his family while waiting for approval to join him here in the USA. Pastor Agwa has a Masters of Divinity degree from Dubuque University Seminary in Iowa. Pastor Gilo is employed as a part-time Chaplain at Good Samaritan in Stillwater and also as a part-time leader of the joint Ministry for the Ethiopian immigrants and refugees in Minnesota sponsored by the SPAS of the ELCA and the Presbyteria of the Twin Cities Area.

 

March 31: Pastor Kathryn Tiede, Senior Director of Church Partnerships and Philanthropy for Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota (LSSMN) will share how Refugee Resettlement is financed and will describe the services that LSSMN provides for immigrants as well how LSSMN touches the lives of people in nearly every county in Minnesota.  Pastor Tiede, who has served in parish ministry both in the ELCA and The Episcopal Church will be preaching at both services. She is passionate about the work of the Gospel as it is lived out in congregations and communities, and is excited about the opportunity to be with us.