Do Justice
Welcome to Do Justice, a semi-monthly newsletter of the Virginia Synod, lifting up God’s call and command that we, God’s people, do justice. You will find helpful info about justice ministries in congregations, around Virginia, and through the ELCA. If you have stories of justice to share from your congregation, please share those with me at bayerderrick@vasynod.org so I can share them with others in the synod!

The Rev. Kelly Bayer Derrick
Assistant to the Bishop
On Thursday (May 30), the church commemorates the Ascension of Our Lord.

Almighty God, your blessed Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things. Mercifully give us faith to trust that, as he promised, he abides with us on earth to the end of time, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
ELCA presiding bishop addresses well-being of children in detention centers
Children coming to our nation for safety and protection are still dying at our southern border while in U.S. detention.

Carlos, a 16-year-old youth from Guatemala,  died  May 20 in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Wilmer, a 2-year-old,  died  May 14, also in the custody of CBP. They were preceded in death by  Jackelin ,  Felipe ,  Juan  and a 10-year-old girl from El Salvador who  died  in September 2018 but whose death has just been disclosed. One year ago,  Claudia Patricia Gómez González , a 20-year-old woman from Guatemala, was shot in the head and killed by a Border Patrol agent while seeking safety in the United States.

I am deeply dismayed by the deaths of these children, made in the image of God, who came to our southern border as refugees and asylum seekers to ask us for protection. As a nation we denied them that safety, instead placing them in detention facilities, sometimes for months.

Our nation and its leaders have moral and legal obligations on behalf of those who seek safety in our land. As Congress considers federal funding for DHS, we advocate against further funds for immigration detention, deportation, and border militarization, and oppose intentional policy choices that harm children and families.

We follow a Lord who instructed, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matthew 19:14). As we continue to serve and love our neighbor, we pray for the well-being of children and families in detention, and we urge the presidential administration to seek alternatives to the detention of children.

In Christ,
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop, ELCA
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy Events Across The State
Over the next two weeks VICPP staff will host several events across the state. We'd love to see you at one or more of these events. You will learn about opportunities to become involved in our advocacy work and meet some great new people!

Norfolk : Thursday, May 30  Hampton Roads Chapter launch luncheon  
Richmond : Friday, May 31   Living Wage Forum
Central U.S. tornadoes
A series of powerful and destructive tornadoes has ripped through parts of the central U.S., leaving destruction in its wake. In Missouri, at least three people have been killed, homes and businesses have been destroyed, and rescues are still underway. Tornadoes have also been reported in Oklahoma, Iowa, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. These tornadoes were part of a series of more than 170 weather events to strike the region in the last week, with the potential for more severe weather in the coming days. Read more and give today!
LIRS Migrant & Refugee Sunday Materials
LIRS is thrilled to announce the launch of our newly envisioned Migrant & Refugee Sunday. Formerly Refugee Sunday, LIRS has re-launched this series of congregational resources to be inclusive of the vulnerable migrant families that LIRS serves each and every day.

New resources for observing Migrant and Refugee Sunday are now available at www.lirs.org/migrant-refugee-sunday.

Consider how you might use some of these resources in the weeks of June:
  • On Pentecost Sunday, June 9, we hear a story of how diverse peoples, from the far reaches of the earth, are gathered into one people and speak one language through the gift of God’s Spirit.
  • On World Refugee Day, June 20, celebrations throughout the United States and the world commemorate the strength, courage and resilience of millions of refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, conflict and persecution.
  • June 9 is designated as Children’s Day; June 16 is observed as Father’s Day. Both days are times to consider families who are on the move, and to respond to Christ’s call to care for all our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The all-new resources for Migrant and Refugee Sunday include commentaries written by former refugees for preaching on the lessons for Pentecost, a Pentecost/World Refugee Day Litany, Prayer Petitions for June, and other worship and education materials that will be updated each month.

Check out the website www.lirs.org/migrant-refugee-sunday to find images, language, and stories to enrich and support your congregation’s call to welcome the stranger and to celebrate our oneness in the body of Christ throughout the year.
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