Migrant Justice Team
Lenten Book Study
The Line Becomes a River: Dispatches from the Border
Dates: Sundays in Lent
March 9, 16, 23 & April 6
ZOOM Conversation
Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Francisco Cantú, raised by a park ranger mother who is the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, joins the Border Patrol to understand the harsh realities of the Southwest landscape. He learns to track individuals while grappling with the dehumanizing nature of his work. After leaving the Patrol, he faces personal tragedy when an immigrant friend goes missing in Mexico, compelling him to confront the pervasive violence of the border.
Resources
Statements and Press Releases
PDF - Joint Statement on Immigration from ELCA Bishops in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan
PDF - Press Release - Joint Statement on Immigration from ELCA Bishops in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan
Presiding Bishop Eaton Issues Pastoral Message on Executive Orders
Statement from the Asociacion de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA
Resources for Creating a Congregation Statement or Plan
AMMPARO, Migrant Ministry of the ELCA - Resources for prayer, becoming a welcoming congregation, advocacy and accompaniment, and giving generously
“Know Your Rights” Red Card Resource and Campaign - Printed resource in English and Spanish to provide community members awareness of rights
Webinar, “Immigration & Faith Communities Preparing and Protecting Organizations” from the ACLU and Wisconsin Council of Churches | Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | 2-3:15 pm
Factsheet from ELCA Legal Counsel on rescission of “Protected Areas Policies” a.k.a. “sanctuary” from the National Immigration Law Center - Understand the most up to date legislation on the term, “sanctuary,” as it pertains to immigrants, congregations, and learning centers
ELCA Social Message, “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy”
Resources from ELCA Witness in Society Team
Migrant Justice Statements
Joint Statement on Immigration from ELCA Bishops in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan
Statement in Response to the Executive Orders of the United States Government Jan 22, 2025
Presiding Bishop Eaton Issues Pastoral Message on Executive Orders
Border Immersion Trip
The Synod’s Migrant Justice Team traveled to the US/Mexico Border January 29 - February 4 or 5, 2025 for a border immersion facilitated by Border Servant Corps (BSC).
Border Servant Corps is a social ministry organization of the ELCA. This immersion program prioritizes accompaniment, relationships, and first-hand educational experiences about border issues. The immersion is designed to expose participants to a comprehensive spectrum of views about immigration and the borderlands through:
speaking with first-generation immigrants
visiting local organizations working with immigrant populations
meeting with government officials to learn about border protection & law enforcement
learning about immigration law
building an understanding of the economic policies and realities affecting people on the border and beyond
Visit borderservantcorps.org/border-education to learn more about the immersion experience.
The mission statement of the Migrant Justice Team is as follows:
To facilitate the ongoing work of “Cultivating Life-Giving Relationships Rooted in God’s Love” with the migrants in the communities of the La Crosse Area Synod.
We do this work by coordinating:
Volunteer Opportunities
Giving Opportunities
Advocacy Opportunities
Community Building Opportunities
Educational Opportunities
The team is a sub-committee of the Synod Church in Society Committee and is actively pursuing these opportunities. We are seeking to involve congregations and individuals from throughout our Synod. Our current project, welcoming and supporting seasonal workers being lodged at Sugar Creek Bible Camp, is an example of the relationships we are building with migrants in our Synod. You are invited to participate with financial support, or by joining with us in the ministry we are doing. We are seeking volunteers who would like to serve on this sub-committee. You are welcome to join in this important and meaningful work! If you are interested or want more information, contact Irene TenEyck at MigrantJusticeTeam@LaCrosseAreaSynod.org.