Is your congregation ready to engage in the Bishop’s Challenge? As people of welcome, there are lots of ways you can support refugees in the U.S. right now. Consider connecting the Bishop’s Challenge to the ELCA Day of Service, “God’s Work. Our Hands” (GWOH) on September 11. Some suggestions are:

1. Get inspired with these prayers from Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service (LIRS).
2. Consider starting a Be the Light campaign to support the work of welcome. (Email Emily Dubay for more information.)
3. Partner with a Circle of Welcome in the NC Synod and hold a donation drive to collect gift cards or needed items for a refugee family. (Email Matt Hembree for more information.)
4. Explore new cultures from which our refugee neighbors arrive with LIRS’ Gather Toolkit.

We want to hear! Share by October 1 how your congregation supported refugee resettlement via GWOH.  Email to Carissa Abraham.

This GWOH email contains links to helpful planning resources. Old Lutheran has T-shirts and other items available for purchase; you can still make the Friday, August 19, deadline for ordering personalized t-shirts! And, of course, if your congregation cannot participate on September 11, consider another day for your service activities.