When Bishop Smith invited this synod to join his Bishop’s Challenge in the spring of 2022, he led with this charge, “As a church called to welcome the stranger, and as the North Carolina Synod, we are asking you to help us care for and welcome refugee families.”

As it turns out, that very big goal—that 70% of the synod’s congregations engage in the work of welcome—is being accomplished by way of many, many partnerships and small efforts that combine for unimaginable ministry.

Consider this story from Good Shepherd, Raleigh.

We have been working in collaboration with members of the Beth Meyer Synagogue here in Raleigh, and have received advice and support from both the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) and Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Services, LIRS). We formed a “Welcome Circle” (a HIAS program) consisting of about five members from Beth Meyer and about five members from Good Shepherd. Together we raised about $12,000 to help the Ukranian family transition. The Bishop’s Challenge $1,000 grant from the synod was an extremely helpful addition to the funds we raised for the Ukraine refugee family we have been helping transition into the United States under the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services’ Uniting for Ukraine program. 

The family consists of a mother and her 13-year-old daughter. They have been in the United States for about three months.

The Welcome Circle has been focused on coordinating housing, internet and phone connectivity, obtaining a Social Security number, and arranging English language lessons for the mom through Wake Tech Community College (the mom speaks English at a beginner/intermediate level, but wishes to become more proficient to improve her work opportunities). We have also arranged benefits including SNAP and TANF. The daughter has some significant learning disabilities which have taken time to understand, but she is in middle school and the Circle has helped establish an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) which is now in place for the daughter. We have lined up a car for the family and the mother is studying for the written driving test now.

The Circle has met with the mother to set financial goals. Six months of transitioning support is the HIAS Welcome Circle goal, and the funds we have raised are just enough to cover those six months.

In just this one instance of welcome, the partners include Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Raleigh; Beth Meyer Synagogue, Raleigh; Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS); Global Refuge (formerly LIRS); U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services; and the NC Synod, ELCA. The way this effort has connected so many different communities—including an interfaith partnership—points to the synod’s core value of relationship in such a clear way. Just as we belong to one body in Christ, we belong to each other. Inspired by the Gospel, we will choose to live and work together for the sake of the world.

Imagine this, though: this valuable ministry—this work of welcome—has partners that extend even further. The mini-grants given to congregations participating in the Bishop’s Challenge came from the ELCA’s AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation, and Opportunities). Pastor Michael Dickson, as NC Synod Coordinator for Social Justice and Advocacy Ministries, has stewarded the Bishop’s Challenge along with the bishop and other synod staff. And, pivotal in the work, the members of the synod’s Immigration and Refugee Ministry Team are volunteers from congregations all across the synod who have given their time to this effort.

Last but not least is—you! Your partnership as a congregation member in this synod, a giver of Mission Support, is so critical to this meaningful work. In his bishop’s reflection from December 2022, Bishop Tim shared:

We have the resources and the calling to be welcomers now in a fractured and hurting world, even as we pray that, were we the ones fleeing our homes and countries in fear for our children’s lives, someone somewhere would welcome us with kindness and hospitality. Most profoundly, we know that Christ welcomes all in love and compassion and calls us to do the same. Join us, won’t you?

This work of welcome is a shared effort. This shared effort comes together in big ways through seemingly small partnerships and giving. Your Mission Support dollars may feel small but they add up to accomplish ministry that is life-giving and life-changing. Thanks be to God!