Resources to Care for Our Neighbors
In a recent letter from Bishop Kusserow and synod vice president Barb Nugent, our synod was reminded of the deep value that Lutheran congregations have contributed to the social structures of our country, leading the way in caring for our neighbors. While this can feel like an overwhelming task for any congregation, our congregations are not alone. We work together, as we have done through the whole history of our church, to accomplish together what is too great for any one congregation to achieve.
With this reminder of our shared purpose, below are practical resources for carrying out the ministry to which we have been called.
Communities of Color
Lenten Study: Struggling with White Privilege and Following Jesus (Authentic Diversity and Justice Working Group 2022)
Contribute to restorative justice in the Hill District through our synod’s appeal on behalf of Bethel-Trinity CDC.
Youth and Young Adults can engage in the work of racial reconciliation with LAMPa’s Isaiah 58:12 Fellowship.
Disability Community
Lenten Study: Centering the Disability Community (Authentic Diversity and Justice Working Group 2023)
Immigration
The ELCA Latino Ministries Association has written an excellent letter—in Spanish (p.1) and in English (p.2)— giving encouragement and guidance to our church from the perspective of those who are among the most vulnerable right now.
In 2019 our Churchwide Assembly acted to identify our church as a sanctuary church body. Thoughtful guidelines for what that means in the daily life and ministry of our congregations and other ministry sites may be found here. Particularly, page three lists the six ways in which congregations can serve, care, support, and education are listed.
Here you will find detailed, practical advice from AMMPARO, our church’s ministry of accompaniment for migrant families.
Join LAMPa’s Rapid Response Network to support our immigrant neighbors and other vulnerable communities.
Presiding Bishop Eaton wrote a pastoral letter to our whole church, calling us again to care for our neighbors in this time of need and by reminding us what Luther said about daily bread, including the responsibilities of leaders to provide stability, sufficiency and equity for the people in their care.
LGBTQ+ Community
Add your name to Faith Leaders for an Inclusive Pennsylvania. This will also connect you for future organizing to call for inclusion and equity in PA and beyond.
Join LAMPa’s In God’s Image Network to connect with LGBTQ+ advocates from around the Commonwealth.
Lutheran Services
Presiding Bishop Eaton responded to misinformation about funding that supports Lutheran organizations across our country.
Take action to support federal funding that supports Lutheran Services with ELCA Advocacy Alerts.
Synod Collaboration
The Resource Ministry facebook group is a new resource intended to be a place where synod leaders can share positive ministry practices and ask each other for help in particularly vexing situations.
Faith Formation Curriculum: Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a House Divided and a World on Fire (LAMPa 2024)
United Lutheran Seminary Gettysburg event Hope in a Divided World: A Faithful Response to Christian Nationalism with Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on March 7-8
Save the Date: Lutheran Day in the Capitol – May 13 in Harrisburg
More resources will be added as they become available. Updated 2/6/2025.