To Establish District Commission on Immigration and Immigration Resources

WHEREAS, The issue of United States immigration procedures is under great scrutiny nationally and within the boundaries of the LCMS Atlantic District, and neighboring districts; and

WHEREAS, The district has been at the forefront of welcoming immigrants into its congregations since its founding in 1906, including called church workers specifically for immigrant populations; and

WHEREAS, The district has fostered immigrant pastors in recent years to complete the process of entering the clergy roster of the Synod, with 18 first-generation immigrants currently serving district congregations; and

WHEREAS, The membership of the district congregations currently is composed of a substantial number of first- and second- generation immigrant families, representing significant percentages of the membership in many congregations; and

WHEREAS, The blessing of those immigrant members has produced leaders serving in dia con al and parish ministries as well as at the district level; and

WHEREAS, Some of these members currently fear unjust detainment and deportation; and

WHEREAS, Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions speak directly to care and hospitality for the stranger; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) published the report, Immigrants Among Us: A Lutheran Framework for Addressing Immigration Issues, that advises congregations and other members concerning immigrants, and in 2018, the CTCR published a complementary Bible study based on the 2012 report; and

WHEREAS, Lutheran Social Services of New York (LSSNY) and Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) are collaborative partners in programs and opportunities for refugees, asylum-seekers, and immigrants; and

WHEREAS, LSSNY and Global Refuge provide not only advice and counsel concerning immigrant issues, but also opportunities to serve the migrant and immigrant communities in just and righteous ways; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2025 LCMS Atlantic District in convention authorize the formation of an Atlantic District Commission on Immigration and Immigration Resources; and be it further

Resolved, That composition of the commission may include representatives from LSSNY and Global Refuge, as well as district roster ed church workers and laity; and be it further

Resolved, That the commission be established within 60 days of the 2025 Convention of the LCMS Atlantic District; and be it further

Resolved, That the tasks of the commission may include:

• study of the 2012 CTCR document Immigrants Among Us and the 2018 complementary Bible study;

• examination of migrant issues in the congregations of the district;

• institution of programs, workshops, and individual consultation for the use of district congregations;

• collaboration with LSSNY and Global Refuge on specific means to address those issues;

• the creation of biblical, civil, and lawful guidelines to advise congregations on how best to care for our neighbors;

• to provide—in addition to workshops, programs, and consultation—regular remission of current programs, opportunities, and involvement in immigrant issues to be distributed via various means to congregations, congregational members, and roster ed workers of the district;

and be it further

Resolved, That the district budget include resources and opportunities for the commission; and be it finally

Resolved, That this resolution, as passed by the delegates to the Atlantic District convention, be made available to share with other members of the Synod for appropriate adaptation ahead of the 2026 Synod convention.