In light of the events of this week, and particularly in response to the rhetoric and action being leveled at our Somali neighbors along with other immigrant communities in our state, Nativity Lutheran Church reaffirms our commitment to being a safe, welcoming and affirming community for all people. We continue to practice the radical hospitality modelled for us in and through Jesus Christ, always welcoming the stranger as our own, as God commands us (Lev. 19:33-34, Matt. 25:35). We stand up for the rights of all people as children of God and are committed to the ongoing work of welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy for all who are marginalized.
Earlier this year, in a pastoral letter to the nation, then-Presiding Bishop of the ELCA Elizabeth Eaton reminded all followers of Jesus that we are called to speak up when government distorts or denies the image of God in each person, endangering their safety. More recently, the synodical bishops of the ELCA published a joint letter challenging us, as people grounded in faith, to “insist on love.” They write:
[Our] commitment flows from our faith in Christ crucified and risen—the One whose love breaks down barriers, confronts hatred, and transforms hearts.
Love insists on the dignity of every human being.
Love insists on justice for the marginalized and oppressed.
Love insists that the church must reflect God’s diverse, life-giving community.
Love insists that we listen, speak, and act with respect, even in disagreement.
Love insists on hope, trusting that God’s kingdom of justice and peace will prevail.
We invite you to read the full letter, “Love Insists,” from the bishops (here), as well as statements of solidarity from the MN Council of Churches (here) and Augsburg University (here).
The bishops end their letter with a call to prayer, advocacy, and action. Nativity staff invite you to join us in answering that call:
• Pray for those who are vulnerable and for all who work for justice.
• Advocate in your communities, legislatures, and Congress for laws that protect migrants and advance racial justice.
• Engage in the holy work of hospitality, creating spaces of safety, affirmation, and belonging for all God’s children.
• Model respectful dialogue in a polarized world, seeking understanding rooted in love.
• Hold fast to hope, trusting that the Spirit is still at work renewing creation and reconciling the world to God.
If you’re interested in learning more about local advocacy opportunities, the Council on American-Islamic Relations – Minnesota (CAIR-MN) and ISAIAH have a variety of current and ongoing initiatives.
Whatever hopes or fears you may be wrestling with this week, we want to support you. If you’d like a listening ear, Nativity has five dedicated staff members committed to Pastoral Care. We also have a prayer room with spiritual resources for quiet contemplation. This room is available during church office hours. To connect with pastoral care, please feel free to reach out to these Nativity staff members.
Pastor Glenn (gseefeldt@nativitychurch.org)
Pastor Angela (angela@nativitychurch.org)
Deacon Kyle (kyle@nativitychurch.org)
Jan Frederickson, Visitation Minister (pfrederi@msn.com)
Pat Hendricks, Adult Faith Formation (bppat127@gmail.com)
We hold our community, our neighbors, and our nation in prayer at this time, and we leave you with this blessing from Ephesians 3:16-19:
I pray that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through God’s Spirit and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.