The AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation, and Opportunities) strategy was approved at the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to address the needs of the thousands of unaccompanied children and migrant families who come to the U.S. each year.

The AMMPARO strategy includes the Guardian Angels program. Guardian Angel volunteers accompany migrant children and families as they go through the U.S. immigration court system, providing the physical presence of the church in the courtroom.  For more information about AMMPARO, and additional resources about immigration issues, go to www.elca.org/AMMPARO`.”

Guardian Angel Volunteers

The Saint Paul Area Synod will be hosting the next Guardian Angels training on:
Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 9:00am-11:30am. The training will be at Gloria Dei Lutheran (700 Snelling Ave S, St. Paul) and will prepare volunteers to attend immigration court. The Guardian Angels training is open to anyone interested in being more involved in immigration and justice work. If you have any questions, you can contact Elise d’Entremont, Guardian Angels volunteer coordinator, at eliseinstructor@gmail.com

A group of 30 or so gathered early evening, eager to bond, connect, and offer a world of support. Or more accurately, a team. Nativity members and Thrivent investors came together for the second annual Shark Tank television show inspired fundraising event.

Teams, groups, and individuals presented projects, events, missions, and fundraisers all hoping to be selected as a future recipient of a $250 Thrivent Action Team grant. The Thrivent members for their part reciprocated by waving their shark clad paddles in the crowd, smiling and carrying on as they shouted their support for these inspiring people and pledging their Action Team dollars to their causes.

Over $7,000 was pledged and the work is only beginning. The Nativity Community Outreach Teams, with their soon to be funds in hand, have a slew of projects that will be carried out over the next few months. There are educational events on recycling, community gardens and community meals, mental health training for youth and families, parenting classes, and mission trip bonding opportunities for those embarking on life changing adventures. Just to name a few.

Never forget, with all the love in the world, Nativity gives. Our community gives our selves, our time, and our possessions. There are so many wonderful projects and missions that are still in need of funding and support.

If you are a Thrivent Investor with Action Team dollars to spend, consider Nativity and its network of volunteers, program managers, and community advocates. Contact us and we will do the rest.

If you are a Nativity member looking to spread the love by working on a service project, program or mission that is in line with your passion and talents, please reach out to us and we will connect you with a leader who is doing wonderful work and always looking for helping hands and open hearts.

And, if you are a Nativity member looking to stay connected and engaged, keep your antennas up for all the amazing events and programs that will be promoted, organized, and supported by Nativity members like you, the inspired Nativity Community Outreach Teams, and other loved filled community members and beyond.

In wonderful blessings, with warm regards,

Kyle Soderberg
Coordinator of Community Partnerships
Kyle@NatvityChurch.Org

C: 612.388.7135

On Wednesdays March 13, 20, 27 April 3 & 10 guest presenters will examine the implications of what it means to love courageously, telling why they are involved in issues of social justice and how it has impacted their relationship with God.

We will gather for meals before our mid-week, evening service, enjoy some fellowship and engage in service projects.

Last week we created 279 hygiene kits that went to the H-Cubed: HARRISON, HEALING, HARMONY organization in North Minneapolis. A cultural movement centered in empowering marginalized voices, building community, and healing through the arts.

The first Anti Racism Team (ART) Friday night movie of 2019 watched Harvest of Empire film. It was a documentary reviewing the United States relationship with Latin America, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico since our nation was formed. It was an eye opening, informative history that has present day implications for our immigration/asylum situation. Great discussion led by Nativity member Vladimir Poveda who came to USA from Nicaragua in 2006. Suggestions during discussion suggested using the word undocumented vs illegal as we deal with USA’s broken immigration system. Share the fact that asylum seekers that are “fleeing” their countries to avoid violence and have international law on their side to be processed as asylum seekers. Harvest of Empire helps one understand the history of the violence created by dictators that the USA has often helped place in power and why people are fleeing their country.
Nineteen Nativity youth watched Harvest of Empire the following Sunday! We have embedded the video below for your convenience.

Limited copies of DVD will be at welcome desk.
Next film in this series will be Friday, March 15 at 6:30 showing Immigration Battle.  It looks at how the immigration battle is fought and discussed behind closed doors in Congress.