|| LIRS || News Release -- August 13, 2007

News Release

For more information on this news release
contact lirspress@lirs.org.

LIRS and Wheat Ridge Ministries Award Grants to Lutheran Congregations For Refugee And Immigrant Ministries

BALTIMORE, August 13, 2007—Lutheran Community Church in California will expand the congregation’s services to the immigrant community by opening an immigration resource center with evening and weekend hours. In Maryland, Lutheran Church of the Cross plans an American culture activity center for new Chinese immigrants. Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Illinois will offer sewing classes for immigrant women of diverse cultures and religious backgrounds.

These are just a few of the initiatives planned by Lutheran congregations that received Good Samaritan Fund grants in 2007. The Good Samaritan Fund, a joint effort of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) and Wheat Ridge Ministries, Itasca, Ill., offers seed grants of up to $5,000 to Lutheran congregations seeking to develop new services for immigrants, asylum seekers or refugees. Applicants must be congregations in one of LIRS’s sponsoring church bodies: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

In 2007 Good Samaritan grants totaling $75,000 went to 23 congregations in 16 states. This year’s grant pool was supplemented by a special $25,000 contribution from LCMS World Relief and Human Care. Individual grant amounts of $900–5,000 fund such things as resource and referral tools, English as a second language (ESL) programs, tutoring classes, immigrant youth activities, and skills training for thriving in a new culture.

“LIRS envisions a world where all communities welcome refugees and migrants. It’s a special blessing to partner with Wheat Ridge and with Lutheran congregations to welcome the stranger in ways unique to their communities. Through these local ministries, the church identifies needs and works hand in hand with immigrant communities to address them,” said LIRS President Ralston Deffenbaugh Jr.

“We are pleased to be able to partner with these Lutheran congregations that have a heart for refugees and immigrants,” said Brian Becker, vice president for Ministry Programs at Wheat Ridge Ministries. “It is exciting to see the results of the many positive seeds sown through the Good Samaritan grant program. There is real hope and healing taking place in these congregations.”

More information about the Good Samaritan grant program and application process is available at www.lirs.org. Official 2008 application forms will be posted online in the fall.

About Lutheran Immigration Service

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), the U.S. Lutheran expression of service to refugees and migrants in America, works with affiliates and partners to resettle refugees, protect unaccompanied refugee children, advocate for just treatment of asylum seekers, and seek alternatives to detention for those who are incarcerated during their immigration proceedings.

2007 Good Samaritan Grant Fund Recipients

ELCA=Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
LCMS=Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

CALIFORNIA
Lutheran Community Church (ELCA/LCMS Partnership), Watsonville
Contact: The Rev. Susan Birkelo & The Rev. Stan Abraham, 831/724-3460
Award: $5,000
Project: Neighborhood immigration information center

Our Savior Lutheran Church of Fremont California (LCMS), Fremont
Contact: The Rev. Lenny Szeto, 510/657-3191
Award: $3,000
Project: English and citizenship classes

IOWA
Bethesda Lutheran Church (ELCA), Ames
Contact: The Rev. Randy Gehring, 515/232-6256
Award: $900
Project: Creation of educational videos for social ministries programs for immigrants

ILLINOIS
Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA), Glen Ellyn
Contact: The Rev. James Honig, 630/469-2361
Award: $5,000
Project: Sewing classes for immigrant women of diverse cultures and religious backgrounds

MARYLAND
Lutheran Church of the Cross (LCMS), Rockville
Contact: The Rev. Lester P. Stano, 301/762-7565
Award: $3,000
Project: American culture activity center for new Chinese immigrants

MICHIGAN
Christ Lutheran Church (ELCA), Grand Rapids
Contact: The Rev. Robert Mueller, 616/532-2774
Award: $3,000
Project: English classes for immigrants

MINNESOTA
Trinity First Lutheran Church (LCMS), Minneapolis
Contact: The Rev. Jacob Gillard, 612/870-9487
Award: $3,000
Project: English and computer classes

Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA), Pelican Rapids
Contact: The Rev. Laurie Skow-Anderson, 218/863-2424
Award: $5,000
Project: Holistic outreach center for immigrants

MISSOURI
Iglesia Lutherana Jesus El Buen Pastor (LCMS), Kansas City
Contact: The Rev. David Loza, 816/588-7285
Award: $3,000
Project: English as a second language classes

NEBRASKA
Christ Lutheran Church (LCMS), Lincoln
Contact: The Rev. Dr. Luke Schnake, 402/483-7774
Award: $3,000
Project: English as a second language classes

NEW YORK
Gloria Dei Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA), Huntington Station
Contact: The Rev. Paul M. Britton, 631/271-2466
Award: $3,000
Project: Assistance to homeless immigrants living outdoors

St. Michael’s Lutheran Church (ELCA), Amagansett
Contact: The Rev. Yvette Schock
Award: $5,000
Project: English classes and leadership development

OHIO
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (LCMS), Cleveland
Contact: The Rev. Jeff Johnson, 216/281-1700
Award: $5,000
Project: Arabic outreach, English classes and holistic programs

OREGON
Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Church (LCMS), Portland
Contact: The Rev. Haro Galgalo
Award: $2,500
Project: Multilevel services for immigrants

Trinity Lutheran Church (LCMS), Portland
Contact: The Rev. Mark E. Hoelter, 503/288-6403
Award: $2,500
Project: Academic summer school for children

PENNSYLVANIA
One in Christ Worship Community (ELCA), Telford
Contact: The Reverend Diedone Panzo Diela, 215/723-7404
Award: $5,000
Project: Computer and English language learning center

United in Faith Mission (ELCA), Kennett Square
Contact: The Reverend J. Patrick Seyler, 610/444-5225
Award: $4,500
Project: Learning center ESL program with transportation for Mexican mothers and children

Immanuel Lutheran Church/Faith Worship Center at Immanuel (ELCA), East Lansdowne
Contact: The Reverend Moses Dennis, 610/259-4113
Award: $3,000
Project: Adult training and literacy program for African refugees

TENNESSEE
All Nations Lutheran Church (LCMS), Memphis
Contact: The Reverend Stephen Omoregie, 901/598-0614
Award: $3,000
Project: English and computer classes

Lutheran Church All Nations (LCMS), Nashville
Contact: The Reverend Jasson Kalugendo, 615/478-5948
Award: $2,000
Project: English classes for immigrant children

TEXAS
Dallas Oromo Mission (ELCA), Richardson
Contact: Pastor Developer Tsena Dinssa, 972/234-8804
Award: $2,000
Project: English, immigration and citizenship classes

WASHINGTON
Memorial Lutheran Church (LCMS), Bremerton
Contact: The Reverend Brian Banke, 360/377-0161
Award: $2,000
Project: English tutoring and practical skills classes

WISCONSIN
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (ELCA), Milwaukee
Contact: The Reverend Donna Brown, 414/933-7825
Award: $2,000
Project: Twice-monthly fellowship gatherings for Lao immigrants

Archived News Releases