Four ELCA Synods in Pennsylvania voted to pass resolutions regarding social justice issues at their recent assembly gatherings. The Lower Susquehanna Synod, meeting at Messiah College,  May 31 – June 1, 2018,  adopted a resolution regarding homelessness.  The Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod, meeting at Thiel College, June 15-16, 2018, adopted a resolution on migrant minors and family separation at the US borders. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, also meeting at Thiel College, June 15-16, 2018,  adopted a resolution  of Concern for Migrant Minors separated from Family. The Upper Susquehanna Synod, meeting in assembly at Susquehanna University, passed a resolution on Friday, June 15, 2018, encouraging its congregations and members to call for humane, compassionate treatment of persons designated as undocumented minors.

The Upper Susquehanna Synod assembly called for the U.S. Congress, the President of the United States, the Attorney General of the United States, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to halt the policy of separating children from their parents at the border or anywhere undocumented children and their families are found.  They also urged Synod Bishop Barbara J. Collins to make the synod’s position known throughout the synod and the public-at-large and called upon synod leaders, pastors, deacons and congregations to support the work of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and the Evangelical Lutheran Church’s Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities (AMMPARO) program.  The resolution, found here in its entirety, also called for the synod to assist in equipping congregations, institutions, and ministries to engage in advocacy to welcome strangers as they would the Lord.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania resolution of Concern for Migrant Minors separated from Family cited a statement issued by  ELCA presiding bishop, The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton along with 20 national faith leaders, on family separation and dated June 7, 2018. The full resolution, submitted by the Rev. Linda Theophilus, Emmanel – Eastmont, may be found by clicking on this title: SWPA Synod resolution concerning child migrants (002).

The Northwestern Synod of Pennsylvania passed a resolution on migrant minors and family separation at the US borders on Friday, June 15, 2018. The resolution, composed by five clergy, may be found in its entirety here: NWPA Resolution on migrant minors and family separation at the US borders.

The members and pastors of congregations within the Chambersburg Conference of the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) presented a resolution regarding the homelessness they are encountering in their respective communities. The resolution, which was passed may be found here: 2018 Resolution on Ending Homelessness.