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LIRS help for migrants


“First Steps: An LIRS Guide for Refu- gees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants Released from Detention” is a free resource people of faith can use to help neighbors and church mem- bers who are affected by immigra- tion law. The guide is also intended as a resource for lawyers, case man- agers and social workers. It contains in-depth information for migrants in any (or no) status. Download a copy at www.lirs.org/firststeps. For hard copies, email firststeps@lirs.org.


Long-term Ebola aid


As of the beginning of February, Lutheran Disaster Response had con- tributed $275,000 for humanitarian assistance in the fight against Ebola in Liberia and Sierra Leone. LDR has helped provide personal protective equipment, prevention education and food assistance for 3,000 house- holds and 4,750 individuals. It has also helped ensure that the isolation unit being constructed at Phebe Hos- pital and School of Nursing in Liberia meets World Health Organization standards. LDR committed another $146,500 for long-term recovery response in those countries, includ- ing support for orphans and youth, hygiene and sanitation education, strengthening the health system and job creation.


More Super Bowl stats


Super Bowl XLIX may already be a distant memory, but the money it generated for ELCA World Hunger is being put to good use. With a friendly rivalry between synods, ELCA members (and others) could donate to World Hunger prior to the game via websites in either the New England Synod, home of the Patriots, or the Northwest Washington Synod, home of the Seattle Seahawks. The Patriots may have won 28-24, but the Northwest Washington Synod gets Lutheran generosity bragging rights by out-donating to World Hunger $19,204 to $12,100. Though fans might disagree about the game’s outcome, clearly they’d cheer a combined $31,304 to fight hunger.


A ‘no’ to Boko Haram


Nemuel A. Babba, archbishop of the 2.2-million member Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, is calling for a “stronger global Christian voice against the Boko Haram violence” and “solidarity to help restore trust and relationships” between Chris- tians and Muslims in Nigeria. The Lutheran church, like many other Christian and Muslim communi- ties, “has suffered huge losses since Boko Haram began its armed attacks in 2009 with the aim of creating an Islamic state,” Babba said. “Many Lutheran churches and institutions including the Gombi and Arewa cathedrals have been burned down or pillaged.” About 5,000 people dis- placed by the violence have found shelter at the church’s headquarters in Numan, he added.


Safe rooms in Okla.


Lutheran Disaster Response, in part- nership with Lutheran Social Ser- vices of the South and the National VOAD Housing committee, is con- tinuing to install storm shelters in Oklahoma and Mississippi as part of tornado long-term recovery. The Storm Shelter Pilot Program began last October and now has more than 100 units installed in the Oklahoma City area. The safe rooms provide peace of mind and physical security


‘Use me instead’ When pictures of African-Americans were used for target practice by the North Miami Beach Police Department, some ELCA pastors on Facebook responded and sent their own photos, including Susan Schneider (above) of Trinity Lutheran Church, Madison, Wis. They posted them on Twitter, too, saying, “Use this” (#Usemeinstead). The police department ceased the practice. “Our friends leveraged their white privilege to try to help the police recover their humanity,” said Angela Shannon, a pastor of King of Glory Lutheran Church, Dallas. “It was a good first step, but important inner work on racism is needed for sustain- able, lasting change.”


for clients. LDR is working with local long-term recovery groups to iden- tify individuals and families who will receive a safe room.


Reaching migrant kids


More than 70,000 unaccompanied and migrant children from Cen- tral America crossed into the U.S. in 2014. Most were from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Lutheran Disaster Response is working with Lutheran Social Services of the South to support development of a chil- dren’s shelter in McAllen, Texas. LDR is working with Lutheran Social Ser- vices of New York to provide a full- time immigration attorney and per- sonal care items for children who have connected with family or sponsors in the New York area. It’s also collaborat- ing with Baltimore-based Lutheran Immigration Refugee Service to cre- ate training materials for foster fami- lies and to develop welcoming centers for families who are newly released from detention centers.


March 2015 9 10 


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