March 25, 2010

WASHINGTON – More than 80 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met here with more than 700 people of faith to worship, study and dialogue about migration and refugee issues at the eighth annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) for Global Peace with Justice March 19-22.

The theme of this year's conference, "A Place to Call Home: Immigrants, Refugees and Displaced Peoples," focused on shaping U.S. immigration and refugee policies, and explored the root causes of migration and displacement.

EAD is supported by 45 communions, religious societies and groups. The ELCA is a major sponsor of the event.

"EAD gets me more energized about new issues that I didn't understand before or didn't know fully about. We need to know we do have a voice and we can make a difference," said Paul Buck, a participant at EAD and member of Normandale Lutheran Church, Edina, Minn., an ELCA congregation.

Katy Fiedler, an EAD participant and member of Wooddale Lutheran Church, St. Louis Park, Minn., was a student at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, when an immigration raid occurred May 2008 in Postville, Iowa. She knew many of the families involved in the raid. Luther College is one of 27 colleges and universities of the ELCA. Wooddale is an ELCA congregation.

"It seemed very personal to me that these people who were detained, arrested and separated from their families were people that I knew. There are so many circumstances that bring immigrants to this country," said Fiedler, who taught English as a second language at a high school and worked at a day care center in the Postville area.

Fiedler attended EAD with friends who are involved in peace-keeping efforts in the Middle East.

At EAD "we could explore different tracks and issues that were important to us, but ultimately leading to the need for immigration reform," she said.

Participants met with their congressional representatives and staffs on March 22 to discuss ways of addressing global concerns such as migration and refugee issues through legislation or budget priorities.

"I want to bring the story of Postville (to members of Congress) and share how that experience influenced me as an individual, and share the need for reform. I want to bring forth the values of the community, the nation and my faith to show that people really care that our nation makes changes," Fiedler said.

EAD also coincided with an immigration rally, "March for America: Change Takes Courage and Faith" on the U.S. Capitol Mall. Many EAD participants were among the more than 200,000 people who attended the rally on March 21.

According to the Rev. Jack Eggleston, director for evangelical mission, ELCA Southeast Michigan Synod, and EAD participant, the rally was one of the most memorable parts of EAD because he was able to stand with people who may be undocumented, knowing that immigration reform is affecting their lives.

"We can impact legislation so that people can be treated fairly," Eggleston said, adding that he plans to share his experiences about the rally and EAD "back home to engage others."

"It was really powerful to see so many people out on the mall," Buck said. "There are so many demonstrating that they are here. They want to be part of the U.S. and the American culture. They are here for a better life. They are not criminals."

The ELCA Washington Office hosted an opening reception for ELCA members with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Lutheran Services in America and Lutheran World Relief. Members also attended a denominational lunch and presentation by staff of the ELCA Washington Office and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days is a movement of the ecumenical Christian community. Its goal, through worship, theological reflection and opportunities for education and witness, is to strengthen the Christian voice of citizens mobilized for advocacy on a wide variety of U.S. domestic and international policy issues, according to its Web site.

Information about Ecumenical Advocacy Days is at http://advocacydays.org/, on the Web.

ELCA News Service