El siguiente es el texto en ingles de la Resolucion sobre inmigracion que los ministerio hispanos de nuestro sinodo, Sierra Pacific Synod ELCA, hemos enviado para que sea discutida en la proxima asamblea en el mes de Abril en Oakland:
RESOLUTION ON IMMIGRATION
WHEREAS, as Christians we are we are called by our faith to live according to the spirit of the Biblical word in such a way that the human rights of our neighbors, our fellow brothers and sisters are not put at risk; and
God commanded Israel: "When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. 34 The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34); and
the Gospel tells us: "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:37-40); and
our faith frees us to practice unity and acceptance of one another: May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:5-7); and
WHEREAS, the Bible shows that the people of God are pilgrims and sojourners; and
WHEREAS, in the body of Christ we are called to be one in our diversity, and, thus, in such manner serve as an example to the world that our unity is possible; and
WHEREAS, our first congregation, Hebron Lutheran Church, Madison, Virginia, was founded by immigrants in the year 1717 and the members of the ELCA, its Synods and congregations are of immigrant descent and/or are more recent immigrants, thus blessing the Church with an ample diversity of cultures; and
WHEREAS, a principal Christian value is the protection of the family and many newcomers today face the dangers of human trafficking, unjust practices and exploitation as well as an immigration policy that threatens to split families due to forced deportation; and
WHEREAS, the Lutheran Church has a long tradition for more than 60 years of welcoming and assisting strangers who are migrants, refugees, immigrants, undocumented persons and asylum seekers, in collaboration with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and Lutheran World Relief, and
WHEREAS, California and Nevada, where our Sierra Pacific Synod congregations minister, have benefitted from and have needed the labor of many immigrants in our workforce, particularly in our agricultural industry, and
WHEREAS, the ELCA Bishops have called for fair and just immigration reform in the belief that in the Body of Christ all are neighbors and none are aliens or foreigners, and the ELCA Church Council on November 16, 1998 declared that as our country changes we rejoice with the arrival of newcomers, celebrating worship in several languages, and the fact that these brothers and sisters are increasingly assuming leadership roles in our congregations, synods and church wide ministries; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Sierra Pacific Synod call its congregations to stand in faithfulness to the values of the Kingdom of God preached by Jesus in whose Spirit we are chosen to bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:18-19) by compassionate hospitality and service to newcomers and a passionate concern and advocacy for their well being; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Sierra Pacific Synod encourage its congregations to recommit themselves to being advocates and justice-seekers in regard to refugee and immigration issues and to advocate in favor of a comprehensive and just reform of our immigration law; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Sierra Pacific Synod invite its congregations to collaborate with Lutheran and ecumenical programs that seek to respond to the needs of immigrants and that the Synod support those programs developed by the congregations of the Synod that work for family unification and faithful hospitality towards migrants and newcomers regardless of country of origin and legal status; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Sierra Pacific Synod urge its congregations to pray and provide pastoral-spiritual support and material support when needed, to the immigrant families that approach the church in search of assistance, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Sierra Pacific Synod give leadership in involving congregations in refugee and immigration justice issues, including education, advocacy and local service.
Submitted by:
Rev. José Luis La Torre, Misión Luterana Hispana en Sacramento-California / La Comunidad de
St. John's. Hispanic Lutheran Mission, Sacramento, California
Rev. Susan Birkelo, Iglesia Luterana de la Comunidad / Lutheran Community Church,
Watsonville, California
Rev. Joseph Leon, Pueblo de Dios, San Jose, California
Rev. Bill Ruth, Nuestro Redentor / Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Livingston, California
Rev. Ron Geikow, Iglesia Luterana de Santa María y Santa Marta / St. Mary and St. Martha
Lutheran Church, San Francisco, California
Rev. Rubén Escobar, Iglesia Luterana El Buen Pastor, Salinas, California