One of the big aspects of this
congregation’s Vision 2025 plan is pursuing and expanding what it means to be a
place and a people of hospitality. Hospitality, hospice, hostel, hotel, and hospital
share the same Latin root word “hospes” meaning guest or stranger. All of these
words are directional words of action toward the stranger.
There is no way for a congregation
that claims the way of hospitality to reject the plight of the stranger. It is
this core conviction of the ELCA that drove our decision to claim ourselves as
a SANCTUARY denomination. To continue our work in the Latin, sanctuary is
broken down into sanctus/sacred and arium/container and therefore is a place
where cherished people are kept safe. Jesus showed us that we are to be about
this work of welcoming the stranger through his actions and through his
teaching:
…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' (Mat 25:35-36)
The ELCA’s call to be
sanctuary denomination is not a call to break the law. Nowhere in this
declaration are we asked to do anything illegal. This is a lie told by those
who want us to buy into the notion that we are to hate those who are different
then us.
This congregation’s
actions of hospitality in this regard has already embraced what the statement
declares, walking alongside immigrants and refugees is a matter of faith. We
will have journey classes in the fall that will introduce us to the work of
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and Lutheran Community Services
Northwest. I will also be teaching a series of classes Sunday morning on the many actions taken at this years national assembly. Please attend these classes.
I am proud of our
congregation and our denomination for the solid statement we make about how we
are to love our neighbor. I am proud that through our covenantal relationship
with Jesus Christ we follow Martin Luther’s example to advocate for those who
have no voice and no power. We are a people of hospitality!
If you have more questions
about what it means to be sanctuary denomination please follow the links below.
Being a sanctuary denomination.Vision 2025 document.
