Join us as we stand with our U.S. partner, Lutheran
Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), and take action to support and protect
Syrian refugees who are forced to flee violence in their communities. Please
take a moment to read the following message from Joanne Kelsey, Acting LIRS Director
for Advocacy, and learn how you can make a difference today.
For more information on LIRS efforts to support refugees, visit lirs.org.
Call Today to Support Refugees
As the photo of Omran Daqneesh, the five-year-old Syrian boy who survived a
recent bombing in Aleppo, reminds us: refugees endure harsh circumstances on a
daily basis requiring the world's compassion, support, and protection.
This month, the United Nations General Assembly and President
Obama will each host a summit to address the global refugee and migration
crises. On September 19, the UN will be hosting a high-level summit to
address large movements of refugees and migrants. The next day, President Obama
will host a Leaders’
Summit on Refugees to encourage global leaders to make significant new
commitments towards increasing financial support, resettlement, education, and
employment opportunities for refugees.
As people of faith, we are called to love our neighbors and to welcome the
refugee, the foreigner, and the stranger. Jesus himself was a refugee, and
taught us that when we welcome a stranger, we welcome him. Please join us as
we stand with the "least of these" and advocate for more
compassionate, hospitable, and just policies for refugees and migrants.
There are two ways that you can take action:
- Send
a postcard
urging President Obama and Congress to take the necessary steps to
protect and assist the millions of people fleeing war and persecution
worldwide.
Thank you, as always, for taking action to welcome and offer
protection for refugees. We pray that our leaders will act urgently to uphold
our country’s long and generous tradition of welcoming men and women seeking a
safer, better future for themselves and their families. Our country and our
communities are stronger when we Stand for Welcome.
In peace,
Joanne Kelsey
Acting Director for Advocacy
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
(To view this email in your web browser, click here).
