YOU WELCOMED ME!
Five Studies from Matthew's Gospel

In August 2010 the Lutheran Church of Australia SA/NT District held its annual synod. Lutheran Community Care presented the following proposal:

That congregations and individuals welcome new arrivals from refugee backgrounds to their communities and that they speak out against racism wherever it occurs.

Reasons for the proposal

The biblical encouragement is for us to welcome strangers and sojourners. Throughout the world Australian Lutheran World Service supports those fleeing violence, war and discrimination through their refugee programs. In Australia we have a diversity of cultures which enrich our society. Many of those coming to Australia from refugee backgrounds identify the Lutheran Church as providing support and safety. Lutheran Community Care, through its refugee program, often sees the result of racism and lack of support in our community and wants to encourage all church members to advocate for the vulnerable and to speak out against injustice, as well as providing hospitality and community support.

After discussion the motion was passed by the delegates. Before the end of proceedings the question was asked as to how we might, as a church community, ensure that this proposal was not just lip service, but able to be lived out in everyday life. Then the Department of Immigration announced the establishment of the detention centre at Inverbrackie and many congregations and individuals were challenged with the reality of a situation which previously was only theoretical.

Lutheran Community Care as the community service arm of the Lutheran church in SA and NT has a long history of supporting new arrivals to Australia and also of assisting congregations in their welcoming ministry. These studies  have been developed to offer congregations, individuals and small groups the opportunity to study the scriptures and to continue to explore ways in which we can become welcoming communities who reflect the welcoming love of God for all of us.

I commend these studies to you and hope that you gain many blessings from them.

Helen Lockwood