Immanuel Lutheran Church

Social Ministries

August 27, 2006

 

Immanuel – as a church and through individual members – is involved in a wide variety of social ministries, both locally and internationally.  Many are organized under the umbrella of the Legislative Awareness & Social Action (LASA) committee.  Under this umbrella, many groups carry out their missions quite independently, such as the Paint-a-thon, Dorothy Day, Meals on Wheels, Fair Trade coffee, Care Team Ministry, and the Tanzania Project.  Others, like the Sunday School and Food & Faith have occasional, specific activities that are LASA-related. 

 

LASA directly oversees an initiative each month; October CropWalk, November Blood Drive, December Wilder Children’s Christmas Boxes, January Global Mission Appeal, February Minnesota FoodShare Campaign, March JRLC Day on the Hill, April Rezek House Drive, June Project Home, and August School Kits Drive (new this year).   Rezek House offers short-term housing and life-skills training for homeless youth in Ramsey County.  A list of the many study, service and action opportunities can be found at www.immanuelstpaul.org/lasa.

 

LASA is Immanuel’s link to organizations that serve the community, like the Red Cross, Lutheran Social Services, Plymouth Christian Youth Center and the St. Paul Area Council of Churches.  LASA also coordinates Immanuel’s participation in the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC), MICAH (Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing) and 2020 Vision to End Poverty in Minnesota (St. Paul ELCA Synod initiative).  JRLC is a non-partisan, interfaith public policy organization whose purpose is to lobby the Minnesota legislature on issues of social justice, to research social issues that confront the state, and to coordinate grassroots support of social initiatives.

 

Social Ministry – A Vision for the Future of Immanuel… 

The LASA committee envisions a variety of efforts that could enhance our social ministries:

·                                                                                Deepen our ties with other local churches and organizations to multiply opportunities for networking and collaboration

·                                                                                Create a display area with photos and information about current activities, and develop a video highlighting Immanuel’s social ministry efforts and accomplishments each year

·                                                                                Conduct a survey to better determine Immanuel’s social ministry priorities and then pursue those that are identified by the congregation

·                                                                                Establish a forum to study theology as it relates to social issues facing our church and society today, for example, how does Creation relate to current environmental issues, and what legislative and/or social action might this suggest? 

·                                                                                Create a list of Immanuel members who have special talents and interests that could be applied to specific projects, and recruit a LASA “field organizer” to encourage participation in these activities

·                                                                                Become a stronger partner in the St. Paul Area Synod’s “20/20 Vision to End Poverty in Minnesota”

 

    “Shortly after joining Immanuel, LASA grabbed my interest.  I am energized by opportunities to apply my Christian beliefs in the world, putting my faith into action. 

I also appreciate that LASA doesn’t promote a singular agenda; we support many social ministry interests among the congregation.”

-- Paul Blissenbach, ILC member since February 2005; LASA member since January 2006