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...do right, seek justice, defend the oppressed. --Isaiah 1:17

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, largest Christian protestant denomination

Social
Justice
Awareness
Ministry

Our purpose is to educate and promote social justice issues to support the least among us. As a church, we affirm God’s call through our 1991 social statement The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective: "Along with all citizens, Christians have the responsibility to defend human rights and to work for freedom, justice, peace, environmental well-being and good order in public life." To that end, the National ELCA and our Northeastern Ohio Synod address pressing social justice issues through the filter of discernment, the teachings of Jesus Christ in scripture, Social Statements and Social Messages. 

social justice hands earth, equity, human rights

“When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born 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

international-migrants-day.jpg

Rev. Menzi Nkambule is serving as pastor of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, ELCA, Jersey City, N.J. 

"Therefore, whether you were born in the United States or Eswatini, the question “Where are you from?” is, at best, challenging. At worst, it feels invasive and presumptuous, especially if asked of those born outside the U.S....Ask someone “Where are you from?” or “Where are you really from?,” and that person may hear you saying that they don’t belong. But ask someone where home is, and you will have treated them as if they belong. You will have given them the joy and ease they need to put down roots in your community."

ELCA Action Alerts

ELCA Advocacy Action Alerts contact members of congress about pressing social justice issues

Ensure Release of Funds for HIV/AIDS Programs

You can make a difference for global neighbors by urging Congress to ensure release of funds for HIV/AIDS programs.

 

Urge U.S. Involvement at Global Climate Talks

The United States is missing from important climate talks - leaving our global neighbors without a vital partner in caring for creation.

 

Support Federal Emergency Management Agency Reform

Join Lutheran Disaster Response leaders in asking for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reform through the FEMA Act of 2025. [Posted: 10/30/2025]

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42 Million Americans Face Hunger Crisis During Shutdown – Take Action Now

Urge lawmakers and the Department of Agriculture to release SNAP contingency funds and to ensure no delays in hunger benefits during the government shutdown. [Posted: 10/27/2025]

 

Urge Congress to Protect International Food Aid in the Farm Bill

Support reauthorization of international food assistance. [Posted: 10/15/2025]

 

Tell Congress to Pass a Strong Farm Bill

The current Farm Bill is set to expire in October. Take action to advance this comprehensive legislation. [Posted: 9/26/2025]

 

Tell Congress You Support Welcoming Refugees

Ask Congress to defend investments in refugee resettlement while urging tht administration to restart fair, unbiased refugee admissions.. [Posted: 09/18/2025, updated 10/31/2025]

 

Protect Funding for Clean Air, Clean Water, and Healthy Habitats

Critical programs that protect the integrity of our air, soil, water, and the habitats that sustain all living creatures are at risk. [Posted: 9/15/2025]

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Sign up for ELCA Advocacy Alerts
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ELCA Advocacy Action Alerts contact members of congress about pressing social justice issues
ELCA Social Statements and ELCA Social Messages, Civic Life and Faith, faith in action, faith in society

ELCA Social Statements & Messages

ELCA Social Statements and ELCA Social Messages, Civic Life and Faith, faith in action, faith in society

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  • ELCA Social Statements: ELCA social statements are teaching and policy documents that provide broad frameworks to assist us in thinking about and discussing social issues in the context of faith and life. 

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  • ELCA Social Messages: Topical documents adopted by the ELCA Church Council to focus attention and action on timely, pressing matters of social concern to the church and society. 

ELCA & Synod Letters

​November 2025​

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October 2025​

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September 2025​

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August 2025

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June 2025​

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February 2025

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January 2025​

AMPARRO, immigration and refugee support and resources

Immigration Support & Resources

ELCA Social Message, Policies, Ethical Reflections

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Organizations​

  • Global Refuge (formerly LIRS)

  • AMPARRO (ELCA--"AMMPARO is a holistic, whole church commitment by the ELCA, as a church in the world, to accompany migrant families today and in the future. The word “amparo” in Spanish means the protection of a living creature from suffering or damage. ")

    • ​​​Become a Welcoming Congregation to accompany these migrant families through their transition to life in the U.S. www.elca.org/Resources/AMMPARO

    • Advocate for justice for migrant families. www.elca.org/Advocacy

    • Accompany migrant families through the Guardian Angel Program as the physical presence of the church in the courtroom. https://Vimeo.com/157458987

    • Give to AMMPARO to provide opportunities for migrant families in Central America and in the U.S. https://community.elca.org/ammparo-donation-form

    • New program for youth: Bridging Youth to Youth

    • Pray for the safety of migrants on the journey and for justice as they reach their destinations.

  • The HOPE Center for Refugees & Immigrants (Cleveland, OH--"We partner with refugees and immigrants at The Hope Center to provide community connections, family mentorship, employment, immigration counsel, after-school enrichment and tutoring – as well as human connections for daily life.")

  • AMIS (Cleveland, OH--“to inspire hope and contribute to the well-being of immigrants and their families.”

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Immigrant Family Resources

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Congregational Support

immigrant and refugee family
Living Lutheran article showing concerned citizens and clergy at an immigrants rights rally.

Creation Care

“...climate change presents humanity with a kairos moment [--a time of judgement, a moment of truth, a crisis]; that is, a critical moment in time when God is leading us into decisive action.” 
(ELCA Social Message, Earth's Climate Crisis, 2023)

Woodland forest symbolizing a healthy environment, climate stewardship, and a Christian responsibility for Creation Care.

“Creation in the image of God places humans not in a position over or apart from
creation but rather in the same loving relationship of God with creation.” 
(A Lutheran Ethic of Environmental Stewardship, Jim Martin-Schramm, 2012)

All things bright and beautiful,


All creatures great and small,


All things wise and wonderful,


The Lord God made them all.

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(Excerpt from Anglican hymn by Cecil Alexander)

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A pristine stream with trees and mountains showing God's creation and our Christian mandate to be good stewards of the earth.

Hunger & Poverty

Even as so many of our neighbors struggle with hunger, funding to many aid organizations has been eliminated or drastically cut. (ELCA Hunger Facts)

Photo showing child hunger relief, poverty relief, loss of SNAP funding, and our call to heed Jesus' example to feed the poor

In the United States alone, over 47 million people face food insecurity.  Housing unaffordability has reached an all-time high in the U.S. — over 22 million households spend over 30% of their income on rent and utilities, which leaves less money to afford food. (ELCA Hunger Facts)

Racial Justice

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

Racial Justice symbol reminding us of our Christian mandate to care for the least among us and to recognize equal rights.

LGBTQ+ Rights & Concerns

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LGBTQ Reconciling Works, LGBTQIA rights, Reconciling in Christ Program (RIC).

Middle East Justice & Peace

Sumud Peace and Justice for Palestine and Israel, Gaza Genocide, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jerusalem & the Holy Land
A desert tree in Palestine and Israel during the conflict and showing hope for peace and justice.

Christian Nationalism

There is a movement in this country that seeks to define “real Americans” as white, Christian and native born. That is not only untrue but unpatriotic. Bishop Eaton reminds us that “what binds us together is not ethnicity, but shared participation in our civic life springing out of our cultural heritages and working for the common good.”

Article 38 The ELCA affirms healthy forms of patriotism. It opposes unhealthy, distorted forms of patriotism that divide a country and endanger it, including religious nationalism. At this time, Christian nationalism is the dominant distorted form. It seeks to fuse selected Christian ideas with a comprehensive cultural framework and crosses into idolatry. It also subverts the U.S. constitutional sovereignty of “we the people.” (ELCA Social Statement Faith and Civic Life, 08.01.2025)

ELCA Affiliated - Christians Against Christian Nationalism, Respecting Religion Podcast

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