From day one, LIRS has considered the embracing welcome of congregations essential to good resettlement. Church co-sponsors give gifts of time, love and cultural orientation as well as what is needed to welcome new neighbors—food, clothing, home furnishings, transportation and financial assistance. LIRS grants limited seed money through the Good Samaritan Fund to Lutheran congregations who want to go beyond resettlement work to establish regular, hands-on ministries for their immigrant and refugee neighbors.