"Our congregation can't co-sponsor refugees right now.
Is there anything else we can do?"

"We understand that because of governmental regulations, refugees can't resettle in our area right now. Can we help in another way?"

"We are waiting for the arrival of a family we're sponsoring.
Can we do anything else in the meantime?"

If you are asking any of these questions, the 25 ideas listed below are for you! You may also want to share the list with others and encourage them to get involved in serving refugees. Here's a good biblical reminder for them:

And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. —2 Corinthians 9:8, NRSV

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) and its regional affiliates can help you customize your ministry to specific needs in your area.

Learn

1. Learn about refugees.

Who are refugees? How did they become refugees? Where do they come from and where will they go? What are their needs? What will happen to those who arrive in the United States? Learning about the plight of the world's 14 million refugees is the first step to ministering to them. Studying the immigrant roots and family experiences of your congregation can foster a sense of kinship with those in need of refuge today.

2. Learn about other cultures.

Each culture has a unique identity just as each individual has. Learning about the history, customs, and values of a culture will help you understand the needs of the people of that culture and the special challenges they might face as they resettle in American society.

3. Learn about public policy regarding refugees.

Keep apprised of developments in U.S. immigration policy. Our Action Alerts keep you informed about legislative issues.

4. Learn about the biblical mandate for serving refugees.

"The strangers who sojourn with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love them as yourself." —Leviticus 19:34, RSV

LIRS has published Who Is My Neighbor? A Statement of Concern and Commitment on Immigrants and Refugees. This eight-page booklet is an excellent resource for those who seek to understand God's perspective on serving refugees. Including refugee work in your congregation's understanding of mission and ministry is a powerful way to "love your neighbor as yourself."

5. Support your pastor or lay leader in receiving continuing education.

Language courses, cross-cultural training and experiences, and seminars on refugee work can benefit refugee ministries and those who lead them. Encourage budgeting for such continuing education for those who direct your congregation's involvement with refugees.

6. Promote Refugee Concerns Sunday in your congregation.

Keep refugee issues on the radar screen of the members of your congregation by making use of denominational materials that emphasize refugee concerns. Both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod are sponsors of LIRS and have annual emphases on refugees.

Advocate

7. Share your knowledge with others.

As you learn about the needs and cultures of refugees—including how policies affect them and why we should serve them—share your newfound understanding with others in your congregation and community. Use LIRS resources to inform others about refugee issues. Take advantage of formal and informal settings to educate and enlighten.

8. Publicize your experiences with refugees.

Use the media, both church and community, to spread the word about service to refugees. Human-interest stories that portray positive experiences of interactions between communities and newcomers help foster welcoming attitudes toward refugees. Highlighting connections with LIRS and its affiliates creates recognition and support for the agency's work.

9. Become a member of the LIRS Ambassadors Circle.

The LIRS Ambassadors Circle is a group of volunteers who speak out on behalf of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers and spread the message and mission of LIRS. Read more about the LIRS Ambassadors Circle.

10. Take action on public policy issues.

Let U.S. legislators know your opinions on issues affecting immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Your letters and calls can influence attitudes, change votes and impact public policy. Personal meetings with senators and representatives can also have a powerful impact. Ask for their action on specific issues and legislation.

11. Speak up for refugee children.

A particular need for advocacy exists among the thousands of refugee children held in U.S. detention centers. Support LIRS's efforts to bring about their protection and freedom, and work for legislation that guarantees their rights.

12. Offer legal assistance to asylum seekers.

Very few of those who seek political asylum in the United States have access to legal representation. There is a great need for the voluntary services of attorneys and paralegals.

Give

13. Support LIRS's Programs and Advocay

Your generosity to LIRS helps refugees, children, asylum seekers and other vulnerable immigrants by providing emergency funds for urgent care, support for vital services and advocacy, grants to help congregations provide support services in local communities, and funds to assure future services. LIRS accepts donations online and by mail or phone .

14. Join the Good Neighbor Society

Planned giving opportunities through bequests, annuities, trusts and life insurance allow you to fulfill your own personal and financial goals and to give more generously than might be possible from your current resources. LIRS recognizes those who give planned gifts with membership in the Good Neighbor Society. LIRS keeps members informed about the agency and seeks to address their concerns and interests.

15. Contribute to local LIRS affiliates.

LIRS has a nationwide network of regional affiliates who work on the front lines of refugee resettlement. These affiliates have financial needs in the areas of emergency funds staff training and operating expenses. Contact the LIRS affiliate near you about specific needs.

16. Give material donations.

Local affiliates appreciate contributions of large items such as furniture or kits of smaller items such as cleaning supplies to help newly arrived refugees settle in their new homes. Kitchen items, household items, toiletries and clothing are also welcome gifts. Contact the LIRS affiliate near you for specifics. Beyond these basic needs consider giving creative gifts such as a welcome kit including maps of the local community with key services noted, bus schedules, phone directories, coupons, and stamps or long-distance phone cards to keep in touch with folks back home.

17. Establish a scholarship program.

Scholarships of even a few hundred dollars can provide much-needed encouragement to refugee youth as they pursue higher education.

Mentor

18. Provide assistance with basic skills.

Refugees come to the United States from a wide range of cultural, educational and economic backgrounds. Share your knowledge and experience about finding employment, handling personal finances, making basic car repairs and using public transportation. Help refugees learn their rights and advocate for themselves in situations such as dealing with landlords and filing complaints with consumer protection agencies. Guide newcomers through the American social landscape including educational and health care systems.

19. Provide assistance with language skills.

Help enroll newcomers in English as a Second Language classes or get training to teach such classes.

20. Encourage refugees who join your congregation.

Help newcomers become involved in the full range of congregational and denominational life. Give them exposure to the wider church by sponsoring their participation in multicultural denominational events.

21. Mentor refugee youth.

Help refugee youth get involved in Scouting, YMCA or other community youth programs. Volunteer with refugee youth ministries, tutoring services or big brother/big sister programs. Assist unaccompanied refugee minors get established on their own when they graduate from high school and no longer receive assistance from the minors program.

Support

22. Support sponsoring congregations.

Neighboring churches that sponsor refugees may need help filling in the gaps of assistance they provide. Find out if you have skills, materials or financial resources that could benefit their work.

23. Support refugees as they help one another.

Former refugees now sponsoring relatives to join them in the United States may appreciate assistance with facilitating the process and helping new arrivals get settled. Refugee self-help groups, often known as mutual assistance associations (MAAs) may also have needs you can help meet.

24. Support refugee employment.

If you are an employer, consider how refugees might fit into your workforce. If you are aware of refugee cottage industries, purchase their handicrafts, help with marketing, share your knowledge of U.S. business practices, and help them avoid exploitation.

25. Support community services for refugees and immigrants.

Community services such as libraries and hospitals may need resources and assistance to translate forms and serve non-English speaking populations.