What does the Lord God require of us but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God? (Micah 6:8)
The Mission Team for Justice helps the Synod and its congregations, institutions and agencies address issues of justice in public life from Christian perspectives while being guided in their public witness by the Social Statements of the ELCA. This team works closely with the Lutheran Office of Public Policy and the California Council of Churches in matters of advocacy.
In accordance with the promises made in Baptism, we are committed to "strive for justice and peace in all the earth"
• Educate, Equip and Engage clergy, congregational leaders and members in doing justice
• Represent our Synod in the broader movement for justice
• Ensure that our own Lutheran institutions operate justly
• Link with our national and international church bodies, responding to their directives and calling them to just practices and policies
If you are interested in being a member of the Mission Team for Justice, please contact the Justice Team Chair Sharon Heck.
The Green Faith Team encourages Lutherans to think of relationship to God’s creations in terms of stewardship and care.
Jane Affonso, Acting Chair
The Middle East Peace Task Force provides educational resources and opportunities for advocacy for peace and justice in the Middle East.
Bishop Emeritus Dean Nelson, Chair
Anti-racism and Diversity Committee
Ron Nelson, Chair
Healthcare Committee
Robert McDuff, Chair
Prison Ministry and Death Penalty Committee
John Halbert, Chair
Immigration Committee
The Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra, Chair
-
October 18, 2022 by Samantha Henderson
Applications open for Center for Climate Justice and Faith Spring 2023 programs
Learn how to be an effective advocate for climate justice in your community. Join this online, one-semester training in the art of faith-rooted community organizing to build skills, knowledge, spiritual grounding, and a community of support. After a three-day training with your cohort, you will be mentored by a
Green Faith| Justice Team| Synod News| Upcoming Events Continue reading -
June 11, 2022 by Samantha Henderson
Green Faith Team: #SWCA2022 Report
World Water Day 2022 We celebrated our 7th annual World Water Day with a conversation on faith and science between Rev. Dr. Dan Smith and Professor Peter Moyle about their collaboration and partnership with Putah Creek watershed restoration. The event also included Mixtec agricultural workers from Iglesia Luterana Santa Cruz,
2022 Synod Assembly| Green Faith| Justice Team| Synod News Continue reading -
June 11, 2022 by Samantha Henderson
Mission Team for Justice – #SWCA2022 Report
Our Synod Mission Team for Justice continues to meet monthly on Zoom. Several of our committees and task forces meet at other times during the month and we hear reports of their activities at our meetings on the second Tuesdays. Anyone is welcome to attend these meetings. We have more
2022 Synod Assembly| Justice Team Continue reading -
March 10, 2022 by Samantha Henderson
World Water Day – March 22, 2022
Green Faith| Justice Team| Synod News Continue reading -
April 22, 2021 by Samantha Henderson
Earth Day 2021
Green Faith| Justice Team| Synod News Continue reading -
October 5, 2020 by Samantha Henderson
2020 Bulletin of Reports: Mission Team for Justice
The Justice Team continued to meet most months through Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at the Synod Office. We heard reports from several of our committees or task forces. In February The Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra and Dixie Hansen reported on the circles of care formed to help immigrant youth who
2020 Bulletin of Reports| Green Faith| Justice Team| Middle East Peace Task Force| Synod News Continue reading -
March 3, 2019 by Samantha Henderson
St. Matthew’s NoHo Home Alliance Launches Immigration Legal Services Initiative
NoHo Home Alliance (NHHA), the non-profit St. Matthew’s, North Hollywood started in 2018, is launching another challenging and important long-term project: providing immigration legal services for low-income immigrants in the San Fernando Valley. Their immigrant services will focus on providing no-cost legal assistance and representation for immigrants pursuing changes in
Justice Team| Learning Opportunities| Stories of Faith in Action| Synod News Continue reading -
December 8, 2018 by Samantha Henderson
Dear Church: A Message from the Tijuana Refugee Camps – Rev. Alexia Salvatierra
Dear Church is a semi-regular blog featuring pastors and other church leaders. Views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Southwest California Synod of the ELCA. Part of this entry was written by Pastor Alexia Salvatierra for the School of
Dear Church| Justice Team| Refugee Stories| Synod News Continue reading -
March 6, 2018 by Samantha Henderson
Refugee Stories: “I’m terrified that my son and I will be killed if we are deported”
The plight of refugees and migrants from South America grows more drastic and their fate more uncertain. Refugee Stories are testimonies from children, adults, and families, gathered by the Salvadorean Lutheran Church, our companion synod in El Salvador, and CARECEN, an organization working to change the immigration system, win legal
Global Missions| Guardian Angels| Justice Team| LIRS| Refugee Stories| Synod News| Tools for Congregations Continue reading -
March 6, 2018 by Samantha Henderson
Refugee Stories: “They killed my brother less than a year after he was deported”
The plight of refugees and migrants from South America grows more drastic and their fate more uncertain. Refugee Stories are testimonies from children, adults, and families, gathered by the Salvadorean Lutheran Church, our companion synod in El Salvador, and CARECEN, an organization working to change the immigration system, win legal
Global Missions| Justice Team| LIRS| Refugee Stories| Synod News| Tools for Congregations Continue reading -
March 6, 2018 by Samantha Henderson
Refugee Stories: “I was terrified but I knew I had to save my children’s lives”
The plight of refugees and migrants from South America grows more drastic and their fate more uncertain. Refugee Stories are testimonies from children, adults, and families, gathered by the Salvadorean Lutheran Church, our companion synod in El Salvador, and CARECEN, an organization working to change the immigration system, win legal
Global Missions| Guardian Angels| Justice Team| LIRS| Refugee Stories| Synod News| Tools for Congregations Continue reading -
March 6, 2018 by Samantha Henderson
Refugee Stories: “He shot and killed my mother in front of all of us”
The plight of refugees and migrants from South America grows more drastic and their fate more uncertain. Refugee Stories are testimonies from children, adults, and families, gathered by the Salvadorean Lutheran Church, our companion synod in El Salvador, and CARECEN, an organization working to change the immigration system, win legal
Global Missions| Guardian Angels| Justice Team| LIRS| Refugee Stories| Synod News| Tools for Congregations Continue reading -
March 6, 2018 by Samantha Henderson
Refugee Stories: Jose’s Story
The plight of refugees and migrants from South America grows more drastic and their fate more uncertain. Refugee Stories are testimonies from children, adults, and families, gathered by the Salvadorean Lutheran Church, our companion synod in El Salvador, and CARECEN, an organization working to change the immigration system, win legal
Global Missions| Guardian Angels| Justice Team| LIRS| Refugee Stories| Synod News| Tools for Congregations Continue reading