Immigration Accompaniment Summit
Register
Rocky Mountain Synod Immigration Accompaniment Summit
St. Paul Lutheran, Albuquerque, NM
*$40/person
Register at Immigration Summit * Hotel reservations at Embassy Suites
Rostered and lay leaders are invited to attend a pre-Synod Assembly Immigration Summit where we will deepen our understanding of the immigration challenges as well as strategize how to faithfully accompany our immigrant siblings. Whether you are new to the topic or already have a robust connection to immigration, together we will seek to expand our knowledge, advocacy and allyship, as individuals and congregations, using the principles of the accompaniment . We will learn from each other, share our knowledge, plan how to engage and network across the synod for the flourishing and dignity of our immigrant siblings.
Our keynote speaker will be Rev. Cristina Rathbone, Episcopal priest and author of Asylum Seekers: A Chronicle of Life, Death and Community at the Border and our time together will include spiritual grounding, plenary sessions, community building and workshops. Some of the workshops include:
- Current Landscape of Immigration & AMMPARO
- Presenter: Mary Campbell, Director of ELCA AMMPARO
- This workshop will include: an overview of the basics of immigration in the U.S.; updates and issues affecting immigrants under the new administration; the ELCA designation as a sanctuary denomination and the role of sanctuary congregations at this time; how AMMPARO engages and supports congregations in immigrant accompaniment.
- Trauma and Immigration
- Presenters: Dr. Georgina Sanchez-Garcia and Carolyn Swenson
- This workshop will cover information about immigration-related trauma in children and adults; the meaning and practice of "trauma-informed" accompaniment; recognizing compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma; self-care when accompanying immigrants.
- Advocacy-Organizing-Speaking Out for Immigrant Justice
- Presenter(s): Pastor Brigette Weier and Kurt Rager
- This workshop will cover: Skills and tools for effective advocacy, organizing in congregations and collaborating with community groups; testifying and speaking out to support immigrant justice; including immigrants at all levels of the work.
- Engaging Congregations in Immigrant Accompaniment
- This large-group session will include resources and ideas for engaging congregations at all levels of current awareness and involvement; connecting with community groups that are immigrant allies.
*If the cost of registration is a barrier, please contact dlinden-johnson@rmselca.org & If you are interested in the possibility of staying in a host home, please contact pastorhannah@peacelutheranlc.com.