When Strangers Become Neighbors: Immigration and the Church Today I was a stranger and you welcomed me.  Matthew 25:35 You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  Mark 12:31 Saturday, April 6, 20139:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.)Registration Fee: $15 per person payable to LSG – see below**As people from around the world make the United States their home, the political, economic, and spiritual issues related to immigration continue to divide us. Even the language we use—alien, stranger, foreigner—creates division. Jesus calls people of faith to show hospitality to the strangers in our midst. But what happens when these strangers become our neighbors, those we are called to love as we love ourselves?When Strangers Become Neighbors aims to deepen the conversation about the church’s role in loving our new neighbors: refugees who seek safety and a new home; children orphaned or torn from their parents during conflict; asylum seekers, survivors of torture, and victims of human trafficking who need protection; and migrants who flee desperate circumstances in search of opportunity. This event is intended for Social Ministry Committee members, pastors and rostered leaders, lay leaders, and those interested in the church’s response to immigration issues.Keynote Speaker is the Reverend H. Julian Gordy, Bishop of the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaPresentations by the Reverend Robert Strickert, representative of the Florida-Georgia District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and the Reverend Floyd R. Blair, President and CEO of Lutheran Services of GeorgiaResources and opportunities will be provided for further conversation, education, advocacy, and volunteer engagement for congregationsLutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) and LSG will host a “Community Conversation” on immigration issues and the church today for conference attendees as a model of how to design and host conversations that engage newcomers and congregations in productive dialogue. Registration and Payment The deadline for registration and payment is April 1, 2013 Registration and payment must be handled separately**$15 registration fee made payable to Lutheran Services of Georgia:To pay by check: Remit and mail check with designation "WSBN Conf April 6" to Lutheran Services of Georgia, 100 Edgewood Ave NE, Suite 1800, Atlanta, GA 30303-3066To pay by credit or debit card:  Visit www.lsga.org, click on the purple “donate” icon in top-right corner, fill out the form and put “WSBN Conf Apr 6” in the comment section  For more information: Melanie Johnson at mjohnson@lsga.org or the Reverend Darrel Petersen at dpeterson@elca-ses.org Co-Sponsored By:Florida - Georgia District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri SynodLutheran Services of Georgia Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America When Strangers Become Neighbors 0.00