New home, new community, new hope
Lutheran Community Care is coordinating a new project that is working closely with LCA congregations to build a culture of welcome for new arrivals from refugee backgrounds.
New Home, New Community and New Hope arose out of a unanimous decision from the 2015 General Convention of Synod, encouraging churches to welcome new arrivals and support them in their resettlement.
The project is focusing on refugees from Syria and Iraq and will also connect with Lutheran congregations outside of the LCA SA-NT District.
New Home, New Community and New Hope Coordinator Annemarie Klingenberg said she was looking forward to working with churches during the project.
“My passion for this role comes from the Christian understanding that none of us are foreigners under God and that we are all united under the cornerstone that is Jesus Christ,” she said.
“As a migrant myself, I have experienced the generosity and welcoming spirit of Australians. This is the spirit that recognises that we as a society benefit from diversity.”
New Home, New Community and New Hope is being funded through Act for Peace and the aid arm of the National Council of Churches.
If you or your congregation would like to be involved, or if you have a passion for working with people from refugee backgrounds, please contact Annemarie by email (aklingenberg@lccare.org.au).
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