Lutherans, Methodists pass resolutions supporting immigrants, refugees

Two Christian denominations have passed resolutions in support of immigrants and refugees.

One resolution includes a call for a task force to consider what it would mean to become a “sanctuary synod.” That resolution was adopted Saturday by the Central States Synod Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Also on Saturday, the Great Plains United Methodist Church voted that its churches should welcome immigrants and refugees.

Both resolutions will involve churches taking concerns to political leaders and policy makers.

In the case of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, evaluation of whether to become a sanctuary synod is expected to take a year. Sanctuary synods traditionally support congregations who are protecting refugees and undocumented immigrants from arrest and deportation.

The Synod Assembly met in Kansas City, Mo., while the Great Plains Conference met in Grand Island, Neb.

This story was originally published June 12, 2017 at 6:38 PM with the headline "Lutherans, Methodists pass resolutions supporting immigrants, refugees."