More than 400 clergy and lay congregational leaders braved 90+ temperatures August 24 to rally in the Guardian Angels Parish School gymnasium in Chaska, Minnesota, in support of comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship for immigrants. Minneapolis Area Synod (ELCA) Bishop Ann Svennungsen and Auxiliary Bishop Lee Piché of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis were among civic and religious leaders extolling participants to pray for resolution of the federal legislative impasse and to share their message with Rep. Erik Paulsen (Minn.-3), who represents Chaska and most of the southwestern suburbs of the Twin Cities.

The House of Representatives failed to consider comprehensive immigration reform before going on its traditional recess in August. A major immigration reform bill will be one of the first items on the agenda when Congress reconvenes in September, and across the country, Members of Congress are using the break to meet with constituents in order to gauge interest in the upcoming legislation.

“By coming together in prayer, we are making the most powerful statement that people of faith can make, lifting up our struggles to God; trusting in God’s protection for families who are facing separation,” Svennungsen told a crowd made up primarily of members of ISAIAH, a faith-based community organization comprised of almost 100 congregations in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud. . “We are sending a message today that the faith community stands with immigrant Americans.

Former Chaska Mayor Bob Roepke encourages supporters of immigration reform to help rebuild the web of community as they work for a path to citizenship.

“We are asking our political leaders to stand with them too and to publicly support a pathway to citizenship that is fair, direct, and inclusive of all our brothers and sisters who aspire to become citizens in the country they love,” Svennungsen said.

Carver County Commissioner Randy Maluchnik emotionally recounted that his Polish grandparents were not considered criminals when they immigrated to the United States. He believes that the 11 million currently undocumented immigrants need a similar path to citizenship, and not simply for reasons of justice.

“The cost to the federal and state and local taxpayer is much too high,” he explained. “We must have a commonsense immigration policy, … because doing so means being fiscally responsible.” Maluchnik recounted the many costs for local governments of the current immigration system.

A large diverse crowd expressed their desire to have Rep. Erik Paulsen’s support on comprehensive reform as Congress returns to session.

Former Chaska Mayor Bob Roepke remembered “I grew up in a town [Chaska] that had a value for everyone, a value for the community – the brightest and best, as well as those with challenges.” He argued that Chaska should still be that way today, welcoming its newest immigrants as full members of the community.

What affects one part of the body …

Gretchen Pierskala of Crown of Glory Lutheran Church (ELCA), Chaska, said her congregation wants to be a place of support for those seeking a path to citizenship. “Immigration laws affect all of us in the community.”

“Rep. Erik Paulsen’s district is changing. There is general concern that the system is not functioning well now, so change needs to be made,” offered Ralph Baumgartner, a retired Lutheran pastor volunteering on ISAIAH’s Campaign for Citizenship. “That’s why there was a great turnout on such a hot day.”

Gretchen Pierskala (center) and a delegation from Crown of Glory Lutheran Church, Chaska, supported immigration reform out of concern for the effects of a broken immigration system on many vulnerable members of the community. Metro Lutheran photos: Bob Hulteen

“The best part of this gathering was the cross section of people here – from civic and church leaders to representatives from Latino, Anglo, and African immigrant groups,” added the Rev. Doug Mork, Cross of Glory Lutheran Church (ELCA), Brooklyn Center. “Too many people in our communities have to suffer. There are many new voices saying it is time to get this done.”

Roepke reminded rally participants of another march held concurrently in Washington, D.C. – the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington – when he quoted the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”

ISAIAH is in the process of gathering 10,000 signatures from members of faith communities to present to Paulsen. Organizational leaders announced that they are willing to talk about comprehensive immigration reform in any interested congregations.

via Metro Lutheran | People of faith in Chaska consider comprehensive immigration reform