Justice & Advocacy

A number of organizations and committees, either sponsored by or in partnership with the Saint Paul Area Synod, commit themselves to serve as the prophetic voice of the church, advocating for just and compassionate social policy, and serving as public witnesses to the Gospel. Some of these groups include:

Church in Society, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America >

Church in Society of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America witnesses to Jesus Christ who frees us to do justice and give our lives in service in God’s world. Through our ministry we work for the common good, confront obstacles to local and global community, and promote care for creation and for all people according to their needs.

Faith in the City >

Faith in the City is a partnership of seven major Lutheran institutions in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area committed to improving the quality of life of the communities in which they serve. Faith in the City seeks to be a catalyst for collaboration among people, neighborhoods, congregations, community organizations, and others of good will to develop innovative initiatives that benefit the city and its people.

ISAIAH >

A coalition of congregation-based community organizations through which Minnesota congregations can become stronger, deal with local community issues, and address sprawl, affordable housing, and other regional issues, ISAIAH encompasses Minnesota’s growth corridor, running from St. Cloud through the Twin Cities to Rochester. This corridor is projected to include 75 percent of Minnesota households by 2020. To learn more about ISAIAH, email isaiah@isaiah-mn.org or call 612.333.1260.

Joint Synod Committee for Inclusivity >

Trusting the reconciling grace of Christ, who has overcome all divisions, this committee of the Saint Paul Area and Minneapolis Area Synods provides support and opportunities for growth in faith and understanding to gay and lesbian persons, their families and friends, and to the church and its members. Included among its sponsored ministries are Caring Family and Friends and Walking the Talk of Welcome.

Joint Religious Legislative Coalition >

Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) is the largest, most inclusive interfaith public policy body in Minnesota—people of diverse faiths bringing vision and wisdom to the public realm for the well-being of all Minnesotans. Authorized and governed by the Minnesota Catholic Conference, the Minnesota Council of Churches, and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, JRLC is the instrument by which these faith communities work together on social justice issues in Minnesota. The Islamic Center of Minnesota also participates in JRLC as an official observer.

Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy >

One of 18 state public policy advocacy offices of the ELCA, its ministry is mandated, guided, and governed by the ELCA’s Church in Society. Its initiatives reflect the collective deliberations of congregations and other church bodies on public policy issues and are guided by Scripture, Lutheran theology, and the expressions of the church’s social statements and resolutions.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota >

As one of Minnesota’s largest, faith-based charities, LSS is the church in service.  More than 2,000 employees statewide offer compassionate, professional service through adoption, counseling, housing, debt counseling, crisis shelters for children, elderly assisted living, group homes for persons with developmental disabilities and many other services. The mission of LSS is “to express the love of Christ for all people through acts of service.” 

MICAH >

MICAH has 150 members including congregations from the interfaith religious community and housing organizations. MICAH’s central organizing principle is to think regionally, act locally, and live faithfully; to build community support to expand the supply of affordable homes for individuals and families with low incomes; to organize grassroots citizen involvement to win public policy changes, including local, regional and state housing policy; and to advocate for fair housing and inclusive communities throughout the metropolitan area.

Joint Peace with Justice Committe

The peace with justice committee of the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods is a group of Twin Cities persons centered in the understanding that we are called by Christ to be peacemakers and bringers of justice, expressed in the words of our Lutheran liturgy “to strive for peace and justice in all the world.” The committee is dedicated to a program of education and action, seeking to supplant the evils of war, violence, economic injustice, environmental degradation, racism, and other oppressions, with fairness, compassion, reconciliation, care of creation, and service to others. The pointpeace with justice committee of the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods sponsors monthly peace forums held from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, starting with lunch, followed by speakers and discussion. Check monthly calendar listings for more information or contact Dick Hilden at 612.825.1581 or dhilden@mn.rr.com.

Saint Paul Area Council of Churches

The Saint Paul Area Council of Churches’ mission is to build a more just and compassionate society.  We connect congregations, faith communities and civic organizations to overcome poverty, promote peace and dismantle racism and other barriers that divide our community.