Matching Gift Campaign - May 2026

Lutheran World Relief Displacement Camp Support

All across the world we are seeing communities displaced by war, turmoil and violence. These families leave everything they have and all that they know behind and to live as refugees, oftentimes far from home. Many find themselves in crowded displacement camps with no possessions and no idea what might come next for their families. In these camps Lutheran World Relief shows up with the aim to provide safety and care to heartbroken families- providing them with basic necessities, saving and investment programs, and various symbols of love (such as quilts and care kits) from Lutheran communities all across the globe. This support can help families to regroup and start working towards a new future for them and their loved ones. This year our campaign is to help support the work of LWR in these displacement camps, in places such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Ecuador and Lebanon.

When forced to flee, you remind our neighbors they are not alone | Lutheran World Relief

To learn more about the work LWR does in these camps you can watch the following videos:

• LWR Quilts & Kits reach displaced families in the Democratic Republic of Congo
• A mother’s harrowing journey in South Sudan

Due to an anonymous Immanuel donor, we already have $5000 to go towards supporting families who have been displaced, and with your help we’d love to match and surpass that donation by raising $15,000 to support displaced families in two countries and around the globe. Examples of items we could purchase include:

• A Handwashing Station ($15 each)- handwashing is a simple way to stay healthy and prevent the spread of dangerous diseases. Outreach healthcare workers at displacement camps help to promote better hygiene practices and access to handwashing stations.
• A Latrine ($700 each)- access to safe water and sanitation is a human right essential to reducing poverty and protecting dignity and health. But many vulnerable communities do without one of the most simple and effective solutions for keeping our neighbors safe and healthy. Help construct a latrine, and you can be part of a significant positive change for a community.
• Solar Panel System for Mobile Clinics ($5,200 each)- There is no electrical grid in remote areas and fuel for generators is scarce, so solar panels are necessary for lighting and refrigeration. Without them, women give birth by flashlight, and there is nowhere to preserve vaccines that need to be kept cold.

We will accept donations now -June 7th.

Thank you to all Immanuel members who have contributed to LWR in the past! Since the Immanuel Piecemakers Quilting group started in 1993, over 3,000 quilts have been made for LWR. Over many years, over 1,500 kits have been donated to LWR. Lots to celebrate!

Immanuel members have been generous in financial giving to LWR over the years too. Here are the LWR campaigns Immanuel has supported each year:

• 2017   Syria    Bakery to make bread for war torn areas
• 2018   Tanzania    INVEST: Investing in New Ventures of Entrepreneurial Students
• 2019   Tanzania (above)
• 2020    Central America  Young Adults’ Education in Local Agriculture
• 2021    Covid vaccine & covid protection for low income countries
• 2022   Ripple effects from the Ukraine war
• 2023   Housing containers in Turkiye
• 2024   Ukraine mobile medical clinics
• 2025   Sierra Leone    Girls to School

Humanity Alliance Food Pack

Wednesday, May 20, 5:00-7:00pm (REGISTER)

Help prep and package food at Humanity Alliance in Victoria. Food is distributed to families in need in the SW Metro. Volunteers age 7+ are encouraged to apply. No experience required! Contact Ruth Lunde for more information.

From First Breath to Bright Futures Fundraiser

Building a lifetime of care for every child

Friday, May 29, 6:30-8:00pm at Immanuel

The Institute for Child Healthcare Africa (ICHA) is expanding and building a clinic in Tanzania and your support is needed!  The Arusha Pediatric & Maternal Care Centre (APMC) will provide specialized outpatient care for mothers, infants, and children—making quality pediatric care accessible to families in northern Tanzania.

Please join us for dessert and drinks as we raise funds for APMC.  Dr Steve and Jodi Swanson will be present to share the most recent updates and stories!

PLEASE REGISTER:  https://www.ichafrica.org/rsvp-bright-futures.html

Community Meal with Partner Ministry!

Join us in preparing/serving/enjoying meals with our partner congregations and their community!  Every other month we join Salem Lutheran Church (4150 Dupont Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55412) in preparing and serving their to-go meals. Volunteers needed from 4-6:30pm.

Immanuel members are also always welcome to just attend these meals as guests! It is a great opportunity for fellowship.  Future dates:

• June 16
• August 18
• October 20
• December 15

Register HERE for as many dates as you would like.

Redeemer Community Meal

June 17, 6:00-9:00pm

Join the Redeemer Lutheran Church community for a summer cookout. There will be fellowship, good food, and Immanuel’s servant song band will be providing music. Drop in as you are able and join the fun. Address: 1800 Glenwood Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55405.

Little Dresses for Africa

Humanitarian relief to the most vulnerable of God’s children

If you can do basic sewing, we have a perfect project for you! Pillowcase dresses, made by volunteers from around the world, go out as little ambassadors to plant in the hearts of little girls that they are worthy. As relationships are built, projects are completed through clean water, education and community.  Premade kits are available to make six pillowcase dresses. Pick up a kit in the atrium at Immanuel. Donations of pillowcases, rickrack, bias tape and thread are also welcome. For more information contact Deacon Savannah.

Summer Ministry Partner Visit

Here at Immanuel, we are blessed with some incredible congregational partners and continuing into the fall on the first Sunday of each month, we invite you to join Deacon Savannah in attending worship with each of them!  Please fill out THIS FORM if you are interested.

• All Nations Indian Church - June 28th 10:45am (carpool leaving Immanuel at 10am)

Our Immigrant Neighbors

Update from the Service & Justice Committee

We, your Immanuel Service & Justice Team, share your concerns about our neighbors who are immigrants. We are following our partners’ leads and accompanying them in short- and long-term efforts they indicate are useful. Please call Immanuel’s office (952-937-8123) to volunteer as a notary, lawyer (especially with immigration experience), Spanish-speaker and/or copying assistant. We also anticipate fundraising events with our partners.  The Team also is using guidance and resources from:

• Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service [LIRS])
• ELCA’s AMMPARO Migrant Ministry (including their Facebook posts)
• Lutheran Social Service’s Refugee Services

We will update you as we receive additional information. If you know someone who is seeking immigration information, please contact us. You can help by supporting local businesses, including restaurants, owned and/or operated by folks who are immigrants. They may be struggling because their usual customers are staying home out of fear.

Minneapolis Area Synod Resources

In recent weeks, our synod office has received requests for resources and information about immigration, ICE enforcement, and support for immigrant communities. They have compiled a webpage in English and Espanol with pastoral messages, trainings, resources, articles, and other helpful links related to the recent executive orders and the impact they have on those in our communities. If you have resources to share, please send to Nicholas Tangen.

Truth & Healing Group

During the past year the ELCA has initiated the “Truth & Healing Movement” as an intentional opportunity for the church to increase it’s understanding of our colonizing impacts on Indigenous people in the past and present. The movement is focused on providing opportunities to learn the true, and largely ignored, history and current realities of Indigenous people with the hope that by listening and learning, these truths will bring healing for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike.

At Immanuel, we have decided to start a group committed to this work within our own context here in Eden Prairie and in Minnesota. We will be meeting monthly over the course of the next 9-12 months to learn together and to form our own action plans for how we might be better neighbors- following the guidance of Native Governance Center.  Learn more!

Have an Hour or Two?

Become an on-call servant!

We know your life is busy but we also know you have a heart for helping others. We can help! Immanuel often has opportunities to assist with projects that require a very limited time commitment. Consider joining our On-Call Servant email list! When a need arises we will send an email and if you are available to help, let us know. It's that easy! Send an email to Sarah (sarah@immanuel.us) in the office and you will be added to the distribution list.

Diaper Squad

Support our partner Redeemer Lutheran as they help with a food shelf in their neighborhood. Donations of baby wipes and diapers of all sizes are needed - these items are in high demand for families accessing food shelves. Volunteers are needed to deliver diapers to N. Minneapolis the first Saturday of the month.  Sign up to drive HERE.