Who is My Neighbor?
Have you been following the local news? On Wednesday Night ABC Channel 7 News reported that the number of migrants who have been transported to Chicago from our country’s southern border since last August now exceeds 9,000.
These migrants—families and individuals—are not here illegally. They are here seeking asylum. Under U.S. law they have 1 year to demonstrate to the immigration courts that they have a legitimate claim to asylum and the right to stay in this country permanently.
In the meantime migrants struggle. Chicago does not have adequate housing and support to offer migrants. They have been bussed to area Chicago police districts and have been sleeping on the floors at the police stations.
How as Christians are we to respond to this situation? In St. Luke Chapter 10 we read Jesus saying we should “love our neighbors as ourselves”. When asked “who is my neighbor?”, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan. The parable ends with the answer to the question: [the neighbor is ] “the one who showed mercy”. Jesus says, “Go and do likewise.”
Lutheran congregations on Chicago’s Northside are doing just that. Christ Lutheran Church in Albany Park and Lakeview Lutheran Church are reaching out to the migrants in need. Albany Park has taken migrant families to stay at the church and Lakeview Lutheran is supporting migrants by providing food, clothing, and medicine.
There are 3 ways that we too can help:
- Donate any of the items on the list provided by Lakeview Lutheran. St. Luke’s will collect items at the church between now and Memorial Day for delivery to Lakeview Lutheran Church;
- Donate money to Lakeview Lutheran Church. Make your check payable to Lakeview Lutheran Church to assist them in purchasing needed supplies for the migrants. Just drop off your check at the St. Luke’s office.
- Volunteer your time. Elmhurst Presbyterian Church at 367 Spring Road in Elmhurst is looking for volunteers to help sort and organize donations. Workers are needed from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you are interested in donating your time, contact Sarah Ankunda at sankunda@icdichicago.org.
Health and Hygiene Items (Immediate Need)
Diapers (highest priority)
Wipes Tylenol (infant and children)
Formula
Ensure
Pedialyte
Tampons/Pads
Toothpaste/Toothbrushes
Saline solution
Hand Sanitizer
Cotton Balls
Dayquil
Deodorant
Other Items
New Underwear (men and women in all sizes)
New Socks
Bedding Items (Do not need to be new)
