Your Service & Justice Committee is looking for YOUR feedback!

We want to learn how we can support you as you live out God's call through our Immanuel community. Please complete this brief survey to help us understand how we can better support you in responding to God. Your insights will be vitally important in shaping the future of our shared mission. Together, we can ensure our efforts align with God's purpose and make a lasting impact with our ministry partners.

Survey LINK  (Responses accepted through June 15.)

PROP Summer Food Program 2025

PROP provides nourishment to people in our community experiencing food insecurity. PROP also offers comprehensive support to Eden Prairie and Chanhassen residents facing financial, housing or employment insecurity so that they may reach their goals for a more secure tomorrow.

During the summer months need increase as kids are home from school.  This year Immanuel has been challenged to provide 1,350 5oz cans of tuna in water.  Beginning in May we will work to reach a monthly goal of 450 cans for each month: May, June, July.

Donations can be delivered to the collection corner in the Atrium at Immanuel.  Cash donations are also needed.  Click GIVE and select the fund for PROP to give a financial gift towards the summer campaign.

Lutheran World Relief Matching Gift Campaign - May 2025

Supporting the Education of Young Girls in Sierra Leone

We know that education is one of the best pathways out of poverty. But in many places, the cost of tuition and supplies — plus the lost income from sending children to school rather than work — prevents many young people from getting an education. This year Lutheran World Relief has launched a new education initiative in Sierra Leone and we at Immanuel are committing to helping them in this work! We will be joined in worship on Sunday, May 4th by Rev. Lisa Kipp from Lutheran World Relief, who will share more about this project and the impact it has on student’s lives. Then, for the month of May we will be collecting donations with the goal of supporting the education of 40 students for 1 year! (On average the cost to send one girl to school is $29/month or $348/year.)

Due to an anonymous donor, we already have enough funds to support 14 students, can you help us support the other 26?

Men Serve Lunch at Simpson

Saturday, May 10, 2025  REGISTER

Great news!! No experience needed to participate in the next Men’s Simpson House Lunch Service, scheduled for Saturday, May 10th. We’ll leave promptly at 10:15 AM from the Immanuel parking lot, carpool over to Simpson’s interim shelter site (the former Zion Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis) and serve a hot lunch to 30-35 homeless individuals in need. Best of all, you’ll be back to Immanuel no later than 1:30 PM. If you’re interested, act fast: There are a limited number of volunteer slots available, and they’ve been filling up quickly!  Questions?  Contact David Beach.  

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 Ilene McCluskey 952-941-8471.

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 MaryKay 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 ofbaby 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 online!