Circle of Welcome Teams Celebrate Fall with Refugee Families

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It’s been a busy fall for LSG’s Circle of Welcome teams! The volunteers have taken time recently to share fall traditions and fun with the refugee families resettled by LSG.

What is Circle of Welcome? Circle of Welcome is a program that pairs a community or faith group made up of 5 to 10 volunteers with a recently resettled refugee family. The Circle of Welcome team walks along side the family in service, friendship, and as advocates for the refugee family’s first year in the United States. In addition to working with the refugees on building essential skills and knowledge such as English language skills and providing assistance navigating the education, healthcare and other systems, the Circle of Welcome groups introduce their families to American cultural traditions, and, of course, have fun!

Here’s a glimpse into what our current teams have been up to lately!

  • The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer team recently hosted their Circle of Welcome family for a potluck with their church community.  This family of four happily reported, “The was the best Sunday of our lives!”

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  • Members of the Triad team—comprised of Rock of Ages Lutheran Church, Living Grace Lutheran Church, and Resurrection Lutheran Church—trained their family in hurricane preparedness just in time for Tropical Storm Michael.  They have also been busy sewing with and for the family so that the kids can bundle up as the weather gets colder!   

  • Members of Trinity Lutheran Church’s team enjoyed fundraising for the Circle of Welcome family during their annual Oktoberfest.  They also had fun introducing the kids to Halloween through a Trunk or Treat experience!

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  • Our newest Circle of Welcome team formed through the Lutheran Outreach Partnership of LCMS and ELCA churches in the Atlanta area.  Volunteers from Rivercliff Lutheran Church, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, and Faith Lutheran Church are preparing to welcome a refugee family scheduled to arrive in Atlanta just in time for Thanksgiving!  

 

Will your faith or community group be the next to embrace refugees in friendship and love through Circle of Welcome? Email Janelle jmoore@lsga.org to learn more!