Yet the really bewildering part of the cartoon is the clear identification of the church as part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the use of its logo. As leaders of the two ELCA congregations in Dickinson, we were surprised to see a political cartoon so directly pointed at our denomination.

While it is not true to say that the ELCA resettles refugees in North Dakota, it is true that the ELCA works very closely with Lutheran Social Services (LSS). LSS is the only intuition in the state of North Dakota that resettles refugees. If the cartoon version of Craig Cobb was hoping to be resettled in a town like Leith or Nome, he would likely be disappointed to find out that refugees are only resettled in Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks. If he was angry at the ELCA for their work with refugees, he would also be disappointed to find many other denominations (like Catholics, Methodists, Congregationalists, and Episcopalians) that support the Christian effort to provide hospitality, safety, and refuge to those who flee from violence, fear, and oppression.

Craig Cobb is no refugee. He is not fleeing the threat of death by an oppressive government or war. He does not have the proper UN designation. He has not been vetted for years by both the UN and the US a process he would undoubtedly fail.

But in the meantime, if Craig Cobb would like to visit one of our ELCA churches in Dickinson, we would be more than happy to tell him all about the radical love of Jesus Christ - a love that does not distinguish between race, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, or religion. It is a love with the power to transform even the most stone-hearted people. And unlike the cartoon depicted, that would not be the work of the devil. That would be the work of the Holy Spirit, who brings all kinds of people to our churches doorsteps.

Sincerely,

Pastor Joe Natwick, St John Lutheran Church

Pastor Lisa Lewton, St John Lutheran Church

Pastor Ellery Dykeman, Peace Lutheran Church

Deacon Anna Dykeman, Peace Lutheran Church

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LETTER: Evangelical Lutheran Church respond to political cartoon - The Dickinson Press