Following the conclusion of Sunday services at St. Paul’s-San Pablo Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, congregant Juan Carlos Toapanta settled into a chair placed near the altar, participating in an hour-long acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture needles were meticulously placed on his forehead, wrist, and foot. Toapanta, an Ecuadorian construction worker who has been attending the church for five months and suffers from sciatica, remarked, “Just as the Lord’s light aids us emotionally, addressing the physical pains of the body offers freedom on many levels.”
Originally established by Swedish immigrants over a century ago, the church is now mostly attended by Latinos. Responding to the heightened fear and anxiety surrounding immigration issues under recent administrations, the church has been extending its services beyond traditional pastoral care, offering humanitarian aid, financial assistance, and legal guidance to its community members. To further support their community, they have introduced free monthly wellness sessions that provide acupuncture, Reiki, and cupping therapies to allay the stress and fear affecting the migrant community.
Lizete Vega, the church’s family engagement coordinator, stressed the importance of emotional and physical wellness stating, “To respond well, people must feel well, not succumbing to panic or fear which leads nowhere positive. Here, individuals find a protective space with spiritual, emotional, and physical support.” Across the U.S., collaborations between mental health initiatives and religious communities have been increasing. Pastors and various community leaders now find themselves addressing mental health challenges within their congregations, from urban centers to rural heartlands.
There is a growing emphasis on nurturing reassurance and wellness within the migrant communities, as federal guidelines regarding immigration have shifted. Reflecting on the wellness sessions, Rev. Hierald Osorto noted the relief felt by the 30 attendees at the inaugural session, where a vibrant mural of Swedish horses alongside the words “healing” and “resilience” greets participants. For one service, the altar table and Easter lilies were rearranged to accommodate acupuncture chairs and massage tables for Reiki treatments, symbolizing the merging of healing practices and faith.
Mental health professionals and wellness practitioners have observed an increase in anxiety and depression within migrant communities, often exacerbated by fears of deportation and the traumas carried from their home countries. Many women, in particular, experience added trauma from violence during their migration. The constant fear of deportation can have a revictimizing effect, making spaces emphasizing safety and wellness vital for mental well-being. Noeline Maldonado of The Healing Center in New York and Cheryl Aguilar, director of Hope Center for Wellness, highlight the need for grounding and mindfulness sessions to counter the ongoing unpredictability in immigration policy.
Sarah Howell, a clinical social worker from Houston, underscores the importance of these wellness initiatives, noting the constant stress many migrants endure due to this alarmed state. Wellness programs quickly become essential for providing needed relief. Houses of worship prove to be significant allies in offering these healing experiences, creating environments where hope and community thrive. Guadalupe Gonzalez, a Reiki practitioner, shared her initial concern over conducting sessions within a church setting but remarked on the positive energy the sanctuary provides.
Congregants at the wellness session expressed profound experiences of energy and spiritual connection. Martha Dominguez, one participant, was excited post-session, noting how such offerings did wonders in relieving stress. Limber Saliero, who had previously never encountered acupuncture, described the experience as an energetic inflow. Vanessa Arcos, together with her family, celebrated the sense of peace and relaxation the treatments offered, encouraging participation in small self-care acts.
These updates reflect an acknowledgment of the evolving community dynamics and the church’s innovative approach to merging faith with holistic healing practices, rectifying prior misstatements regarding participants’ engagement durations and roles within the church community.