Minneapolis Church Holds 'Lament and Hope' Service as Immigration Enforcement Stokes Fear

St. Paul's–San Pablo Lutheran Church in Minneapolis opened its doors for a special "Lament and Hope" service after a woman was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, and as a large Department of Homeland Security deployment heightened anxiety across the city.

Service Offers Solace Amid Tension

"Thank you for being here this morning. Gathering is such a critical, critical thing to do, especially in these times. It’s been a difficult week," the Rev. Hierald Osorto told worshippers seated on wooden benches. Inside the sanctuary, candles were lit, hymns were sung and communion was offered as people sought comfort and community.

Community on Edge

The service came as the Department of Homeland Security deployed roughly 2,000 agents and officers to the Minneapolis area, a move that has prompted fear among immigrant communities and vocal opposition from activists. St. Paul’s–San Pablo is about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) from the block where Renee Good was shot on Wednesday, a proximity that has intensified local tensions.

Candles burn inside St. Paul's-San Pablo Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Santana)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Outside the church, activists used whistles and drums to try to slow enforcement activity, while officers conducted neighborhood patrols and detentions. Church volunteers staffed the entrance to monitor arrivals and ensure safety for those inside.

Worship, Solidarity and Organizing

Inside, congregants exchanged hugs and support. A statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe stood near the front, and volunteers handed out pamphlets outlining the order of service, songs and prayers. The pamphlet's cover read: "Justice is for Everyone: Immigrant Rights Now!"

St. Paul’s–San Pablo has long served the neighborhood. Osorto recalled the congregation's roots with Swedish-language services that evolved over decades to bilingual and now Spanish-English worship, reflecting neighborhood demographic shifts.

A statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe stands inside the St. Paul's-San Pablo Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Santana)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

During the service, Osorto offered a prayer for Renee Good and noted a modest dip in attendance but expressed gratitude that many still came despite fear and strain in the community. "I think that it’s important for folks to realize that what’s happened here in the Twin Cities has changed us for the rest of our lives," he said.

Personal Stories and Collective Resilience

Members described how the enforcement operation has affected daily life. Anna Amundson, a congregant, said many people are avoiding work and errands out of fear. Another attendee, who gave her first name as Lizete and declined to share her last name because she feared immigration enforcement, said she arrived in the U.S. nearly two decades ago and worried constantly for her family. She chose to come to church rather than stay alone.

“Here I have my people, who is close to me, and I feel their really, really support,” Lizete said.

Worshippers found comfort in hymns such as, "Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten. Those who seek God shall never go wanting." The church also served as a hub for organizing: later that day dozens gathered for a singing vigil and marched through the neighborhood in protest, and volunteers made paper flowers that will be carried at demonstrations.

Jose Luis Villasenor urged the congregation to remember their courage and resilience. "I want us to, through the reading we had today, to remember that we can get through this together, not alone, because we’re very brave and resilient," he said.

The service illustrated how faith communities can play multiple roles during crises: providing spiritual care, emotional support and a space for organizing collective responses.