Winter Updates: State Edition
Following are updates shared from submissions from ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices (SPPOs) this quarter (formerly shared monthly). Full list and map of SPPOs available. KANSAS | PENNSYLVANIA | VIRGINIA | WISCONSIN Kansas Interfaith Action Rabbi Moti Rieber, Executive...
Devotional: Showing Up as Light
by Zachary Olson, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow [About the author] In October 2025, I had the opportunity to take part in a national gathering of the Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) community of practice in our nation’s capital. Over 70 people...
January Update: Advocacy Connections
from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Senior Director Partial expanded content from Advocacy Connections: January 2026 In our January 2026 issue, find Action Alert, Resource and opportunity updates. Look for a resumption...
Companion Information: Progress and Setbacks in Reducing HIV in Tanzania
When Dr. Paul Mmbando was in medical school 20 years ago, AIDS was generally a death sentence. Nowadays with better drugs, when the conditions of good nutrition and sticking to the daily meds are met, it’s a disease like others...
Gratitude Shared with Federal Elected Leaders for Reopening of Government
After a record-setting 43 days of shutdown, the federal government resumed operations with a bill signed by President Trump on the evening of Nov. 13, 2025, which funds most federal agencies through Jan. 30, 2026. A message was sent to...
Fall Updates: State Edition
Following are updates shared from submissions from ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices (SPPOs) this quarter (formerly shared monthly). Full list and map of SPPOs available. Florida | Kansas | New Jersey | Pennsylvania | Texas | Wisconsin FLORIDA...
Hunger Advocacy Fellows Join Faith-based Advocacy Voices
By Zachary Olson, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow ELCA Advocacy is excited to introduce the six new leaders in the 2025-2026 Hunger Advocacy Fellows cohort. These new Fellows bring a variety of skills, experiences and insights into their work for the...
Farm Bill Engagement Updates
STATUS ON CAPITOL HILL | ACTION ALERTS | RESOURCES AND WEBINARS | OUR COLLECTIVE VOICE The Farm Bill, which guides much of U.S. agriculture, rural and food policy, is currently being debated in Congress. The ELCA urges Congress to pass...
SPPO Spotlight: Grateful Response to Grace with Advocacy
By the Rev. Justin Eller, Assistant to the Bishop for Care and Community with the Southeastern Synod If advocacy means loving our neighbors and working for justice with the “least of these” (all who are hungry, thirsty, newly arriving, vulnerable,...
ELCA Urges Immediate Return to Negotiating Table
The U.S. government could run out of funding on Oct. 1, 2025, if Congress does not pass new legislation to fund its operations. A government shutdown would occur at midnight on Sep. 30, the end of the 2025 fiscal year,...