April Update: U.N. and State Edition

Lutheran Office for World Community, United Nations, New York, N.Y.

Dennis Frado, director

63^RD SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN: The 63rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63) took place at United Nations Headquarters in New York March 11-22. The priority theme was “Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender and the empowerment of women and girls.” CSW meets annually to discuss progress and identify gaps and challenges in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

This year, LOWC welcomed 32 Lutheran delegates from seven countries (Palestine, Tanzania, Peru, Colombia, Liberia, Switzerland and the United States). This delegation consisted of representatives from the Lutheran World Federation’s (LWF) Women in Church and Society, the LWF Waking the Giant Initiative, the ELCA (including from Global Mission, International Leaders Program, Advocacy, ELCA World Hunger, Justice for Women and Women of the ELCA).

The delegation actively participated in the various events throughout CSW63, including Ecumenical Women’s orientation day, a Lutheran Day at St Peter’s Church, several mission visits to UN member states and a public witness event to end gender-based violence that was organized by Ecumenical Women. Lutheran delegates were panelists in two parallel events: “‘Waking the Giant: Global Churches together for the SDGs’“ led by the Waking the Giant Initiative and a panel on “Feminist and Faith actors working together for social protection and gender equality” hosted by the Faith and Feminism Working Group. The LWF and Church of Sweden organized a side event titled “‘Leading the Way- Innovative examples of government and faith-based actors for equal access to social protection””

CSW63 concluded with the adoption of the agreed conclusions.

California

Regina Q. Banks, Lutheran Office of Public Policy- California (LOPP-CA) loppca.org

LUTHERAN LOBBY DAY: LOPP-CA is pleased to announce our first Lutheran Lobby Day at the State Capitol on Wednesday, May 29. Plan to join our bishops, clergy, members, and Rev. Amy E. Reumann, ELCA Advocacy Director, as we build relationships with legislators and policy-makers and fellowship with one another. We will gather at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sacramento at 8 a.m. and will progress to the Capitol together around 10 a.m. Our goal is to have every single Assembly district represented, so we need you there.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Residence Inn Sacramento Downtown at Capitol Park (a block from St. John’s and two blocks from the Capitol building). Mention LOPP-CA when making your reservations to get our discount. We look forward to seeing you there.

Lobby Day Registration Link: https://community.elca.org/lutheran-lobby-day-at-the-capitol

SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS: Our social media relaunches are underway! Please visit us on Facebook at Lutheran Office of Public Policy- California. We are sharing updates, articles and time-sensitive action items. Like, share and repost our content. The policy council has a goal of getting 5000 by the end of the year. You can help us meet our goal and stay up-to-date with the activities. Plans are underway for Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Watch this space!

Colorado

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–Colorado lam-co.org

LEGISLATIVE SESSION: We are more than halfway through the Colorado legislative session, and several of our top advocacy priorities are awaiting key votes in committees and on the floor.

Death penalty abolition (SB 182): The bill is awaiting debate and consideration on the Senate floor. We have an active action alert for constituents to contact their senators about this critical issue.
Paid family leave (SB 188): The Senate Finance Committee is considering this bill and will vote during the first week of April. We are encouraging constituents to contact the five committee members.
Eviction notice extension (HB 1118): This bill will have key Senate hearings next week after passing the House floor.
Climate action (HB 1261): We have joined the Colorado’s Climate Future coalition to support this critical bill to reduce our state’s carbon footprint. It will have its first hearing in early April.

CONGREGATION VISITS: Thanks to the good people at King of Glory Lutheran church, Loveland, and Evergreen Lutheran church, Evergreen, for inviting LAM-CO to speak to your congregations! It is a blessing to equip the body of Christ to take up our common call to public witness and ministry.

FAITHFUL TUESDAYS: We continue to gather weekly as the faith community every Tuesday at noon inside our State Capitol rotunda. All are welcome! Learn more at www.faithfultuesdays.org.

Florida

Russel Meyer, Florida Council of Churches

WELCOME FLORIDA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES TO ELCA STATE POLICY NETWORK: The Florida Council of Churches began its public policy efforts in February with support from the Florida-Bahamas Synod and a climate grant from ELCA Advocacy. The synod has appointed an advocacy team to help setup and advise the policy office. The state legislative 60-day session opened the first week in March and concludes the first week in May. Its one constitutional task is to pass a budget. The largest portion of state revenue is spent on education, health care, and then criminal justice, respectively. The public policy office is collaborating with other established efforts following the Jemez principles. Collaboration with other groups include:

Faith in Public Life working on the Competitive Workforce Act,
Real Talk Coalition for Education Equity pushing for equity scoring of education bills (with deep concerns about privatizing education and arming teachers),
Pastors for Florida Children confronting vouchers for private education,
The Criminal Justice Campaign/No Place for a Child advocating criminal justice reforms, (ending direct file, raising felony limits for theft, ending confiscation of driver’s license for non-driving offenses, honoring Amendment 4 rights restoration)
Floridians Against the Death Penalty on ending the use of the death penalty
We Are Florida campaign trying to stop anti-family immigration bills, and
The Florida Interfaith Climate Actions Network pushing for a ban on fracking and relief for Hurricane Michael victims.

The legislature is completing its committee work and will be holding regularly sessions of the House and Senate going forward.

Plans are underway for advocacy training across the state and an advocates faith organizing retreat later in the year. The legislature will take up work again in September with committee weeks, where bills will be drafted for the 2020 session that begins in January.

This weekend (April 5-6), Rev. Dr. Russell Meyer, director, will be a co-host of the Rise Up: [Sea Level] Realities and Opportunities at a climate conference at St. Petersburg College (https://solutions.spcollege.edu/) that focuses on the impact in Tampa Bay projected by the National Climate Assessment and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Minnesota

Tammy Walhof, Lutheran Advocacy–Minnesota www.lutheranadvocacymn.org

URGENT ACTION ALERT: AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Call/email your state legislators and urge them to support the full Homes for All agenda as they weigh priorities in the omnibus finance and tax bills. (Link to that agenda).

Speak from your experience or that of your church to describe the housing crisis in your area. Committee leaders in the Minnesota House and Senate are putting together big omnibus (appropriations) bills in consultation with their leadership. We want to make sure that affordable housing is strongly positioned in this process, especially since the new committee fiscal targets are much lower than is needed.

GOVERNOR’S CLEAN ENERGY BILL: 100% CARBON-FREE ELECTRICITY GENERATION BY 2050: (HF 1956, Long). This bill includes a Clean Energy First provision (clean energy must be considered for its cost and merits, before looking to fossil fuels or other energy). It also establishes preference for local hiring and tools to guarantee a prevailing wage for those jobs. It would increase the Conservation Improvement Plan requirements from 1.5 percent to 1.75 percent year over year to improve energy efficiency, and doubles utilities’ efficiency investments ($16-20 million) in the homes of low-income Minnesotans. (Note: it is one of two 100% Clean Electricity bills. The other has benchmarks by specific dates. We support both bills. The Gov. Walz bill is more likely to have a chance of passing).

We have lots of new content on our website under Clean Energy. Soon we’ll have pictures and videos from the March events, too.

New Mexico

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry- New Mexico (LA-MN) lutheranadvocacynm.org

THE 2019 SESSION OF THE NEW MEXICO STATE LEGISLATURE HAS ENDED: LAM-NM advocated for legislation that reflected the issues included on our advocacy agenda. LAM-NM also represents the New Mexico Conference of Churches. A number of the bills we supported were passed by both chambers and made their way to the governor’s desk for consideration. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has until April 5 to sign or veto legislation. Among the bills under consideration are increasing the state minimum wage to $12; protections for domestic workers under the state minimum-wage law; stricter requirements and reporting for small loans; creation of the middle-level dental profession of dental therapist which can expand access to dental care for low income New Mexicans; prohibiting trafficked minors from being charged with prostitution; prohibiting solitary confinement for children, pregnant women, and people with a serious mental illness; and increasing the state Working Families Tax Credit, which piggy-backs on the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, to 17 percent. We will let you know next month what bills the governor signed!

North Carolina

GeoRene Jones, North Carolina Synod Social Justice & Advocacy Ministries (SJAM) Advocacy@NCLutheran.org

LUTHERANS AT THE LEGISLATURE: On March 26, the North Carolina Synod hosted its first Advocacy Day at the North Carolina General Assembly. Bishop Tim Smith welcomed legislators to a prayer breakfast and shared our concerns about the state’s lack of affordable housing, the rising rate of homelessness, and the increase of both after Hurricanes Florence and Michael ravaged 28 Eastern counties last fall. While legislators attended to committee responsibilities during the morning, ELCA members and friends gathered to learn from Sam Gunter, executive director of the North Carolina Housing Coalition, and Bill Rowe, general counsel of the North Carolina Justice Center, and from Ryan Carter, member of Christ-Providence, Charlotte, who works in advocacy and outreach for Habitat for Humanity in Mecklenberg, and Jenny Simmons, member of St. Mark’s, Asheville, who works for Homeward Bound, a non-profit dedicated to ending homelessness in the Asheville area. The Rev. Marissa Krey of Lutheran Services Carolinas covered the mechanics of making an advocacy visit. The 45 attendees then spent the afternoon meeting with elected officials and legislative staffers. Attendees, SJAM Task Force leaders and synod staff are pursuing follow-up conversations with legislators to provide additional information and strengthen their newly-formed relationships with policy makers. Special thanks are due ELCA congregations Holy Trinity and Good Shepherd, Raleigh and St. Paul’s, Durham for hosting the educational forum, providing hospitality, meals, and transportation assistance between venues.

Ohio

Nick Bates, Hunger Network in Ohio www.hungernetohio.com

STATE BUDGET: The state budget in Ohio is in full swing! We are excited to be working in coalition with people and organizations concerned about the hungry, the widow, and the orphan throughout Ohio to guarantee that our budget reflects our values. Budgets are moral documents and set the direction for Ohioans moving forward.

ADVOCACY DAY: Our first statewide advocacy day was April with members of the House of Representatives. We will convene again on May 14 to talk with state senators.

Governor DeWine’s budget proposal lays out a priority of caring for children. His proposal joined by the “Cupp-Patterson” plan to improve school funding in Ohio will go a long way toward investing in Ohio’s future. However, without improvements to Ohio’s revenue system, we will lack the resources needed to make the important investments into affordable housing, clean water, ending hunger, and opioid treatment. Read our takeaways from the governor’s budget proposal here.

THE STATE OF OHIO: Our close partners recently wrote a report about the state of Ohio and the barriers we face.

Read the entire report here.

Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy – Pennsylvania (LAMPa) lutheranadvocacypa.org

LAMPA SHARES ACTION ALERTS: Three advocacy alerts were shared with LAMPa constituents: public comment period (ended April 2) for SNAP time requirements; the 2020 Census Action Day, April 1; and General Assistance in Pennsylvania once again being threatened by HB 33.

ASHES TO GO SHARED AT CAPITOL: Staff offered prayers and imposition of ashes at the State Capitol on Ash Wednesday. Those receiving ashes expressed their sincere appreciation.

STAFF ACTIVITIES: Director Tracey DePasquale taught at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Lansdale, about the importance of the church’s voice in the public square in these divisive times. She also attended the Lower Susquehanna Synod Racial Justice Task Force meeting and participated in Civil Conversations Facilitators Training, sponsored by Interfaith Philadelphia.

DePasquale and program director Lynn Fry collected signatures from hunger ministries throughout the state for a letter to lawmakers in support of funding for the State Food Purchase Program and Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System. Staff recently attended the Keystone Research Center and Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center 2019 Budget Summit. Highlights included an overview of Governor Tom Wolf’s 2019-20 budget proposal and challenges facing Pennsylvania; a legislative panel discussion, and workshops on a variety of topics.

PLANNING CONTINUES FOR LUTHERAN DAYS IN THE CAPITAL: Sunday May 19 Come to the Welcome Table! Learn more.

Monday, May 20 — LAMPa’s traditional Lutheran Day of Advocacy — Set a Welcome Table! features keynote speaker Kathryn Lohre, assistant to the ELCA Presiding Bishop. Learn more and register.

Southeastern Synod

Hilton Austin, director www.elca-ses.org/advocacypolicycouncil

GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDS APRIL 2:

These are a few bills we supported that have already passed.

HB 346 Healthy Housing: This bill prohibits retaliatory eviction of tenants who complain to code enforcement about unsafe and unhealthy rental housing conditions.
HR 164 Dedication of State Revenue: This resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for the dedication of revenues derived from fees or taxes to the public purpose for which were imposed.
HB 514 Georgia Mental Health Reform and Innovation Commission: This bill creates a Mental Health Reform Commission which will perform a comprehensive review of the behavioral health system in the state.
HB 281 Crimes and offenses; pimping and pandering; increase penalty provisions: This bill increases the penalty provisions relating to pimping and pandering.

We successfully opposed SB 221: Religious Freedom Restoration Act

MISSISSIPPI: HB 571 This bill clarifies that a minor under the age of 18 cannot be charged with the crime of prostitution

TENNESSEE: Our Tennessee advocates continue to support full Medicaid expansion.

Virginia

Kim Bobo, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) virginiainterfaithcenter.org

VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY WRAP-UP: Now that the Virginia General Assembly has wrapped up, VICPP is heading around the state to discuss the outcomes of the 2019 session. We will share our big wins, challenges, and what we hope to work on in 2020. We would love to see you there – all are welcome!

Warrenton – April 1st, 5-6:30pm at St. James’ Episcopal Church

Fredericksburg – April 2nd, 3-4:30pm at Fredericksburg Baptist Church

James River/Newport News – April 3rd, 12-1:30pm at St. John’s Church of God in Christ

Charlottesville – April 4th, 6-7pm at Charlottesville Friends Meeting

Northern Virginia – April 7th, 4-6pm at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia

Northern Virginia – April 8th, 8:30-10:00am at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia

Harrisonburg – April 24th, 2-3:30pm at Muhlenberg Lutheran Church

Washington

Paul Benz, Faith Action Network (FAN) fanwa.org

LEGISLATIVE SESSION: The Washington state legislative session is moving quickly. The final day of session

Standing with our Muslim neighbors

is April 28. In these final four weeks, we are still pushing for many of our bills have finally entered into budget territory: this week both the House of Representatives and Senate have released their state budget proposals. This budget will fund essential programs and services for the next two years. The success of many of the things we have been fighting for all session is contingent on how the budget is formed. Some of the bills on our legislative agenda that we continue to advocate for are:

Keep Washington Working (SB 5497) which has been worked on for many years. It would separate state agencies such as local law enforcement from coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The final hurdle is a floor vote in the House.
Religious Zoning (HB 1377) which would give faith communities that seek to build affordable housing on their

Annual Interfaith Governor’s Meeting

property leverage with certain zoning laws. This bill needs a floor vote in the Senate.
FINI (HB 1587), or the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive, which would increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for those on SNAP. It has $2.5 million allocated in the House’s budget proposal and still needs to move through the Senate.
TANF Reform (HB 1603) which needs to move through Senate fiscal committees.
Eviction Reform (SB 5600) which would alleviate homelessness through less evictions. It is waiting for a floor vote in the House.

SOME BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:

Hunger Advocacy Fellow Sarah Vatne speaking at the Southwestern Washington ELCA Youth Gathering

Closing the loophole on capital gains taxes and instituting a 9.7 percent tax is in the House-proposed budget. This would increase state revenue by $1 billion each year.
Progressive reform of our Real Estate Excise Tax is also in the House Budget proposal. This would generate $200 million each biennium to support affordable housing.

EVENTS, VIGRILS, RETREATS, AND RALLIES: We have also had a busy month of events, vigils, meetings, retreats, and rallies. We stood in solidarity with our Muslim neighbors at vigils after the horrific attacks in New Zealand. We attended the ELCA Domestic Mission staff in Chicago for a retreat. We have joined in support at labor union rallies and contract negotiations. Hunger Advocacy Fellow Sarah Vatne was the speaker at the Southwestern Washington Synod ELCA Youth Gathering, talking with the youth on the importance of advocacy and using your voice and privilege. FAN co-directors Paul Benz and Elise DeGooyer joined leaders from many of the faith communities in our network at our annual Interfaith Governor’s Meeting. They joined Governor Jay Inslee to discuss our priorities this session as people of faith.

Wisconsin

Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) loppw.org

Women of the ELCA presidents from the East Central, Northwest, and South Central Wisconsin synods near the microphone.

ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING, SAFE HARBOR: Nine Women of the ELCA members, a friend of Women of the ELCA, LOPPW staff, and a volunteer registered in favor of a Safe Harbor bill. A repeated request was to not only support the bill, but bring it to the floor. We are the closest as we have been to getting the bill passed.

EDUCATING COMMERCIAL DRIVERS: Women of the ELCA was also present with LOPPW staff at a hearing for another bill, that would require commercial driving schools to include curriculum on recognizing the signs of human trafficking.

STATE BUDGET: We have been involved with a coalition that shares strategies in responding to the budget throughout the budget process. As part of another coalition, People of Faith United for Justice, we are organizing an advocacy day for April 11. LOPPW will lead a workshop on water and the state budget.

CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION- WISCONSIN CLIMATE TABLE: LOPPW was part of a two-day workshop on equity and deep de-carbonization to explore how equitable we are when advocating for ways to address climate change caused by humans.

LOPPW attended two informational hearings organized by the Speaker’s Task Force on Water Quality in Wisconsin and one public hearing on a bill related to water.

SYNOD EVENTS: Walking Together combined with a youth event in the Northwest Wisconsin Synod.

March Update: Advocacy Connections

from the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, director

FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FUNDING OUTCOMES: Congress has passed a budget compromise that includes spending levels for international affairs programs. These programs address food insecurity, poverty and other top international ELCA Advocacy priorities. Some programs focusing on poverty reduction saw a slight increase, e.g. global health programs and international disaster assistance.

YEMEN RESOLUTION IN CONGRESS: Last month the House passed a joint resolution calling for an end to U.S. military assistance to the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen. The legislation now heads to the Senate, where 51 votes are required for passage. ELCA Advocacy staff are monitoring the progress of the resolution, which could affect peace outcomes in the region.

JUST TRANSITION AND CLIMATE: ELCA Advocacy and the Franciscan Action Network are working with members of the Edison Electric Institute, which represents U.S. investor-owned electric utilities, to find areas of commonality in addressing the impact of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Together, the partnership is exploring two aspects of the problem—energy efficiency and just transition—and is trying to establish common definitions and principles for just transition. Faith-based organizations can complement the just transition process by addressing the social impact on communities where coal-fired plants have been closed in a manner that utility companies may not be equipped to help, as communities make the transition to a carbon-neutral resilient society where no one is left behind.

INTERNATIONAL GENDER JUSTICE: At the State of the Union Address, President Donald Trump announced a new initiative called Women’s Global Development and Prosperity, with the goal of advancing women’s full and free participation in the global economy. The initiative aims at building on programs that are already in existence. The initiative sets up $50 million fund for USAID to invest in new programs that will help women start their own businesses, overcome barriers to doing business, and find jobs. With the goal of reaching 50 million women by 2025; and requires interagency coordination among different agencies.

FROM THE ACTION CENTER – HUNGER DOESN’T WATCH A CLOCK: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed a rule that would put time limits on food benefits for unemployed and underemployed people who can’t document a designated number of weekly work hours or job training. People who cannot meet the documentation requirement would lose SNAP food assistance eligibility after three months, regardless of how hard they are trying to find work or acquire job skills. This would lead to increasing hunger in our communities. Shortly after the rule was posted last month, ELCA Advocacy responded with an Action Alert opposing it. Advocates have until April 2 to submit comments to the USDA through the Action Center at http://ELCA.org/advocacy/actioncenter .

ON THE CALENDAR – ECUMENICAL ADVOCACY DAYS: The annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days conference, gathering hundreds of faith-based advocates from across the country, will be held April 5-8 in Washington, D.C. Early-bird registration for the conference ends Friday, March 9, so interested attendees should apply soon! This year’s conference focuses on the theme “Trouble the Waters,” drawn from John 5:1-9, and calls on God to bring healing to our nation and world. Advocate meetings with Congress will focus on a range of issues, from expanding voter protections to increasing meaningful public participation to realizing social justice in our communities. ELCA Advocacy will host a reception during the conference for Lutheran attendees visiting the city. Additional information for Lutheran attendees will be shared before the conference begins.

Receive monthly Advocacy Connections directly by becoming part of the ELCA Advocacy network – http://elca.org/advocacy/signup , and learn more from elca.org/advocacy .

Shouting in the season of Lent

by Abbigail Hull, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow – Washington, D.C.

The courage of a middle school boy stayed with me after my first opportunity as an ELCA Hunger Fellow to facilitate faith advocacy training and lawmakers meetings for a Lutheran youth group visiting Washington, D.C. from Massachusetts. During one of those meetings, he forthrightly told a policy-maker that addressing educational disparities is necessary to eliminating hunger in our country. “Shout out, do not hold back!” Like the exclamation of Isaiah 58:1 which we hear on Ash Wednesday, this student was calling out the sinful inequalities of the world.

During this season of self-reflection, humility, of fasting, what does it mean when we hear the Lenten verse from Joel 2:12-17, “blow the trumpet of Zion…for the day of the Lord is near…sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people”?

When I initially think of fasting, I think of a personal spiritual practice – a personal decision and action that requires abstaining from some behavior. This can be a positive experience. However, when I view fasting in this way, I have the tendency to use it to punish myself for the things I do not like about myself. I often eat too much chocolate, for example, so no chocolate in Lent. This turns me inward and not outward to the world and my community.

This is not the fasting Isaiah is talking about when he proclaims:

Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Isaiah 58:6-7

I believe Isaiah is calling me and other Christians to turn outward – fast and repent from the injustices seen our community. He calls us to envision fasting as a tool for communal reflection and action to better align ourselves with our neighbors and with God’s vision for the world. It is an engagement of our hearts and bodies.

Last year, the ELCA participated in a campaign to #PrayFastAct with our Episcopalian siblings in solidarity with our hungry neighbors and in response to potential cuts in anti-poverty programs. When the pang of hunger is felt when fasting, we are reminded of the shared mortality of our human bodies. We are all from ashes and to ashes we shall return. We are also reminded that many of our neighbors have no choice in this fasting. We see the sinfulness of the world and are called to repent from the sinfulness in ourselves and our world.

In that solidarity, may we all have the same humble courage of that young man to gather together, shout out, and work toward justice in our society.

February Update: U.N. and State Edition

Lutheran Office for World Community, United Nations, New York, N.Y.

Dennis Frado, director

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF COMMEMORATION OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST: On January 28^th, the United Nations commemorated the Holocaust in the General Assembly Hall. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the President of the General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces addressed the international community, especially the Holocaust survivors and veterans of World War II, who attended the ceremony.

Inge Auerbacher shares her account of being a child survivor of the Teresienstadt concentration camp and ghetto during the Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony on the theme “Demand and Defend Your Human Rights”. (UN Photo/Loey Felipe)

They each stressed the necessity to speak out against antisemitism and to stand together with all nations. The victims of the recent Pittsburgh massacre at the synagogue “Tree of Life” were also commemorated.

Chargé d’affaires of the US mission to the UN, Jonathan R. Cohen, reminded the audience of the other genocides which happened and still happen around the world. He called people to action and to defend human rights around the world.

The Youth choir “P22 Chorus” performed the piece “Who am I?” with lyrics written by Inge Auerbacher. As a Holocaust survivor, Ms. Auerbacher stressed in the lyrics and in her testimony that all people are part of the human family. Marian Turski, also a Holocaust survivor, emphasized in his speech that the most important thing in life is compassion and empathy. These values have to come with a willingness to understand other people who differ from us.

During the ceremony Cantor Benny Rogosnitzky recited memorial prayers for those killed during Holocaust.

Sara J. Bloomfield, Director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, was the keynote speaker at the event and warned of the politicization of the Holocaust. “The unthinkable is always possible”, she said and asked the audience to think about their role in society.

Sandro de Bernhardin, Chair of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, described the work of that intergovernmental body, which is formally committed to Holocaust remembrance.

Find more information about the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme here

California

Regina Banks, Lutheran Office of Public Policy (LOPP-CA) loppca.org

LOPP-CA HAS A NEW DIRECTOR: The Policy Council of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy – CA is pleased to announce that Regina Q. Banks, JD has begun as LOPP-CA Director! She succeeds Mark Carlson whose successful tenure as Director sunsets January 31^st.

ADVOCATING FOR IMPOVERISHED CHILDREN: LOPP-CA acted with its partners in the Lifting Children and Families Out of Poverty Task Force in participating in the End Child Poverty in California Advocacy Day at the state capitol January 22nd. The event was very well received with over 90 legislator visits and a standing-room-only press conference with democratic state lawmakers. Over 40 organizations came together for the event to support the final report and recommendations of the task force. Among the recommendations are a welfare grant increase beyond the governor’s budget proposal and targeted child tax credit that would also function as a rental subsidy.

LUTHERAN LOBBY DAY PLANNED: LOPP-CA held its first policy council meeting of 2019 on February 2 at the Southwest California Synod offices in Glendale. Many new and exciting initiatives were planned and will be announced soon. But please mark your calendars now for Lutheran Lobby Day: Wednesday, May 29, 2019 in Sacramento. Issues discussed will include policy council issue priorities for 2019: Deep Childhood Poverty, Immigration and Water Justice.

Colorado

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–Colorado lam-co.org

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: We have been active on legislation introduced since the start of the session on January 4. Bills we support include:

House Bill 1013, Low Income Child Care Expenses Tax Credit, seeks to make permanent a state tax credit for

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser speaks at a press conference on January 31, 2019, to mark the implementation date for Proposition 111, which will cap payday loan interest rates at 36%. In November, Colorado voters approved Prop 111 by a 77-23% margin.

families who make less than $25,000 in annual income. Although the committee inserted an 8-year sunset, we continue to support the bill. It passed Finance 10-1.

House Bill 1025, Limits on Job Applicant Criminal History, would prevent employers from asking if an applicant has a criminal record on an initial job application. Formerly incarcerated persons and advocates shared stories during testimony, and the bill passed Judiciary 8-3.

In addition, we are monitoring bills related to investigating a state health insurance option, exemptions from wage garnishment for medical debt, and rental application fees. Many other bills on which we expect to take positions are yet to be introduced. This year’s legislative session will continue through May 3.

DAY AT THE CAPITOL: We invite all Coloradans and people of faith to join us at the State Capitol for Lutheran Day on February 21! Meet your legislators and get the inside scoop on what’s going on under the gold dome. Register now at lam-co.org.

CONGREGATIONAL VISITS: Thanks to the good people of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Boulder, and Nativity Lutheran Church, Commerce City, for hosting visits from LAM-CO Director Peter Severson in January!

Minnesota

Tammy Walhof, Lutheran Advocacy–Minnesota www.lutheranadvocacymn.org

HOMES FOR ALL: Lutheran Advocacy-MN (LA-MN) continues to be deeply engaged in the Homes for All

Tammy speaking with Rep. Hausman at H4A Legislative Kickoff

Coalition (H4A), since high housing costs and lack of affordable housing are primary causes of hunger. The coalition includes 215+ endorsing organizations. We are part of smaller group that work on the nuts and bolts of the legislative agenda. Tammy Walhof (LA-MN Director) meets 1-3x/week with the H4A Policy Team to discuss strategy, while Amy Shebeck (our Communication/Administration Coordinator) meets regularly with the H4A Communications Team and manages coalition social media.

On January 17, H4A held a Legislative Kickoff which included awards for House and Senate Housing Champions. H4A presented our ambitious agenda to the Housing Finance & Policy Division, chaired by Rep. Alice Hausman, and held a press conference with Rep. Hausmann (DFL) and Sen. Carla Nelson (R). Check our website for links to the H4A agenda, 1-pagers, & updates, as well as our LA-MN sample letter to legislators.

CREATION CARE: Check out Green Tips on our Facebook page every Friday! (Thanks for providing that great information Laura Raedeke, Nisswa). At the legislature, the Energy & Climate Division (committee) have been holding hearings 2x/week to lay the groundwork and educate for upcoming legislation. We’re working closely with partners and legislators on various clean energy ideas – Your action will be needed soon!

Upcoming events that LA-MN helps sponsor:

Feb. 7 – Day on the Hill with JRLC (Joint Religious Legislative Coalition)
March 13 – Clean Energy & Climate Action Day at the Capitol

Please watch Facebook & our website for action & updates!

North Carolina

GeoRene Jones, North Carolina Synod Social Justice & Advocacy Ministries (SJAM)

Lutherans will gather on March 26 to at the NC Legislative Building in Raleigh to advocate with elected officials for affordable housing.

LUTHERANS AT THE LEGISLATURE, MARCH 26, 2019: Beginning with a Prayer Breakfast hosted by Rev. Dr. Timothy M. Smith, Bishop of the NC Synod, ELCA Lutherans will spend a day engaged in advocacy efforts with legislators. The event will focus on affordable housing, an issue magnified by the recent hurricanes along North Carolina’s coast last fall. After Hurricane Florence, FEMA identified this state’s absence of affordable housing as a major impediment to long-term recovery after disaster.

Members of our Social Justice & Advocacy Team are engaged with several agencies to develop education and talking points for attendees at the education session at Holy Trinity (Raleigh) during the morning. Good Shepherd (Raleigh) will provide multi-passenger vehicle transport from Holy Trinity to the Legislative Building for afternoon visits with legislators and their staffers. Educational partners include the North Carolina Housing Coalition, the North Carolina Coalition for Homelessness.

Participants will return to Holy Trinity for debriefing and collaboration about what’s next. Plans include participation in North Carolina’s annual conference for providers of services to the homeless, May 21-22. This year’s theme is, Bringing It Home: Ending Homelessness in 2019.

New Mexico

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry- New Mexico (LAM-NM) lutheranadvocacynm.org

2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION: The 2019 session of the New Mexico legislature convened on January 15 at noon

LAM-NM Director, Ruth Hoffman, with Rep. Abbas Akhil

in Santa Fe. LAM-NM is hard at work in support of the issues on our 2019 Advocacy Agenda. Legislation enacting an increase in the state minimum wage to $12, improving the state TANF program, and providing significant funding increases for early childhood education have already passed their first committees. LAM-NM continues to focus its work on issues related to poverty and hunger.

The NM House of Representatives membership of seventy includes twenty freshman, including the first ever Muslim-American representative, Abbas Akhil, from Albuquerque. Currently, the majority of the New Mexico House are people of color.

Bill sponsors listen to advocates’ testimony, including LAM-NM Director Ruth Hoffman, in support of significant funding increases for early childhood education.

Workers from Somos un Pueblo Unido and El Centro appear with HB31 sponsors, Rep. Joanne Ferrary and Rep. Miguel Garcia, in support of increasing the state minimum wage.

Southeastern Synod

Hilton Austin, Director

4TH ANNUAL SOUTHEASTERN SYNOD ADVOCACY GATHERING: While watching three legislatures during the month and communicating to our advocates, we have been preparing for our Annual Advocacy Gathering at St John’s Atlanta on Fegruary 2, Super Bowl weekend; and it is in Atlanta; and there is no room at the inn. We have managed to find host families for the people traveling from other states.

Our theme this year is ‘Walking Wet’

Walking Wet is all about whom God has called us to be as He claims us in the waters of baptism. Walking Wet means we know where we belong and to whom we belong.

Walking Wet is to know without a doubt that through the waters of baptism, God promises to always love us, to forgive us, to support us, and to always be by our side.

Walking Wet is about confidence and trust.

Walking Wet implies we are part of a large group, brothers and sisters in Christ.

Walking Wet gives us a new perspective from which to love and serve our neighbor.

Four years ago, five of us, including Bishop Gordy, met to talk about creating a Georgia Public Policy Office in Atlanta. We had a call; and we had a vision.

Looking back, I guess you might say, we had a small vision.

God was doing a new thing and His Vision was much grander than we could perceive.

Over the past four years, thanks to you, our advocacy partners, and God’s ever present guidance, we have changed the lives of many people in Georgia by advocating for value-based Public Policies in Criminal Justice Reform, Human Trafficking laws. We successfully opposed anti-refugee legislation. We’ve marched to protest Stewart County Detention Center and we’ve marched at the Nation’s Capital. We have been present numerous times at the Tennessee Capital. Some have even been arrested. We’ve called more attention to Care for Creation. Last year, we had the most success with 9 out of 10 bills passed and 1 successfully opposed. At the same time, we began to organize our advocacy in Alabama and Mississippi.

God is good!

Ohio

Nick Bates, The Hunger Network Ohio (HNO) www.hungernetohio.com

WE ARE NOT BARGAINING CHIPS: The Hunger Network was pleased to join with our friends at the United Methodist Church for all People in Columbus to participate in a ‘Shutdown Townhall’. With coverage by local media, members of the community share stories about the role SNAP, housing assistance, treatment programs, and other public services play in their lives. Director Nick Bates framed the stories for legislators and the media with an overview of the policy details of what is going on. SNAP benefits were released early, and local food pantries remain concerned that the changes will disrupt household budgets and increase the strain on pantries.

TRI-SYNOD LEADERS RETREAT: HNO was excited to attend the tri-Synod Professional Leaders retreat at Sawmill Resort in Huron, Ohio. We appreciate the number of people who stopped by our table to say hi, take an advocacy guidebook, or sign a postcard! If you didn’t get a chance to stop by our table or connect with YOUR state public policy office, send us an email at Nick@hungernetohio.com .

THE BUDGET IS COMING! THE BUDGET IS COMING!: Be on the lookout for opportunities to learn and engage on Ohio’s next budget, because our state budget is a moral document. From school funding, investments in children, drug treatment and much more will be topics of conversation. Our legislators will have an opportunity to invest in Ohio’s future and strengthen our state. As people of faith, we have an opportunity to support smart investments that will build a stronger Ohio for families.

Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy – Pennsylvania (LAMPa) lutheranadvocacypa.org

LAMPA HELPS LAUNCH ANTI-TRAFFFICKING BILLS: LAMPa staff joined Rep. Seth Grove, R-York, and Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill, R-York, as they announced their intent to introduce legislation to increase fines and prison sentences for criminals convicted of human trafficking. Read more.

LEGISLATORS LEARN ABOUT HUNGER: Alongside PA Hunger Free Coalition colleagues, LAMPa staff participated in a Legislative Lunch and Learn at the State Capitol on February 4. More than 100 legislators and staff participated in the interactive educational hunger stations and enjoyed a lunch as is served in the child nutrition summer feeding program.

LIVING LUTHERAN FEATURES ANTI-TRAFFICKING ARTICLE: The work of Pennsylvania Lutheran advocates to secure legislation to protect child sex trafficking victims was featured in the February issue of Living Lutheran. The passage of “Safe Harbor” in the fall of 2018 was a huge victory for victims and advocates who worked on this bill for many years.

STAFF MEETS WITH INTERIM SEMINARY PRESIDENT: Tracey and Lynn recently met with United Lutheran Seminary Interim President Dr. Richard Green. They discussed additional ways LAMPa and the seminary community can continue to grow in relationship.

LUTHERAN DAYS IN THE CAPITAL FEATURE INTERFAITH ACTIVITIES: On May 20, LAMPa’s Lutheran Day of Advocacy focuses on the theme “Set A Welcome Table.” Featured speaker is ELCA Executive for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations Kathryn Lohre. LAMPa joins interfaith partners, May 19 for service and learning, including a blessing of waters, service projects, arts performances and a community meal, concluding with teaching and preparation for advocacy on climate change.

Virginia

Kim Bobo, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) virginiainterfaithcenter.org

January was a busy month for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy because Virginia’s state General Assembly began on January 9th! VICPP is working on over 30 pieces of legislation this year. These bills include:

removing the Jim Crow language from Virginia’s Minimum Wage Act

Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax addresses VICPP advocates during the Day for All People
removing the exemption for piece work from the minimum wage
cover all workers under the minimum wage, regardless of the size of the business
providing paystubs to all workers
protecting workers against retaliation for filing a wage complaint
let workers take their wage complaints to court
create a driver’s privilege card for immigrants
establish in-state tuition for all Virginian students, regardless of immigration status
codifying the Governor’s Advisory Council on Environmental Justice
safe closure of coal ash ponds
increase access to clean solar energy for homes, congregations, and communities
end the suspension of driver’s licenses for nonpayment of fines and fees
raise the minimum wage

constituents meeting with Sen. Glen Sturtevant (R- Richmond City) at VICPP’s Day for All People
decriminalize disorderly conduct in schools
reducing evictions
making Virginia’s Earned Income Credit refundable, like it is at the federal level

Hopefully, when the session ends on February 23, 2019, at least a handful of those bills will pass the legislature and will be sent to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.

VICPP also hosted our annual Day for All People Lobby Day on January 22nd. Over 250 people came to Richmond to learn about VICPP’s priority issues, meet with their legislators, and hear from Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax. You can see more pictures here.

Washington

Paul Benz, Faith Action Network (FAN) fanwa.org

LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS: Our 2019 Washington State Legislative Session officially began on January 14! Close to 30 new legislators were sworn in. They represent the greatest diversity we’ve had at the state level, including two new firsts: Rep. Debra Lekanoff, the first Native American woman in the House; and Rep. My-Linh Thai, the first refugee state legislator. After just the first week, the legislature introduced 408 bills in the House and 461 bills in the Senate! This has kept us very busy keeping up with bills. If you are interested in where the bills on our legislative agenda are in the legislature, check out the bill tracker on our website that we update regularly.

INTERFAITH ADVOCACY DAYS: We are in the midst of our three yearly Interfaith Advocacy Days. These opportunities allow us to share with our elected leaders our voices of compassion and justice. These events include workshops on FAN’s 2019 Legislative Agenda, advocacy tools, and planning meetings with legislative districts. In Olympia, at our State Capitol Campus, attendees also meet with legislators. We are looking forward to our Advocacy Day in Yakima on February 9, and our Olympia Advocacy Day on February 14.

On January 26 we held our Eastern Washington Legislative Advocacy Day in Spokane. Over 120 advocates joined us from the eastern side of the state to learn and work together. There were times of worship and prayer, sharing meals together, learning about ways to get involved, and workshops on legislative priorities. Paul led a workshop on Health Care and Nutrition priorities, and other workshops included bills on tax reform, the environment, affordable housing, gun safety, and immigration. Pictured is a panel of faith leaders and Paul discussing FAN’s legislative priorities.

As we are busy preparing for our other advocacy days, Paul also attended the Statewide Ecumenical Executives Annual Meeting in Houston in early January.

Wisconsin

Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) loppw.org

ANTI-SEX TRAFFICKING RALLY: We held a rally on a freezing cold day in between a major snowstorm and polar vortex. We are thankful to Bishop Jim Arends of the La Crosse Area Synod; Jan Miyazaki, JD, of Project Respect in Madison, Morgan Meadows, M.Ed., survivor and educator of Door County, Representative Jodi Emerson of Eau Claire, and Bishop Viviane Thomas-Breitfeld of the South-Central Synod for their words of wisdom and inspiration. The Safe Harbor bill has gone from being on the back burner to being passed out of committee in both houses. We want to make a final push to pass it this legislative session. We were covered in an article in the Cap Times.

Video of the event.

Hunger Fellow Kelsey Johnson took major leadership in co-organizing the rally and arranged all of the legislative visits. As a result of her contacts, she was invited to meet with a legislative staff on a separate day. One of the several highlights was that a participant from the Green Bay area influenced her representative, the Republican majority leader, to co-sponsor the bill.

CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION: LOPPW staff participated in a day long Wisconsin Climate Table meeting, where we heard from the new Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes about the governor’s agenda related to climate change. LOPPW staff suggested forming a committee to explore actions the new governor can take with executive orders to protect the environment.

January Update: State Edition

California

Mark Carlson, Lutheran Office of Public Policy loppca.org

Mark Carlson and Regina Banks

A NEW DIRECTOR: The Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California is delighted to announce the appointment of a new director, Ms. Regina Banks, J. D. Her background includes work as a legislative staffer and work in a legal clinic. She is an alumna of Valparaiso University Law School. Regina replaces Mark Carlson, who served in various capacities in the office since its founding in 1984.

Faith Leaders with Governor Newsom

A NEW GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE: Following holiday recess, the 2019-2020 session of the California Legislature reconvened January 7, Inauguration Day for Governor Gavin Newsom. The day started with a Unity Service hosted at St. John’s Lutheran Church, home of LOPP-CA, and organized by the San Francisco Interfaith Council. Gov. and First Partner Jennifer Seibel Newsom, parents of four children, bring fresh energy, a new generation of leaders, and, among other priorities, a renewed focus on early childhood education and health.

A SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY: The 30^th Anniversary of the Cleveland School Shooting in Stockton, adjacent to then-Faith Lutheran Church, was observed at the Stockton Civic Auditorium on January 17. Pastor Alan Field, present at Faith at the time of the shooting, traveled from Tucson to participate. Five elementary-age students were killed, and nearly 30 students (including a member of Faith Lutheran; others were mostly from Southeast Asian refugee families) and a teacher were wounded, by a troubled young man with encounters from childhood to young adulthood with child welfare, juvenile justice, alcohol and drug, and mental health services. The incident was the primary catalyst for the ELCA Social Message on Community Violence.

Colorado

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – Colorado lam-co.org

2019 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA: Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado has published its 2019 legislative agenda. You can read our agenda at www.lam-co.org. Our top-line goals are to ensure that people living in poverty can meet basic needs while addressing systemic issues that prevent people from earning a self- or family-sustaining income, with heightened concern for people disproportionately impacted by policy change in these areas. Below are several major issues we anticipate addressing:

ENDING THE DEATH PENALTY: We support the abolition of capital punishment in Colorado and anticipate advancing this issue in 2019.

SCHOOL LUNCHES: We will seek to expand the reduced price lunch co-pay through high school. This will build on our work in 2018, when we successfully expanded the co-pay from grade 5 up through grade 8.

CLEAN SLATE: Too many Coloradans experience unstable employment and housing situations because of a criminal record. We will support legislation to automatically seal the records of those with charges that did not result in a conviction after 60 days, as well as non-violent drug misdemeanors after 7 years. These offenses are already eligible for sealing under Colorado law, but an individual must undertake the costly and time-consuming petition process themselves.

In addition, we anticipate work on paid family leave, local control over raising minimum wage, source of income discrimination and warranty of habitability for housing. The Colorado General Assembly convenes on January 4, 2019, and will meet for 120 days.

Minnesota

Tammy Walhof, Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota www.lutheranadvocacymn.org

NOTE: Lutheran Advocacy-MN’s advocacy priorities were provided previously. Please check our website for details!

NEW ADMINISTRATION & LEGISLATIVE SESSION: Gov. Tim Walz and his Lieutenant Governor, Peggy Flanagan, took the oath of office January 7. The Walz-Flanagan administration is a reflection of their “One Minnesota” campaign theme. Nearly 20% of new department commissioners live in Greater Minnesota, and 50% grew up there. More than 20% are people of color, and women commissioners exceed 50%. [Learn about commissioners] On January 8, the 2019-2010 legislative biennium began. Democrats have taken leadership of the House of Representatives while Republicans retain control of the Senate.

CITIZEN ADVOCACY: Nothing is as effective as citizen advocacy! It is an easier than many people realize, and LA-MN staff are ready to help you set up meetings, supply you with talking points, help prep you for legislator conversations, and supply samples for letter campaigns. LA-MN Director, Tammy Walhof, is also willing to meet with church or synod committees, speak for adult forums or worship, provide workshops, and facilitate activities with youth groups. LA-MN wants to help you (and your congregation) live your faith in the public square!

Important committees for LA-MN’s affordable housing & energy work are:

House

Housing Finance & Policy Division chaired by Rep. Alice Hausman

Health & Human Services Finance Division chaired by Rep. Tina Liebling

Health & Human Services Policy Division chaired by Rep. Rena Moran

Energy & Climate Finance & Policy Division chaired by Rep. Jean Wagenius

Senate

Agriculture, Rural Development & Housing Finance Committee chaired by Sen. Torrey Westrom

Agriculture, Rural Development & Housing Policy Committee chaired by Sen. Bill Weber

Health & Human Services Finance & Policy Committee chaired by Sen. Michelle Benson

Energy & Utilities Finance & Policy Committee chaired by Sen. David Osmek

*(If bonding bills occur in the first year of the biennium, the Capitol Investment Committees will also be important. Usually, bonding occurs in the second year of each biennium)

New Mexico

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – New Mexico lutheranadvocacynm.org

2019 ADVOCACY AGENDA SUMMARY: The LAM-NM Advocacy Agenda is adopted each fall by the LAM-NM Policy Committee. Since our beginnings, our Advocacy Agenda has focused primarily on alleviating poverty and hunger because New Mexico ranks among the states with the highest rates of poverty and hunger. Below is a summary and here is link to our full 2019 Advocacy Agenda document.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS:

Support for the state Housing Trust Fund
Funding for programs that assist people experiencing homelessness

FAMILY-SUSTAINING INCOME:

Policies & programs that assist people living in poverty to work toward family-sustaining income

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
Quality early childhood programs & childcare assistance
Raising the state minimum wage with inflation adjustments
Right of workers to organize & bargain collectively
Restricting predatory lending
Paid sick and family leave

HEALTHCARE:

Outreach & enrollment of those eligible for Medicaid or the NM Health Insurance Exchange
Increasing the number of people with health coverage by working toward a Medicaid Buy-in program
Creation of the mid-level profession of dental therapist to increase access to dental care
Increase funding for the DD (Developmental Disabilities) Waiver

HUNGER:

Increasing funding for the state SNAP supplement program & removing barriers to SNAP enrollment
Efforts to close New Mexico’s food gap & funding for food banks

TAX POLICY:

Tax policy that is fair and provides stable, sustainable & adequate revenue to meet the needs of the our state, particularly the most vulnerable
Effective oversight & review of state tax credits, exemptions & incentives

CRIMINAL JUSTICE:

Ending solitary confinement for juveniles and people with serious mental illness in prisons, jails & detention centers; restricting the use of solitary confinement for the general population in prisons, jails and detention centers
Working against efforts to reinstate the death penalty
Supporting efforts to “Ban the Box” on initial employment applications so that felony convictions are not used to screen out applicants

Note: The LAM-NM Policy Committee may add issues as opportunities might arise.

NORTH CAROLINA

Deacon GeoRene Jones, NC Synod Social Justice and Advocacy Ministries (SJAM)

NC Synod SJAM policy priorities for 2019 are affordable housing, immigration, voting rights, and gun violence.

The NC Governor’s Crime Commission Special Committee for School Safety, specifically tasked with identifying resources and developing recommendations to strengthen school safety, graciously received from the ELCA Social Statement “Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor” (2003) and 2016 Churchwide Assembly’s Resolution, “Gun Violence Prevention.”

The Synod’s Legislative Advocacy Day, March 26, 2019, will begin with a Prayer Breakfast at the State Legislative Building. The day will include education workshops for participants and culminate in visits with State Legislators and their policy staff members.

The ‘A-Team’ (“A”=Advocacy) of Christ the King of Cary, NC meets with SJAM Convener Michael Jones, and Deacon GeoRene Jones and, to review the congregation’s peace and justice ministries. Says Pastor Wolfgang Herz–Lane, “[We are] so excited about how our congregation is working for the sake of the world.

Pastors Carol and Greg Yeager are leading the task force to host an ELCA/SJAM Tent at the 2019 Wild Goose Festival July 11-14, in Hot Springs, NC. The annual 4-day event is a Spirit, Justice, Music, and Arts Festival, providing a space for those who want to connect faith, justice, and energy for fresh expressions of Christianity.

Ohio

Nick Bates, The Hunger Network in Ohio www.hungernetohio.com

As we ring in the New Year, Ohio’s public policy office is excited to get back to advocating to end hunger by addressing the root causes of poverty!

WHAT DO WE EXPECT?

Governor-elect DeWine is well known for his passion around children’s well-being. Since November, HNO – along with coalition partners – has been trying to understand his priorities and how we can collaborate to invest in Ohio’s future. We anticipate a lot of dialogue over the next 12 months about our child welfare system, the opioid crisis, and school funding. “We just need a lot more money invested to solve Ohio’s biggest problems,” Deacon Nick Bates, director of HNO. We look forward to working with the Ohio Legislature in crafting a two year state budget that reflects our values as a state.

HNO will continue to push legislators to re-think how we use TANF dollars in Ohio. Currently Ohio has a $500million surplus of TANF dollars that could go a long way in helping families struggling to get by. We will also continue to fight for common sense criminal justice reforms that treat addiction as a healthcare issue and not a criminal justice issue.

HNO will also join in coalition with others protect Medicaid. Many members of the Ohio House and Ohio Senate are upset that outgoing Governor John Kasich expanded healthcare access through Obamacare to an additional 700,000 Ohioans. With a new Governor, fears remain that these hardworking families may lose their health coverage.

Our work in 2019 will continue to build up and educate our congregations so that they can advocate on the issues most important to them – including human trafficking, the environment, diversity, and much more.

We don’t do this work alone. We appreciate local congregations, communities, and partner organizations. As the body of Christ, we all have different talents and we look forward to working with all of you in 2019!

Please sign up on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hungernetworkohio or online at www.hungernetohio.com

Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy – Pennsylvania lutheranadvocacypa.org

In December, LAMPa received a ceremonial signing pen, certificate and copy of signed Safe Harbor Bill. Photo credit: Bishop Kurt Kusserow

POLICY COUNCIL SETS 2019 PRIORITIES: LAMPa Policy Council met in December to set their agenda priorities for the upcoming term of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Following a thoughtful, engaging and lengthy conversation among those present the following priorities were identified: Hunger; Creation Care; Poverty; and the 2020 Census.

Hunger continues to be a central focus of LAMPa as everyone acknowledges the intersections between hunger, health, housing and poverty. LAMPa, along with synods and congregations, ELCA Advocacy, and partners will continue to provide education, resource development and advocacy on how to get fresh foods to local communities. LAMPa will continue to advocate for additional funds in the upcoming Pennsylvania state budget for the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) and the Pennsylvania Agriculture Surplus System (PASS).

Creation Care was deemed an additional priority for the coming year, as we seek to protect all of creation, especially the most vulnerable. LAMPa will work to promote emissions standards to mitigate climate change, including equipping congregations to make sound choices regarding their own practices, such as energy consumption.

To learn more about LAMPa’s 2019 priorities click here.

LAMPA ADVOCATES SHARE TESTIMONY: LAMPa advocates submitted testimony on proposed methane regulations for oil and natural gas operations in Pennsylvania at a hearing Dec. 13. LAMPa is encouraging its creation care network to continue writing letters in support of strong curbs on this contributor to climate change.

Southeastern Synod

Hilton Austin, Director

2019 PRIORITIES: It is really too early to determine the legislation we will be addressing. We will continue to watch legislation in our 4 state synod; our priorities remain to be Human Trafficking, Criminal Justice Reform, Immigration and Detention, Care for Creation, Education funding, Hunger, and Medicare Expansion. We know that Medicaid Expansion will be an issue in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Legislative sessions begin January 8^th in Mississippi and Tennessee, January 14^th in Georgia, and March 5^th in Alabama. By our 4^th Annual Advocacy gathering on Feruary 2, 2019, we should have a pretty good idea what legislation we will be supporting or opposing.

POLICY COUNCIL: Three members of our Policy Council have rotated off; and new members have joined the team. Fresh eyes are always beneficial. Our Policy Council meets via Zoom once a month to help maintain communication between the 4 states. Members of the Policy Council are taking responsibility to engage and mobilize people within each state. We are also checking with colleges to find an intern in each state to track legislation and communicate to the Policy Council. It has also been determined that we should re-focus on our Ready Benches; this is where we began and was very successful.

HUNGER FELLOW: Jordan has been a great addition. Jordan continues to meet with congregations, work with the Policy Council, develop brochures, and develop new advocacy partners in Tennessee and Georgia. He has a great passion for being present in the community. Jordan is currently tracking legislation as we move toward the legislative session and helping coordinate our annual advocacy gathering.

MLK DAY OF SERVICE: We are cosponsoring MLK Day of Service with Lutheran Services of Georgia. The day will kick off with exciting, intergenerational and interactive learning for all: Children’s Activities (grades K-5) will feature learning about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fearless Dialogues will feature learning for Youth (middle and high school) and adults. Following Fearless Dialogues, SES Advocacy will have a station setup for letter writing concerning current state and national legislation.

Washington

Paul Benz, Faith Action Network fanwa.org

CONGRESSIONAL BIPARTISAN VICTORIES- FARM BILL AND THE FIRST STEP ACT: We are excited about the recent bipartisan Congressional victories. FAN and our advocates have been pushing for a good Farm Bill that protects SNAP, and a comprehensive criminal justice reform bill that not only addresses lowering recidivism, but also reduces the number of folks incarcerated in the first place. The passage of the Farm Bill and the First Step Act are encouraging.

INTERIM MEETINGS:As we are approaching the beginning of Washington State’s legislative session, Co-Director Paul Benz has been having interim meetings with elected officials. For many of the meetings, some of FAN’s advocates have been able to join as well. This is a good time to discuss with their senators and representatives what they would like to see happen during session. Pictured are Paul and advocates from Washington’s 38^th district with Representative Mike Sells at Trinity Episcopal Church.

LEGISLATIVE SESSION/FAN AGENDA: Legislative Session begins on Monday, January 14^th. This is a longer session in which we will set the biennial budget. FAN has been working on our legislative agenda, and our priorities for session. We have six different policy areas on our agenda, which include bills on advocating for a biennial budget that protects the poor and vulnerable, restoring justice in our criminal justice system, funding housing for all, caring for creation, protecting immigrant families and civil rights, and ensuring healthcare and mental health for all. If you are interested in taking a closer look at our agenda, you can find it on our website at http://fanwa.org/legislative-agenda/.

IFAD: One of our biggest events of the year is Interfaith Advocacy Day. On February 14^th, we will have hundreds of advocates join us at the State Capitol to participate in workshops on advocacy and policy, and meet with their elected officials about FAN’s legislative priorities. We are just starting to prepare for this enormous event.

Lutherans in the 116th Congress

by Andrew Fuller, Advocacy Coordinator

The start of the 116^th Congress begins this week. As five new Lutheran lawmakers are sworn in to the U.S. House of Representatives, check out some of the Lutheran legislators who will serve our country in this new Congress.

Both incumbent ELCA Lutherans who ran for re-election to the U.S. Senate, Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, successfully won their respective races in November. They will rejoin their other Lutheran Senate colleagues when the new Congress starts in January 2019, including ELCA members Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; as well as Wisconsin Evangelical Luthe ran Synod (WELS) member Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.; and The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) member Cory Gardner, R-Colo.

Five new Lutheran-affiliated members will be joining the U.S. House of Representatives this year., Lutheran colleagues now include Rep. David Trone, D-Md.; Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn.; Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D.; Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, D-N.M.; and LCMS member Rep. Jim Hagedorn, R-Minn. Two incumbent Lutheran members did not win their bides for re-election this year: self-described Lutheran member Rep. David Young, R-Iowa; and LCMS member Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn.

Incumbent ELCA House of Representatives members who won re-election and will continue serving in the 116th Congress include Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif.; Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif.; Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine; Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn.; Rep. Stacey E. Plaskett, D-U.S. Virgin Islands; Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa..; Rep. John Carter, R-Texas; and Rep. Denny Heck, D-Wash. Re-elected LCMS representatives include Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill.; Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Ind.; and Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis. WELS member Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., also will rejoin the House. Other self-described Lutherans re-elected to the House are Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich.; and Rep. Donald Norcross, D-N.J.

Special Mention:

Four Lutheran members did not seek re-election last November, including ELCA Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa.; Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn.; Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn.; and LCMS member Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash. Among those not seeking re-election, former Congressman Tim Walz won the gubernatorial race in Minnesota and will be joining the state house at the start of 2019. We are grateful for their leadership in Congress and look forward to engaging with them in the future!
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Get a jump start on building relationships with your lawmakers with ideas from an interfaith guide, “Make Sure Your Member of Congress Knows You!”

A different side of Washington

by the Rev. Amy E. Reumann

Today the 116th Congress is sworn in to serve our nation.

Before members get down to the business of government, many mark the opening of a new Congress with a bipartisan and interfaith prayer service at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Capitol Hill. This tradition shows a different side of Washington, reflecting the rich pluralism of our elected representatives and their respective faith traditions. The bipartisan spirit was evident as Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., teamed up to lead the music and congregational singing of “Here I Am, Lord” and “Prayer of St. Francis.” They joked that they hadn’t practiced and needed us all to sing loudly to cover any mistakes.

This year, current and new members shared readings that expressed yearning for wisdom in their leadership and for their service to be a blessing to others. Selections included the Old and New Testaments (Genesis 12, Psalm 33:12-22 and James 3:13, 16-18), the Bhagavad-Gita, an Islamic Prayer, a hymn by Edna Dow Cheney and a reading from Thomas Merton. The Chaplain of the House of Representatives, the Rev. Patrick J. Conroy, S.J., encouraged new members as they leave their former positions and “start over as freshmen.” To seasoned members, he counseled that they continue to serve with honor and faithfulness. Prayer petitions were offered by members, lifting to God the work of government, the Supreme Court and work of justice, Armed Forces and veterans, and people who are displaced or facing difficulty or struggles.

As I left the church, I overheard someone joke, “We’ll see how long this bipartisan spirit lasts. I’ll give it two hours.” Yet this moment, though fleeting, encourages me as a new Congress commences. It represents a hope that when we come together in our diversity to pray together, to sing and to hear one another’s faith testimony, bonds of understanding and community are built.

Cooperation and communication across partisan lines are more common than is reported. Shared work together built on faith commitments to justice, equity and compassion doesn’t make headlines, but it can and does open doors for compromise on issues we care about. This morning’s service and prayer prepared a foundation for the work of the 116th Congress.

December Advocacy Update

ELCA Advocacy Office, Washington, D.C.

The Rev. Amy Reumann, director ELCA.org/advocacy

DECEMBER 21, PRAY. FAST. ACT: As we near the end of the year, we recognize the final month of our shared #PrayFastAct campaign with The Episcopal Church. Over the course of the last two years, we have been grateful for our shared ecumenical partnership, focusing on the ways systemic change can make a meaningful difference for those of us struggling with poverty.

Focusing on a different theme each month (from hunger, health, community, shelter, and much more), the #PrayFastAct campaign stemmed from the recognition that effective approaches to poverty address the needs of the whole human person. Taking a small amount of time out of our busy schedules each month to pray, fast and act may seem like a small step; but in routine action it can serve as a transformative tool to ensure our neighbors do not fall through the cracks when times are hard. Through the end of this month, we hope you have a chance to review the current alerts found at ELCA Action Center and ELCA.org/prayfastact that address many of those needs today.

We act out of the conviction that the status quo has not been effective enough for many of us in need, and that conviction continues. Look forward to an upcoming video later this month to see a full review of our campaign, and what steps are ahead for 2019.

HIV AND AIDS PROGRAMS EXTENDED: Congress has finally passed legislation to reauthorize the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a U.S. government global health initiative that works to combat HIV and AIDS. We expect the president will sign the bill.

The legislation extends the PEPFAR mandate for five years
PEPFAR is the largest global health program devoted to a single disease.
Today PEPFAR supports 14 million people around the world by providing care and lifesaving HIV treatment.

ELCA Advocacy shared an action alert in support of funding for PEPFAR and other federal programs that work to address global health concerns. Interested advocates can customize a letter of their support to lawmakers from the ELCA Action Center at http://elca.org/advocacy/ActionCenter.

STATEMENT ON ASYLUM POLICIES: ELCA Advocacy shared an interfaith pledge to stand with people seeking asylum, following the announcement that the White House would be taking steps to prevent asylum seekers entering the U.S. between ports of entry from protection. The ELCA firmly stands against policies that restrict anyone’s legal right to seek asylum.

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton commented, “As a church, we cannot remain silent as our asylum laws are unilaterally changed and our nation’s door is shut to people fleeing dire humanitarian situations. From our companion churches in Central America, our church knows many people leave to escape grinding poverty, violence or persecution and to seek a better life for their children.” Advocates can take action and join the pledge here.

ELCA AT THE UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CONFERENCE: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), climate change conference (COP 24) is being held in Katowice, Poland from Dec. 3 -14. The international parties are tasked with negotiating the terms of the rulebook for implementation of the Paris Agreement. Although the ELCA has previously participated in the COP conference, this year we attend with our own accreditation for the first time, with participants from ELCA Advocacy, ELCA Global Mission and ELCA Young Adults. ELCA Advocacy has been actively preparing for this conference by working with other faith-based groups and non-governmental organizations.

Lutheran Office for World Community, United Nations, New York, N.Y.

Dennis Frado, director

LEADERS OF THREE CHURCHES RAISE GRAVE CONCERN ON DECISION TO HALT FURTHER U.S. HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO HOSPITALS IN EAST JERUSALEM: Leaders of three U.S. church groups including ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, issued a statement in early November raising “grave concern” about the Trump administration’s decision to halt further U.S. humanitarian assistance to hospitals in East Jerusalem, including Augusta Victoria Hospital, which is operated by the Lutheran World Federation. Leaders from The ELCA, The Episcopal Church and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said the six hospitals in the East Jerusalem Hospital Network are “providing invaluable medical care for the most vulnerable populations, including Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank.” They also said “this decision to discontinue that funding leaves the patients, the wider Palestinian community, and us disappointed and perplexed. It is difficult for us to understand why this humanitarian assistance is being brought to a halt, given that lives are being threatened unnecessarily.” The statement will be shared shortly with all members of Congress as part of a greater effort to obtain release of FY 2018 funds for the hospitals and build support for FY2019 funding.

U.N. RECEIVES REPORTS ON RACISM, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, XENOPHOBIA AND INTOLERANCE: The Third Committee of the General Assembly heard several reports from UN Special Procedure mandate-holders and other experts in recent weeks. Work is progressing on a “Framework for a Declaration on the promotion and full respect of human rights of people of African descent” related to the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024). The special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance focused one of her two reports on “ascendant nationalist populist ideologies and strategies that pose a sobering threat to racial equality by fuelling discrimination, intolerance and the creation of institutions and structures that will have enduring legacies of racial exclusion.” The other dealt with the contemporary use of digital technology in the spread of neo-Nazi and related intolerance. A full summary report of presentations, questions and comments from Member States on these and related matters is available.

California

Mark Carlson, Lutheran Office of Public Policy (LOPP-CA) loppca.org

State and county officials in CA Dept of Food and Agriculture conference room Skyping in to Lutheran Disaster Relief national gathering in Chicago

CLIMATE CHANGE: A SADLY PROPHETIC VOICE: Lutheran Disaster Relief (LDR) requested the the Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California to ask state officials to share how California is trying to mitigate (reduce carbon emissions) and adapt to (plan and prepare for) climate change. Skyping in from the conference room of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to the LDR gathering in Chicago were an undersecretary of the CDFA who shared about their climate-smart agriculture focus; a Lutheran woman who works in the Sacramento County Public Health Department on disaster preparedness (e.g. extreme heat episodes); and the special assistant for climate change to the resources agency secretary-The latter said the “new normal” of extreme weather events, such as fires and floods, will not remain “normal,” but those events and their harm are projected to accelerate as the planet warms. Gov. Jerry Brown has called this the “new abnormal.” Sadly, eight days later, the most destructive wildfire in California history, in terms of fatalities and structure loss, broke out in Butte County, where fire season normally ends with fall rains in September and October.

Mark Carlson, Director or LOPP-CA, voting in Sacramento at the polling place located at The Urban League.

NOVEMBER ELECTION: LOPP-CA is delighted with the passage of proposition 1 and 2, which provides several billion dollars for low-income housing and permanent supportive housing, and the defeat of proposition 6 to repeal a gas tax recently adopted by the Legislature. The tax supports public transportation, as well as urgently needed road repair for safety, commuters and goods movement. The Legislature convened Dec. 3.

Colorado

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–Colorado lam-co.org

ELECTION RESULTS: Colorado voters approved two measures for which we’ve spent much of the summer and fall advocating. The first is Proposition 111, which will limit payday loan interest rates and fees to 36 percent APR while limiting the scope of such products. The second is Amendment A, which will remove the exception to the clause banning slavery in the Colorado Constitution. We are the first state in the nation to remove such a clause!

Proposition 111 passed with 77 percent Yes, 23 percent No.

Amendment A passed with 65 percent Yes, 35 percent No.

We are disappointed that another measure, Amendment 73, failed to pass. This would have created a progressive state income tax bracket to create a public education fund in Colorado. It failed with 45.6 percent voting Yes, 54.4 percent voting No.

Election night watch party in downtown Denver for the Yes on 111 and Yes on Amendment A campaigns, Nov. 6, 2018

NEW LEGISLATURE: A new Legislature will be seated January 4, 2019, and leadership in the state Senate will change party from Republican to Democrat. The House remains under Democratic control. Coloradans also elected a new governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and treasurer, all of whom are Democrats. Even with all of the changes in leadership, our advocacy for the sake of neighbors experiencing hunger and poverty will continue to be the same. We look forward to meeting with new and re-elected members of our state legislature in the coming weeks.

Minnesota

Tammy Walhof, Lutheran Advocacy–Minnesota lutheranadvocacymn.org

HOMES FOR ALL COALITION (H4A): Meetings galore- Never have there been so many proposals to consider for the coalition’s collaborative agenda! Lutheran Advocacy-MN (LA-MN) director Tammy Walhof, serving with the H4A Policy Team, listened to proposal presentations, evaluated proposals, and helped cull them to a more manageable list. One colleague thinks the team spent around 30 hours in that process!

ENVIRONMENTAL COALITIONS: LA-MN is part of Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP), the MN 100% Campaign, and the State Climate Table. We’re further from knowing which clean energy proposals to address jointly.Walhof, in leadership positions with both the MEP Energy Cluster and the Climate Table, has worked hard to bring more unity and common focus to the array of groups and coalitions. Nevertheless, she is glad to turn MEP Cluster leadership over to others, allowing more time with churches throughout Minnesota that are actually addressing issues.

HUNGER EVENT: At a hunger awareness gathering of the Northwestern Minnesota and Eastern North Dakota synods, Walhof described LA-MN’s work to promote policies that ground the fight against hunger in the Christian call for justice, and joined fellow panelists Prairie Rose Seminole (American Indian/Alaska Native Ministries), Ryan Taylor (ND Rancher), and keynote speaker Craig Nessan (Wartburg Seminary) in answering questions about hunger, the farm bill, food aid, affordable housing, justice, and more! It was an important and thought-provoking event, but, as you can see, not without laughter! Thanks to Karen Ehrens for the photo.

Banner at Iglesia Luterana de San Juan Bautista, Tucson, AZ

PASTOR’S CONFERENCE: The Northeastern Minnesota synod’s Laurentian Pastor’s Conference invited Walhof to speak on immigration at their meeting. She shared her experience visiting the Mexican-American border this past summer and reflected on the Bible’s many stories of migration.

North Carolina

GeoRene Jones, North Carolina Synod Social Justice & Advocacy Ministries (SJAM)

Hood Theological Seminary alumni, The Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman, president of the NC NAACP (right) and Deacon Jones(left) joined forces at the Legislative Complex supporting Just Florence Recovery.

NC WOMEN OF THE ELCA: ] legislative advocacy on immigration, the economy, and gun violence. This month NC Women urge enacting “sensible immigration legislation” that secures our borders while safeguarding Dreamers, creates a path to citizenship for those already in this country, and improves the process for immigrants seeking asylum and entering legally so they can be processed quickly and without their children being separated from them

JUST FLORENCE RECOVERY: In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, the need for response remains overwhelming in at least 28 of our 100 counties. SJAM joined a coalition of concerned North Carolinians at the state Legislative Complex to advocate for Just Florence Recovery. The group urged funding and legislation for broad-based recovery efforts including affordable housing, healthcare access, environmental clean-up and clean water legislation. Deacon GeoRene Jones, synod liaison for Lutheran Disaster Response, spoke before the North Carolina Senate Appropriations Committee at its hearing on a supplemental budget amendment for post-Hurricane Florence recovery. The committee received favorably the appeal for funding in support of affordable housing, identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a critical need for the recovery process.

St. Mark’s members prepare to deliver Thanksgiving Dinner “fixin’s” to 100 new Charlotte neighbor families

REFUGEE FAMILIES RECEIVED THANKSGIVING SUPPORT: Eager to learn US traditions, 100 refugee families received Thanksgiving support from St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Charlotte. Displaced families from Burma, Bhutan, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, were accompanied through their celebrations when St Mark’s which provided meals for each of the families as they gathered in their new homes.

New Mexico

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry- New Mexico (LA-MN) lutheranadvocacynm.org

Bishop Jim Gonia

ADVOCACY CONFERENCE: The 2018 LAM-NM Advocacy Conference was held on Nov. 17 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Albuquerque. There were over 100 attendees with many full communion, ecumenical, and interfaith advocacy partners joining advocates from ELCA congregations in New Mexico. The director of ELCA Advocacy, Amy Reumann, was our keynote speaker with the theme of “God’s Word Spoken Publicly, Boldly, and Honestly.” Rocky Mountain Synod Bishop Jim Gonia opened the conference

with prayer and remarks. Attendees networked and learned about ELCA

LAM-NM director

Ruth Hoffman

Advocacy and LAM-NM issues that are expected in the upcoming 2019 legislative session. Those issues included creating a Medicaid buy in program for low-income people; creating the mid-level profession of dental therapist to help deal with the lack of access to dental care; and building a “Roadmap to a Stronger New Mexico” through tax reform. During lunch, Justin Remer-Thamert, executive director of the New Mexico Faith Coalition for Immigrant Justice and a member of the LAM-NM Policy Committee, updated the gathering about migrant advocacy work along the border and in New Mexico

Ohio

Nick Bates, The Hunger Network Ohio (HNO) www.hungernetohio.com

The Rev. Larry Novak, Paisha Thomas and others lobby in the lobby about poverty issues at the Ohio Statehouse

HAS IT REALLY ONLY BEEN A MONTH?: Like the rest of the nation, Ohio was following closely election results throughout our state. State Issue 1 failed at the ballot box on Nov. 6, but has launched an important conversation about racism in our criminal justice system, the need for treatment instead of incarceration, and ways to help an individual’s transition from prison back into society effectively. We are hopeful that Ohio’s Legislature will fulfill its promise to pass meaningful legislation on these issues in 2019.

Beautiful Lake Picture

ADVOCACY IN ADVENT DAY: On Nov. 28, the (HNO) hosted its Advocacy in Advent day. Director Nick Bates testified on HB 390, a bill that will shorten the time a family has after receiving an eviction notice, which is likely to lead to an increase in family instability and homelessness.

Faith advocates met with legislators and director Bates offered testimony on the issue (Which can be found here). Sadly, the bill was voted out of the committee on a party line vote after many members engaged Bates on the issues of homelessness, fairness, housing costs, and other issues.

The Rev. Liz Lowry listens to an overview of HB 390 prior to the legislative hearing on the issue.

Paisha Thomas, an ELCA hunger advocacy fellow in Ohio, was amazed at how receptive many legislative offices were to the message and how easy it was to get meetings set up. You can read Paisha’s entire reflection here.

HNO will be busy for the final two weeks of the lame duck legislature – where more than 100 bills could be considered.

Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy – Pennsylvania (LAMPa) lutheranadvocacypa.org

Director Tracey DePasquale represented LAMPa advocates who worked for years on legislation to protect child sex-trafficking victims as the Safe Harbor bill was signed by Gov. Tom Wolf.

STARTING OVER: In the weeks since the election and close of the General Assembly, when all pending legislation expired, LAMPa staff has been connecting with partners and its advocacy network to shape priorities for the upcoming two-year term. LAMPa’s bishops and policy council will meet Dec. 5-6 to discern where and how we are called to act together.

HUNGER ADVOCACY: With the re-election of Gov. Tom Wolf, whose administration established a blueprint for Hunger-Free PA, LAMPa plans to be part of the momentum toward that goal. We are starting with a sign-on letter from Lutheran anti-hunger advocates requesting an increase for the State Food Purchase Program and Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System in the governor’s budget proposal.

LOOKING AHEAD: LAMPa is leading an effort to strengthen interfaith and ecumenical advocacy in Harrisburg with plans to combine our traditional Lutheran advocacy day (May 20) with an interfaith day of service, fellowship and learning for advocacy for our common home on May 19. Our theme, “Set a Welcome Table,” is based on Psalm 133:1, “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.” Registration begins in January.

ECUMENICAL PARTNERSHIP: Program Director Lynn Fry attended the annual LARC (Lutheran-Anglican-Roman Catholic) Day of Dialogue: “A Christian Response to Violence.” DePasquale participated in the Pennsylvania Council of Churches’ Commission for Public Witness meeting.

Virginia

Kim Bobo, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy virginiainterfaithcenter.org

2019 VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION: VICPP has been hard at work preparing for the 2019 Virginia General Assembly session, which starts in January and lasts for six weeks. VICPP has put together an ambitious legislative package including bills to mitigate wage theft, create a driver’s privilege card for immigrants, allow students to pay in-state tuition and reduce evictions in Virginia. We have been organizing meetings with legislators and providing information to constituents who want to discuss our issues with their legislators.

During the General Assembly, there are many opportunities to raise your voice for justice and get involved. Register for our Day for All People lobby day on Jan. 22 or donate your time to become a Witness at the Capitol during the 2019 session. For those who don’t live in Richmond, you can join our Social Media Team to share action alerts with your circles. Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

#GIVINGTUESDAY: VICPP also celebrated #GivingTuesday on Nov. 27 and raised over $5,000! We are so grateful for all our supporters, advocates, and allies.

Washington

Paul Benz, Faith Action Network (FAN) fanwa.org

END OF OUR CLUSTER GATHERINGS: It’s been a busy season for FAN as we wrapped up our cluster gatherings – 21 regional meetings for the 144 advocating faith communities in our network. We had over 260 advocates join us for these meetings around the state. After we wrapped up these meetings and made it through election season, we moved right into hosting our Annual Dinner.

RIPPLES OF CHANGE: Our Annual Dinner’s theme this year was “Ripples of Change”. We were joined by keynote speaker Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, as well as travel author and TV host Rick Steves. FAN gave awards to faith communities, individuals, organizations, and partners that have started ripples of change in our state this year with their advocacy and their work for justice. It was a wonderful night to celebrate this past year with almost 500 people, and get fired up for next year. Pictured is the FAN staff, our two wonderful speakers, and the whole gathering.

FAN’s Legislative Agenda: Washington state’s 2019 legislative session begins in January. As we prepare for a longer budget-setting year, we have started to draft our legislative agenda for this session.

Public Charge: A reminder that there are less than two weeks left to submit public comments regarding the proposed public charge rule change. This rule change would affect and harm millions of our immigrant neighbors, and as people of faith we need to take a public stance against this proposal. The public comments must be unique, and can be submitted to the federal register or through comment portals through the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition, or at bit.ly/FANopposesPublicChargeRule

INTERFAITH ADVOCACY DAY: FAN’s next big event is Interfaith Advocacy Day (IFAD) at the state Legislature. This year IFAD will take place Feb. 14, and our office is busy beginning preparations.

Wisconsin

Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin loppw.org

HUNGRY FOR CHANGE: This was the theme of our second overnight advocacy retreat, attended by students from six colleges. UW-Madison campus pastor Emily Tveidt, UW-Milwaukee campus pastor Rachel Young Binter and LOPPW planned this year’s in Milwaukee. Binter took major leadership and coordinated opportunities for students to hear from UW-Milwaukee’s food pantry director, ELCA minister Venice Williams of Alice’s Garden, Tricklebee Cafe representatives, a Young Adults in Global Missions representative and a panel from Lutheran Volunteer Corp (LVC).

LOPPW’s Kelsey Johnson and Sarah Schultz led exercises on advocacy. Cindy Crane connected what reps from LVC, YAGM and the food pantry discussed to advocacy on public policies.

VOTING: We made a final push to encourage people to vote. Schultz contacted several churches and Johnson continued to use social media to promote our materials.

IMMIGRATION: Johnson continued to keep our constituents alert about public charge.

BUILDING ADVOCACY: Crane provided materials to an East-Central Synod congregation to hold a letter writing event. She also led a workshop on advocacy in Prairie du Sac and provided sample letters on the farm bill.

PARTNERS IN WISCONSIN: Our interfaith breakfast group strategized approaching the new governor. Met with People of Faith United for Justice to organize for our 2019 Advocacy Day. Was in communication with Jewish partners to sign on a letter addressing Baraboo youth raising their arms in what looked like Nazi salutes.

ELCA: Crane participated in a relator (for directors’ of evangelical missions) meeting led by Rev. Sandy Chrostowski.

November Advocacy Update

ELCA Advocacy Office, Washington, D.C.

The Rev. Amy Reumann, director ELCA.org/advocacy

RESPONDING TO GUN VIOLENCE AND HATE: Our nation is in mourning this week following the tragic deaths of 11 worshipers and the wounding of law enforcement and others at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. This act was quickly identified as a hate crime, committed by a gunman espousing anti-Semitic vitriol and carrying an AR-15 and other weapons intending to take the lives of people because of their Jewish faith. The same week, two African American shoppers were gunned down by a white man in Kentucky, an act also being investigated as a hate crime. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we cannot become numb to mass shooting tragedies. We are called as God’s own people to promote peace and the dignity of persons all by engaging in prayer, addressing community violence, and vigorously opposing anti-Semitism, white supremacy and all form of hate through our words and deeds. Lutheran bishops in Pennsylvania joined in a shared statement in response to this tragedy. As Pennsylvania Lutherans reflect on recent events, read more about actions taken by ELCA bishops and faith leaders below in the Pennsylvania state-section.

And, when Congress returns to work following the November elections, it is also imperative that we address the gun violence in our nation. An Advocacy Alert facilitating your faithful action is available at elca.org/advocacy/actioncenter.

2018 NOVEMBER ELECTION UPDATE: Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6, and it is a critical time to get out and vote! Voting is a first step toward faithful civic participation – a deliberate process of naming our faith values, then acting on them through our vote. Be sure to visit elca.org/votes and the ELCA Facebook page for more resources, Bible studies, shareable graphics and tools in the lead up to Election Day.

INDEFINITE CHILDREN DETENTION, FLORES: On Sept. 7, the administration proposed a regulation change that will undermine existing child protection standards for immigrant children and the standards set by the courts in the 1997 Flores Agreement. While the agreement outlines that children are not safe in detention facilities and should not be detained for longer than 20 days, the proposed regulation allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to keep children in detention indefinitely, despite the psychological and physical toll. ELCA Advocacy shared an action alert in October, encouraging advocates to submit comments and share their perspectives on the rule. The current deadline for submitting comments is Nov. 6.

GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY ACT, SIGNED BY PRESIDENT: Earlier last month, the Global Food Security Reauthorization Act unanimously passed in both the House and Senate. Its passage extends congressional authorization for Feed the Future, a U.S. government initiative charged with combating chronic hunger and food insecurity around the world.

Globally, 815 million people suffer from chronic hunger; the majority of whom are women. Approximately 45 percent of deaths of children under the age of 5 are caused by malnutrition. Through initiatives like Feed the Future, participating countries have been able to increase agricultural and nutritional investments. As a result, farmers can feed their families and communities and contribute to their countries’ economic growth. ELCA Advocacy sent a message to advocates who took action on the bill, celebrating the extension following its passage in October.

IPCC UPDATE: The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the international scientific body that assesses the science related to climate change, issued its 2018 report titled “Global Warming of 1.5°C.” The report expressed the urgency of needing to take rapid strategic action over the next decade to limit global warming to 1.5ºC to avoid the risks associated with long-lasting or irreversible change.

ELCA Advocacy will be publishing a blog later in November focusing on Lutheran teachings on good stewardship and how to take action through advocacy. The blog also illustrates the links between the consequences of climate change with other issues such as forced migration, famine, food insecurity and more. This summer, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was officially accredited by the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Observation Liaison Unit, and will be attending the next UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) with several young adult leaders.

Lutheran Office for World Community, United Nations,New York, N.Y.

Dennis Frado, director

WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY WEEK: Different side events took place Oct. 21-25 on the sidelines of the annual Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security. The events emphasized the vital role of women in preventing conflict and helping to forge peace. Despite that, women are far too often prevented from participating fully in peacemaking processes. Between 1990 and 2017, women constituted only 2 percent of mediators, 8 percent of negotiators, and 5 percent of witnesses and signatories in all major peace processes.

In 2020 the 20th anniversary of Resolution 1325 of the Security Council will be celebrated. The resolution highlights the nexus between long-lasting peace agreements and the participation of women in peace negotiations.

HOUSTON CONFERENCE AFFIRMS AN INCLUSIVE JERUSALEM: A conference on “Jerusalem: What Makes for Peace?” organized by Bright Starts of Bethlehem was held in Houston on Oct. 11. Different panels emphasized the realities of Jerusalem today; the importance of inclusive religious discourse involving Jews, Muslims and Christians; how to achieve a balanced U.S. policy on Jerusalem under the Trump administration; and the need for urgent action. The Rev. Dr. Mae Cannon, executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) emphasized six tasks: 1) pray for the peace of Jerusalem; 2) heed the cry of the church in Jerusalem that is Palestinian; 3) repent and lament; 4) be prophets; 5) be pragmatic and strategic; and 6) be willing to not give up hope. A concluding statement by the four sponsoring organizations – Bright Stars, the National Council of Churches, CMEP and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference – included a nine-point call to action.

California

Mark Carlson, Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California lutheranpublicpolicyca.org

DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY, INDIGENOUS RIGHTS CHALLENGES, CLIMATE CHANGE: Synods that include California held their professional leadership conferences in October, and LOPP-CA director Mark Carlson participated in Theoasis in Palm Desert, which brought together the Pacifica and Southwest California synods and the Sierra Pacific Synod’s gathering in Olympic Park (still predominately known as “Squaw Valley,” an infamous, negative name in the experience of American Indians). Prairie Rose Seminole, ELCA director for American Indian and Alaskan Native Ministries, discussed her work, with a focus on the Doctrine of Discovery.

Prairie Rose Seminole at Shasta Dam overlook

Before meeting in Olympic Park, Carlson and Jane Affonso, an LOPP-CA Policy Council member, Southwest California Synod Council member and synod Green Faith Team co-chair, invited Seminole to join them in Sacramento for a Methodist-sponsored lecture by White House correspondent April Ryan and the annual Acorn Day at the State Indian Museum. They then made a pilgrimage to Shasta Dam, the McCloud River and the lower slopes of Mount Shasta, near sites sacred to the Winnemem Wintu Tribe threatened by the renewed push to raise Shasta Dam to quench thirsty farms and cities in Central and Southern California – the Doctrine of Discovery in current application, driven in part by climate change. The photo of Seminole at the dam is similar to one of Winnemem Wintu Chief Caleen Sisk that appears in a 33-minute segment of the documentary Standing on Sacred Ground

NOVEMBER ELECTION: We are hopeful that voters will approve funding for housing, Props. 1 and 2!

Colorado

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–Colorado lam-co.org

FINAL BALLOT PUSH: Colorado voters received their ballots in the mail during the week of Oct. 15. Now comes the push to fill out and return ballots by Nov. 6! We continue to advocate in favor of Amendment A, Amendment 73 and Proposition 111. In addition, we have taken opposing positions on Amendment 74 (property compensation) and Proposition 109 (fund road and highway repair through bonds).

REGISTER NOW: Lutheran Advocacy reminds all Colorado voters that it’s not too late to register to vote! You can register all the way through Election Day and still receive a ballot. Remember to vote all the way down on your ballot – in fact, start from the bottom! You can find our voter guide and resources at lam-co.org.

MINISTRY VISITS: Peter Severson, LAM-CO director, has been on the road visiting congregations and ministries of the Rocky Mountain Synod. Thank you to Augustana, Denver; Glory of God, Wheat Ridge; Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley; and Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry at Colorado University–Boulder!

CHRISTIAN UNITY GATHERING: The National Council of Churches held its Christian Unity Gathering in Washington, D.C., Oct. 14-17. Severson was appointed to serve as the ELCA representative on the Joint Action and Advocacy Committee. This year’s event was focused on acting in Christian unity to combat racism in all forms in both church and society.

Photo: ELCA participants at the National Council of Churches Christian Unity Gathering. From left: Rev. Brenda Smith, Prof. Michael Trice, Rev. Russell Meyer, Peter Severson, Joel Pakan, Aimée Pakan, Kathryn Lohre.

Minnesota

Tammy Walhof, Lutheran Advocacy–Minnesota lutheranadvocacymn.org

2019 ISSUES AGENDA: At October’s meeting, the LA-MN Policy Council determined broad agenda areas within our mandate of work on issues of hunger, poverty and care of creation.

STATE ISSUES (PROACTIVE AND DEFENSIVE WORK)

AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS AND RELATED SERVICES: Despite wins at the Minnesota Legislature, significant shortages of affordable housing still exist across the state. Rapid loss of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH), high (and rising) rental rates, and wages that have stagnated or declined mean housing continues to be the most severe hunger/poverty issue facing Minnesota.

Walhof has been helping evaluate 44 policy proposals to recommend a few for the Homes for All collaborative agenda. Also from the LA-MN office, Amy Shebeck is engaged with the coalition’s communications team and managing some of the social media.

CLEAN AIR, CLIMATE AND CLEAN ENERGY JOBS: Severe consequences of climate change are happening more rapidly than scientists believed would be the case due to pollution caused by fossil fuels. Many countries and states (including Minnesota) have already started transitioning to a clean energy economy, but that process needs to be greatly accelerated. Transitions will be difficult for some industries and workers, but changes will also create new economic opportunities, businesses and jobs.

LA-MN will be focused on education and legislation related to a) renewables, b) efficiency and c) mitigation to protect those most vulnerable.

FEDERAL ISSUES (DEFENSE OF PROGRAMS/PROTECTION OF THOSE MOST VULNERABLE)

Anti-poverty programs in danger of severe cuts.
Environmental protections in danger of severe cuts.

Lutheran Advocacy-MN website: Check out the content we’ve been adding to the site! ‘

North Carolina

GeoRene Jones, North Carolina Synod Social Justice and Advocacy Ministries nclutheran.org/congregations/justice/

After hurricanes Florence and Michael decimated eastern North Carolina communities, Rosemary and Bill Pate led a team of 55 DISASTER RECOVERY volunteers from Christ the King (Cary), which put boots on the ground in Fayetteville to help clean out flooded homes. Collaborating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and North Carolina Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (NC VOAD), Ascension (Wilson) and St Mark’s (Lumberton) are responding as collection and distribution sites for food, adult and infant diapers, and personal hygiene kits.

Congregations including Grace (Hendersonville), First (Greenville), Mount Pisgah (Hickory) and Our Saviour’s (Welcome) included the University of North Carolina–Wilmington and Lutheran Disaster Response in their OUTREACH MINISTRIES and financial contributions. Lutheran Church of the Reconciliation (Wilmington), itself facing recovery of their heavily damaged campus buildings, also took on collection and distribution of food and cleaning supplies to neighbors in its community.

St. Mark’s (Asheville), Lutheran Church of the Reconciliation (Wilmington), and Christ the King (Cary) lent support for DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH with educational opportunities, including topical discussions held on social media.

Again, St. Mark’s (Asheville) continues to support the ELCAVotes! initiatives to get members registered to vote and provided early voting information and candidate guides. At Christ The King (Cray), knowledgeable volunteers staffed tables in the atrium after services with information on early/absentee voting and ballot examples. Voting education focusing on proposed North Carolina constitutional amendments gave Sunday school classes an opportunity for discussions around needs for advocacy as a public witness ministry of the church.

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF QUILTS: Congregations created hundreds of quilts on behalf of Lutheran World Relief. Grace (Hendersonville) sent 100 to LWR and another 50 to hurricane relief, Christus Victor, Durham completed 200, and at Christ the King (Cary) quilts were displayed, ready to go, in their atrium.

Ohio

Nick Bates, The Hunger Network in Ohio www.hungernetohio.com

DID YOU KNOW: One in 3 families in Ohio are struggling to make ends meet. There is an entire alphabet soup of acronyms of underfunded programs that should help many of these families put food on the table, purchase needed medicines and fix a car when it breaks. But the state of Ohio is holding hostage $500 million from the federal government that could help our neighbors. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program was designed in 1996 to “end welfare as we know it,” but through out-of-date funding formulas, misdirected priorities, and harsh time requirements and sanctions, many of our neighbors don’t have access to the resources that we have invested in to help lift our communities out of poverty. We encourage you to join us for our Advent Advocacy Day on Nov. 28 at the Ohio Statehouse to meet with state officials to learn and discuss this and other important issues. Register at www.hungernetohio.com/advocacy

PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE YES ON ISSUE 1: When Ohioans are struggling, we help each other out. After 40 years of a failed war on drugs, we need a new strategy that is smart on crime and doesn’t go after those who are the most vulnerable in our communities – especially people of color and those struggling with poverty. These communities already lack the resources to access addiction treatment programs. Incarceration puts up even more walls to employment, treatment, education and housing. Issue 1 is a first step for our communities to create a more positive future where we invest in treatment over incarceration and we remove unnecessary blockades that trap our neighbors in poverty. You can download a bulletin insert on issue 1 here.

Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy – Pennsylvania lutheranadvocacypa.org

Members of Trinity, Camp Hill, signed 425 letters in favor of a just federal Farm Bill.

LAMPa advocates celebrated the passage of Safe Harbor legislation protecting child victims of sex trafficking. The bill redirects victims away from prosecution for prostitution or other crimes related to their trafficking and into appropriate services. Women of the ELCA organizations throughout Pennsylvania were especially supportive in this advocacy over several legislative sessions. The bill was the last one addressed before the General Assembly recessed, effectively meaning all pending legislation has died. Among end-of-session highlights for LAMPa’s work was passage of legislation requiring firearms to be turned over to police within 24 hours in cases of domestic violence. Advocates prevented two bills with costly barriers to food and medical assistance from becoming law and stopped legislation that would have rolled back environmental regulations on oil and gas drilling for three decades.

Seven Pennsylvania synods joined in a shared statement in response to the violent crimes at the Tree of Life synagogue on October 27th. The statement rejected anti-Semitism as an affront to the Gospel, and issued a call to work towards peace. An interfaith statement expressing solidarity from religious leaders across the state, including Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania, was also released.

Pennsylvania hunger leaders are signing requests for increases in 2019 anti-hunger programs. DePasquale joined other members of the Pennsylvania Anti-Hunger Coalition executive team in meetings with the budget secretary, policy secretary and governor’s chief of staff to outline goals for next year.

Alaide Vilchis Ibarra teaching at the migrants’ journey simulation training.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: Lynn Fry from the LAMPa office attended the Pennsylvania Health Action Network annual conference. DePasquale taught at St. Matthew, York; the Wittel Farm, Lititz; and attended an event featuring Dan Rift, director for ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal, at Trinity, Camp Hill, where LAMPa equipped the congregation to gather 425 letters in support of a just farm bill. She also connected with advocates at a migrant’s journey simulation training led by Alaide Vilchis Ibarra, ELCA Advocacy program director for migration, at St. Peter, Lancaster.

Southeastern Synod

Hilton Austin, director

VOTE!: Midterms are upon us and Election Day is Nov. 6, but several states allow early voting. While Alabama and Mississippi do not participate, Georgia voters can cast early ballots up to Nov. 2, and Tennessee voters up to Nov. 1. Voters can look up their state’s sample ballots, check registration, find their polling sites and register to vote at headcount.org/your-ballot/.

SYNOD CONVOCATION: This month we attended and spoke at the Southeastern Synod Convocation at Lutheridge Camp and Conference Center in Arden, N.C. Hilton Austin and Jordan Slappey were able to give short presentations about advocacy and hunger in the synod and tabled for advocacy and ELCA World Hunger throughout the meeting.

CARE FOR CREATION: Austin attended the Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) “Coastal Green Summit” in St. Simons Island. The event was well attended and very informative. GIPL provides a multitude of program and educational offerings to congregations and religious schools across Georgia. Two programs in particular were highlighted:

Powerwise.

Our Powerwise program is a way that we help congregations reduce their energy footprint and save money! Through this program, we provide low-cost professional energy audits for congregations. After receiving one of these audits, your congregation can apply to GIPL for up to $10,000 in matching funds to implement recommended efficiencies.

Green Team Coaching/Green Team Registry.

Start a Green Team or Sustainability Group at your congregation! Green Teams are groups of three or more people who lead the sustainability work in a congregation. GIPL provides free Green Team coaching for a 12-month period to congregations forming a Green Team for the first time or to those that are relaunching a Green Team.

RESOURCE UPDATE: The synod advocacy office has finished writing and is in the process of producing and making a few informational documents available to the public. One document details the importance of the Lutheran call to be active advocates in our communities, and the other explains how to make an effective visit to a state’s capitol. Keep an eye out for them on the synod website.

Washington

Paul Benz, Faith Action Network fanwa.org

CLUSTER GATHERINGS: Every fall, FAN convenes the 21 geographic clusters that make up our Network of Advocating Faith Communities, of which we now have 144! These gatherings are a great time to connect with our members to hear what they are doing around advocacy, and for FAN to share social justice opportunities. So far we have had 14 meetings around the state!

ELCA HUNGER ADVOCACY FELLOW SARAH VATNE has been leading many adult education hours, workshops and forums over the last month. She has been focusing on the Washington State Initiatives, as well as the proposed Public Charge rule change. One conversation she led looked at the intersections of hunger and poverty, using the Presbyterian Church’s “Food Week” as a guide. To read more about this conversation, check out her blog post “Hunger is Not a Single Issue” sarahvatne.wordpress.com/2018/10/26/hunger-is-not-a-single-issue/.

ELECTION SEASON: FAN always coordinates candidate forums during this time of year. We have had several forums that we led before the August primary, but most of them occur during October. One highlight was an ELCA congregation from the Southwestern Washington Synod hosting a candidate forum for the first time, moderated by Bishop Rick Jaech.

Our ballots began arriving in homes Oct. 19 for people to start voting. Every fall ballot in Washington has a couple of statewide initiatives. The three main initiatives that FAN is working on are:

I-940 reforms our state law to include training law enforcement in violence de-escalation and reframes the law regarding the use of deadly force. FAN encourages a YES vote.
I-1631 establishes a fee of $15/ton on the highest carbon emitters in our state and creates a board to govern these funds, which would be reinvested in communities. If approved, we would be the first state in the country to have a carbon fee law passed by voters! FAN encourages a YES vote.

I-1639 helps reduce gun violence by increasing the age to purchase semiautomatic rifles to 21, enhances the background checks and training for these purchases, and establishes liability for gunowners whose gun has caused physical harm for not being properly stored. FAN encourages a YES vote.

Wisconsin

Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin loppw.org

FARM BILL: Cindy Crane led a two-hour workshop on advocacy that included letter writing on the farm bill in the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin. Our hunger fellow, Kelsey Johnson, led a similar workshop in the Greater Milwaukee Synod. Crane preached and co-led a workshop with Johnson and our intern, Sarah, at a church in the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin.

IMMIGRATION: Sent out a message to our Listserv on the Flores Settlement and Public Charge

THE CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION team organized a half-day event, “What’s Working in Wisconsin” (with renewable energy). We included leaders from interfaith traditions, a county, two cities, a school district and secular nonprofits. LOPPW discussed how to advocate to duplicate what is working

VOTING: Sarah, via a grant secured by Lutheran Campus Ministry, helped organize a Wisconsin voting campaign. She created a student brochure, a poster inviting congregants to pledge to vote and interviewed students in a video that Kelsey edited: youtube.com/watch?v=f94CrYQuCak&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR10wyMBnUVqidh55ShjN4daRfgV5BmqFD8sPUbvnx2pgp7gxUShV36_b_Q. We made resources known via synod newsletters, email, social media and phone calls, and lifted up ELCAVotes resources.

Kelsey videotaped Crane and a volunteer with a message on voting in Spanish: youtube.com/watch?v=7JHFTlLYOt8&fbclid=IwAR1hAw8Zy8-w94G9fgex0Bp-xiIYrmLkA6OTZlCMZ4c3nwdkTIL5BCvc-io.

PARTNERING TO MAXIMIZE EFFORTS: We strategized with our Public Benefits Coalition to find common ground for a proactive agenda; with People of Faith United for Justice to prepare for advocacy day; and with the Wisconsin Anti-human Trafficking Consortium, which included a review of possible upcoming bills.

LOPPW ADVISORY COUNCIL RETREAT: Planned and held with council members.

Coming soon: Regional advocacy retreat for college students.

October Advocacy Update

ELCA Advocacy Office, Washington, D.C.

The Rev. Amy Reumann, director

ELCA.org/advocacy

PRAY. FAST. ACT: Our next centering day to #PrayFastAct with the Episcopal Church is Sunday, Oct. 21. The focus this month is on holistic investments in infrastructure programs and ensuring public works assist communities in the greatest need.

The U.S. has a long history of investing in communities across the nation, leaving a foundation that is still in much use today. However, as lawmakers discuss reinvesting in our deteriorating infrastructure, there is a considerable risk that new gains will not be implemented equitably in spaces that need revitalization the most. As stakeholders and drivers of local vitality, places of worship and faith activists can play a critical role in supporting good stewardship of investments and programs that contribute to our infrastructure.

VOTER REGISTRATION: The U.S. mid-term elections are only weeks away, and voter registration deadlines are fast approaching in many states. Churches and synods can be effective places in expanding civic engagement—and ministry outreach becomes even more critical as deadlines loom near. Congregations can learn more about hosting a voter registration drive and other activities at the ELCAvotes webpage.
A new ELCAvotes Homeless Resource has tips and recommendations for congregations inspired to expand voter engagement. Churches engaged in the margins and faith activists are often the best positioned, and sometimes only, means to expand voter outreach to people struggling with homelessness.

PUBLIC CHARGE RULE: Last month the Department of Homeland Security shared a proposed rule that could make it harder for immigrants who receive public benefits to obtain green cards. This ruling expands what it means to be a “public charge,” those who have to rely on public assistance to support themselves and their families. If implemented, it could deny immigrants legal status if they or their dependents have used benefits, such as SNAP or Medicaid. Many civil rights and faith groups have already denounced the effort, concerned that the proposal would limit access to citizenship for lower-income immigrants.

ELCA Advocacy and ELCA World Hunger, in partnership with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, hosted a webinar discussing the ruling and the specific concerns of the faith community. The rule will have a 60-day public comment period. Be sure to follow ELCA Advocacy in the coming weeks for more information and ways to take action.

FAMILY SEPARATION: Many activists in the ELCA Advocacy network participated in an interfaith national call-in day on Sept. 26 to reject family detention. The call-in to lawmakers highlighted the faith community’s concern with separating families and brought attention to alternatives to detention. While new policy changes that harm children and families seeking protection in the U.S. are implemented, Congress has an important role to play in allocating funds for the Department of Homeland Security.

FARM BILL UPDATE: Despite efforts by leadership in the House and Senate Agriculture committees, Congress failed to reauthorize the farm bill by the Sept. 30 deadline. With the prior law now expiring, dozens of programs will stop and many others placed on hold. Long-standing authorized programs such as crop insurance and SNAP will continue, as long as they are not changed.

Earlier this month, ELCA Advocacy shared a blog on mental health in farming communities and how the farm bill plays a critical role in shaping rural life. Be on the lookout for upcoming action on the farm bill and other stories in the coming weeks.

Lutheran Office for World Community, United Nations, New York, N.Y.

Dennis Frado, director

U.N. HIGH LEVEL MEETING TO END TUBERCULOSIS: Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC) staff attended the first-ever U.N. General Assembly high-level meeting on tuberculosis (TB), held in New York on Sept. 26 under the theme “United to End TB: An Urgent Global Response to a Global Epidemic.” The World Health Organization (WHO) sounded the alarm that countries are not doing enough to end tuberculosis – the world’s deadliest infectious disease. During the high-level meeting, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed described tuberculosis as a “vicious epidemic,” which infects some 10.4 million people across the world and is fueled by poverty, inequality, migration and conflict. To end the epidemic she urged increased funding, securing the best scientific data, making informed decisions and empowering communities, among other things. The meeting concluded with the adoption of an ambitious political declaration on tuberculosis, endorsed by heads of state.

U.N. Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed (center) at the first-ever high-level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis. Also pictured are Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (left), director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO); and María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, president of the 73rd session of the General Assembly.

On Sept. 27, LOWC staff, together with other faith leaders and health service providers, joined their voices and committed to combat the spread of HIV and AIDS and tuberculosis at an interfaith prayer breakfast on building partnerships to end these diseases in children and adolescents. The breakfast was organized by the World Council of Churches-Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, in partnership with UNAIDS, the (U.S.) President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.N. Interagency Task Force on Religion and Development.

SIDE-EVENT: TIME TO ACT ON GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH: Near the start of the 73rd session of the General Assembly, a side-event took place to raise awareness about mental health. Organized by the Permanent Missions of Ecuador, Canada, Bahrain, Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as the WHO and United for Global Mental Health, several leaders outlined their will to strengthen mental health care in their countries.

Health care ministers from these countries noted that general health care that does not include attention to mental health can never be holistic. The key to good mental health care is early protection, prevention and the reduction of stigma.

U.S. FUNDING FOR AUGUSTA VICTORIA HOSPITAL IN PERIL: In response to media reports on Sept. 7 that the State Department, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, would discontinue its financial support to Augusta Victoria Hospital and five other East Jerusalem hospitals, the Peace Not Walls campaign, an ELCA program, issued an action alert. It appeals to ELCA members to call the White House hotline (202-456-1111) and use the comments page to urge the president to order the release of the $25 million for Augusta Victoria and the other hospitals, and to urge that senators and representatives contact the White House as well. Earlier in the month, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the matter. As of the end of September, the situation had not appreciably changed as no official notification had been given to the hospitals as to whether or not the funds would be forthcoming. Continued advocacy is welcome.

California

Mark Carlson, Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California (LOPP-CA) lutheranpublicpolicyca.org

2018 LEGISLATIVE ACTION CONCLUDED: Sept. 30 was the deadline for departing Gov. Jerry Brown to take action on bills passed in the two-year session. With considerable fanfare, he signed SB 100 (September Advocacy Update), placing California on a path to 100 percent clean electrical energy by 2045. He signed several other LOPP-CA-supported bills related to protecting California’s coast from any new federal offshore oil leases, and expanding environmental justice protections for disadvantaged communities. Of other bills supported by LOPP-CA, he signed measures enhancing disclosure of campaign contributions for social media political advertising, narrowing the sweep of the “felony murder rule” that has significant racial disparities, and requiring greater disclosure of video footage and personnel information in police deadly force incidents.

Sign at Global Climate Action Summit

GLOBAL CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT: LOPP-CA was part of the leadership team for Lutheran-hosted “Talanoa Dialogue” events on “Loss & Damage” and “Just Transition,” held at Grace Cathedral during the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco.

The Rev. Dan Smith (left), Mary Shaima and Joann Anderson.

2018 BALLOT MEASURES: Work in the next month is focused on the 11 measures on the November ballot, with housing the top priority.

NEW BOOK: Retired U.S. Rep. Lois Capps’ (Santa Barbara) new book, Keeping Faith in Congress – Why Persistence, Compassion, and Teamwork Will Save Our Democracy, was published in September (Fortress Press). LOPP-CA had been involved in encouraging Capps to pursue the book project as she retired from Congress two years ago. She is a former board member of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, Calif., and an alumna of Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash., and Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn.

Colorado

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–Colorado lam-co.org

BALLOT MEASURE ADVOCACY: Colorado ballots will be in the mail in just two and a half weeks’ time. Voters will have plenty of time to fill them out, which is why Lutheran Advocacy encourages all voters to vote ballot measures first! There are 13 items on the statewide ballot addressing a range of issues from oil and gas development to transportation to education.

Check out the resources available at lam-co.org. You’ll find the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado 2018 Voter Guide, as well as bulletin inserts, flyers and posters related to the efforts we’re supporting on the ballot: “yes” on Amendment A and “yes” on Prop 111.

THEOLOGICAL CONFERENCE: The Rocky Mountain Synod held its annual Theological Conference in Estes Park, Colo., Sept. 17-20. Among the featured speakers was Prairie Rose Seminole, ELCA program director for American Indian and Alaska Native Ministries; Dr. Ray Pickett from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley , Calif.; and the Rev. Albert Ranaivomanana, director of Betela Seminary in our companion synod in Madagascar.

STATE PUBLIC POLICY GATHERING: Colorado was host to the network of ELCA state public policy office directors and staff at Cathedral Ridge retreat center in Woodland Park, Sept. 8-11. The network welcomed Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda of California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, to lead conversation around ecological ethics and creation justice.

Minnesota

Tammy Walhof, Lutheran Advocacy–Minnesota lutheranadvocacymn.org

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE FORUM (watch or listen) : Lutheran Advocacy-MN actively promoted Homes for All’s gubernatorial forum. Both major-party lieutenant governor candidates, Donna Bergstrom and Peggy Flanagan, have housing and low-income experience. More than 500 people attended in person or by livestream. Another 150 plus have watched online. If you haven’t seen it, watch the forum!

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY-MN HIGHLIGHTED AS A HOMES FOR ALL PARTNER (read): Lutheran Advocacy-MN is honored to be the first partner featured, as Homes for All recently started to highlight coalition partners on its blog. Learn more about our work on housing and how you can participate.

QUESTIONS FOR STATE LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES:

Clean energy: The Minnesota Legislature voted nearly unanimously to pass the 2007 Next Generation Energy Act. Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed it into law. It set a standard of 25 percent renewable energy to be reached by 2025 (30 percent for Xcel Energy) and encouraged energy efficiency. The law has helped Minnesota add many businesses and jobs, reduce prices with low-cost renewables (15 percent below national average), cut energy consumption by 1 percent a year and dramatically lower emissions from power plants.

What would you do to continue Minnesota’s transition to renewable energy?
How would you support clean energy businesses and jobs?

Housing: Across Minnesota, there isn’t enough affordable housing. High housing costs contribute to increased hunger rates. Families with minimum-wage jobs must work 71 hours a week to afford a two-bedroom apartment. In Minnesota, 450,000 households are cost burdened.

What would you do legislatively to increase levels of safe affordable housing?
How would you protect existing affordable rental housing?
What would you do to prevent and end homelessness?

New Mexico

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–New Mexico (LAM-NM) lutheranadvocacynm.org

Legislative interim committees are in full swing: New Mexico legislators meet in various interim committees from May until December. LAM-NM monitors, attends and provides public comment at the interim committees, which consider topics related to the LAM-NM Advocacy Agenda. During July and August, LAM-NM attended meetings of the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee as well as the Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Additionally, LAM-NM director, Ruth Hoffman, attended the quarterly meeting of the Medicaid Advisory Committee, of which she is a member. Among the other interim committees we follow are the Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy Committee, the Mortgage Finance Authority Oversight Committee (which deals with affordable housing issues), and the Legislative Finance Committee.

Ohio

Nick Bates, The Hunger Network in Ohio (HNO) www.hungernetohio.com

On Sept. 23 faith leaders from across Ohio convened at HNO’s Faith and Advocacy Summit. This year the theme was “Beyond Resistance.” We are called to do more than resist structural evil by saying “no.” As people of faith, we provide an alternate vision of our future that is just and compassionate, especially for those who are living on the margins. As people of faith we work to rebuild our communities by saying “yes” to a just and compassionate world.

The Rev. Sally Padgett discussed our immigration policies and the steps of First English Lutheran Church in Columbus, Ohio to provide sanctuary to a mother and her children – one who has special needs. Kelsi Robinson packed a wealth of information into a few minutes to present facts related to Issue 1 – otherwise known as the Neighborhood Safety, Drug Treatment, and Rehabilitation Amendment. Ohio prisons are running at 130 percent of capacity, largely due to low-level, nonviolent drug offenses that unfairly target the poor and African American communities in Ohio. This amendment will:

Reduce felony charges for low-level, nonviolent drug possession to misdemeanors.
Reward individuals with reduced sentences for completion of education, treatment or other programs that will reduce recidivism.
Reduce the prison population with community-based approaches to probation violations instead of mass incarceration.
Reinvest saved dollars into treatment programs that we know work.

The Hunger Network in Ohio encourages a “yes” vote on Issue 1 this November.

Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy – Pennsylvania lutheranadvocacypa.org

ELCA CONGREGATIONS SHARE THEIR VOICES: Pennsylvania Lutherans shared their voices for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday by addressing letters to federal and state legislators, advocating on behalf of those whose voices may not always be heard. Because of their thoughtful advocacy, several hundred letters were shared. Learn more.

REJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ROLLBACKS: Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) constituents received an alert urging them to contact their state senator to ask them to oppose HB 2154, which would significantly change the environmental requirements for conventional oil- and gas-drilling operators, putting clean air and pure water in jeopardy. The Senate is poised to vote soon. Take action.

LAMPa POLICY COUNCIL MEETS: The LAMPa Policy Council recently gathered for its annual retreat. One of this year’s retreat goals included building a sense of call to the ministry of LAMPa as the body of Christ. Read more.

“SAFE HARBOR” DEADLINE LOOMS: LAMPa staff shared an alert, participated in a capitol rally and contacted constituents seeking their help in contacting their state representatives and Speaker Mike Turzai to pass SB 554, a bill to protect child sex trafficking victims. If it is not passed in this session, the bill dies and will need to be reintroduced. Learn more.

CREATION JUSTICE: More than 60 people participated in the Community Solar webinar that LAMPa, along with other faith partners, sponsored on Sept. 20. Learn more. The PA Energy-Star Stewardship Tour visited seven locations statewide with the EPA sharing resources for congregational creation and financial stewardship. Learn more

Southeastern Synod

Hilton Austin, director haustin337@att.net

HUNGER ADVOCATE FELLOW: It has been an exciting month, with the addition of our hunger advocate fellow. Jordan Slappey hit the ground running with the State Public Policy Office (SPPO) Retreat in Colorado. Two days later, she represented Southeastern Synod Advocacy at the Women of the ELCA convention at Lakepoint State Park in Eufala, Ala. We are currently in the process of creating new synod advocacy trifold brochures; the first is ready to go to print.

MEDICAID EXPANSION: Virginia Interfaith has shared many of the details of their successful Medicaid expansion campaign with our Tennessee Healthcare ready bench. This group has been fighting for Medicaid expansion for several years now and is currently preparing for the upcoming legislative season; it was encouraging for us to see the success in Virginia.

BALLOT INITIATIVES: We are currently working on developing an educational resources around upcoming ballot initiatives.

Virginia

Kim Bobo, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy virginiainterfaithcenter.org

In June, Gov. Ralph Northam signed the bill allowing Virginia to expand Medicaid. This will allow up to 400,000 eligible Virginians to receive health care as of Jan. 1, 2019. Lutherans and other people of faith in Virginia helped make this happen. But as part of the bill passage, Virginia agreed to apply for a federal waiver to create work requirements and cost sharing with Virginia’s Medicaid program. The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) opposes these proposed work requirements and cost sharing proposals because they will reduce those served by approximately 25,000 people, they will be costly for the state to administer, and they will be confusing for participants. VICPP urges Virginians to submit comments by Oct. 20 opposing the proposed work requirements and cost sharing requirements. It will only take a few minutes to submit your comments at tinyurl.com/healthcarehope.

Wisconsin

Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) loppw.org

IMMIGRATION: Within four days, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 83 people in Wisconsin. Several city and Dane County leaders decried those actions. ICE did not cooperate with local authorities and gave no indication that it was apprehending criminals. We are investigating ways we can respond. Read one of LOPPW’s posts of the press conference at Centro Hispano in Madison here.

LOPPW’s hunger advocate fellow, Kelsey Johnson, is keeping track of the possible changes that could be made in the public charge of benefits, in conjunction with our D.C. office.

BISHOPS’ INPUT: LOPPW staff recently met with all six bishops in Wisconsin to hear about their concerns in their communities and give updates. LOPPW will take their feedback to its advisory council. One of the outcomes of the meeting was that the bishops agreed to sign on to a letter about the farm bill to U.S. senators in Wisconsin and Michigan and all U.S. representatives for Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula. Read the letter to Rep. Sean Duffy. All letters are posted here.

ADVOCACY CONFERENCE: Women of the ELCA’s Shirley Paulson of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin invited the national organization’s new director for justice, Jen DeLeon (far left), to be a keynote speaker at its synodical advocacy event in Plover, Wis. LOPPW Advisory Council member Deb Martin and Rep. Katrina Shankland also spoke.

STAFF RETREAT: LOPPW’s hunger fellow with other fellows from around the country at our annual advocacy staff retreat.

COMING SOON: Care for God’s Creation conference and overnight campus retreat.