from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Senior Director

Partial expanded content from Advocacy Connections: January 2026

In our January 2026 issue, find Action Alert, Resource and opportunity updates. Look for a resumption of Policy Notes in our next issue which are expanded in the ELCA Advocacy Blog.

• Read the current Advocacy Connections here.

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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 .

 

When Dr. Paul Mmbando was in medical school 20 years ago, AIDS was generally a death sentence. Nowadays with better drugs, when the conditions of good nutrition and sticking to the daily meds are met, it’s a disease like others that can often be managed.

Dr. Paul leads the health department for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT). Daudi Msseemmaa, ELCA Regional Representative to East Africa talked to him on Nov. 17, 2025 about how the church’s role in making sure those conditions are met as World AIDS Day observance approached.

 

What has the church been doing in supporting people with HIV?

[Dr. Paul]  The ELCT was the pioneer in launching palliative care services in Tanzania. Until recently, at least three-fourths of our palliative care patients had HIV. Annual AIDS deaths in Tanzania are now a fraction of what they were in those early days, and to keep it that way we need to be proactive about medicines, nutrition and education. In April 2022 we started a partnership with USAID [the U.S. Agency for International Development] that led to youth-focused HIV/Aids services that reached more than 250,000 people. This year, that project was one of the casualties of the American aid freeze. There were more than 167,000 participants at the time it was shut down.

 

What did the aid freeze mean for you?

[Dr. Paul] It was a big blow to the health sector nationally. But for the church, it decimated our staff and volunteers’ ability to follow up on patients to make sure they were getting their medicines, to take orphans to the clinic, to support livelihoods so people can afford food. It meant non-adherence, which in turn means higher viral loads, increased transmission of HIV, and reversing the progress of the last decade. We don’t want to go back to those dark days.

 

What are you doing now?

[Dr. Paul] We still need to meet the UNAIDS [United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS] targets for Tanzania of 95-95-95, where 95% of people with HIV know their status, 95% of them are on antiretroviral medicines (ARVs), and 95% of those on ARVs have suppressed viral loads (which means fewer HIV copies in the blood, making it less transmissible). But we can’t do it on our own.

We reached out to partners to fill some of the gaps for the most essential services that were cut. With ELCA support we have just relaunched some essential services for vulnerable youth in three regions through SARAH Project. ELCT has also conducted for the first time a unique fundraising event through the first annual ELCT Marathon, income from which was dedicated to bridge gaps caused by this project termination.

Despite those efforts, we have a long way to go to meet the need, but since this work is part of our calling as a church and our vocation as individuals, we keep pushing. HIV doesn’t need to be a death sentence.

We remain grateful for the solidarity and companionship to make a difference while amplifying our voice for the voiceless and those in need.

 

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Are you moved to act?

You’re invited to share your values and experiences with your federal representatives using the Action Alert posted 11/19/2025. You can make a difference for global neighbors.

• ACTION ALERT: Ensure Release of Funds for HIV/AIDS Programs.

Thank you for your advocacy.

 

After a record-setting 43 days of shutdown, the federal government resumed operations with a bill signed by President Trump on the evening of Nov. 13, 2025, which funds most federal agencies through Jan. 30, 2026. A message was sent to U.S. House and Senate representatives expressing gratitude for the reopening. This message, which follows, also noted prayer in our ELCA communities for our elected leaders and public servants and encouraged “lawmakers at all levels of government to prioritize consistent and good governance in the future.”

 

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November 14, 2025

Gratitude for Reopening of Government

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gives thanks for the resolution of the government shutdown and the restoration of essential services to families across this nation. With the government open, we ask our elected leaders to now work together to ensure all are able to afford healthcare in this country. We pray for all who were affected during this period of uncertainty and disruption as well as for all those who face the deadly consequences of unaffordable healthcare.

The Bible emphasizes a consistent ethic of care for people who are poor in over 2000 verses. As Christians, we hold in our hearts profound concern for people experiencing poverty and we are called to act in civic life for the benefit of our neighbors. Many of our congregations work in parallel and in partnership with the government to implement federal nutrition programs such as SNAP, WIC, and child nutrition — services that face disruption, delays, or uncertainty during shutdowns. Over the past few weeks, many ELCA World Hunger ministries and countless food pantries across this church have witnessed firsthand the shocking and overwhelming demand that arises when families lose access to these vital resources.

The impact of government shutdowns extends beyond immediate hunger relief. Farmers who depend on Department of Agriculture services, dedicated public servants, community organizations that rely on federal partnerships, and more, all experience the ripple effects of governmental dysfunction. The ELCA’s social message on “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy” reminds us that government exists to serve the common good and protect human dignity and that public service is a noble vocation. While we recognize that people of faith may disagree on matters of policy, we share a responsibility to ensure that governance itself functions effectively. Shutdowns undermine the trust essential to democratic institutions and harm the most vulnerable among us.

We urge our elected leaders to:

• • Prioritize good governance and return to a bipartisan appropriations process focused on the common good;
  • Advance and pass legislation as soon as possible to address surges in healthcare premium costs;
  • Protect and fund programs that serve people experiencing poverty, hunger, and illness in all upcoming budget negotiations;
  • Seek common ground through civil dialogue that honors the dignity of all people and creation;
  • Remember that behind every program and service are real people whose lives and livelihoods depend on stable, functional government.

As Christians, whose baptismal call is to “strive for justice and peace in all the earth” we work together for the common good and commit ourselves to continued advocacy for just policies and accountability in public life. We will continue to accompany people affected by hunger and economic insecurity. We encourage congregations to engage and partner with their elected representatives to ensure no one goes hungry.

We pray for our elected leaders and all public servants as they enter the next period of budget discernment and encourage lawmakers at all levels of government to prioritize consistent and good governance in the future.

The Rev. Amy Reumann
Senior Director, Witness in Society
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Following are updates shared from submissions from ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices (SPPOs) this quarter (formerly shared monthly). Full list and map of SPPOs available.

 

Florida | Kansas | New Jersey | Pennsylvania | Texas | Wisconsin

 

FLORIDA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES – The Rev. Russell Meyer, Executive Director

Florida Faith Advocacy Days, Sowing the Harvest, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, will be Jan. 15-16, 2026. We’ll gather at the Florida People’s Advocacy Center for issues training on Jan. 15 and make legislative visits on Jan. 16. High on the list of proposals is ending property taxes, a move sure to cut away the state’s social safety net. Legislators need to hear our stories of service with the vulnerable in our communities so that they can shape public policy according to actual experience. Let’s sow the stories of a harvest of hope. Register at https://floridachurches.org/2026advocacydays.

The 60-day 2026 legislative session begins the second full week of January and concludes the first week of March. Opportunities to address public policy will exist throughout the session. It’s important to have a faith witness every week as well as having a big turnout at advocacy days. Let us know if you want to schedule visits with your state representative or senator at another time.

Throughout 2026, the Florida Council of Churches will focus on three deeply entwined concerns: immigration, climate, and pluralism. Climate change drives immigration. We’re encouraging interfaith prayer vigils for immigrants across the state. As the convener of the Florida Interfaith Climate Actions Network, the next assembly will address climate impacts on life and work. Our Religious Commons Project highlights the common features of healthy religion, exposes in inadequacies in Christian nationalism, and embraces the fullness of human experience and learning.

 

KANSAS INTERFAITH ACTION – Sagi Rudnick, Program and Administrative Associate

This fall, Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) has been continuing our year-round statewide outreach, where we offer a mix of unique worship, education and/or tabling opportunities with member congregations in their communities. We organized “The Times They are Still A Changin,” a bluegrass jam in the city of Winfield, celebrating the music and work of activists and changemakers, shared by people who seek to do justice together as people of faith.

We also relaunched our Voter to Voter program, a get-out-the-vote strategy rooted in the importance of outreach from people you know and trust to boost turnout for elections in our communities. Our dual program consists of volunteers and paid mobilizers. We’ve had great success with this program in the past, and we will increase our efforts for next year’s midterm and statewide elections.

This year, our Fall Forum Series happened in collaboration with the Kansas National Education Association. We toured Kansas together to discuss the importance of people of faith and conscience supporting their neighborhood schools and how we can use our voices to advocate for our students, educators, and communities. We turned people out statewide, making sure this important issue doesn’t get lost in the mix. We stopped in the cities of Prairie Village, Emporia, Topeka, Newton, Manhattan, and Winfield!

We also joined the KS Fair Maps Coalition, a statewide coalition which wants to see an equitable redistricting process amidst a push for our legislators to draw new congressional maps that would split up Johnson County (the most populous county in the state) into multiple districts. We participated in a launch event in the city of Mission with over 200 fired up attendees. We’ve mobilized our base both in and outside Johnson County to sign a petition and contact their legislators via postcard and email. Luckily, we were able to ward off a special legislative session on the matter, but we expect it to come back with a vengeance during the regular legislative session, starting early January next year.

Building off our immigration rights vigil this summer, we have been continuing to organize clergy across the state in support of immigrants who are under attack in our state and nation. Care for refugees and foreigners is one of the most explicit imperatives we find in our sacred texts. God calls on us to protect the most vulnerable. So, we thoughtfully curated liturgy and mobilized over 30 congregations to stand with us on World Communion Sunday and proclaim love and support for communities impacted by unjust immigration enforcement in an Immigration Sabbath.

We are proud to share that by the end of this month, KIFA will have accepted two awards for our work in Kansas communities! First is an award from the Becoming Beloved Community Team of the Disciples of Christ in Greater KC at their 2025 KC Racial Justice Summit. Second is an award from the Mainstream Coalition at their United We Stand: Confronting Christian Nationalism At Home weekend. We are thankful to be recognized for our impact. The work continues!

 

NEW JERSEY COALITION FOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS – The Rev. Sara Lilja, Director/Coordinator

Advocacy in New Jersey has become an interfaith effort! Beginning July 1st, Lutherans Engaging in Advocacy Ministry New Jersey (LEAMNJ) merged with a large coalition of religious leaders in the state. The New Jersey Coalition of Religious Leaders (NJCRL) comprises over 85 faith leaders representing the Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Christian traditions. This is largely an organization of “grass tops” leaders, including bishops, leading rabbis, the Council of Imams in New Jersey, the United Black Clergy, and many more leaders. Three years ago, the organization adopted a new strategic plan that called for a larger role in advocating for public policies that protect the most vulnerable in our state. The Rev. Sara Lilja, former Director of LEAMNJ, was hired to help the NJCRL coalition grow into this more visible role.

This fall, we have developed administrative and communication infrastructures. We have hosted monthly webinars on topics of concern to our members: The Immigrant Trust Act, Affordable Housing, the Johnson Amendment, and our Lame Duck legislative priorities. We also participated in the launch of “Faith and Education in Housing” legislation. Our December member meeting will focus on EcoJustice and New Jersey’s Climate Super Fund Act.

Our legislative priorities at the state level include: working on passage of the Voting Rights Act (S2352), “rehabilitative release” legislation for older incarcerated individuals in New Jersey (S2338), Use of Force legislation (A4175), Immigrant Trust Act (S3672), New Jersey Climate Super Fund legislation (S3545), and Faith and Education in Housing legislation. To help fund many of these pieces of legislation and other social support programs, NJCRL is working with other advocacy groups in the state to call for an increase in state revenues, including closing corporate tax loopholes and expanding tax brackets for New Jersey millionaires to make tax policy more equitable.

 

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY IN PENNSYLVANIA – Tracey DePasquale, Director

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) staff continue to lead and accompany Pennsylvania Lutherans in public witness in the face of policies targeting poor and marginalized communities and the health of our common home.
Amid a federal government shutdown and a five-month overdue state budget. LAMPa equipped congregations with resources for both service and advocacy.

In September, LAMPa helped congregations add advocacy to “God’s work. Our hands” Sunday. We also welcomed Hunger Advocacy Fellow Daniella Garber as well as six new policy council members, adding seats for two young adults, including former racial justice fellow Anna Oslikova.

One of those new members, Rachel Faulkner, joined LAMPa Director Tracey DePasquale and Pennsylvania hunger and disaster volunteers at the ELCA World Hunger Leaders Gathering in Ohio and the Lutheran Disaster Response Community of Practice and Hill Day in Washington, D.C.

In October, LAMPa staff joined advocates at a state Capitol rally for LGBTQ+ rights and delivered a statement signed by hundreds of faith leaders calling for a more inclusive Commonwealth. The Rev. Erin Jones, LAMPa advocacy engagement manager, led a workshop at Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s “In God’s Image” celebration.

In further public witness for welcome and neighbor-love, the Rev. Andrew Berdahl spoke at a press conference in support of legislation creating an Office for New Pennsylvanians, and the Rev. Elizabeth Peter spoke at a rally against hate before a town hall organized in response to actions by a group affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan.

LAMPa also helped welcome four new Pennsylvania bishops this fall!

 

TEXAS IMPACT – Dylan Le, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow

Texas Impact, an ELCA-affiliated state public policy office in Texas, has focused on combatting hunger by connecting faith communities and supporting communities at risk for violence.

Our gun violence prevention campaign, Vidas Robadas, has made strides connecting faith communities with Community Violence Intervention (CVI) organizations.

CVI organizations are often composed of members that have been through the criminal justice system as well as have deep personal connections with members in the community. CVI members serve as mentors for disadvantaged children and help explain the serious consequences of gun violence and incarceration. As members that have a closer connection to areas most affected by violence, we work to redirect the efforts and resources of our hardworking volunteers towards CVI.

Our faith communities help support CVI in a number of ways, one of them being providing food and resources for events where CVI organizations feed and coach children. Providing food and snacks to children served a dual purpose, one providing a meal, another serving as a way to build relationships with children at risk for gun violence.

Vidas Robadas started in San Antonio and has since expanded across Texas to Austin, Houston and Dallas.

We are also in the work of expanding our campaign to the Rio Grande Valley as well as rural areas.

Vidas Robadas is now also nationwide, hosting installations in Kentucky. We hope to continue working to expand the interconnected work of CVI and faith communities.

 

LUTHERAN OFFICE OF PUBLIC POLICY IN WISCONSIN – Kacy Kostiuk, Director

After a brief hiatus following the retirement of the Rev. Cindy Crane in December 2024, the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) is active once again! New director Kacy Kostiuk began in September and is focusing on laying a strong foundation for ongoing advocacy, outreach, and action.

Operations & Outreach

LOPPW is creating fresh outreach materials and developing a new website to better connect with ELCA members across Wisconsin. Looking ahead, the Policy Council and Director are setting priorities for 2026 and planning listening sessions to hear from congregations statewide. We’re also working to strengthen partnerships with organizations and coalitions committed to justice and care for our neighbors and the environment.

Policy & Advocacy

As LOPPW re-engages in advocacy, we’ve joined efforts focused on hunger, health, and care for creation, including:

• • SNAP/FoodShare: LOPPW is collaborating as part of a statewide coalition to advocate for measures that would support Wisconsinites’ access to SNAP/FoodShare benefits during the government shutdown and in response to cuts and changes from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
  • Clean Water: LOPPW is advocating for legislation to ensure that private well owners are notified of groundwater contamination.
  • Healthcare for Homeless Youth: LOPPW is supporting bipartisan legislation that would allow unaccompanied homeless youth to access medically necessary care when they do not have a parent or guardian in their life to provide consent.

By Zachary Olson, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow

ELCA Advocacy is excited to introduce the six new leaders in the 2025-2026 Hunger Advocacy Fellows cohort. These new Fellows bring a variety of skills, experiences and insights into their work for the upcoming year. This year-long fellowship combines professional development and faith formation as the Fellows tackle public policy issues on the state and national level. We look forward to the year ahead and our work to help create a more just world.

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Garber, Daniella (Pennsylvania)

Daniella Garber is the new Hunger Advocacy Fellow with the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Pennsylvania (LAMPa). She recently graduated from Bryn Mawr College with a major in math and religion minor. Her background includes internships in data analytics and policy research focused on hunger and food access, as well as interfaith community building at Bryn Mawr College. She is excited to bring these experiences together in this role to support faith-based advocacy in Pennsylvania!

 

Jordan, Jeff (Washington, D.C.)

Jeffrey M. Jordan II is part of the D.C.-based staff of the ELCA Witness in Society office specializing in Policy. Jordan is an American lawyer and public policy researcher with a Juris Doctor from Tulane University Law School, a Master’s of International Affairs: Global Governance, Politics, and Security from American University School of International Service and Bachelor’s of International Studies and Public Policy from Sarah Lawrence College. He has several years of research experience on domestic and international law and policy issues. Outside of work, Jordan enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, avidly reading and volunteering at church.

 

Le, Dylan (Texas)

Dylan Le is serving his Fellowship as Public Policy Fellow with Texas Impact, an ELCA-affiliated state public policy office. Le holds a B.A. in Sociology and a certificate in Spanish from the University of Texas at Austin. As a son of a Vietnamese refugee and having specialized in Latin American Studies during his study abroad at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, his work as a Public Policy Fellow is driven by his passion to promote legislation that protects and supports Texas’ diverse communities. Le has experience working in various volunteer organizations and is thrilled to be a part of Texas Impact’s team. He speaks fluent Spanish, and in his free time enjoys learning other languages, practicing the trombone, and playing with his dogs Opal and Mahler.

 

Muther, Laura (California)

Laura Muther the fellow for the Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California. Muther is an alumna of Valparaiso University, where she served as Chair of the Social Action Leadership Team (SALT), after serving as donor relations co-leader and faith and reflections coordinator. Following her time at Valparaiso University, Muther served a year with the Episcopal Service Corps in Seattle as a Vendor Program Intern with Real Change news, working with members of Seattle’s unhoused and low-income population. She is from the St. Louis area and enjoys photography and hiking.

 

Zachary Olson (Washington, D.C.)

Zachary Olson is part of the D.C.-based staff of the ELCA Witness in Society office specializing in Communications. Olson is a communications and journalism graduate student at American University with an Associate Degree in Communications and Media Studies from Carroll Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from American University. He has several years of research and communications experience working with non-profits from local news media to advocacy think tanks. Beyond work, he enjoys spending time with friends, reading books and conducting his own research.

 

Abigail Raghunath (New York)

Abigail (“Abby”) Raghunath is placed with the Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC), the Lutheran representation to the United Nations. Raghunath is a native New Yorker. She recently earned a Master’s degree in International Security, Conflict Resolution, and Gender Public Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, where her research focused on the impacts of climate and conflict on civilians. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from City College of New York. Earlier this year, Raghunath interned with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, contributing to advocacy on women’s participation in defense and security reform. Previously, she worked on gender and climate advocacy initiatives with the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and led child literacy and women’s empowerment projects in Cambodia. She also gained experience at the European Parliament, where she conducted research on the conflict-related challenges faced by refugees entering the European Union.

STATUS ON CAPITOL HILL | ACTION ALERTS | RESOURCES AND WEBINARS | OUR COLLECTIVE VOICE

The Farm Bill, which guides much of U.S. agriculture, rural and food policy, is currently being debated in Congress. The ELCA urges Congress to pass a 2024 Farm Bill that promotes:

• food for hungry neighbors at home and abroad,
• healthy rural and farming communities,
• inclusion of people of all backgrounds,
• care of creation to feed future generations

In a world of abundance, we strive for an end to hunger and poverty, and towards a just world where all are fed. Additionally, we are to work with each other and the environment to meet needs without causing undue burdens elsewhere. The Farm Bill is one of the most influential pieces of legislation affecting hunger and conservation in the U.S. and around the world.

Our social statements call for policies that provide adequate nutrition for all and create livelihood opportunities that are genuinely sustainable. We urge lawmakers to pass a 2024 Farm Bill that reflects these faith-based values.

 

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Status on Capitol Hill

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Action Alerts

UPDATE 9/26/25 – As the House of Representatives aspires to schedule a late committee vote at the end of October, lawmakers should know that any farm bill should restore recently cut food assistance, meet demand for over-subscribed conservation programs, bolster our capacity to fight global hunger and be adequate for farmers across the nation. The current extension expires soon, and further delays only increase uncertainty for farmers and families alike.

Future Farm Bill Action Alerts will be added to this page – but you can be notified directly by signing up for the ELCA Advocacy Network. New Action Alerts and monthly updates are sent to the network, which you sign up for here.

 

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Resources & Webinars

From the ELCA Witness in Society advocacy team

ELCA advocacy has produced resources stemming from ELCA Farm Bill Listening Sessions held last year.

Farm Bill Leave Behind – This summation of themes heard in listening sessions groups important priorities. Our ELCA advocacy staff has been sharing this with lawmakers, and you can too.

• It reads in part: “We heard from hundreds of Lutherans across the country who asked that their voices reach policy makers in the farm bill reauthorization process. Members brought their vocational, ministerial and civic experiences from varied parts of this country to ELCA listening sessions. They emphasized their deep concern for neighbors at home and abroad — especially the most vulnerable — and for faithful stewardship of God’s good creation.“

Farm Bill Reauthorization – Invitation to Action – At the request of state partners, this overview of the Farm Bill and template letter was prepared and can be used in various settings.

From other sources

• WEBINAR | Why is the Farm Bill Important to Us?
  • Thu. June 13, 6-7:30 p.m. PT
  • Presented by Faith Action Network, an ELCA-affiliated state public policy office in Washington state, with the ELCA.
  • This presentation was recorded and uploaded to YouTube, where it can be viewed in its entirety at this link.

 

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Our Collective Voice

By raising our collective voice, we can help enact a more just Farm Bill that leaves no one hungry. In your location and federally, let’s act boldly to end hunger and poverty in our time and ensuring healthy creation to feed future generations.

Here are some other ideas for making your voice heard.

• Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper on the importance of anti-hunger and pro-farmer policies in the Farm Bill.
• Attend town halls or public events this August Recess with your members of Congress to ask questions about their Farm Bill priorities.
• Pray for those experiencing hunger and for our elected officials to have wisdom and compassion.

 

By the Rev. Justin Eller, Assistant to the Bishop for Care and Community with the Southeastern Synod

If advocacy means loving our neighbors and working for justice with the “least of these” (all who are hungry, thirsty, newly arriving, vulnerable, sick or imprisoned – Matthew 25:40) then advocacy can be both general and particular.

The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA consists of congregations and faith communities across four states: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Each state has their own unique particularities and priorities, state legislative session dates and rhythms, and contextual challenges and opportunities. Instead of being a single ELCA-affiliated state public policy office (SPPO), we strive, as a four-state synod, to journey with residents, congregations and leaders as we navigate a wide variety of challenges.

 

OUR APPROACH TO ADVOCACY

In lieu of attempting to respond to every particular state legislative item, our Southeastern Synod’s advocacy work usually focuses on broader issues impacting our entire synod territory. Whether it’s marriage equality, food and medical insecurity, or supporting immigrant and refugee communities, our approach to advocacy, loving our neighbors, and working for justice, is to engage, equip, and empower.

Engage: We work with our congregations and leaders to engage in advocacy action and understand how advocacy is part of our baptismal growth in Christian faith and life, “to care for others and the world God made, and to work for justice and peace” (ELW, p.228).

Equip: We work to equip our congregations and leaders with quality information and training on advocacy-related issues as well as how to advocate at the local, state, and federal level. We have an Advocacy Policy Committee with representatives from our four states who help us put into motion ways we can advocate across our synod.

Empower: We work to empower our congregations and leaders to be active advocates in their context, to contact their elected officials and to speak with communities who are vulnerable and not speak for them.

The Southeastern Synod grounds our advocacy work in:

1. Scripture that calls people of faith to care for the most vulnerable;
2. Values of Accompaniment in the ELCA: mutuality, inclusivity, vulnerability, empowerment and sustainability; and
3. ELCA’s MERGE Justice foci: Migration justice, Economic justice, Racial justice, Gender justice and Environmental justice.

 

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE IN ACTION?

So what does this style of advocacy look like?

• It looks like working with congregations and communities in our four states in emergency/disaster preparedness, whether from a hurricane, tornado or immigration enforcement action.
• It looks like the Southeastern Synod being the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the state of Tennessee over a new law that could put rostered ministers and congregations at risk for providing food, shelter or resources to undocumented immigrants.
• It looks like hosting virtual Lunch-and-Learn events, “Know Your Rights” and “Support Your Community” workshops and trainings to address root causes of systemic injustices.
• It looks like creating a network of congregations who have Matthew 25-like community-engaged ministries (such as ministries of feeding, clothing and shelter).
• It looks like participating as speakers at public witness events like the “Witness for Creation” event organized by Creation Justice Ministries

 

THE EXPERIENCE OF ADVOCACY

As we have experienced it, advocacy can be big and bold and as simple as showing up, listening to an adversely impacted community, and committing to walk with them in solidarity and love as they address their challenges. Advocacy can be expressions of social action and practices of faith.

Yet, in all of this faithful work, advocacy is what we get to do together and is our grateful response to God’s grace in Jesus Christ to love and serve our neighbor.

The U.S. government could run out of funding on Oct. 1, 2025, if Congress does not pass new legislation to fund its operations. A government shutdown would occur at midnight on Sep. 30, the end of the 2025 fiscal year, if no agreement is reached. On Sep. 24 the ELCA advocacy staff advanced the following message to members of Congress and The White House Faith Office.

 

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September 24, 2025

ELCA Urges Immediate Return to Negotiating Table

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), a denomination of 2.7 million members who span the ideological and partisan spectrum, strongly urges the members of Congress and President Trump to return to the negotiating table now and work in a bipartisan manner to fund the government.

Actions by this country’s elected officials jeopardize good government and the well-being of all that good governance facilitates. These actions include:

• • recurring government shutdown fights,
  • continual deepening of our nation’s unsustainably high debt, and
  • replacing normal bipartisan appropriations with unilateral reconciliation or rescissions.

This church understands government as a gift from God intended to promote the common good. This gift is a vital piece of God’s provision for the world God so loves (John 3:16) and especially for the hungry, sick, and poor with whom Christ identifies himself (Mathew 25:40).

Our government must do better. Failure to negotiate with one another and with the president will lead to a government shutdown that will hurt all Americans and harm the most vulnerable members of society first and worst of all. Likewise, failure to address healthcare premiums will result in over twenty million Americans facing dramatic increases in their healthcare costs starting in January 2026. Neither of these outcomes is acceptable.

We are deeply concerned by the breakdown of bipartisan governance, and we strongly urge the leaders and members of both major parties to govern for all their constituents, not just their supporters.

The Rev. Amy Reumann
Senior Director, Witness in Society
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

 

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TERMS: More about reconciliation is available from Congress.gov. The Bipartisan Policy Center offers a “Rescissions 101” with more information.

Following are updates shared from submissions from ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices (sppos) this quarter. Submissions include updates on what has been going on at sppos across our network. Full list and map of sppos available.

Kansas | Minnesota | Pennsylvania | Texas

 

 

Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA)

Over these past few months, Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) has been maintaining and increasing its focus on community building and mutual support through a variety of engaging programs. Following our highly successful Advocacy Day in mid-March, which drew nearly 200 attendees, our efforts have centered on mobilizing our community in the face of ongoing challenges.

A significant highlight was our most successful Annual Event to date at the end of May, which brought together nearly 200 people. This event not only celebrated our shared work but also raised crucial funds to support our mission. We were honored to have Amanda Tyler, author of How to End Christian Nationalism, as our keynote speaker. Her powerful message continued to inspire our work, leading to our June “KIFA Convos” event, where we engaged in a meaningful discussion of her book with our community.

In July, we were proud to partner with the Kairos Center to host a book tour for Rev. Liz Theoharis and Noam Sandweiss-Back, authors of You Only Get What You’re Organized to Take: Lessons from the Movement to End Poverty, with multiple stops in our state. We organized successful stops in Topeka, Wichita, and Kansas City, providing our community with a roadmap for igniting a new era of movement-building and civic awakening.

These events directly connect to our advocacy on the budget reconciliation bill , the federal budget bill that poses a severe threat to our social safety net with disastrous implications. We took action by issuing an urgent alert to our base, detailing how the legislation would slash over $800 billion from healthcare and Medicaid and $300 billion from SNAP, leaving millions of Kansans vulnerable. Unfortunately, our Congresspeople ignored our majority will,  phone calls, and emails on the issue. In June, we hosted an online forum on the issue with expert panelists to deepen our community’s understanding of this legislation and provide a clear call to action. We also published a guest commentary in the Kansas City Star, in which author Mandy Todd referenced “One Big Bad Bill,” further solidifying our stance and engaging a broader audience on this critical issue. These efforts underscore our commitment to acting on hope and fighting for justice and dignity for all our neighbors in Kansas.

Furthermore, in response to the recent immigration raids in Lenexa and Kansas City on July 30, we have continued to keep immigration rights front and center. Condemning the raids that resulted in the arrest of as many as 12 workers, we released a statement highlighting our belief in the dignity of all people and the scriptural command to “welcome the stranger.” Rabbi Moti also spoke out in partnership with Advocates for Immigration Rights and Reconciliation (AIRR) in their response to those raids in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties.

This came mere weeks after we held an immigration prayer vigil at St. Andrew Christian Church in Olathe, bringing together a packed sanctuary of supporters and allied organizations to send a clear, patriotic message that immigrants make America and Kansas great. That’s why we hosted this vigil right before the fourth of July.

 

 

Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota (LA-MN)

Political Violence: On June 14th, Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed, and Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were hospitalized in a shocking act of political violence. Another 70 leaders were on the assailant’s target list, with two narrowly spared thanks to local police and unexpected travel. As people of faith, we know these issues can’t be solved by policy alone. That’s why we’re lifting up Graceful Conversations, our five-session resource that helps us talk across differences by remembering our shared identity as beloved children of God.

Political Violence Statement & Worship: Following the tragedy, Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota (LA-MN) issued a public statement naming our shared grief and rejecting the division, extremism, and misinformation fueling violence. You can read the full statement, along with a devotion led by Rev. Rebel Hurd (NW MN Synod), on our website (scroll down).

Resource Collection: We’re building a new online hub to help congregations get at the roots of political violence. It will feature resources on misinformation, media literacy, Christian nationalism, and other drivers of division – plus book recommendations, discussion guides, and practical congregational tools.

Media Literacy: Misinformation continues to threaten our communities and democracy. To help, LA-MN has developed a new resource to strengthen media literacy, equipping advocates to evaluate sources, spot logical fallacies, and resist manipulation.

Jake’s Contributions
We are so grateful for Hunger Advocacy Fellow Jake Summerville, who has been a huge part of this work over the past year (including with the resources noted above).  His leadership and energy will be greatly missed!

 

 

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Pennsylvania (LAMPa)

After record turnout for Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Pennsylvania (LAMPa’s) annual day In the Capitol in May, Lutherans continued their state-level advocacy, signing hundreds of postcards at six synod assemblies, urging the General Assembly to support funding to fight hunger and asking Governor Josh Shapiro  to stand up for LGBTQ+ health care. LAMPa staff also joined our hunger coalition partners at a press conference with the governor to highlight the impact of federal funding stoppages to food insecure neighbors as he announced a lawsuit seeking the release of federal funds appropriated for a program that supports charitable food system purchases from local farmers.

Many of LAMPa’s priorities passed the House, but stalled in the Senate as the legislature missed its June 30 budget deadline, leaving the state without a spending plan as of mid-August.

In early summer, LAMPa assisted ELCA Advocacy staff in connecting Pennsylvania Lutherans to their members of Congress about the impact of potential cuts to SNAP and Medicaid as well as other domestic and global programs to fight hunger and disease.

LAMPa staff accompanied constituents on Hill visits in Washington, D.C. Pennsylvania Lutherans have responded overwhelmingly in support of immigrant neighbors –meeting with county and local officials and sending near-record number of letters to the governor to discourage collaboration with ICE beyond what is legally mandated. LAMPa has been accompanying peaceful protestors and connecting volunteers for rapid response networks to provide assistance to families and communities in the event of ICE raids.

 

 

Texas Impact

The Texas Impact staff and members spent the summer preparing for a called 30 day special session preparing to work on key legislative issues such as addressing disaster relief and other element of the Texas Impact 2025-2026 Legislative Agenda. Action on those bills has been delayed as the Texas House Democrats broke quorum to prevent racially-charged congressional redistricting maps from passing in the first special session. We expect additional special sessions until congressional redistricting is resolved.

Lutherans have been key participants in Texas Impact issue teams with great ELCA participation in teams related to public schools, climate action, reproductive policy, ending gun violence, immigration and the Rapid Response Team. Each team met virtually every week during the legislative session and are meeting bi-weekly during the interim.

The Texas Faith Votes teams are meeting to prepare for the upcoming constitutional elections and the 2026 primary and general elections.

Over the past year we have witnessed an increase in polarization, a rise in Christian nationalism, and a number of acts of political violence. In this spotlight from an ELCA-affiliated state public policy office (sppo), Tammy Walhof, Director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – Minnesota, and Jacob Summerville, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow placed with this sppo, discuss some ways Minnesotans are working to build bridges and encourage civil discourse.

 

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Hope and Challenge Addressing Political Violence

By Tammy Walhof, Director, Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota and Jacob Summerville, Hunger Advocacy Fellow

POLITICAL VIOLENCE | GRACEFUL CONVERSATIONS | RESOURCE COLLECTION | MEDIA LITERACY | CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM | FINDING HOPE

A RISE IN POLITICAL VIOLENCE

It is no secret that political violence, fueled by misinformation and extremism, is on the rise across the United States. On June 14, 2025, this rising tension was brought to bear in a shocking and tragic act of violence that resulted in the deaths of Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, as well as the hospitalization of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. This brazen, senseless spree of violence has left the people of Minnesota with more questions than answers. Why did this happen? How did we get here? Where do we go from here?

Beyond the profound grief, the deeper issues that got us here are on many of our minds.

As advocates, passionate about our state and its people, we find ourselves in an interesting position. We hear the cries for unity and peace, for an end to the extreme polarization that has become so common. Yet these are not issues that can be legislated away. No amount of funding will end political violence. No number of letters and phone calls will put a stop to the rampant division in our communities. No bill will be passed that will reverse our course of vitriol and division.

Lutheran Advocacy-Minnesota (LA-MN) has faithfully worked to address the needs of the people of Minnesota for decades, yet this seems to fall outside the scope of our usual methods and tools. With that in mind, LA-MN has taken several steps to address the various facets of this complex issue.

 

GRACEFUL CONVERSATIONS

More than a decade ago LA-MN Director Tammy Walhof developed a curriculum called Graceful Conversations to provide tools for talking with those with whom we disagree. She has since spent many hours editing and refining the program, finally teaming up with the Rev. Emily Meyer from the Ministry Lab to produce the workshop in its current form. Including videos, discussion questions, a facilitator guide, and more, Graceful Conversations is a five-part series that focuses on effective communication about divisive issues. In a recent episode of Here I Pod from ELCA Advocacy, Walhof spoke about the origins of Graceful Conversations and shared about how the program supports the work of encouraging conversation across divides.

At its core, Graceful Conversations reminds participants that their primary identity is not “liberal” or “conservative,” but “beloved child of God.” With this common ground as a starting place, conversations are more fruitful and respectful.

The workshop also includes many simple tips and tricks for effective communication, information about triggers and how to handle them sensitively, and so much more. The workshop in its entirety is free to all, and can be found here.

 

RESOURCE COLLECTION

A key part of addressing such complex issues as political violence and extremism is identifying their root causes. Through diligent research, we have found that although there is no one-size-fits-all explanation for this trend toward violence, there are definite commonalities that we can address individually. We are developing a hub of resources on these various causes, touching on topics such as media literacy and Christian nationalism.

This page will include a broad range of information on these topics, reading recommendations, and resources for congregations to address these issues directly and sensitively. With these items made easily available, we hope to provide our faithful advocates with a foundation to combat this rising tide of division at its roots. When it is complete, it will be found on our website.

 

MEDIA LITERACY

Misinformation presents a real and present danger to the fabric of our nation. Across all forms of media, it is becoming more and more difficult to identify what is real when the field is flooded with grifters, extremists, and others with ill-intent. As people of faith, we have a mandate to stand up for the truth. Though this may seem like a monumental task in this day and age, a simple refresh of media literacy tools can be a powerful and effective method to stem the tide of lies and manipulation. LA-MN is developing in-house resources focused on questioning media, evaluating sources, and identifying logical fallacies.

 

CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM

As ever, LA-MN stands against Christian nationalism in all its forms. This ideology distorts the gospel, bending it into a tool for political power and exclusion of our neighbors. We believe that all people are God’s beloved children, regardless of their country of origin. While we recognize and appreciate the many blessings that come with United States citizenship, we also recognize that our country is not perfect, and never has been. Criticism of our government is a cornerstone of our Constitution, and the unassailable picture of America that comes with nationalistic ideology is dangerous, beyond being outright false. Instead, LA-MN works to foster a truly patriotic environment, where we can freely seek constant improvement of our country, refinement of our laws, and fair and equitable treatment for all.

While we believe that faith can be a key component in advocacy, and can help inform our opinions on certain issues, we wholeheartedly reject the falsehood of Christian nationalism, which is based neither in the gospel nor in patriotism. Christian nationalism is a threat to our churches, our country, and our siblings in Christ across the world. Through thoughtful and gracious conversation, advocacy for just policy, and a commitment to truth and transparency, LA-MN is working hard to stamp out this harmful ideology and foster faithful community in its place.

 

HOPE IN A WEARY WORLD

Rising tensions and increasingly common acts of violence in the United States are understandably scary. Voices from every corner seem convinced that our country is simply too far gone, too separated to ever reconcile. LA-MN resoundingly rejects this idea. We are one body in Christ, regardless of political party. As faithful advocates we are committed to hope in this time of division. Following the act of political violence on June 14, LA-MN released a statement addressing the attack and emphasized the importance of building community at a time where many would seek to pull us apart.

As much as it is safe for you to do so, we encourage you to recommit yourself to that same hope. Keep having graceful conversations. Keep educating yourself on the big issues, and be aware of where your information comes from. Take a stand against Christian nationalism in all its forms. Do not give up hope on your neighbor, no matter how distant they may seem. We will be praying for a turning tide, and for all those working to make that happen. As we’ve said, political violence and extremism cannot be legislated away. These issues that poison our communities must be excised through action, through patience and grace, and through the renewing and redeeming gospel that is our firm foundation.