Updated September 5, 2024

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.

Status on Capitol Hill

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

LAMPa Director Tracey DePasquale thanks Gov. Josh Shapiro for calling out the harm done by the federal withholding of appropriated funds to fight hunger and support farmers.

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.

Pennsylvania Lutherans and ecumenical partners meet with Sen. John Fetterman, who agreed to support their request to oppose cuts to anti-hunger programs.

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.

Pastor Erin Joines, LAMPa communications and advocacy engagement manager, and her husband, Dr. Tim Jones, stand in solidarity with Pittsburgh’s immigrant community.

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.

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.

By Deacon Nick Bates, Director, Hunger Network in Ohio

In a given week, most of us don’t think about all the effects different public investments and state budget policies have on our daily life.

• Think about your standard Sunday. You probably drive on roads and highways, and maybe you drive past a park and fire station. Does your congregation volunteer at a food pantry or shelter that day? Maybe you’ll run some errands and stop in at your local library or visit a loved one at an assisted living center. That evening, if you’re a parent you may help kids get ready for school the next day…

The list goes on and on about the ways state public policy impacts all of our lives. All of these everyday experiences are – in part – supported by state budgets in each of our states.

As people of faith, we are called to be in relationship with our neighbor. As part of our social covenant as neighbors, we must be good stewards of our shared resources (like tax dollars) and ensure they are used effectively and efficiently to serve and strengthen our communities.

The Budget Process

Creating a state budget follows a similar process in most states. In Ohio, the governor begins by giving directions to their cabinet level agencies to draft their proposals a full year before the governor expects to sign the final product. The governor compiles the advice from all the different state agencies and submits priorities to the Ohio General Assembly in early February. Then it travels through months of state House and Senate hearings and before a ”Conference Committee” to reconcile all the different versions before a version is sent back to the governor for their signature and line-item vetoes.

This year, the Hunger Network in Ohio (HNO) coordinated faith and secular communities to be strong advocates on the state budget in an extremely difficult policy climate. Term limits in Ohio have removed skilled legislative leaders from both political parties. This leaves new policymakers, without the knowledge and relationships on the variety of issues in the state budget, trying to catch up and making many mistakes along the way.

Our state budget advocacy illustrates the different strategies needed for any effective advocacy campaign. Over the course of this budget, HNO:

• Participated in six advocacy meetings in 2024 with members of the governor’s administration to discuss priorities in the budget they would propose.
• Coordinated dozens of advocacy partners for a ‘budget boiler room’ to read and review the governor’s proposal for quick response.
• Led meetings with caucus legislative staff to lift up shared priorities.
• Met with more than a dozen key legislative leaders.
• Hosted a “Budget is a Moral Document Advocacy Day” that brought more than 75 faith leaders to Columbus to meet with over 50 legislative leaders.
• Hosted a Faith and Legislative Leader Luncheon with over 100 faith leaders and dozens of legislative leaders.
• Coordinated a rally to lift up our issues for the Conference Committee.
• Encouraged hundreds of emails and phone calls to legislative leaders.
• Offered legislative testimony in seven separate budget committees.

Faith-based advocacy helps to bridge policy experts and lived experiences, professional lobbyists and community advocates, concerns in our community and potential long-term solutions. We do this work by:

Developing Clear Messages: Budgets Are Moral Documents

Yes, our issues are complex and interconnected. Based on HNO experience, these practices helped faith-based advocates communicate effectively to congregations, community members and legislative leaders. Advocacy efforts should break down issues into bite-sized pieces that are easy to understand. Remember the value of our witness is not in repeating academic research, but in connecting the research to our communities and stories. We are the experts of our own story.

Helpful Tip: During legislative advocacy meetings, we train participants to engage in conversation with their elected officials and staff. Encourage the people you talk to in an advocacy meeting to ask questions. If they ask a question and you don’t know the answer, that’s good! It creates an opportunity for meaningful follow-up and invites you into another conversation and that will deepen relationships.

Building Positive Relationships

Advocacy ministry is a ministry of relationships. Legislative leaders are extremely busy during budget season. By forming relationships with your representatives before the budget drops, following up regularly and being a trusted messenger, you can help you break through the noise.

Helpful Tip: Think about who you need to be in relationship with to be effective advocates – like business leaders, legislative staff, faith communities, policy researchers and advocates, labor leaders, etc. At HNO, we not only participate in coalitions to bring faith leaders alongside others, we help lead secular coalitions in bringing in the diverse relationships that we have built through conversation as well. Through these coalitions, HNO has been able to expand our reach with advocacy meetings and shape the messaging and policy work of other organizations.

Try New Things

Advocates holding paper plates as a symbol of the many prayers being held with them as they entered the Ohio Statehouse

The reality is that many advocates in Ohio are burned out. Drawing attention to people impacted by issues we prioritize keeps getting more difficult. There isn’t a magical fix, or a one-size-fits all approach. Try new things to reenergize. This year HNO added two successful advocacy strategies to our mix.

The first new strategy we tried was a faith-led press conference on the House version of the state budget during our advocacy day. This press conference generated a lot of media hits on public radio, local news and print media.

HNO also encouraged faith communities to write out their prayers on paper plates (recognizing the need to prioritize food security in Ohio) for the state budget. We then strung these paper plates together and carried them with us to rallies and advocacy events as a symbol that we are carrying the prayers of many with us as we enter the Statehouse. We have well over 200 paper plates attached for our prayer chains.

Northwestern Ohio Synod advocates prepare for their advocacy with a budget briefing at Trinity Episcopal Church, across the street from the Ohio Statehouse

Impact in Ohio

We hope and pray that our budget advocacy will produce positive results in both the short- and long-term. We have successfully advocated to stop multiple bad provisions from making their way into the final bill and held off further budget cuts to important programs in our advocacy that sees the budget as a moral document. While it appears that the state will be passing their 14th tax cut for the wealthiest Ohioans in 20 years, our objections – grounded in faith – have educated the media, advocates, and community and legislative leaders that we can do great things in Ohio when we come together as community.

Hopefully, our faith-based advocacy has had a role in preparing for more just and equitable budget policies in the future.

“We said at the beginning of the 2025 Kansas legislative session that we were expecting to bear witness more than passing or stopping particular legislation, and so it turned out,” said Rabbi Moti Rieber, Executive Director of Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) in the ELCA-affiliated state public policy office network. This month’s SPPO Spotlight Series entry is a look at some of the ways KIFA bears witness through advocacy. KIFA works with the ELCA Central States Synod and is a strategic partner of the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC), the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, and the Mercy & Justice Team of the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church.

By Rabbi Moti Rieber, Executive Director, Kansas Interfaith Action

On March 10, 2025, around 170 Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) supporters gathered at the Kansas Statehouse to learn, advocate and bear moral witness to issues that concern people of faith throughout the state. Highlights of the day included an inclusive and energizing rally, as well as our large group chanting, “Love not hate makes Kansas great!” outside of the legislative chambers. Thanks to the dedicated work of KIFA staff and volunteers, KIFA Day 2025 was our most successful Advocacy Day ever! And thanks to the dedicated KIFA supporters who attended, our presence at the Capitol in Topeka was visible and our voices were clearly heard!

During the Legislative Session

KIFA has been actively engaged on several fronts in recent months, working to live out our faith through advocacy and action in the public square. The 2025 Kansas legislative session, which met Jan. 13 through Apr. 11, demanded significant attention and advocacy from KIFA.

Standing Against Anti-Transgender Legislation: A major focus was the fight against discriminatory legislation targeting transgender Kansans. Despite strong opposition from KIFA and our coalition partners, in February the legislature overrode Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s veto on SB 63, a comprehensive ban on gender-affirming care for minors. KIFA opposed this harmful bill and pledged ongoing support to youth and families who will be affected by the legislation. KIFA also actively opposed SB 76, sometimes referenced as the “pronoun bill,” which aimed to restrict the use of students’ preferred names and pronouns in schools. While it passed the Senate, advocacy in coalition with KIFA contributed to the bill not advancing further in the House. HB 2311, a bill which allows foster care placements with people who espouse “religious or moral” objections to LGBTQ+ folks, passed, was vetoed by the governor, then was passed by overriding the veto.

Advocating for Equitable Policies: KIFA engaged on a range of other critical issues. The organization opposed SB 19, seeking expanded vaccine exemptions. In public education, we opposed HB 2136, aiming to increase private school tax credits. The bill passed the House but failed in the Senate. In affordable housing, KIFA fought against HB 2119, which sought to repeal the Affordable Housing Tax Credit, and KIFA supported HB 2074 which would reinstate the Homestead Property Tax Refund for renters. Concerns about the judiciary led KIFA to oppose SCR 1611, a constitutional amendment regarding Supreme Court justice selection that will now appear on the August 2026 ballot. Additionally, KIFA advocated against SB 254, intended to deny in-state tuition to undocumented students. Later in the session, KIFA voiced strong opposition to SB 4, eliminating the grace period for mail ballots, which unfortunately passed over the governor’s veto.

Find a more in-depth End-of-Session Report posted to the KIFA website on Apr. 24.

The Witness Doesn’t End

As we move away from the just-concluded legislative session, KIFA’s attention is turning to a couple of really difficult and important issues: immigration and protecting Medicaid at the federal level. We’ll speak more about each of these issues, but briefly: we are part of a coalition working to oppose private-prison company CoreCivic’s attempts to turn their idle facility in Leavenworth into an ICE holding center and will be holding a prayer vigil/protest when a court hearing on the matter is held in May [Editor’s Note: update since written]. We are also part of a federal defense-of-Medicaid coalition working to stave off attempts to slash this vital element of our health care system which protects the neediest.

We also continue our full slate of speaking engagements, KIFA coffeehouses and other on-line meetings. May 27 was the 2025 KIFA Annual Event, which featured Amanda Tyler as keynote. Event promotion read: “We find ourselves in challenging times – perhaps the most challenging many of us have ever known. Yet together, the KIFA community is meeting the moment: showing up at the statehouse, preaching a message of justice from our pulpits, holding our leaders accountable, fighting White Christian Nationalism, and living up to the divine call to protect and advocate for the most vulnerable among us. With your help, and with God’s, KIFA is standing up for our sacred values in the midst of the challenge.”

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.

MINNESOTA | OHIO | PENNSYLVANIA | TEXAS |  VIRGINIA

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Minnesota (LA-MN)

Tammy Walhof, Director

2025 Lenten/Lutheran Letter Campaigns: Lutheran Advocacy-MN is pleased with more participation this year in the campaigns, though we still struggle to have these campaigns known broadly.

End of Legislative Session:

The session closed with much work left undone. The governor pledged before session “end” to call a one-day Special Session, after bill differences are ironed out through House/Senate Conference Negotiations.

1) Overall Budget Negotiations – The House and Senate landed in very different places in nearly every budget area. Weeks of negotiations by the leaders and the governor finally resulted in a controversial agreement. Republicans wanted to end all healthcare coverage for undocumented immigrants. Protecting that coverage was paramount for progressive and POCI (People of Color/Indigenous) caucuses. Leaders finally compromised, pulling coverage from adult immigrants while keeping it for children, but reaching final passage remains contentious.

2) Affordable Housing – Thanks to lots of letters from Lutherans, steadfast advocacy by many Homes for All partners and great bipartisan collaboration by House legislators, the House passed a housing package increasing funding by $75 million and focused on four pillars of housing stability. Despite persistent advocacy, the Senate only passed an additional $3 million. Final Conference Committee negotiations added $18 million, primarily for rental help and homeownership support, with $50 million in bonding to build or rehab more housing.

3) Electronic Waste Recycling – We heard from bill sponsor Sen. Kupec that our Lutheran advocacy was making a big difference. Despite that, the bill became stuck after manufacturers objected to having to provide relatively tiny recycling collection costs. Our LA-MN Policy Council will discuss the possibility of starting an advocacy campaign to the companies that testified in opposition.

Hunger Network in Ohio

Participants at Hunger Network in Ohio’s Faith & Legislative Leaders Luncheon, photo credit: Pastor Aaron Layne of All Saints Lutheran Church in Columbus

Deacon Nick Bates, Director

The Hunger Network in Ohio hosted our third annual Faith & Legislative Leaders Luncheon on May 1, featuring Senator Blessing (R-Colerain Township) and Rep. Sweeney (D-Westlake) and over 100 faith leaders from across Ohio along with dozens of legislative officials and staff. The day also featured service spotlights from Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry in Cleveland, Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio, Canton for All People and the United Methodists laser focus on housing development in Ohio. Speakers shared about the importance of state budget policy to support Ohio’s affordable Housing Trust Fund, Foodbanks, Child Tax Credits and much more. Participants joined others in lifting up their prayers by adding paper plates to our ‘Paper Plate Prayer Chain.” Sadly, the Ohio House passed a version of the budget that falls far short but advocates are working to highlight the importance of these public services to our state Senators.

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Pennsylvania (LAM-Pa)

Tracey DePasquale, Director

Participants at Lutheran Day in the Capitol on the steps of the Pennsylvania state Capitol

On May 13, more than 215 disciples gathered to learn, worship and advocate for programs to fight hunger and support health care during Lutheran Day in the Capitol! Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Pennsylvania (LAMPa) broke the previous year’s record for turnout, with many advocates joining for the first time.

The Rev. Dr. Chad Rimmer offered the keynote and led workshops with Christine Mangale, Director of the Lutheran Office for World Community, on the theme “Behold, I am doing a new thing.”  Rimmer’s keynote focused on relationships – creating ecologies of grace in an age of ecological breakdown.

In the morning, participants heard from LAMPa coalition partners on topics from our policy priorities, including hunger and food systems, housing, health care, energy and climate change, clean water, gun violence, peacebuilding, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration and racial justice. In the afternoon, advocates headed to the state Capitol to urge their lawmakers to support state budget funding for anti-hunger programs as well as legislation to help prevent medical debt – a measure that passed the House with wide bipartisan support during our time in the Capitol. Advocates also urged lawmakers to call on their members of Congress to oppose cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, explaining the harm such cuts would cause in their communities. Participants are encouraged to keep following up with letters, calls and in-district visits.

LAMPa has been working with our colleagues in the ELCA Witness in Society office to engage Pennsylvania Lutherans in advocacy with their members of Congress on issues such as hunger, Medicaid, clean energy and refugee resettlement.

Texas Impact

Scott Atnip, Director of Public Witness

The Texas Legislature is nearing the completion of their 140 day biennial legislative session. ELCA members have been significant participants in multiple Texas Impact lobby days, including the three-day Family Matters: Faith Days at the Texas Capitol event, a three-day United Women in Faith Legislative Event, and a press conference and lobby day by faith leaders calling out religious extremism in the Texas Legislative Session.

Lutherans have also been key participants in 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 is meeting virtually every week during the legislative session and provides opportunities for members to testify in committee, meet with legislators and attend issue-specific lobby-days.

The Texas Legislature has advanced many bills in opposition to ELCA and Texas Impact priorities, so planning is currently underway to encourage members and congregations to host “debrief” sessions with legislators to help constituents understand what happened during the legislative session and to engage in conversation about how decisions were made and how constituents can better work with their representatives moving forward to ensure policy is made with the local community’s priorities in mind.

Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP)

Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook, Executive Director

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy concluded the Virginia General Assembly legislative session with notable achievements alongside significant setbacks. The intensive 45-day session demanded swift action and decision-making, during which Virginia’s faith communities and people of goodwill mobilized effectively, generating hundreds of emails and phone calls to state legislators and the governor in support of justice-oriented policies.

The organization achieved several key legislative victories:

• Successfully eliminated indiscriminate youth shackling practices within Virginia’s juvenile court system
• Secured approval for the constitutional amendment to restore voting rights to Virginians with felony convictions (pending second approval by the legislature before advancing to ballot initiative status)
• Preserved rural hospital maternity ward operations
• Advanced measures to streamline affordable housing development processes for faith-based organizations

Despite these successes, several priority initiatives did not advance, including legislation mandating implicit bias training for healthcare professionals and establishing universal paid sick leave rights for all Virginia workers. Our organization is conducting a comprehensive review of this session’s outcomes to inform strategic planning for the 2026 legislative cycle.

Given the significance of Virginia’s upcoming statewide elections—featuring races for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and the entire House of Delegates—the organization has identified civic engagement and voter mobilization as primary focus areas for the summer months ahead.

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

Partial expanded content from Advocacy Connections: May 2025

BUDGET RECONCILIATION ADVANCES VIA COMMITTEE | FEMA THREATS | ADVOCACY WITH COMPANION CHURCHES | HUMANITARIAN AID TO GAZA | TAX REFORMS | MIGRATION POLICY UPDATES

BUDGET RECONCILIATION ADVANCES VIA COMMITTEE: Individual committees in the House of Representatives have scheduled “mark up” dates to write up budget reconciliation text, with much happening the week of 5/12/2025. This comes after the House and Senate passed a shared budget resolution “blueprint” Apr. 14, which instructs committees to find “up-to” 2 trillion dollars in “pay-fors” for a wider tax cut package. A Call In Action Alert has been released to facilitate time-sensitive comments from the ELCA Advocacy Network to their representatives in this significant moment.

House and Senate Republicans have been at odds for weeks over the size of a tax cut package and whether it must be paid for with offsetting spending cuts. This intersects with several priority concerns in the ELCA, including:

• Considered cuts to Medicaid, including increasing work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents, increasing federal-state cost-share for the program, or capping assistance for expanded Medicaid states.
• Potential reductions to SNAP and hunger federal funding, with some reports of seeking $230 billion in this area, possibly neutralizing future growth of the Thrifty Food Program and increasing the age limit for work requirements.
• Discussed $330 billion cut to federal student loan programs.
• Potential additional cuts to environmental programs that would roll back certain climate regulations (such as the fee on methane emissions and Environmental Protection Agency’s tailpipe emissions rule).
• Changes to Inflation Reduction Act’s tax credits intended to slow climate change and boost clean energy such as wind and solar power.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

There are many reasons Lutherans are attending to our shared economic life. For example, the ELCA social statement Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All distills: “Government is intended to serve God’s purposes by limiting or countering narrow economic interests and promoting the common good… Governing leaders are to be held accountable to God’s purposes: ‘May [they] judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice… May [they] defend the cause of the poor of the people’ (Psalm 72:2)” p. 11. Also, the ELCA social statement Caring for Creation states, “This church will favor proposals and actions that address environmental issues in a manner consistent with the principles of participation, solidarity, sufficiency, and sustainability” (p. 11).

What’s Next:

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated hopes that the House and Senate will find some compromise for a wider tax bill and send it to the president’s desk by July 4, but the GOP conference remains divided on whether they should cut spending even more or avoid cuts to critical low-income programs. ELCA advocacy staff shared Action Alerts on hunger, education, Medicaid and more over the last month, and will continue to encourage calls to action on priorities that impact the mission of our ministries as the committees deliberate text.

FEMA THREATS: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reportedly created a plan to dismantle critical disaster response, recovery and resilience operations at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The reported plan comes after the administration paused $700 million in resiliency funds from the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. Media reports indicate that the agency will be decimated with the Atlantic hurricane season just six weeks away.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

With extensive experience and investment through Lutheran Disaster Response and local involvement, the ELCA advocacy team issued an Action Alert to mobilize members to call upon their elected officials to express concern about cutting or dismantling federal disaster response.

What’s Next:

The FEMA Council the administration established through Executive Order remains active. According to a DHS press release (4/28/25), President Trump has appointed 13 new members to the Council. Membership of the committee is centered around Gulf Coast states, and several members have some form of emergency management experience. Overall, ELCA advocacy staff and partners assess that this shows our advocacy and organizing against the dismantlement of FEMA is working, which can be counted as a positive development. The existence of the council will, at least, slow the dismantling process down. Regardless, the existence of this council means that our advocacy around the recent FEMA Request for Information are going to be a lot more impactful.

• This situation is constantly evolving; on 5/8/25, acting FEMA chief Cameron Hilton was forced out after breaking rank with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and President Trump, and new FEMA head David Richardson told FEMA staff he would “run right over” anyone that resists changes, and that all delegation of authority in the agency is immediately suspended according to Reuters.

ADVOCACY WITH COMPANION CHURCHES: This month, Dr. Paul Mmbando, the Director of Health Programs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), was hosted by ELCA D.C.-based staff and met with several congressional offices and committee staff to discuss the lifesaving importance of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). He spoke of ways ELCT’s PEPFAR project known as Kizazi Hodari, funded through USAID, was instrumental in helping orphaned and vulnerable children in northern Tanzania thrive. The ELCT’s Kizazi Hodari project is one of many that has been prematurely terminated by the Trump administration due to change of U.S. policy.

• Through facilitation of Daudi Msseemmaa, ELCA Regional Representative to East Africa, Dr. Godson Maro, Chief of Party for the ELCT’s Kizazi Hodari program shared insights on the lifesaving ministry and it’s truncation through present U.S. policy in Episode 4 of Here I Pod from ELCA Advocacy.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

Companion churches are a critical part of our church and of our advocacy efforts. They bring unique voices and perspectives to policy decisions. Many members of Congress are eager to hear from partners on the ground, who are often the ones experiencing the impact of policy decisions made far from their own communities. Dr. Mmbando found an audience that was keen to hear of ELCT’s experience with U.S. government foreign assistance programs as Congress charts a way forward. As a church that fosters relationships based on accompaniment, such connections are critical to faith-based advocacy.

What’s Next:

Since Dr. Mmbando’s visit, there have been follow-up conversations with congressional staff about ways Congress can continue supporting global health programs like PEPFAR and restore projects that have been abruptly terminated. ELCA advocacy staff will continue to engage these offices to ensure sustainability of these programs and encourage our advocate network to message Congress to restore funding. An Action Alert is available.

HUMANITARIAN AID TO GAZA: Since Mar. 2, after the collapse of the ceasefire, the Israeli government has continued to block humanitarian aid and most provision of water into the Gaza Strip. At this juncture, most food stocks at UN and International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGOs) warehouses inside the Gaza Strip are depleted, and obtaining water is becoming extremely difficult.

The UN now estimates that Gaza is facing its worst humanitarian crisis since the start of the conflict on Oct., 2023. Provision of healthcare and emergency medical assistance in Gaza is now at its lowest ebb, with key medical supplies depleted and a lack of blood supplies. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) bombing of the Episcopal affiliated al-Ahli Arab hospital on Apr. 13, 2025, further degraded the ability to provide healthcare services in North Gaza. Evacuation orders and the imposition of “military zones” in the Gaza Strip by the IDF has put 70% of the strip off limits to Gaza residents, cramming the Strip’s entire population into the remaining 30% of available land. It is estimated that at least 420,000 Gazans have been displaced since the ceasefire collapse in March.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

The critical situation in Gaza and the ongoing conflict continues to directly impact the ELCA’s Lutheran siblings in the Holy Land, in addition to putting the wider Christian community of the Holy Land at further physical risk. The conflict is also further eroding and destroying the interfaith relationship between all three Abrahamic faiths, which is impacting the ELCA’s interfaith relationships here in the United States.

What’s Next:

ELCA advocacy staff accompanied an U.S.-Egypt Dialogue delegation to their congressional and State Department meetings during the week of Apr. 28. During these meetings ELCA staff including the Executive Director of ELCA Service & Justice brought up the need for the United States to put pressure on the Israeli government to lift the blockade on Gaza and allow humanitarian aid into the enclave. Additionally, the issue of the bombing of the al-Ahli Arab Hospital on Palm Sunday was news to several members of Congress who requested additional information about the situation with the hospital and about the overall situation with healthcare in Gaza. ELCA advocacy staff will continue to follow up and provide this information and work to pursue a bipartisan letter from Congress to the White House demanding to understand the White House’s strategy for protecting the Christian community in the Holy Land moving forward.

TAX REFORMS: As Congress considers cuts to programs, House Ways and Means and Senate Finance is simultaneously considering tax cuts to bundle together in a wider reconciliation bill.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

The social statement Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All references the need for a just tax code: “Paying taxes to enable government to carry out these and other purposes is an appropriate expression of our stewardship in society, rather than something to be avoided. Government often falls short of these responsibilities. Its policies can harm the common good and especially the most vulnerable in society. Governing leaders are to be held accountable to God’s purposes: “May [they] judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice… May [they] defend the cause of the poor of the people” (Psalm 72:2).

What’s Next:

Though the majority of tax relief is expected to benefit businesses, committee leaders have been approached by a large variety of proposals, including expanding the Child Tax Credit and passing new perks to low-income housing development. Earlier in April, Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) reintroduced legislation to expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program, estimated to help create up to 1.6 million affordable homes over a decade by increasing the total tax credits allocated to states and easing some public financing requirements. Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers continue to debate the inclusion of an expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC), which could involve an inflation value increase which would make the credit permanent, adding a baby-bonus (an explored way by the administration to increase the country’s birth rate), and more. A variety of lawmakers are hoping introduced tax bills from this spring will be included in the wider reconciliation package. ELCA advocacy staff shared an Action Alert on the CTC last month and will continue to track these bills as they advance in Congress.

MIGRATION POLICY UPDATES: While the position of ELCA Program Director for Migration Policy is unfilled, monitor @ELCAammparo on Facebook and the ELCA AMMPARO Blog for current activity.

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By Emily Ahern, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow [About the Author] 

On May 1st, many observed the public holiday May Day, otherwise known as International Workers’ Day. This day is set aside specifically to commemorate working class people and to shed light on the demands made by people involved in the labor movement. Christians have intertwined with this movement, historically and today, and Lutheran teaching shapes our point of view. 

A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE 

May 1 was specifically chosen to commemorate the strike which would culminate in the Haymarket Riot, a clash between labor protesters and police on May 4, 1886 which led to the deaths of at least eight people and brought increased attention to the American labor movement. 

From the turn of the 19th century up until the Great Depression, labor organizers found allies in religious Americans, particularly those of Protestant affiliation. An influx of Protestant immigrants saw workers entering the “craft” trades (supported both by what is known as the Social Gospel and the Protestant Work Ethic). With significant representation in the largest group of unions in the country, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) (the largest group of unions in the country), Protestants felt a pull to adhere to the Social Gospel’s call to social justice and often both turned to union work and supported the rights of others to unionize. 

The Great Depression saw the integration of many religious, racial and ethnic groups in union spaces. The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), which first broke away from the AFL due to disagreements over their belief in the organization of all industries (craft and non-craft alike), reintegrated with the AFL after its leadership was ousted in droves due to allegations of communist affiliation. Together, the AFL and the CIO formed what is now known as the AFL-CIO, and those who were once part of the CIO took to organizing laborers in non-craft trades, who were often Catholic or Jewish, in droves. Soon, the labor movement became a monolith composed of different identity groups – racial barriers began to be broken down, and workers of a number of faith traditions worked together on issues related to workers’ rights. 

LUTHERAN SHAPING OF VIEW ON LABOR

In my reflection, I think it is in our marrow to work. Genesis 2:15 says that humankind was placed in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it. Perhaps most importantly, Colossians 3:23-24 says that “Whatever task you must do, work as if your soul depends on it, as for the Lord and not for humans, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.” Our Christian tradition teaches the inherent dignity of all human beings, as we are made in the image of God. Our work can express this dignity; however, work is not all that we are as humans.¹

With this understanding of human dignity, it is essential that employers treat their workers with respect. This includes being compensated fairly, given good benefits and treated fairly. The ELCA social statement on Economic Life calls us as a church to “commit ourselves to… cultivate participatory workplaces, support the right of employees to organize for the sake of better working conditions and to engage in collective bargaining, and refrain from intentionally undercutting union organizing activities, or from permanently replacing striking workers” (p. 10). 

This idea goes back to Martin Luther’s original understanding of vocation. He made clear that all vocations – from working in farms to working as a minister – please God. For Luther, all work is an opportunity to praise God and shine our light as people of faith. As we are all redeemed through faith, any work conducted in faith is an opportunity to spread the gospel and show kindness and goodness to our neighbor. Martin Luther’s radical understanding of vocation and its foundations in Colossians shape our Lutheran attitude toward labor today. No form of labor is above another – therefore, we are called to support each other in our vocations, including supporting the rights of all workers, union or nonunion, high-wage or low-wage.  

CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS

Today, the dignity of work experiences new challenges that should concern us as Christians and workers across the United States. Recently, the National Labor Relations Board, the quasi-judicial body which litigates labor disputes and investigates companies and corporations alleged violations of labor law, has been functionally frozen. In an Executive Order, the White House asked the Department of Labor (DOL) to halt all workplace discrimination investigations. Meanwhile, policymakers are also considering cutting essential programs such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which ensures workplace safety standards. In another Executive Order, the President restricted or eliminated employment protections for workers in numerous federal agencies. These agencies– including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration–were questionably declared “to have as a primary function intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work,” and therefore were rendered ineligible for these labor protections. As Christians with a history of upholding the whole needs of the human person, including essential elements of work, these developments should concern us.   

CALL TO REFLECTION TODAY

Labor in the United States would not be nearly as strong, nearly as effective, or nearly as safe without people of faith. As we as Lutherans reflect on our commitment to work and human dignity, I encourage us to reflect as Lutherans on our commitment to work and human dignity not just historically but also today.  

1 See also the ELCA social statement Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All: “Although our identity does not depend on what we do, through our work we should be able to express this God-given dignity as persons of integrity, worth, and meaning. Yet work does not constitute the whole of our life” (p. 9).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Emily Ahern (she/her) is the Hunger Advocacy Fellow – Federal Policy with ELCA Advocacy. She is originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania, and a lifelong member of congregations of the ELCA. She graduated from American University this past spring with a degree in Political Science, and graduated (once again) from American University this May with a Master’s in Public Administration. Ahern is so excited to research and advocate for policy which will alleviate the effects of hunger and poverty for all Americans! In her free time, she can be found collecting vinyl, going to concerts and watching Star Wars.