By Joey Chin, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow 

ELCA Witness in Society is excited to introduce the six members of the 2024-2025 Hunger Advocacy Fellows cohort. The year-long fellowship integrates professional development with faith formation and offers fellows the unique opportunity to address issues at the state and national level. Engaging in the work of advocacy remains integral to the life of faith and essential to our present witness. We look forward to the work ahead as we participate in the development of a more just world.

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Emily Ahren (D.C. Policy)

Emily Ahern (she/her) 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 is on track to graduate (once again) from American University this upcoming spring with a Master’s in Public Administration. Ahern is so excited to join ELCA Advocacy so that she can research and lobby 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.

 

Erin Brown (New York – LOWC)

Erin Brown (she/her/ella) is a deacon consecrated by the Lutheran Diaconal Association. She is passionate about multicultural exchange, language, and the power of storytelling. Before joining the Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC), Brown worked at Saint Peter’s Church in Manhattan as a fellow in cross-cultural ministry. Previously, Brown taught English to university students in Colombia and to Haitian adults seeking refuge in the greater Boston area. Prior to this, she lived in Costa Rica, completing her diaconal internship with a focus on refugee rights. Brown holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish & Global Service from Valparaiso University and a Master of Arts in Latin American & Caribbean Studies from Indiana University. In her free time, Brown enjoys spending her time outdoors hiking and exploring creation. She’s thrilled to continue her work with the LOWC team this year and continue to engage in international advocacy.

 

Joey Chin (D.C. Communications)

Joey Chin (he/him) grew up in the greater Seattle area and earned degrees from The University of Washington in communication and political science. After graduating, he spent one year as an editorial fellow with Sojourners magazine followed by three years working as an elementary public school teacher in Redmond, Washington. Most recently Chin began a Master of Divinity degree at Wesley Theological Seminary. He is looking forward to joining ELCA Advocacy and being a part of all the important work being done. Chin enjoys books, movies, and podcasts and always appreciates any recommendations for new things to read, watch, or listen to.

 

Courtney Hall (California)

Courtney Hall (she/her) is the Hunger Advocacy Fellow with the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in California. She graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a double minor in Political Science and Religious Studies in May 2024. Her undergraduate pursuits were driven by her desire to understand the complex relationship between religion and politics in the United States. Additionally, while at Clemson, she was an undergraduate research assistant for the Chair of the Political Science Department, completing research for his book Dysfunctional Diplomacy: The Politics of International Agreements in an Era of Partisan Polarization. She also worked for Clemson University’s Athletic Academic Services as a tutor for student-athletes in history, political science, and English composition and rhetoric. She was born and raised in Long Beach, California and looks forward to being a faithful advocate and bettering the community that she loves.

 

Sagi Rudnick (Kansas)

Sagi Rudnick (he/him) is a political organizer, strategist, and activist with over half a decade of experience fostering community in Kansas and Missouri. During this time, with over a dozen campaigns and organizations, he has worked with diverse stakeholders and coalitions to achieve results for the community. These results include successfully lobbying for hundreds of millions in public dollars for public universities and working with faith communities and organized labor to raise the minimum wage and enact paid sick leave. Rudnick graduated from the University of Missouri – Kansas City in 2023 with bachelor’s degrees in political science and professional communications, and a minor in International Studies. Raised in the Jewish faith, Rudnick believes simultaneously that the whole community is greater than the sum total of its individuals, and that every person is a whole world unto themselves. He is excited to promote justice in partnership with Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) and the ELCA! Rudnick lives in Kansas City, Missouri with his fiancée, Caitlin, and their four cats and two dogs.

 

Jake Summerville (Minnesota)

Jake Summerville (he/him) is the newest addition to the Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota team as our Hunger Advocacy Fellow! Born and raised in the ELCA with a professional background in youth ministry and direct service work, Summerville is excited to hit the ground running. He has just finished up at Luther Seminary and has been approved for ordination as a deacon in the ELCA, so this will be the first step of many on his journey. Ask him about his fiancé, his cat, the outdoors, or Dungeons and Dragons!

Following are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (sppos) in the ELCA Advocacy Network this month. Full list and map of sppos available.

UN | COLORADO | MINNESOTA | PENNSYLVANIA | WISCONSIN

 

U.N.
Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC), United Nations, New York, N.Y. – ELCA.org/lowc
Christine Mangale, Director

International Tax Cooperation: The United Nations adopted terms of reference on International Tax Cooperation in August, despite opposition by the United States and other developed Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. The terms of reference (ToR) are the ground rules and procedures for all member states to engage in intergovernmental negotiations and the subsequent investments in these processes required to ensure their facilitation. While the European Union opposes these negotiations (along with the OECD) their members abstained rather than vote against, which allowed the ToR to be adopted.

The social statement Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All supports monitoring of taxation policy. It calls for, among other things: corporate governance that is accountable for the effects of a company’s practices on workers, communities, and the environment here and throughout the world; scrutiny of the tax breaks, subsidies, and incentives many companies receive, to assure that they serve the common good; enforcement of laws to prevent the exercise of inordinate market power by large corporations; and appropriate government regulatory reform so that governments can monitor private sector practices more effectively and efficiently in an ever-changing global economy (p. 14).

UN General Assembly Summit of the Future: Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC) will be hosting a high-level delegation from the LWF and ELCA who will represent LWF at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and the Summit of the Future. The UNGA opens on Sep. 10, 2024, and will contain the following elements: General Debate, Summit of the Future. Additionally, there will be high-level meetings on sea level rise, elimination of nuclear weapons and antimicrobial resistance.

The UNGA is a critical decision-making body in multilateral policy generation and accountability. The LWF is both a stakeholder in the global response to the existential issues of our time and a watchdog of these policies to hold states accountable to their decisions. The outcomes of the UNGA and the Summit of the Future will be key UN processes that will influence our strategy for advocacy engagement moving forward to 2025 and beyond.

 

Colorado
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado (LAM-CO) – lam-co.org
Peter Severson, Director

2024 VOTER GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE: Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado (LAM-CO) is proud to once again publish our annual Voter Guide, a resource to walk voters through the myriad ballot measures on which Coloradans will be asked to vote this fall. This year, there will be 14 measures on the ballot, the most since 2008. The measures address everything from criminal justice and abortion to same sex marriage and wildlife management.

LAM-CO has taken a position on four of the ballot measures this year: we recommend voting YES on Amendment I, Amendment J, and Proposition JJ, and we recommend voting NO on Proposition 128. We are formally neutral on the rest of the measures, but check out our Guide for more information and analysis about each one, as well as information about faithful voting in elections.

View our 2024 Voter Guide here. Ballots will be going out to voters in the mail starting Oct. 11. Happy voting!

 

Minnesota
Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota (LA-MN) – lutheranadvocacymn.org
Tammy Walhof, Director

Graceful Conversations: Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota (LA-MN) and The Ministry Lab (PCUSA & UCC with LA-MN director) have teamed up to share Graceful Conversations: Building Arcs Across Divided Perspectives. It started as a workshop LA-MN Director Tammy Walhof initially created ten years ago (and has continued to improve) to help participants think about how we as Christians should ‘be’ in the world as we attempt to address ever increasing polarization. With the help of Rev. Emily Meyer, an expert on contemplative practices, it has been transformed into a five-part series of learning, reflection, and practice to help participants make Graceful Conversations part of their core being (1-1.5 hour sessions, with 15-20 minutes of video to be paused at various points for discussion). These sessions do not negate the value of Braver Angels workshops or other depolarizations initiatives. Rather, they are geared specifically to churches. Watch for it on our website soon!

Out & About: Walhof has been meeting, presenting, and sharing resources across the state over the last month, including at a statewide EcoFaith Leadership Retreat, the Saint Paul Area Synod’s Creation Care Task Force Retreat, and the Theological Conference of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod. Don’t forget to invite her to your events! She loves these kinds of opportunities, especially now that things are happening in-person again.

Upcoming Event: Walking Together (Lutheran Church of the Cross, Nisswa, Saturday, Oct. 12) – An event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ELCA World Hunger has been planned by the Northeastern Minnesota Synod, with LA-MN as co-sponsor. All of Region 3 is invited.

 

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

On Sept 5. approximately 100 religious leaders of various faith traditions from across the state gathered at the Pennsylvania Capitol to issue a call for peace during this election season. Acknowledging the current climate of political unrest and polarization, they pledged to foster dialogue over division and urged civic leaders to use responsible rhetoric, reject all calls for violence, and inspire hope rather than fear.

In a statement signed by more than 350 religious leaders representing more than 3 million Pennsylvanians, they called on their communities and all Pennsylvanians to prioritize understanding over assumptions and commit to truthfulness, recognizing the real harm caused by misinformation. They called on people of faith across the Commonwealth to commit to courageous peacebuilding and to sign on in support of the statement. Listen to more coverage on public radio!

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) was honored to partner with these leaders and encourages all people of faith in Pennsylvania to add their name and continue the work of building up peace.

LAMPa is offering skills training for peacebuilding throughout September and October and will launch a 40-day devotional for election season on Sept. 27. Sign up here to receive a daily emailed reflection written by Pennsylvania rostered leaders and seminarians.

Oct. 18-19 – Join us virtually or in person at the Gettysburg campus of United Lutheran Seminary for “Hope in a Divided World: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s This-Worldly Christianity as an Antidote to Christian Nationalism.” Registration is now open.

 

Wisconsin
Lutheran Office for Public Policy – Wisconsin (LOPPW) loppw.org
The Rev. Cindy Crane, Director

 

Wednesday Noon Live

Podcaster and Author Blake Chastain shares his story about responding to Christian Nationalism and the problems the movement presents. Hear about some of the themes in his book, “Exvangelical and Beyond: How American Christianity Went Radical and the Movement That’s Fighting Back,” coming out later this month.

We have more resources on Christian Nationalism on a new page on our website.

Frances Dobbs Ended her Year as a Hunger Advocacy Fellow. She left behind fruits of her work including a unique immigration resource, Undocumented in Wisconsin 2024, and presentation on hunger in Wisconsin and on Healthy School Meals for All.

Voting

Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) has been reaching out to congregations with information on how adults and youth can find opportunities to be civically engaged on Nov. 5. We are grateful for a grant that our four ELCA state public policy offices received to support this work.

Responding to Two Synod Resolutions

In the spring, LOPPW was included in resolutions from the Greater Milwaukee Synod and East Central Synod of Wisconsin requesting that we support the synods in addressing money in politics. Both resolutions supported Wisconsin United to Amend. In August, the director gathered the key authors of the resolutions from each synod to explore how to work together. She also reached out to La Crosse Area Synod, which passed a similar resolution. With feedback from the meeting, she also met with the director of Wisconsin United to Amend to discuss empowering ELCA members to lead workshops and take other actions.

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

Partial expanded content from Advocacy Connections: September 2024

PRESSURE FOR FARM BILL ACTION | INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FY25 ADVANCE | CONFLICT IN SUDAN | INCREASED CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE & HUMANITARIAN AID, AND RELIGIOUS EQUALITY | ELCA BISHOPS’ HILL VISITS YIELD DIVIDENDS

 

PRESSURE FOR FARM BILL ACTION: In congressional meetings across the House and Senate over August recess, ELCA Witness in Society staff continued to press for passage of the Farm Bill alongside many Lutheran constituents from their districts. Congressional staff from both sides of the political aisle have indicated determination to pass a Farm Bill this year – but with limited legislative days remaining in the calendar year, the opportunity to advance a measure is quickly slipping away.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

This month, the Department of Agriculture released a new report showing food insecurity has continued to increase – to now 13.8% of all U.S. families, or 47.4 million food insecure Americans. Ahead of Election Day, it is critical that lawmakers continue to hear that hunger, our food systems, and the vitality of our rural communities and our environment are of core concern for Lutherans across the United States. In particular, it is important to highlight the need to preserve and boost support for BOTH hunger programs AND our farming communities in a Farm Bill.

What’s Next:

Advocates can continue to take action on domestic hunger programs via the ELCA Action Center, in addition to the highlighted Farm Bill Action Alerts in our “Farm Bill Updates” blog page. Sending a customized letter this fall urging lawmakers to pass a meaningful Farm Bill before Jan. 1, 2025, will make a critical difference.

 

INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FY25 ADVANCE: Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate have been working toward approving a budget for 2025 (FY25). This includes the budgets for government agencies and programs like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and many environmental justice programs. The House passed a bill that would reduce funding to the EPA by 20% and eliminate these environmental justice programs. The Senate passed their proposed Interior & Environment budget out of committee. Their bill fully maintains topline funding for the EPA and environmental justice programs alike and had bipartisan support through the committee vote.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

The ELCA has a history of advocating for the importance of creation care and environmental justice. The strides that the U.S. government has made in addressing environmental justice in particular can only be made possible if we continue to provide robust funding to these programs.

What’s Next:

If the Senate version passes a whole floor vote, these House & Senate versions of the Interior and Environment budget will need to be conferenced (i.e. aligned) to determine how to reconcile the differences and agree on a final budget for 2025. With little time left for Congress to get this done in September, it seems likely that an extension will be passed until the lame duck session in November/December for budget talks to continue.

 

CONFLICT IN SUDAN: Negotiations in Switzerland over the conflict in Sudan came to a close at the end of August without sound agreement to end the hostilities, but with major progress in access to humanitarian aid and inclusion of civil society. While Sudan’s military did not send a representative to Switzerland, both sides agreed to greater aid access through the Adre border crossing with Chad and through Port Sudan along the Red Sea. After a consultation meeting with the Department of State and U.S. Government representatives to the talks in Geneva, it was also notable that civil society and marginalized voices were heavily included.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

The conflict in Sudan has displaced over 10 million people and more than 25 million people (over half the population) is facing acute hunger, making this one of the largest and most consequential conflicts in the world and a key focus for our global, anti-hunger advocacy. The ELCA has been in many meetings with the U.S. government to express concerns and priorities that would bring an end to the conflict in Sudan, address hunger through humanitarian aid and include voices in the negotiations that are often neglected in peace processes. With both sides moving promisingly toward greater aid access and with the inclusion of a Sudanese women’s delegation – which produced this list of priorities – steps are being made to allow for greater progress in the future.

What’s Next:

The ELCA will continue to meet with U.S. government administration officials to keep up the work that has allowed for progress on humanitarian aid access and inclusivity, while also continuing to urge that future negotiations implement the recommendations of those included voices and focus on durably resolving the violence.

 

INCREASED CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE & HUMANITARIAN AID, AND RELIGIOUS EQUALITY: [Editor’s Note: This message was compiled days ago and does not reflect recent developments which ELCA staff is monitoring.] ELCA Middle East and North Africa policy staff have organized meetings with Senior State Department and White House officials to discuss humanitarian aid in Gaza, a ceasefire and recent developments on Israeli taxation of Palestinian churches. In parallel, ELCA staff joined Churches for Middle East Peace-hosted meetings with National Security Council officials on Gaza policy.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

In the Message on the War in Gaza (6/5/24), our ELCA presiding bishop affirms that Lutherans care deeply about the people of the Holy Land and about seeking a just resolution to this conflict. “As Christ taught, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God’ (Matthew 5:9). Let us continue to hope and to live our faith.” The ELCA’s relationship with our companion church the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land continues to inform our care for the victims of the current conflict, the ongoing dehumanization of the occupation, and the specific ways in which policies like imposing taxes on churches threatens their witness and ministry in the Holy Land.

What’s Next:

The ELCA will continue communicating directly with and advocating to senior administration officials who oversee U.S. policy to the region. Congress will return from August recess in the second week of September, when ELCA advocacy staff will take ELCA policy objectives to members officials on the Hill. Current policy adviser Susannah Cunningham (contractor) has been onboarding and transferring responsibilities to newly hired Program Director for Middle East and North Africa Policy Sasha Ghosh-Siminoff, and she will be staying on until early-October to fully transition Ghosh-Siminoff into his new role with the ELCA’s vital advocacy.

 

ELCA BISHOPS’ HILL VISITS YIELD DIVIDENDS: On June 10-12, ELCA Witness in Society and Global Refuge hosted several bishops for advocacy in Washington, D.C. Throughout their visit, the bishops were able to express how immigration policies are intricately connected to the welfare of families within their communities from Southeast Minnesota to Texas. The bishops who participated were Bishops Brenda Bos, Susan Briner, Jim Gonia, Regina Hassanally, David Nagler and Michael Rinehart. On Capitol Hill, they discussed federal policies and legislation including the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act (H.R.1325), the Afghan Adjustment Act (S. 2327/H.R.4627) and FY25 appropriations for refugee and immigrant accounts.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

The bishops, joined by ELCA and Global Refuge staff, met with senior staff at the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department, as well as congressional staff. The visit concluded with an interfaith town hall on immigration accompaniment, featuring administration officials and faith-based organizations. The visit showcased the effectiveness of tying federal policies to local impacts. Bishops wove stories from their congregations to make the case for the Biden Administration and Congress to act in support of immigrant communities.

What’s Next:

In the days that followed, the Biden Administration acted on three policies highlighted during the bishops’ visit: Temporary Protected Status for Haiti, Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberia and relief for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, supporting thousands of immigrant families. The last of these, parole in place (PIP) spousal provisions, made over 500,000 undocumented spouses of American citizens eligible for legal status within the US, supporting the goal of keeping families together.

 

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Some congregations use bulletin blurbs, some post a “Prepared to Vote Checklist” in the window from ELCA.org/civicengagement resources, some help neighbors check their voter registration status during church activities or at shelters they work with – among many creative approaches that fit their setting. Our civic engagement as people of faith can help ensure that everyone benefits from the good of government. Resources and ideas for this important non-partisan service by faith communities an election year are reprinted here by permission from the “Faith in Elections Playbook” of Interfaith America.

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Trustworthy information

Faith leaders and religious organizations have a tremendous opportunity to make accurate information about our elections available to our community members. Voters need to know where and how to vote, which is not always easy to find. Information coming from trusted members of the community can go a long way to help voters navigate a potentially confusing situation.

 

THE NEED

• Misinformation, disinformation, and even just plain confusing information can serve as a barrier to voting.
  • Misinformation is false or inaccurate information.
  • Disinformation is false information which is deliberately intended to mislead.
• Americans in different areas of the country have different options on where and how to vote. Voting rules can change between elections, which makes it difficult for everyday people to keep track.
• Some voters — especially voters from historically marginalized groups — have been targeted and purposefully misled with false or intimidating information about voting. Faith-based organizations can counter this mis- and disinformation by connecting their members and audiences with accurate information about the voting process.

 

THE RESPONSE

• Religious organizations are hubs of information and organizing within their specific communities. They provide clear information on upcoming events, holidays, and opportunities to both provide and receive help. This communication infrastructure can be used to provide accurate nonpartisan information on voting and elections.
• Organizations that serve historically marginalized communities have a particularly important role to play in providing correct information, as these communities have faced campaigns to suppress their votes in the past, including a campaign to convince Black voters not to vote in the 2020 election.
• One of the most important ways to ensure that your members have accurate information regarding voting is to share trustworthy information on your website and in communications. Be certain to link to your local or state election administration’s website for information instead of writing it on your website. This information may change over time.
• You can send election-related information to your organization or congregation multiple times during the leadup to the election to ensure that they have accurate information about how they can check their registration, vote, and even track their mail-in ballots.
• Some of the most helpful pieces of information for voters include:
  • How to register to vote and check registration status.
  • Options for voting, such as early voting, mail-in voting, or dropping off their ballot on Election Day.
  • The dates, times, and locations for voting early and on Election Day.
  • What types of identification may be required in your county and state.
  • Checking the status of mail-in ballots that have been requested or the status of mail-in ballots that voters have returned.
  • Where to call if you are having issues casting your vote.

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• It is legal for houses of worship, denominational organizations, and other 501(c)(3) entities to provide information about voting.
• It is important that any shared information about voting does not privilege one candidate over another. Information on voting must not show bias toward any one candidate in the message that you send or with whom you choose to share it. All of your members should have the same access to this nonpartisan information.
• You can read more about how to ensure 501(c)3 compliance on the IRS website here.

 

RESOURCES AND LINKS

• The nonpartisan US Vote Foundation website can help voters find contact information for their local election office.
• The National Association of Secretaries of State also has specific pages that connect voters to their state’s website dealing with the following topics:
  • Registering to vote
  • Checking voter registration status
  • Finding your polling place
  • Voter ID requirements
  • Mail-in voting (also called absentee) and early voting information
• Vote.Org outlines important deadlines related to the election and allows you to sign up to get reminders of upcoming deadlines.
• The League of Women Voters has a checklist to Make Your Plan to Vote.
• You can share the following phone numbers for voters to call if they are having problems with voting:
  • 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
  • 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)
  • 1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance)
  • 1-844-YALLA-US (Arabic)
• You can partner with organizations to promote voting, such as:
  • National Voter Registration Day (partnership page here)
  • Vote Early Day (partnership page here)
• If you are interested in learning how to counter misinformation or disinformation, some great resources include:
  • The United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) two-pager on election misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.
  • CISA’s guide to dealing with disinformation.
• Find a faith-based partner:
  • • Faiths United to Save Democracy has a comprehensive resource page with questions and answers related to voting.

 

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ABOUT INTERFAITH AMERICA: Led by Founder and President Eboo Patel, Interfaith America inspires, equips, and connects leaders and institutions to unlock the potential of America’s religious diversity. Utilizing a research-backed approach, Interfaith America works across higher education, racial equity, health, workplace, bridgebuilding, democracy, and technology.

 

Many ELCA synods, congregations and ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices are involved in advancing the important aim of addressing polarization in our communities. These ideas from the “Faith in Elections Playbook” of Interfaith America are reprinted by permission to resource additional ways we can individually and collectively reduce polarization and care for our communities.

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Addressing polarization

Our country is deeply divided. Healing will require coming together across differences and working to protect the rights of all Americans – even those with whom we disagree. Understanding our polarized environment and committing to overcome this challenge is key to supporting a free, fair, and peaceful 2024 election.

 

THE NEED

• There are few issues that showcase our country’s polarization as clearly as our elections. Lack of trust in the outcome of the 2020 presidential election led some to violence, and has pushed countless others into an “us versus them” mentality. Without action, the 2024 election could further tear our communities apart, representing an existential crisis for American democracy. As trust erodes and divisions deepen, it is harder to protect the values that hold our country together, such as religious pluralism.
• Religious freedom scholar Asma Uddin writes, “Our partisan affiliations have morphed into identities, and what’s more, the identities include a host of things that have nothing to do with social policy.” As a result, individual faith communities are increasingly divided, and different religions are pushed into political camps against one another rather than seeking shared values on issues such as religious liberty or help for people in need.

 

THE RESPONSE

• Religious institutions can be a bulwark against polarization. People with diverse political beliefs, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds worship together in churches, synagogues, mosques, gurdwaras, and temples every day. Our collective faith communities must be able to live and serve together despite our different beliefs.
• There are three main ways that faith-based organizations and congregations can help reduce polarization:
  • Holding deep listening sessions and dialogue across differences within their own organizations and faith communities.
  • Hosting interfaith conversations that bring people together across religious differences to identify shared values and a shared vision for improving their communities.
  • Conducting acts of service (including the activities contained in the Playbook) as an interfaith coalition or alongside groups with differing political perspectives.
• In addition to using the Faith in Elections Playbook as a way to unite Americans, there are many organizations – both religious and secular – who have created resources on how you can work to reduce polarization.
• If you are interested in hosting deep listening conversations and dialogue across differences, the following links will be most helpful:
  • Interfaith America’s Shared Values Dialogue Guide and “Skills for Bridging the Gap” Curriculum provide opportunities for dep listening.
  • Living Room Conversations provides scripts and frameworks for dialogues across a variety of differences and on a multitude of topics, including elections.
  • Constructive Dialogue Institute is a 501(c)(3) that provides lessons and online training on how to lead conversations where people with different perspectives try to understand each other – without giving up their own beliefs – in order to work together.
  • Resetting the Table provides skilled facilitation, communication skill-building, and online training in opening up meaningful communication across differences on charged political issues.
• If you are interested in hosting conversations to help find common ground or common purpose, the following will be helpful:
  • One America Movement‘s work to combat toxic polarization.
  • Braver Angels has multiple options for engagement, including their Trustworthy Elections Campaign, which will organize conversations in which citizens who are concerned with fraud, voter suppression, or both meet on equal terms in mixed groups to clarify differences and seek common ground.
  • Millions of Conversations brings together groups of Americans to unite around common values and to discuss shared visions for the future.
• For specific resources for Christian leaders, we recommend the following:
  • One America Movement’s Matthew 5:9 Fellowship, The Eilu v’Eliu Fellowship, and Faith Over Division.
  • The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics. This curriculum “does the complex – but absolutely necessary – theological work of reframing Christian political identity from today’s divisive partisan options.”
  • “Civilize It” is a campaign by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to promote civility in political engagement.

 

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ABOUT INTERFAITH AMERICA: Led by Founder and President Eboo Patel, Interfaith America inspires, equips, and connects leaders and institutions to unlock the potential of America’s religious diversity. Utilizing a research-backed approach, Interfaith America works across higher education, racial equity, health, workplace, bridgebuilding, democracy, and technology.

 

Following are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (sppos) in the ELCA Advocacy Network last month. Full list and map of sppos available.

U.N. | OHIO | PENNSYLVANIA|  | WASHINGTON

New York

Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC), U.N. – ELCA.org/lowc

Christine Mangale, Director

The High Level Political Forum took place from 8-17 July 2024. LOWC staff, fellows and intern monitored and engaged with meetings reviewing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the SDGs are in crisis as only 15% of the goals and targets have been met within the first half of the mandate period and forecaster anticipate further reductions to impact of this platform to reduce poverty. Additionally, deep and formative tensions associated with the geopolitical and economic challenges confronting the multilateral system were a recurring theme at the July 2024 session of the HLPF. These issues inevitably spilled onto the floor of the closing plenary as delegates considered adoption of the Ministerial Declaration, resulting in votes on two contested paragraphs: one recognizing that sustainable development cannot be realized without peace and security, and a newly proposed paragraph drawing attention to the impact of unilateral coercive measures (economic sanctions) on poverty and food security, among other SDGs.

The Lutheran Church globally has invested heavily in the SDGs and their success. We see our role in this policy agenda as a stakeholder, watch dog and champion. The challenges facing this policy platform reflect challenges we are seeing within our own church constituencies and communities. These indicators are a call to united action against the rise and influence of Christian nationalism and other expressions of self-interested governance.

In September the United Nations General Assembly will meet for a Summit of the Future which will further elucidate the roots of the challenge of multilateralism today, and seek structural changes to make the UN more ‘fit for purpose’. This will (could) include an SDG stimulus and other efforts to reduce conflict and climate change to create an environment conducive to fair and just economic growth.

Ohio

Hunger Network in Ohio (HNO) – Hunger Network in Ohio (hungernetohio.com)

Deacon Nick Bates, Director

REDISTRICTING HEADS TO THE BALLOT!

Ohioans will have the opportunity this November to vote for a more equitable and fair way to draw legislative maps in Ohio. For many years, Ohioans have heard about the ‘duck shaped district’ and the ‘snake on the lake,’ but under a new proposal, an independent commission will draw legislative maps instead of legislative leaders with personal and political ambitions that shape the maps.

“Politics should be about how we solve problems as a community, and not how we can gain more power or wins for our team,” says Deacon Nick Bates, director of HNO. Right now, legislative leaders are more concerned about national political allies and interests than what is going on in their districts – such as rising hunger or a lack of affordable housing. “This sensible redistricting reform ballot measure will allow the voices of food pantries, PTAs, and other community groups to be heard above the partisan rancor of the Ohio General Assembly once again.”

Pennsylvania

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Pennsylvania (LAMPa) – LAMPa (https://www.lutheranadvocacypa.org/)

Tracey DePasquale, Director

With the state budget finalized and the legislature in recess, LAMPa staff have been busy preparing resources for congregations to support discipleship in a democracy. From digital peacebuilding, to guidelines for advocacy and civic engagement during an election year, to skills development in conflict resolution, active listening and difficult conversations, LAMPa will be offering webinars in partnership with Search for Common Ground from now through October.

As part of work to support and protect elections through a Faith in Elections grant from Interfaith America, LAMPa is seeding ten “Love Anyway Feasts” to be held between now and the General Election.  Volunteers selected in May will be hosting meals with bridge-building as the centerpiece – with tips and conversation guides focused on helping people celebrate their differences instead of fighting over them. Hosts will lean on and learn from one another and then share their experiences with others. LAMPa is also facilitating a survey of county elections offices in order that volunteers might offer support in recruiting poll workers, identifying polling sites and ensuring trustworthy elections information.

LAMPa is excited to offer “Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer from a House Divided and a World on Fire,” a curriculum for congregations developed by Dr. Lori Brandt Hale in partnership with the International Bonhoeffer Society. It is offered for free download as gift to the church, but a contribution in recognition of scholarship and time is appreciated.

Washington

Faith Action Network (FAN) – Home – Faith Action Network (fanwa.org)

Kristin Ang, Director

Farm Bill Advocacy

Here is the recording from the online event “Why is the Farm Bill Important to Us?” available for anyone interested in learning about the opportunities to advocate for the passing of a just and sustainable farm bill this year. We had a vibrant and informative discussion with Lutheran guest speakers from multi-sectional backgrounds, all impacted by the Farm Bill.

Voting and Civic Engagement

We have been emphasizing the importance of voting and civic engagement as an inseparable part of FAN’s advocacy through the 100% Voting Faith Community campaign. This summer, the cohort of faith communities and individuals who pledged to work toward becoming a 100% voting faith community has been meeting monthly online. In our first meeting in June, we invited Kim Bobo from Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, an ELCA State Public Policy Office in Virginia. In the second meeting in July, we introduced our newly launched toolkit “Civic Engagement Toolkit for Faith Communities.” The toolkit offers a variety of ways faith communities can plan and organize voter registration and civic engagement efforts as 501(c)(3). We also heard from the cohort about the need to organize around educating the community members about the ballot initiatives and the threat of rising Christian Nationalism.

Holden Village Summer Week

Our policy engagement director Kristin Ang was at Holden Village recently as a summer teaching faculty. Kristin taught about faith-based advocacy and how to advocate against Christian Nationalism. There was a notable engagement from the participants reflecting on ways in which we may be accommodators to this ideology and how we can faithfully respond and stand up against it.

 

 

By Ryan Fonseca-Vega, ELCA Advocacy Intern

August presents unique opportunities to bring our deep concerns as Christians about many things related to our planet and the beings that inhabit it to U.S. Congress in our own backyards. In-person and virtual meetings, as well as Town Halls, can be scheduled in this month as the U.S. Congress usually takes a recess. Representatives and senators often visit their congressional districts and/or home states in August to reconnect with their constituents – like you.

TIPS FOR ARRANGING A MEETING | PARTICIPATING IN A TOWN HALL | GENERAL PREPARATION | FOLLOWING UP

 

TIPS FOR ARRANGING A MEETING

Whether in-person or virtual, a social ministry or faith-based group you are part of may want to connect to highlight your experience and priorities with your federal elected official directly on an issue about which they have influence.

Who and Where

First and foremost, learn who your elected official is and where they are located. To locate your member of the U.S. House of Representatives, house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative is a great tool. Also available is govtrack.us, using your location to find your senators and representatives .

Follow links to get a photo of the elected official and their website, which will include office locations and other resources.

From the elected official’s website is often a link to make a scheduling request (but an old-fashioned phone call can also help you learn how to accomplish this).

Scheduling a Virtual District Meeting

This may be the easiest way to arrange a meeting, and the online tool from the lawmaker’s website should guide the process. For you and those who may take part with you, there is a minimal need to consider travel time, and it can take place anywhere.

• Make sure to inform the official’s office that you are a constituent.
• Clearly prepare the reason for the meeting or what the meeting will be focused on. For example, you may want to share your priorities on the Farm Bill or other legislation in federal discussion.
• TIP: You may be providing the virtual platform for the meeting. If so, clearly determine the correct link. For example, will you use Skype/Teams/Zoom?
• TIP: Assure there is no time limit for the platform you have chosen so that there is no pressure to rush the meeting.

In my experience, these meetings usually go well and smoothly. Most likely, it will be a staffer of the elected official on the virtual call. Get to know the staffer and get their contact information. They are a person consistently speaking with the elected official.

Scheduling an In-Person District Meeting

It is a bit more difficult to schedule such a meeting, especially since the plan may need to account for travel to and from the location. You may try to meet in the elected official’s local office or at your venue. You may want to offer a tour of your facility or even a more hands-on approach such as allowing the policy maker to volunteer some of their time in a pantry or experience daily life in your facility/space.

• Here too – make sure to inform the official’s office that you are a constituent.
• Here too – clearly prepare the reason for the meeting or what the meeting will be focused on, such as an issue or legislation focus.
• TIP: Be ready with options for times and days that the elected official may meet with you. By having a more flexible schedule, and being open, the likelihood of your elected official attending is increased.

Always Confirm

In my experience, there have been times when a request for a meeting has gotten lost between the website and the assigning staff member or other glitches. It is important to follow-up with the scheduler to assure that a meeting, virtual or in-person, is documented on the elected official’s calendar.

• TIP: I always follow up with them a few days (4-6) after the initial request to confirm it is on their radar.

 

PARTICIPATING IN A TOWN HALL

Traditionally, elected officials host two town hall meetings in their respective districts in the month. Your legislators will respond to inquiries during the town hall. By raising your important issue, you can publicly hold your legislator accountable to constituents and start or advance a meaningful conversation.

By checking the legislator’s webpage, you can see if and when they are hosting town halls along with the important details of location and other specifics.

My experience… has been nerve-racking. I recommend that it is important that you have a longer list of questions to avoid asking similar questions that someone else has already asked. If there is a link for you to enter your questions ahead of time, ensure that you do it as early as possible to have the best possibility of it being answered during the town hall. Also, remember to breathe if you are not familiar with public speaking!

 

GENERAL PREPARATION

As already shared, be very clear on why you want to have this encounter with a lawmaker. Other considerations include deciding who will be part of the meeting (4-5 people in a group is a good number) and developing talking points on your issue/concern that are based on your priorities and experiences.

Not sure how to start? Take a look at the “2024 Federal Policy Priorities” developed by the ELCA advocacy team on the ELCA Advocacy Resources page (under “Tools” tab). In 2023, a blog post example of key issues and possible questions could also inform your approach, available from the ELCA Advocacy Blog. Connecting with your local ELCA-affiliated state public policy office, if available, or synod leaders can also help you shape your approach.

Although a town hall is different, other meetings can benefit by assigning roles to people participating in the encounter. Following is one way to assign roles.

Introducer/Framer – This person introduces your group at the beginning of the meeting. They also keep an eye on time, wrap-up the meeting, and get the business card or contact information of the staff person that is with the elected official.

• • TIP: As part of the wrap-up, this person should be sure to express thanks! Something like: “Thank you for meeting with us. We are members of the ELCA and appreciate talking with you about [whatever the vote or concern/issue is]” will reinforce your purpose and end the meeting on a high note.

Storyteller – This most effectively is someone who is impacted by what the bill you are raising is trying to fix or an aspect of the issue/concern. Sharing (as comfortable) personal experience or the experience of the people you are organizing with is valuable.

• • TIP: I’ve found it is helpful to give a little personal background to allow others to “get you.” Help them understand where you are coming from and how you have been impacted – and how a bill or initiative can change that.

Point Person – This person is more familiar with facts of the bill or issue and can speak to technical questions if they come up – for example: where a bill is in the process or something missing from current discussion.

Closer (may be same as Introducer/Framer) – Near the end of the meeting, this person expresses thanks and asks for further support or highlights district needs overall.

• • I’ve found it is important to keep a sense of URGENCY for the bill or issue/concern about which you are advocating.

 

FOLLOWING UP

Great job showing up in this August Recess opportunity! But just because the meeting or town hall is over, the opportunity is not.

Every participant, if possible, should email your contact or the elected official’s office to thank them for their time, and/or tag them in a social media post.

• Build on the experience before a vote or key action on your issue/concern by following up.
• And keep the relationship going.

Once the relationship starts, phone calls and other contacts will establish familiarity by name and can make it easier for you to schedule future events and opportunities to bring the concerns shaped through your faith convictions and experiences into the policy process.

 

Thank you to the nearly 300 of us who were part of the ELCA Election Activator Network, including many who participated in support and resourcing non-partisan civic engagement as people of faith. As Activators, you have made a difference in your localities and inspired others – and will continue to do so.

The #ELCAElectionActivator network, a facilitation of monthly virtual gatherings and email messages from the ELCA Witness in Society advocacy team, was launched to support and mutually equip our ELCA community in their localities interested in activities encouraging people to participate in the electoral process.

 

ACTIVE CITIZENS

This church understands government as a means through which God works to preserve creation and build a more peaceful and just social order in a broken world. Our “civic participation is not simply voluntary, idealistic, or altruistic. The ELCA holds to the biblical idea that God calls God’s people to be active citizens and to ensure that everyone benefits from the good of government (Jeremiah 29:7, Romans 13:1-7)” (ELCA social message, “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States”, p. 14). This church “also strongly affirms voting, guided by faith-based values, as an exercise in citizenship” (p. 16).

What we do as individuals this election year may include many activities, but the support and equipping of the #ELCAElectionActivator network will be strictly nonpartisan.

As we engage our civic engagement passions as people of faith, there is much we can do – and are doing! Congregations have passed out refreshments at polling stations. Members have volunteered as poll workers and monitors. Church committees have facilitated polling place look-ups and registration assistance in their neighborhoods and social ministries. ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices have helped highlight ballot initiatives that have significant impact for us and our neighbors in their localities. Synods have hosted de-polarizing dialogues.

What have – and can – you do? How’s it going? Let’s share!

 

ABIDING BY THE LAW

An important part of faithful civic engagement is abiding by the law. Any participation by congregations in activities related to the electoral process must be strictly nonpartisan and abide by IRS guidelines. To support this commitment of our #ELCAElectionActivator network, all participants are asked to pledge to only bring nonpartisan initiatives and comments into the dialogue.

 

INTERESTED?

• • VIRTUAL MEETINGS HAVE CONCLUDED.

• SIGNUP: Sign up from ELCA.org/ELCAElectionEngagement/SignUp .
  • You’ll be asked for basic email and place data.
  • Respond to a few questions helping us get a feel for the experience (not a prerequisite!) and connections in the group.
• NONPARTISAN AFFIRMATION: Following your signup, you will be sent an email asking you to affirm your commitment as an #ELCAElectionActivator participant to only bring nonpartisan contributions to the group.
• CONFIRMATION: After this is confirmed, you will receive an invitation to virtual #ELCAElectionActivator network meetings as well as occasional, informational emails.

 

We look forward to expanding what we can do together in faithful civic engagement!

Following are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (sppos) in the ELCA Advocacy Network last month. Full list and map of sppos available. 

U.N. | COLORADO| PENNSYLVANIA| TEXAS| WASHINGTON |WISCONSIN

New York

Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC), U.N. – ELCA.org/lowc

Christine Mangale, Director

From May 9-10, LOWC staff participated in the UN Civil Society conference in Nairobi, Kenya. 2,158 participants—representing 115 nationalities, from 1,424 organizations, and headquartered in 99 countries—were in attendance. The conference focused on increasing awareness, ambition and accountability for the Summit of the Future happening in September. It also worked to build multi-stakeholder ImPACT Coalitions to champion, act on and push forward reforms proposed in consensus language of the Pact for the Future. 

LOWC staff attended the Post-Conference Town Hall on May 31 to discuss reflections and outcomes of 2024 UN Civil Society Conference. Staff will also continue to participate in civil society meetings leading up to the Summit of the Future. Our staff joined Impact Coalitions focused on faith and migration, and will continue to work with other individuals and organizations to advocate for specific language to be included in the Pact for the Future. 

Colorado 

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado (LAMCo) – Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado (lam-co.org) 

Peter Severson, Director 

LOOKING AHEAD TO BALLOT SEASON: Colorado’s legislative session may be over for 2024, but the season for ballot measures is just beginning! The legislature has the power to refer measures to the ballot, and they successfully approved three questions: 

• Repealing moot language in the Colorado constitution that bans gay marriage
• Adding an exception to the right to bail for first-degree murder cases where proof is evident or the presumption is great
• Modifying some election deadlines for initiatives and referenda

H3 Pending Ballot Measures 

Colorado voters have seen at least a dozen measures on their fall ballot in even-numbered election years for the last several cycles, and this year may be similar. It all depends on how many of the measures currently collecting signatures will be certified.  

We know right now that two initiated measures will appear on the ballot, having already been approved: 

• Limiting property tax growth to four percent annually, unless approved by voters
• Placing the right to abortion in the state constitution

 Other measures have been approved for circulation on issues ranging from law enforcement to elections to veterinary medicine. We’ll be tracking all the issues and publishing our annual Voter Guide later this year, so stay tuned!  

Pennsylvania 

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) – lutheranadvocacypa.org 

Tracey DePasquale, Director 

LAMPa built on the energy of Lutheran Day in the Capitol, where the Gospel was proclaimed and we remembered our call to be Church Together. You can draw inspiration for your discipleship and support our work toward a world where all are welcomed and fed by purchasing a print of this beautiful painting of The Table.

 Committed to supporting the church in Pennsylvania in this election season, we are preparing programs and resources to aid congregations and individuals in their civic engagement, including a pre-election devotional that will accompany our 40 days of prayer and action for justice and peace.  

H3 Pride Month  

We honored Pride month with resources for congregations and local Reconciling Works teams to use at events to encourage care for our LGBTQ+ neighbors and promote systemic change through advocating for the Fairness Act and updated Hate Crimes Legislation.  

H3 Menstrual Hygiene Support Passed 

Responding to needs raised by our ministries, Lutherans sent postcards  to their legislators in support of providing menstrual hygiene products in schools. HB851 passed the House with bipartisan support!  

H3 Housing Advocacy 

LAMPa advocates continued to press lawmakers to care for vulnerable neighbors in the budget with action alerts for programs to support housing, hunger and health care. On the heels of a new UN statement on the climate crisis, Lutheran advocates joined more than 400 statewide for a virtual climate lobby day, demanding that PA advance measures to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.  

Texas 

Texas Impact (TI) – www.texasimpact.org 

Scott Atnip, Director 

The summer is already hot, and legislative activity has yet to cool down in Texas.  

H3 Reproductive Rights 

The Texas abortion ban has been in focus this year and Texas Impact is creating a series of videos called Let’s Talk on the issue through the lens of faith, and is organizing a series of conversations on the issue. 

H3 Congregations Respond to Gun Violence 

Congregations are participating in the Vidas Robadas (Stolen Lives) displays, displaying the names of victims of gun violence on t-shirts. The display at the NRA convention in Dallas garnered special attention.  

H3 Weekly Witness Podcast on the Farm Bill 

Finally, the Weekly Witness podcast continues, and we were fortunate to have the ELCA’s Christine Moffett join the podcast in May to talk about the Farm Bill.  

H3 Now Hiring 

Texas Impact just finished hiring staff to coordinate a Houston Faith Votes cohort to engage in civic engagement work to demonstrate the impact congregations can have in engaging voters. The fifteen congregations will convene in July to begin this work and will join with many other congregations using Texas Faith Votes resources.   

Washington 

Faith Action Network (FANWA) – Home – Faith Action Network (fanwa.org) 

Elise DeGooyer

H3 Farm Bill Advocacy
There has always been strong collaboration with the Lutherans in FAN’s network and beyond for the Farm Bill Advocacy. Thanks to the work of ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow Tomo Duke, last month six Bishops of the Synods in Region 1 (Alaska, Montana, Northwest Washington, Northwest Intermountain, Oregon, Southwestern Washington) sent a joint letter to the House and Senate Agricultural Committee leadership and their respective representatives in the committees, urging them to attend to community needs and pass a bipartisan, equitable, and sustainable farm bill. The letters were hand-delivered by the ELCA Advocacy staff in Washington D.C. FAN is thankful for the ELCA’s churchwide connection to make such tangible advocacy possible.  

We also hosted an online event “Why is the Farm Bill Important to Us?” on June 13. Lutherans from across the Northwest gathered with passion and curiosity for the Farm Bill. At the event, Bishop Rick Jaech, Bishop Meggan Manlove, and Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee joined us, Alex Parker from the ELCA Advocacy gave an engaging presentation, and five Lutheran guest speakers spoke on the different sections of the Farm Bill priorities—nutrition programs, farming communities, rural housing development, and creation care. The participants engaged in further conversation in breakout rooms and concluded the time by writing letters to our elected officials. 

This June, Executive Director Elise DeGooyer will be leaving FAN after 10 years of service. FAN staff, board, and our network have expressed deep gratitude for her tireless work and contribution to FAN. Her leadership skills, graciousness, and wisdom have served FAN well as we grew statewide and lived into our multi-faith identity. During this organizational transition, we invite you to help us find new executive leadership by sharing the job description and application information here. 

 

Wisconsin 

Lutheran Office for Public Policy (LOPPW) – The Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (loppw.org) 

Cindy Crane, Director 

 H3 Synod Assemblies 

LLOPPW was able to have a presence at four of the six synod assemblies.  Four assemblies were held on the same weekend and the other two were also held at the same time, although one was hybrid.  Cindy led a hearing on the draft social statement on Civic Life and Faith at the GMS assembly.  More than 100 people attended (left photo).  

The East-Central Synod of Wisconsin (ECSW) and Greater Milwaukee Synod (GMS) passed resolutions to advocate to diminish the influence of money on politics, especially related Citizens United.  Both resolutions included a request for assistance from LOPPW.  The director has been in contact with two D.C. staff about working together at the federal end.

 

Rev. Josh Fite speaking to the resolution at the ECSW assembly. 

 

Bishop Elect Martin Halom of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin (NWSW).  Bishop Laurie Skow-Anderson was celebrated before the election.

 

  H3 Youth Justice

On June 18, LOPPW and the Raise the Age coalition, which we helped to initiate, were invited to be part of a press conference, organized by MICAH, in advance of oral arguments to waive a ten-year-old charged with killing his mother from juvenile court to adult court in Milwaukee. RTA is very specific about raising the age of adulthood in the criminal justice system from 17 to 18 but fit the theme of the day. Links to videos from the day:  

Rev. Joe Ellwanger:  https://www.facebook.com/LOPPW/videos/1969220260181798 

Lived experience testimony:  https://www.facebook.com/LOPPW/videos/447787711370180 

Raise the Age statement: https://www.facebook.com/LOPPW/videos/971335448070684 

LOPPW’ brief comments: https://www.facebook.com/reel/478292724564975 

Following are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (sppos) in the ELCA Advocacy Network last month. Full list and map of sppos available.

U.N. | CALIFORNIA| COLORADO | PENNSYLVANIA| WASHINGTON

New York 

Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC), U.N. – ELCA.org/lowc 

Christine Mangale, Director 

 

ECOSOC Youth Forum: The 2024 ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) Youth Forum took place from Apr. 16-18, aiming to reinforce the 2030 Agenda and combat poverty amidst multiple crises through sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions. The focus areas include Sustainable Development Goals 1 (emphasizing poverty eradication), 2 (hunger alleviation), 13 (climate action), 16 (justice) and 17 (partnerships). 

Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC), in collaboration with LWF Youth and ELCA International Leaders Program, had seven delegates from LWF communion churches: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, Iglesia Evangelical Luterana Unida Argentina, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Indonesia, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and ELCA. 

As shared in the ELCA Youth Ministry profile, “As a church that is energized by lively engagement in our faith and life, the ELCA offers a variety of opportunities for youth to grow in and explore their faith.” The ECOSOC Youth Forum is a significant platform for youth engagement and interest. 

 The UN will host the Fourth Finance for Development Conference in Madrid, Spain in 2026. This will be an important stocktaking round for the health and impact of the Forum’s work, as well as to take the vision for this work into the next mandate period.  

California 

Lutheran Office of Public Policy (LOPPCA) – lutheranpublicpolicyca.org 

Regina Banks, Director 

 LOPPCA’s fifth annual Lutheran Lobby Day was a resounding success! We are so thankful for the support of our three bishops and the Cal Lutheran faculty and students who attended. From across the state, 65 intergenerational advocates gathered in Sacramento to speak justice to our legislators in the capitol surrounding these four priority bills: 

AB 2728 (Gabriel) – This bill is a follow up bill to the great housing bill, SB 4, that was passed in 2023. AB 2728 would incorporate new stakeholder feedback and add common sense accountability measures for SB 4 housing, including utilization data reporting. 

AB 1851 (Holden) – This bill follows the vetoed AB 249 (Holden) from 2023, which was one of LOPPCA’s lobby day bills last year. The new attempt would create a pilot program to hire a technical assistance organization that would test all potable water system outlets in designated school districts towards the goal of remediating toxic lead levels in school drinking water. 

SB 1497 (Menjivar) – This bill would establish the Polluters Pay Climate Cost Recovery Program. This would require fossil fuel polluters to pay their fair share of the damage caused by their products. It would also require the completion of a climate cost study to quantify the total damage amount, which would be defined as all past and future climate damages to the state. 

AB 2191 (Santiago) – This bill would establish the CalEITC Outreach, Education, & Free Tax Assistance Grant Program. The bill would require the Franchise Tax Board to allocate grants to qualified nonprofit community-based orgs or local government agencies to increase the number of eligible households claiming the state and federal EITC, CTC, YCTC, and the FYTC, and to increase awareness of ITIN tax status eligibility. 

LOPPCA is hopeful that they will continue to move forward this summer. 

Colorado

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado (LAM-CO) – Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado (lam-co.org)

Peter Severson, Director

LEGISLATIVE SESSION CONCLUDES: The 2024 legislative session of the Colorado General Assembly concluded on Wed., May 8. In total, the legislature considered 705 bills this year, and LAM-CO was an active proponent of a dozen important pieces of legislation. These included bills that will remove filing fees from eviction defense proceedings (HB 1099), require affirmative cause for evictions (HB 1098), analyze the creation of a universal health care payment system (HB 1075), make adjustments to our ‘clean slate’ automatic record sealing policies (HB 1133), expand and improve the state Earned Income Tax Credit (HB 1134), give local governments easier access to buying property for affordable housing (HB 1175), and expand opportunities for racial equity in the criminal justice system (HB 1286 & SB 053). 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SYNOD ASSEMBLY CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF ADVOCACY: The Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly took place in Loveland, Colo., from April 25-27. During the assembly, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Colorado and New Mexico were both celebrated for their 40th anniversary of carrying out the ministry of advocacy in our synod. Founded in 1984, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado has had six directors in its history, including current director Peter Severson, who celebrated ten years as director on May 1.  Peter & New Mexico director Kurt Rager spoke about the current landscape of advocacy in these two states, while former LAM-CO director (1991-1998) and former Colorado state senator (2001-2013) Betty Boyd spoke about the history of Lutheran advocacy in Colorado.

Ohio 

Hunger Network Ohio (HNO) – Hunger Network in Ohio (hungernetohio.com) 

Deacon Nick Bates, Director 

HNO HOSTS HOUSING ADVOCACY

On Apr. 16 HNO in partnership with the Ohio Council of Churches and Dominican Sisters of Peace hosted a luncheon on housing affordability in Ohio. With over 90 faith leaders and over 30 legislative offices in attendance, we heard the gospel proclaimed from Bishop Timothy J. Clarke (First Church of God Columbus). Amy Riegel, director of the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness in Ohio (COHHIO) provided a powerful policy overview and discussion about the root causes of housing affordability and and the lack of it in Ohio. We are grateful for our bi-partisan speakers, Sen. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) and Rep. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) who shared their policy efforts to expand affordable housing in Ohio. People can visit our resource page here for details.  

Pennsylvania

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) – lutheranadvocacypa.org

Tracey DePasquale, Director

More than 200 Pennsylvania Lutherans gathered in Harrisburg on May 9 to advocate for funding and policies to tackle hunger and climate change for the sake of our neighbors here and around the globe. We were excited to welcome ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and the Rev. Khader El-Yateem, new executive director of ELCA Service and Justice, as we mark 45 years of Lutheran advocacy in Pennsylvania and 50 years of ELCA World Hunger. During our worship together, the Rev. Erin Jones was officially installed as the Communications and Advocacy Engagement Manager. We celebrated our legacy and leaned into the future as “Church Together for the Sake of the World God Loves.” 

We auctioned the original painting of The Table by Freiman Stoltzfus and recognized advocates from each synod with the “Serve. Pray. Speak.” Award. It was, as always, inspiring to hear their stories. We also made a first time “Church Together” award to the Rev. Joel Folkemer and the people of Union Lutheran Church in York as exemplars of a congregation that consistently pairs their service of neighbor with advocacy for a more just world.  

The Rev. Amy Reumann, Senior Director for ELCA Witness in Society, announced that LAMPa was one of two states to receive a Jackie Maddox Racial Justice Grant for a three-year project. LAMPa’s proposed Isaiah 58:12 Fellowship empowers youth and young adults to pursue racial reconciliation at the community and congregational level, while being mentored by clergy of color. Applications are due by June 30.

Washington 

Faith Action Network (FANWA)- Home – Faith Action Network (fanwa.org) 

Elise DeGooyer, Director
 

Spring Summits
FAN hosted our first Spring Summit online on May 5 and will host another summit on June 9. During our first summit, we had a great time exchanging updates and information from this past legislative session and what to look for next in advocacy. We also met in issue-focused breakout groups to share context-informed perspectives and strategize together. FAN staff are looking forward to catching up with more FAN advocates in June! 

Voting and Civic Engagement
FAN recently launched a webpage for voting and civic engagement as we see the importance of joining multi faith voices to protect and practice democracy especially during this election year. On the webpage, faith communities and individuals can find our voting information one-pager and multi faith-inspired election resources. We also launched 100% Voting Faith Community Campaign thanks to the inspiration from Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. We are excited to see faith communities mobilize and unite to become a 100% voting community. 

Synod Gatherings and the Farm Bill
FAN staff have been attending regional synod gatherings throughout Washington state from Poulsbo to Spokane, and there are more gatherings to come in Des Moines and Ellensburg. Those gatherings have been great to strengthen our partnerships and collaborations for advocacy.  

Speaking of collaboration, ELCA Synods’ Hunger Teams in Region 1 with Tomo Duke from FAN are collaborating to host an online event to learn about and advocate for the Farm Bill on Thursday June 13. We think it is imperative that all citizens are concerned with the Farm Bill at this crucial time when Congress is working to reauthorize the legislation for the next five years. FAN is vigilantly watching for any harmful revisions that go against FAN mission and values. The online event “Why is the Farm Bill Important to Us?” is centered around Lutheran contexts in the Pacific Northwest but is open to all. We are excited to welcome Alex Parker from the ELCA Witness in Society at this event on Jun. 13. Please register for the event at bit.ly/WhyFarmBill.