By Christine Mangale, Lutheran Office for World Community, New York.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been sounding the alarm bells on the plight of refugees and migrants for some time to call attention to the urgent concerns on populations on the move. There are approximately 65 million forcibly displaced persons, including over 21 million refugees, 3 million asylum seekers and over 40 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). In 2015, the number of migrants passed 244 million[1]. There are many reasons for migration, but in recent years, forced displacement of people is being driven by root causes such as conflicts, persecution, violence, loss of livelihoods and natural disasters.  Even so, all countries are somehow affected by migration.

A refugee, according to the United Nations Refugee Convention, is “someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion”[2].  The International Organization for Migration (IOM) defines a migrant as “any person who is moving or has moved across an international border or within a State away from his/her habitual place of residence…”[3]

The world keeps witnessing hundreds of people drowning at sea, exploitation and abuse of refugees and migrants and refusal of some countries to protect and assist them with the most basic services, such as food, shelter, health care, education, and safety.

The international community was jolted to action in 2015 and for the first time ever, the United Nations General Assembly called for a high level plenary meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants. The summit’s aim was to galvanize Member States to collaborate, coordinate and offer lasting solutions to protect and assist the millions of refugees and migrants. Civil society organizations (CSOs), including faith-based organizations (FBOs), many of whom provide aid and services to refugees and migrants joined in to call for political will, solidarity and responsibility sharing to protect refugees and migrants on the move, upon arrival and during resettlement.

The Ambassadors of the Permanent of Missions of Ireland and Jordan were appointed to facilitate the Summit process. Informal meetings and negotiations took place from February to July 2016. The negotiation resulted into an outcome document titled the “New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants” which was formally adopted by the General Assembly on September 9, 2016, and Heads of State and Governments endorsed it at the High-Level Summit on September 19,2016. The Declaration commences a two multi-year process to prepare a Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework and a Global Compact for safe, orderly and regular migration.

CSOs responded to the outcome of the Summit saying “There is progress in this, but nowhere near enough. Some governments are ready with energy, practical solutions and political will to work together and with civil society, but too many governments continue to hold back”[4].

The Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC) collaborated closely with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in advance of the summit as part of a civil society action committee. LWF endorsed the committee’s call for “A New Deal for refugees, migrants and societies” and a subsequent Act Now statement and scorecard. LOWC staff attended the Summit and is planning to be engaged with LWF in post-Summit follow-up activities in New York and Geneva. LOWC is also coordinating post-Summit follow-up with the Assistant Director for Migration Policy and Advocacy in the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington, DC.

Looking ahead, CSOs including FBOs are playing significant role to urge the implementation of the commitments that the governments made. The following are advocacy and action asks to Member States that you can use to urge them:

• To save lives and ensure safe passage for all people on the move
• To promote and protect the rights of all refugees and migrants, regardless of status
• To recognize and promote the contributions that refugees and migrants make to the countries to and from which they move
• To combat and counter xenophobia, racism and discrimination in all communities, countries and regions of the world[5].

Let us remind governments that “Refugees and migrants may lose many things when they cross international borders, but never their human rights and dignity”[6]

Check out the following documents for more information:

• Statement by the High Commissioner for Human Rights H.E. Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein at the High-level plenary meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants. His statement received sustained applause from civil society.
• President Barack Obama’s Leaders Summit on Refugees
• Migrants in Countries in Crisis (MICIC) Guidelines
• The 1951 Refugee Convention
• The UN International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
• Civil society “A New Deal for refugees, migrants and societies” and Scorecard for the UN High-level Summit “New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants. The Scorecard is a resource for civil society organizations to advocate with Member States not only in New York and Geneva, but also in their capitals.
• Civil Society  Joint Statement on the UN summit for Refugees and Migrants
• Lutheran World Federation news release on the summit
• Joint ACT Alliance/WCC/CCME/CWWM statement
• #WithRefugees petition
• NGO Committee on Migration
• The Churches Witnessing With Migrants (CWWM) –  an international platform for advocacy and forthright action focused on global migration, particularly forced migration in all its forms

[1] United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/71/L.1

[2] 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Adopted in 1951, and entered into force on 22 April 1954. (Art. 1(A)(2).

[3] International Organization for Migration – Key Migration Terms https://www.iom.int/key-migration-terms.

[4] ACT NOW: Civil Society response and scorecard for the UN High-level Summit “New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants”.

[5] Act NOW: Civil Society advocacy and action in and beyond the summit.www.refugees-migrants-civilsociety.org

[6] The Lutheran World Federation

(Photo credit: United Nations)

Ruth Ivory-Moore, Program Director Environment and Energy, traveled to COP22  in Marrakech, Morocco in November as world leaders meet to discuss implementation of the Paris Agreement that went into effect on November 4, 2016.  The first week she is supporting ACT Alliance  of which ELCA is a member by  participating in Side Events that allow for everyone to be directly engaged in discussions addressing the diverse issues surrounding climate change.  The second week she is serving as part of an ACT Alliance delegation as an observer. Below are some reflections and photos of her first week of experiences at this amazing conference where people project to be on one accord to protect and steward all of creation.

In This Together

11/15/2016

“If you want to go quickly, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together.”  – African Proverb.

This proverb is particularly instructive in describing the events at COP22.   There is a strong sense of diversity and inclusiveness.   Senior level governmental officials negotiate Paris Agreement implementation provisions; civil society observes and seeks to influence; and those most likely to be impacted now and in the future, sought to be heard.   The latter included indigenous people and our children.  These voices were heard in various ways during this session of COP22.

The indigenous people have contributed least to climate change, but are significantly impacted.  They need the rest of the world’s assistance, but those providing the help must first understand their community dynamics. Those offering assistance must do so in an accompaniment manner.  We must walk and stand with them in partnership – bridging gaps, while laying the foundation for sustainability and resilience. A diverse group of people including the indigenous staged a march to express the need to hear their voices; and to recognize that they must be included in the conversations. (See picture left)

While the indigenous people are likely to be impacted as part of the world’s vulnerable population today, we should not forget that we must leave a vibrant, clean world for our children.  

The COP presented opportunities for some amazing young people to show the world that they have voices, and deserve better than what we are on course to leave them today. Whether it was the young girl from Senegal speaking about biodiversity. (See picture left)

The students quizzing a panel of experts with questions that challenged the brightest. (See picture left)

Or those students capturing the moments as camera and production personnel for the hour and half, each presented themselves not only professionally, but passionately and credibly. (See picture left)

This COP22 cleverly demonstrated the importance of all and the need for complete inclusiveness.  This all-inclusiveness extends to religion.

Sessions incorporated diverse religious personnel.  An Islamic cleric spoke of the importance of ecology, emphasizing that the Islam mandates that people must protect all. The universe is to show gratitude to God, who is beauty. God loves beauty, not war. A Buddhist leader spoke of how all life is interdependent and that we were born on this earth not to be part of the destruction. COP demonstrates that caring for creation is a stewardship requirement that is shared by the faith-based community in general.

We are commanded by God; and have a duty to our children.

Prayer: Oh God of Heaven and Earth, you desire a reconciliation of the whole creation.  We confess that we too often make choices that separate and destroy.  Forgive us our selfish ways.  Help us to seek justice, oh God, and to walk humbly beside you as we seek life that is centered on you and as we protect your creation.  Help and guide us to joyfully seek your wisdom and guidance.  Amen.  

(Prayer adopted from Creation Justice Ministries, https://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/50750/images/Gods%20World-1.pdf?key=85797681.)

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Gender and Equity

11/10/16

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”  (Galatians 3:28, NRSV)

It is unfortunate that being “one in Christ” is not recognized  universally in the world as we live our lives today.   The Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) a Malaysian based organization sponsored an interactive discussion session at COP22 entitled “Paris Agreement and Women – Locating Health in Climate Change Discourse”.    The reality is that women are disparately impacted by the effects of climate change.  The time has come to acknowledge and integrate the gender rights issue into the discussions addressing climate change.

The Paris Agreement in the preamble states:  “ Acknowledging that climate change is a common concern of humankind, Parties should, when taking action to address climate change, respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights, the right to health, the rights of indigenous peoples local communities, migrants, children, persons with disabilities and people in vulnerable situations and the right to development, as well as gender equality, empowerment of women and intergenerational equity…”   At the COP22 where the representatives from the many nations are beginning to hammer out the implementation rules and guidelines of the Paris Agreement, the hope is that key linkages between women’s health and climate change will be considered and incorporated in the implementation discussions.

ARROW has captured the stories of women on post cards.  Here are the stories of two of them.

Supl’s story is:

 

Gladys’ story is:

 

These women’s stories are unfortunately not atypical particularly in developing countries.  ARROW representatives gave the example of  Bangladesh which is a densely populated country with a poverty level that is very high. Bangladesh is experiencing more severe weather in the form of increased frequency of floods and cyclones where women are impacted the most.   The women do not want to leave their homes for fear of property losses, but are often forced to leave and migrate internally walking through high flood waters that results in gynecological illnesses that can impact the reproductive system.  These women can also be the targets  of sexual violence.  Living through situations such as these can cause depression which impacts mental health.

This ARROW presentation at COP22 was unique in that the end of the session was all about hearing what the audience had to say.  The session facilitators engaged the audience in a robust conversation.  Questions raised included: (1) How will women’s health issues be incorporated in the Paris Agreement implementation; and (2) What can be done to make this happen?  The consensus of the group was  that the time has come where gender issues needed to be integrated into the talks and be given the same weight/status as other issues.

Women in a marginalized society, are the most vulnerable among us.

As part of the ELCA’s AMMPARO initiative, The Rev. Abraham Allende, bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod, and Alaide Vilchis Ibarra, ELCA assistant director for migration policy, will travel to the Mexico/Guatemala border to participate in the International Human Rights Observation Mission. The event is hosted by a network of organizations that together form the Transnational Roundtable on Gender and Migration (Mesa Transfronteriza Migraciones y Género).

This observation mission brings together stakeholders of varied expertise to meet with civil society, community leaders and with individuals from the Mexico/Guatemala border to better understand the issues facing migrants, refugees and border communities. Bishop Allende and Alaide will be joined by other leaders from the U.S., Latin America, Canada and Europe. What they learn during this trip will inform advocacy priorities for the ELCA’s AMMPARO strategy.

Please check back on this blog throughout the event for updates on their time in Mexico and Guatemala!

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(Vea abajo este mensaje en español.)

PRESS RELEASE

Transnational Roundtable on Gender and Migration

Guatemala and Mexico, October 26, 2016

The Transnational Roundtable on Gender and Migration (Mesa Transfronteriza Migraciones y Género), a network of organizations in Guatemala and Mexico, dedicated to the defense and promotion of the rights of border communities, announces the beginning of the International Human Rights Observation Mission in the Guatemala – Mexico Border (MODH, its acronym in Spanish) that will take place from the 10 to the 16 of this month of November.

The MODH was born from multiple spaces between organizations on both sides of the border, where we have been talking and slowly weaving this social and civic alliance between the peoples of Guatemala and southern Mexico to make our walk visible, the causes that unite us in the defense of human rights and the struggles we share in defense of territories, gender issues and migrations.

As organizations, movements and peoples of the cross-border region, we have been spinning and strengthening our fraternal ties, where we have reflected on the situation and the contexts in which we live and fight, and now with the International Observation Mission we want to share the causes that we defend and the utopias that we construct from our regions and our fields of action.

The MODH will start in Guatemala City next November 10, and from there will be two observation routes of about a thousand kilometers of each, through which we will share our stories, passing through the jungles, Mountains and coasts of the border departments of Guatemala, and the migratory corridors of southern Mexico in Chiapas and Tabasco.

We share the list of people confirmed as Observers of the Mission, who have taken part in this local-regional-global project and come from countries such as Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, the United States, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, all of whom are persons with extensive experience in migration and human rights.

The people that integrate each of the routes will gather with border communities from November 10^th  to the 15th, the day on which both routes arrive in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. In this city all will all observers will gather and the analysis from all experts will be brought together in public actions being carried out in San Cristobal on November 16 to close the MODH.

We encourage all individuals, communities and organizations in Guatemala and Mexico to join in this direct action, to follow-up and disseminate its contents and results, as a way of defending human rights and calling for a paradigm shift for this region of Latin America.

More information: Follow events on Facebook and Twitter

www.modh.mesatransfronteriza.org

Contact: mision.odh@gmail.com

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COMUNICADO

Mesa Transfronteriza Migraciones y Género

Misión Internacional de Observación de Derechos Humanos en la Frontera Guatemala – México

Guatemala y México, 26 de octubre de 2016

La Mesa Transfronteriza Migraciones y Género, red de organizaciones de Guatemala y México, dedicada a la defensa y promoción de los derechos de las poblaciones fronterizas, anuncia el inicio de la Misión Internacional de Observación de Derechos Humanos en la Frontera Guatemala – México, (MODH) que tendrá lugar del 10 al 16 de este mes de noviembre.

La MODH nace de múltiples espacios de encuentro entre organizaciones de ambos lados de la frontera, donde hemos ido dialogando y tejiendo poco a poco esta alianza social y ciudadana entre pueblos de Guatemala y el sur de México para visibilizar nuestro caminar, las causas que nos unen en la defensa de los derechos humanos y las luchas que compartimos en defensa de los territorios, los géneros y las migraciones.

Como organizaciones, movimientos y pueblos de la región transfronteriza, hemos ido hilando y reforzando nuestros vínculos fraternos, donde hemos reflexionado sobre la situación y los contextos en los que vivimos y luchamos, y ahora con la Misión Internacional de Observación queremos compartir las causas que defendemos y las utopías que construimos desde nuestras regiones y nuestros campos de acción.

La MODH tendrá su punto de partida en la Ciudad de Guatemala el próximo 10 de noviembre, y desde ahí se abren dos rutas de observación de alrededor de mil kilómetros de trayecto en cada una, por las que recorreremos nuestros diálogos, pasando por las selvas, montañas y costas de los departamentos fronterizos de Guatemala, y los corredores migratorios del sur de México en Chiapas y Tabasco.

Les compartimos la lista de las personas confirmadas como Observadoras de la Misión, quienes han asumido participar de este proyecto local-regional-global y que provienen de países como Brasil, Canadá, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, España, Estados Unidos,  Guatemala, Honduras y México, siendo todos y todas ellas personas con amplia experiencia en migraciones y derechos humanos.

Las personas que integran cada una de las rutas convivirán con las comunidades fronterizas desde el 10 hasta el 15 de noviembre, día en el que ambas rutas llegan a San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas. En esta ciudad se convocará el encuentro de todas las personas observadoras y el análisis conjunto de todo lo observado, realizándose acciones públicas en San Cristóbal el 16 de noviembre para el cierre de la MODH.

Animamos a todas las personas, comunidades y organizaciones de Guatemala y México a sumarse a esta acción directa, a darle seguimiento y a difundir sus contenidos y resultados, como una forma de defensa de los derechos humanos y reivindicación de un cambio de paradigma para esta región de Latinoamérica.

Más información: www.modh.mesatransfronteriza.org

Facebook    Twitter

mision.odh@gmail.com

By Ruth Ivory-Moore

Visiting the beautiful area of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic this past September brought competing emotions of extreme joy and anguish.  The Facts and Information Sheets  found on the internet tell you that “it is the most sought after tourist destination of the Caribbean and known for its beautiful and pristine beaches. The beaches are lined with an alley of dense palm trees.”  The resort advertisement describes our destination as being located on  “the luxurious Bávaro Beach, where exquisite white sand, lush vegetation and palm trees sparkle beside crystal clear waters.”

Upon reaching the resort, I visually and mentally validate the fact sheets and advertisements. The beauty is unparalleled. You walk into tranquility which is enhanced by soft, serene music as one travels about the resort.  Venturing to the beach, you hear the waves, and feel the ocean breeze as you watch families jumping waves as the tides come in; and you see parasailers soaring through sky taking advantage of the ocean breeze. One marvels at God’s creation and how we appear to be living seamlessly within it.

However, you cannot go to a place like this and not, at a minimum, explore the coastline or walk the beach.  As you pass other vacationers and other resorts you continue to be lulled into this sense of near perfection.  If you walk far enough you see, not lush palm trees, but the waves from the ocean beating against the shoreline and against palm trees with exposed roots—a picture of the impact of climate change. (Photo by Chuck Moore (Random Snaps Photography)

There are no adequate words to describe, how this visual image makes one feel.  And coastline erosion is not limited to Caribbean resorts.  The United States Environmental Protection Agency  predicts that “the impacts of climate change are likely to worsen problems that coastal areas already face along the coast of the United States which is home to approximately 25 million people. Confronting existing challenges that affect man-made infrastructure and coastal ecosystems, such as shoreline erosion, coastal flooding, and water pollution, is a concern in many areas.” Addressing the stress of climate change require a global effort incorporating new approaches to managing land, water, waste, and ecosystems.

As stewards of creation, we remain hopeful and prayerful.  2016 is likely to be remembered for its significance.  On October 26, 2016, the US State Department climate envoy, Jonathan Pershing noted in an address to the Atlantic Council that the world had made historic progress recently in combating harmful warming. (Photo: Since 1901, global sea levels have risen approximately eight inches)

First at least 85 countries have already ratified the Paris Agreement (PA), allowing it to take effect years earlier than expected.  The Paris Agreement (which will go in force on November 4, 2016) sets a long-term goal of keeping postindustrial warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius with efforts toward a 1.5 C limit.¹  To reach this goal parties to the PA must submit Nationally Determined Contributions (“NDCs”) describing how each nation will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to contribute to the global goal.     Second, at the Meeting of the Parties in Kigali, Rwanda, in early October, an amendment to the Montreal Protocol was agreed upon to phase-out hydrofluorocarbons (heat trapping chemicals used in air conditioning and refrigeration). Earlier on October 6 the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) approved the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) which is a system for offsetting carbon emissions from international aviation.  This is the first market-based measure to require a global industry to address reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Much work remains and COP22 meets in Marrakech, Morocco from November 7 – 18. During which parties to the PA will begin hammering out implementation rules/guidelines.. As a member of the larger faith-based community in Morocco, ELCA Advocacy remains vigilant and diligent in our care and protection of God’s creation.  We prayerfully and diligently seek His wisdom and guidance in all actions, and remember that all things are connected. As humans, we are woven into the delicate web of creation. We must stay focused on our responsibility as stewards of all creation. Martin Luther reminds us that “God is in all creatures, even in the smallest flowers.”

1         Jean Chemnick, ”PARIS AGREEMENT:  Climate envoy sees ‘shift’ in global response to warming, E&E News, Published: Wednesday, October 26, 2016.

Lutherans are taking action across the country! Below you will find our monthly State Advocacy Newsletter. Share with your friends!

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ELCA Advocacy Office, Washington, D.C.

The Rev. Amy Reumann, director

ELCA.org/advocacy

As people of faith, we can play a unique role in this election cycle by empowering every voice in our communities and offering a hope-filled vision of the future for all people. We vote faithfully because we know the importance of lifting our voices together to further God’s work in our world.

This Election Day – November 8, 2016…

KNOW WHERE TO VOTE. Research the candidates and any ballot measures that you will be asked to vote on. Also, go prepared with a full understanding of your state’s voter ID requirements. Click here, then enter your address for more information!

EQUIP YOURSELF WITH VOTER PROTECTION TOOLS. Make sure you know where to turn for help if any problems occur when casting your ballot. Check out the United Church of Christ’s election protection resources.

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO VOTE. Share photos of your civic engagement experience using #VoteFaithfully and #ELCAvotes!

PRAY TOGETHER WITH YOUR COMMUNITY. Join people of faith across the country and around the world by praying for our local, state, and national governments.

Almighty God, we lift before you all who govern this nation. May those who hold power understand that it is a trust from you to be used, not for personal glory or for profit, but for the service of the people. Drive from us cynicism, selfishness, and corruption; grant in your mercy just and honest government; and give us grace to live together in unity and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship, p.77)

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH & GENDER JUSTICE: In October, ELCA Advocacy encouraged advocates and partners to take the We Will Speak Out pledge to stand in solidarity with those facing gender-based violence. ELCA Advocacy is dedicated to supporting this church’s commitment to address the systems that perpetuate gender and racial inequality. To better understand how the ELCA speaks about gender justice and the ways we can address policy issues with a gender-justice lens, help share Lutheran social teachings and the work of the ELCA’s Justice for Women team as we prepare future advocacy with gender justice as a major focus. Read more here.

PARIS AGREEMENT UPDATE: The Paris Agreement will go into force on Nov. 4, years earlier than expected when it was adopted in December 2015. Ruth Ivory-Moore, the Environmental Policy Director for ELCA Advocacy, will be present at the United Nations COP 22 meeting that will discuss the next implementation steps for the agreement. Eighty-five countries already have ratified the agreement, and the United States also helped the United Nations reach agreement on other key measures addressing aviation emissions and hydrofluorocarbons coolants. The Paris Agreement sets a long-term goal of keeping post-industrial warming to below 2 degrees Celsius. The success of these negotiations means much work remains.

PRAYER ON EXPANDED WAR: The 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly issued a call for congregations to a “time of prayer and communal discernment over the next three years to promote robust examination of the expanded US war efforts since 1990.” We are invited to continue to pray for military members, veterans, chaplains and their families, and for peace in God’s world. Reach out to your elected officials and candidates to raise this important issue! Read more here.

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

Dennis Frado, director

INFORMAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS: Five elected members of the Security Council held an informal meeting of the council members on Oct. 14, titled “Illegal Israeli Settlements: Obstacles to Peace and the Two-State Solution.” Security Council members were briefed by non-governmental experts on the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.

A representative from B’Tselem spoke of the current demolition of Palestinian homes and presented a concise history of the almost 50 years of Israeli occupation. Professor Dubuisson spoke of the importance of Israeli civil-society mobilization and advocated for economic solutions. Friedman highlighted the deteriorating state of Israeli democracy, demonstrated by an “ugly campaign against courageous Israeli human rights and civil society NGOs.” She added that the occupation is a “threat to Israel’s security and to Israel’s very existence.” In response, the U.S. representative said his government adamantly opposed Israeli settlement activity and the retroactive legalization of settlements. Spain advocated for increased humanitarian assistance and development initiatives in Palestine, while France discussed the French initiative for a dual state negotiation, proposing an end-of-year conference for dialogue. The concept note providing a background on Israeli Settlements can be found here.

WORLD FOOD DAY LOOKS AT CHALLENGES OF CLIMATE CHANGE: In celebration of World Food Day, Oct. 16, LOWC program associate Charlotte Mildenberger attended a discussion titled, “Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too.” Climate change poses immense challenges to the world’s 500 million smallholder farms. In that regard, empowering rural women and girls is vital.

THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT ACTIONS IN MIGRATION AND REFUGEE SITUATIONS: On Sept. 29, Charlotte Mildenberger attended an event titled, “The Transformative Power of Early Childhood Development Actions in Migration and Refugee Situations” in New York. Information was shared based on a neuroscience symposium organized by UNICEF on April 16, 2014.  Three panelists discussing the findings of 16 leading international scientists from different fields of neuroscience took part in the symposium.

LUTHERAN-CATHOLIC COMMON PRAYER: On Oct. 27, the Lutheran Office of World Community and Caritas Internationalis in New York co-hosted a service of Common Prayer. The event was in advance of the joint commemoration of the Reformation in Lund, Sweden, on Oct. 31 and reflected on the progress made in 50 years of international Catholic-Lutheran dialogue. The service was in the chapel of the Church Center for the United Nations, and many ecumenical advocacy partners attended. Staff from LOWC and Caritas Internationalis read excerpts from the Common Prayer: “From Conflict to Communion: Lutheran-Catholic Common Commemoration of the Reformation in 2017.” The service was accompanied by ecumenical musical worship and the lighting of candles for the five imperatives outlined in “From Conflict to Communion.”

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California

Mark Carlson, Lutheran Office of Public Policy

loppca.org

NOV. 8 ELECTION: Ballot propositions dominate the attention of LOPP-CA through Election Day; Policy Council priorities and recommendations, including the death penalty, sentencing reform and a single-use plastic bag ban, are at loppca.org.

EVENTS: LOPP-CA Director Mark Carlson attended the Sierra Pacific Synod professional leadership conference with an election information table and led a small break-out group on ballot measures. He attended the installation of Pacifica Synod Bishop Andy Taylor, followed by the Theoasis conference, which also included Southwest California Synod leaders. Mark tabled and led election workshops at the Women of the ELCA convention of the Southwest California Synod and will attend the Pacifica Women of the ELCA convention. Following an LOPP-CA Policy Council meeting in Glendale, Mark and ELCA Domestic Policy Director John Johnson attended the New City Parish gala and worshiped at St. Mark’s Lutheran in Los Angeles, where Mark did an election forum.

CARE FOR CREATION: Mark helped plan and participated in a Lutherans Restoring Creation statewide retreat for about a dozen people at Luther Glen Camp and farm.  The event concluded with an environmental justice-focused visit, initiated by LOPP-CA, to Central City Lutheran Mission in San Bernardino. Mark was a panelist with an Environmental Protection Agency lawyer, and Mark Richardson, president and dean of the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, for an event that included the blessing of their solar panels. The former presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori, and theologian Cynthia Moe-Lobeda keynoted.

NOT IN OUR TOWN: On his own time while in Lindsborg, Kan., for the memorial service for his aunt at Messiah Lutheran Church, Mark showed the film “Not in Our Town – When Hate Happens Here,” the first community event in response to the racist threats to Bethany College President Will Jones, his family and Bethany students.

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Colorado

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – Colorado

lam-co.org

IN THE NEWS: LAM-CO Director Peter Severson recently moderated a debate about Colorado’s Amendment 69, hosted by Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Littleton. Speakers both for and against the measure spoke in a debate format and took questions from an audience of nearly 50 people. Amendment 69, also known as ColoradoCare, is a measure that proposes to establish a nearly-universal state health insurance system to cover all residents of Colorado. The debate was covered by The Lakewood Sentinel newspaper. Pictured: Peter Severson (center) moderated as Freddie Gaudet (right) spoke against Amendment 69, while Dr. Ellen Lewis (left) spoke on the pro side. [Photo: Kyle Harding, The Lakewood Sentinel]

BALLOT MEASURE VIDEOS: Students at the University of Colorado-Boulder Lutheran Campus Ministry joined LAM-CO Director Peter Severson to make a series of videos on Colorado’s ballot measures. Check them out at The Magic November 8^th Ball.

MINISTRY VISITS: The LAM-CO show has been on the road for the past several weeks, teaching and engaging voters about ballot measures. Visits include all three Lutheran campus ministries in Colorado (CSU, UNC, CU-Boulder) as well as churches in Aurora and Wheat Ridge.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SYNOD ADVOCACY TRAINING: On Oct. 8, Lutheran Advocacy staff from Colorado, New Mexico and Washington, D.C., hosted a day of advocacy training for congregational leaders from seven congregations. The purpose of the day was equipping and training leaders to develop advocacy teams in their local communities.

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Minnesota

Tammy Walhof, Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota

tammy@lcppm.org

CLEAN ENERGY: Lutheran Advocacy-MN Director Tammy Walhof became co-convener of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership’s Energy Cluster this fall. The cluster is considering more than a dozen legislative options for 2017, and Tammy is helping guide an open and participatory decision-making process. She also participated in RE-AMP Midwest area meetings for coal, clean energy and the power sector and continues to learn more about the workings of the electric grid in preparation for continued work in energy issues.

IMMIGRATION: Issues around race and immigration continue to plague parts of Minnesota. This has become more difficult to address and combat since the St. Cloud mall stabbings by a Somali immigrant. Current political rhetoric only inflames the situation further. Although immigration has been a key issue for Lutheran Advocacy-MN in 2016, new approaches to immigration, including and especially Muslim immigration, will be needed for 2017.

ORGANIZATION BUILDING: Several excellent networking and presentation opportunities have arisen for Lutheran Advocacy-MN this fall, through separate events with pastors of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod and Saint Paul Area Synod, as well as with Minnesota congregations.

WANTED FOR SPRING SEMESTER 2017: This spring, I’d like two interns to work with creation care and affordable housing. If anyone is interested, please have them contact me at tammy@lcppm.org.

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New Mexico

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – New Mexico

lutheranadvocacynm.org

The 2016 special session of the New Mexico Legislature concluded on Oct. 6. A special session was needed to address the severe revenue crisis facing our state. The last two fiscal years were underfunded by at least $600 million and the state constitution mandates that state budgets be balanced. Unfortunately, the governor also included several crime bills on her agenda for the session. Included among those crime bills is one to reinstate the death penalty. Several bills that partly addressed the budget were passed and signed but the regular session in January will continue to face a severe budget deficit. Meanwhile, all the crime bills failed to pass, including reinstatement of the death penalty.

LAM-NM Director Ruth Hoffman testified before a joint meeting of the interim Legislative Health and Human Services Committee and the Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee. The committees heard an extensive presentation regarding solitary confinement, and in her testimony, Ruth urged the committees to endorse legislation to prohibit the use of solitary confinement for juveniles and the severely mentally ill and to limit its use for the general population of prisons and jails.

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Ohio

Nick Bates, The Faith Coalition for the Common Good

Nick@HungerNetOhio.org

Ohio continues to have the true swing-state experience with local, state and national candidates crisscrossing the state. During the push to persuade and turn out voters, the Hunger Network in Ohio continues to address the problems of those who are hungry and struggling to get by. Director Nick Bates visited two “Potlucks to End World Hunger” events on World Food Day (Oct. 16) to discuss the importance of statehouse advocacy. The following weekend, we were honored to be one of the beneficiaries of Clinton Heights Lutheran Church’s bi-annual chili and candidates night free-will offering. The other half went to support Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio.

As the campaign season ends, we have the obligation to help those elected to lead. On Nov. 17, The Hunger Network will host an advocacy day at the Ohio Statehouse. While everyone else wants to talk about the holidays, we want to “TALK TURKEY” about those who are hungry in Ohio. Please join us by registering here.

For more information about advocacy work in Ohio, visit hungernetohio.org.

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Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy – Pennsylvania                             

lutheranadvocacypa.org

As the General Assembly wrapped up its voting session, the hoped-for vote on Safe Harbor stalled, but advocates can take consolation in other items that did not become law.

SAFE HARBOR: SB851 would have redirected child sex-trafficking victims away from the criminal justice system and toward the help they need.

PAYDAY LENDING: Sponsors called SB1379 a financial services credit ladder, but it was another high-cost borrowing trap. Introduced with just days left in the session, LAMPa and others responded with letters to lawmakers.

ANTI-SANCTUARY LEGISLATION: HB 1885 would have punished municipalities for refusing to honor requests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain undocumented immigrants. LAMPa advocates urged defeat.

REGULATORY REVIEW ACT AMENDMENT: SB 562, which would have amended the Regulatory Review Act to allow the General Assembly to delay any regulation promulgated by the executive branch, was vetoed by Gov. Tom Wolf.

In other items, LAMPa staff presented on hunger and climate change at a SWPA Synod Hunger Gathering led by Mikka McCracken; met with Human Services Secretary Ted Dallas about detention of immigrant mothers and children at the Berks Residential Facility; met with leaders of Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries in Altoona about strengthening our ministry together; circulated a letter among ministries urging Gov. Wolf to include appropriate support for anti-hunger programs in his 2017-2018 budget; attended the Region 8 Networks for Mission Event; and attended the Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light annual conference.

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Texas

Samuel D. Brannon, Texas Impact

texasimpact.org

Six years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, uninsured rates across the U.S. have dropped significantly, but Texas leads the nation in both the number of and percent of uninsured residents. Nearly a million Texans are caught in the “coverage gap” – making too little to qualify for federal subsidies or too much to qualify for Medicaid.

Like many other people of faith, Lutherans are concerned about the politicization and polarization of something as important as healthcare, which is central to our identity as Christians. After all, our Savior was a healer. We want to engage in meaningful, nonpartisan discussion about the future of healthcare in our state.

On Nov. 18-20 (Christ the King Sunday), Texas Impact is coordinating with scores of faith communities across the state to hold a Health Justice Sabbath. During the event, congregations will join in prayer, study, and action for the sake of a better conversation around health care that is above politics.

Everyone is encouraged to do what they think appropriate for their context. For instance, the Rev. Franz Schemmel of Messiah Lutheran in Weatherford plans to hold an adult forum after Sunday worship. The Rev.  Paul Bailie of Iglesia Luterana San Lucas in Eagle Pass will conduct a service of healing, after which the congregation will write letters of support to their state legislator and senator.

All Texas congregations are encouraged to take part in the Health Justice Sabbath. Please go to abovepoliticstx.org for information and resources to make your congregation’s event both meaningful and impactful.

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Virginia

Kim Bobo, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy

virginiainterfaithcenter.org

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) continues to target certain legislative districts where senators or delegates currently oppose expanding healthcare coverage by meeting with constituents to discuss how the lawmaker might be persuaded. Meanwhile, several Virginia cities have passed resolutions calling on the General Assembly to accept federal dollars available for Medicaid expansion, something that is part of the VICPP toolbox.

If you want to get a great primer on healthcare issues in Virginia, particularly around the coverage gap, watch VICPP Healthcare Program Director Karen Cameron talk with Delegate Richard “Dick” Plum from Virginia’s 36th District. This will give you everything you need to know and shows how citizen action can influence positive change in Virginia’s General Assembly.

A group of citizens assembled in front of Virginia Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment’s office in Williamsburg on Oct. 17 for a prayer vigil to call on Norment and the rest of the General Assembly to hear the prayers for Virginians trapped in the healthcare coverage gap. A statement released to the media and posted on the VICPP website said the reason for the gathering was “because Norment has refused to participate in open forums or in personal conversations about affordable and accessible healthcare for all Virginians, about 30 frustrated people from diverse religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds brought the message to him with placards and offering testimony of the impact of not having health insurance.” The group prayed for Norment and the rest of the Legislature.

VICPP is also planning to have a “witness at the Capitol” team of retired clergy to monitor and meet with legislators during the General Assembly session in January.

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Washington

Paul Benz, Faith Action Network

fanwa.org

ELECTION SEASON: Faith Action Network (FAN) is proud to have hosted and organized three candidate forums in politically strategic state legislative district races and two forums on the five statewide initiatives on which FAN took positions (minimum wage increase–yes; gun violence reduction–yes; overturn Citizens United–yes; campaign finance reform–yes; carbon tax with tax offset–neutral). Alongside the initiative forums, FAN produced an initiative guide as well as a civility statement from our Interfaith Leaders Council for those running for office.

CLUSTER GATHERINGS: FAN has 16 geographic clusters of faith communities across our state that convene once a year in the fall. The purpose is to build relations between the FAN faith communities in that cluster and deepen the effectiveness of FAN’s work.  The conversation has two parts: updates on FAN’s programmatic work and updates on the advocacy work that the faith communities are doing. 

ANNUAL DINNER: FAN’s big end-of-the-year fundraising dinner is Nov. 20. Our keynote speaker will be a local rabbi: Ruth Zlotnick from Temple Beth Am in Seattle. FAN’s major donor has upped his match from last year! Our attendance goal is 450. If you can’t come but would like to support the work of FAN, you can participate by donating online at fanwa.org. 

INTERIM MEETINGS WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS: FAN has been busy doing its annual interim meetings with state legislators, members of Congress, and city/county council members. Advocates by district have been attending; as of this week we’ve completed 34 meetings.

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Wisconsin

Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin

loppw.org

ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND ELCAVOTES:  LOPPW has developed a new presentation based largely on the book “Forgotten Luther – Reclaiming the Social-Economic Dimension of the Reformation,” edited by Carter Lindberg and Paul Wee; materials from ELCAvotes; and realities about poverty in Wisconsin. LOPPW’s director led part of the presentation when co-leading a workshop on hunger with the Rev. Ellie Russey at a Northern Great Lakes Synod event. The director led the full presentation at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in the Greater Milwaukee Synod on Reformation Sunday.

CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION:   The LOPPW/South-Central Synod Care for God’s Creation team has a new presentation, the science part of which was developed by one of our team members, meteorologist Bob Lindmier. Bob led a presentation with the new PowerPoint at a congregation on Reformation Sunday.

LUTHERAN SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AT CHICAGO:  LOPPW’s director spoke on a panel about her journey as a woman and lesbian in leadership and led a workshop on anti-human trafficking at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago’s Women’s Leadership Conference.

ADVOCACY DAY:  LOPPW is working with several interfaith groups to hone priorities for Advocacy Day in 2017.

Lutherans are taking action across the country! Below you will find our monthly State Advocacy Newsletter. Share with your friends!

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ELCA Advocacy Office, Washington, D.C.

The Rev. Amy Reumann, director

ELCA.org/advocacy

“VOTE FAITHFULLY SUNDAY”: ELCA Advocacy has joined with our United Church of Christ and The Episcopal Church ecumenical advocacy partners in observing the Sunday before Election Day as “Vote Faithfully Sunday.” This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and raise up every voice in our community, reflect on our commitment to the common good and prepare to cast our ballots. In October, ELCA Advocacy will provide a #votefaithfully toolkit for congregations that includes our #ELCAvotes resources and jointly created worship resources.

NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY: Sept. 29 marked National Voter Registration Day. ELCA Advocacy, in collaboration with ELCA Racial Justice Ministries, sent an action alert reminding Lutherans to register to vote and hosted an #ELCAvotes Twitter chat to commemorate the day of action. Part two of the #ELCAvotes Bible study series, “From the Margins,” was also released this month. The new resource focuses on Luke 3:1-6 and guides discussion on our calling to act by speaking out as advocates and engaging in local efforts to guarantee the right to vote to all citizens.

FLINT WATER AID MOVES IN CONGRESS: It has been nearly a year since Flint, Mich., declared a state of emergency over the lead contamination of its water supply. In late September, after a series of intense negotiations and hundreds of messages from Lutheran advocates, both the U.S. House and the Senate passed separate amendments to address the water needs of Flint. Both houses passed the GOP-sponsored Water Resources Development Act, a routine bill that authorizes dozens of water projects throughout the U.S., with funding for Flint included. Both versions of the bill must be reconciled when legislators return to Washington, D.C., in November, when it is expected to receive a speedy vote. ELCA Advocacy action alerts are planned for later this year to help push the bill to the president’s desk after Election Day.

HIV and AIDS: After support and calls from ELCA Advocacy and other partners, the U.S. government in September made a commitment of up to $4.3 billion for the Global Fund over the next three years. The Global Fund fights AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and is projected to save roughly 2 million lives each year.

SHISHMAREF: Shishmaref, Alaska, is an island village that has gained national attention for its historic decision to relocate. Residents were driven to this decision because of the unique and challenging circumstances of their environment. Climate change has led to increased flooding and erosion. As a result, Shishmaref is one of the most dramatic examples of a population affected by climate change. Find out more by reading the full article.

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

Dennis Frado, director

U.N. SUMMIT ON ADDRESSING LARGE MOVEMENTS OF REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS: In early August, U.N. members agreed on three texts related to the Sept. 19 Summit on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants. The primary aim of the summit was better international response to the situations of both groups of people on the move. The final document was adopted by the General Assembly on Sept. 9, and government leaders endorsed it at the high-level summit. It starts a multi-year process to prepare a refugee response framework and a global agreement on migration. LOWC has been collaborating closely with The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in advance of the summit as part of a civil society action committee. LWF endorsed the committee’s call for “A new deal for refugees, migrants and societies” and a subsequent Act Now statement and scorecard. LOWC staff attended the summit and will be engaged with LWF in post-summit activities in New York and Geneva. LOWC is also coordinating follow-ups with the assistant director for migration policy and advocacy in the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington, D.C.

WHOLE OF SOCIETY APPROACH TO REFUGEES: On Sept. 20, Lia Hansen attended an event on “Mobilizing a ‘Whole of Society’ Approach to Refugees.” It was co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Canada and Ecuador and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. The main topic was the effective engagement of all sectors of society in resettling refugees. The minister of migrants and refugees of Canada, John McCullum, began by outlining Canada’s “national project” aimed at creating public-private partnerships in refugee resettlement efforts. This project allows private groups to sponsor refugees. McCullum declared that private partnerships are essential for the national project, as private sponsorships engender the support of the national population. Fariborz Birjandian, CEO of Calgary Catholic Immigration Society and an Iranian refugee to Canada, advocated for increased partnerships between faith and cultural organizations in sponsoring refugees. The Canadian government, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and the Open Society Foundation are collaborating on ways to export Canada’s public-private model globally.

KEEPING THE FAITH IN DEVELOPMENT: GENDER, RELIGION AND HEALTH: Last week during the U.N. General Assembly general debate week, Charlotte Mildenberger and Christine Mangale attended an event titled “Keeping the Faith in Development: Gender, Religion and Health.” It was co-hosted by UNAIDS, U.N. Women, U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Council of Churches-Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, the Wijngaards Institute for Catholic Research and Islamic Relief USA. The event launched three reports examining the intersections and areas of contention between health, human rights and religious beliefs:

• “Religion, Women’s Health and Rights: Points of Contention, Paths of Opportunities” (a joint UNFPA –NORAD paper)
• “Dignity Freedom and Grace: Christian Perspectives on HIV, AIDS and Human Rights” (Paterson and Long, 2016, published by the World Council of Churches)
• “Catholic Scholars’ Statement on the Ethics of Using Contraceptives” (Wijngaards Institute)

The reports address the taboo issues faith communities encounter when addressing sexual and reproductive health challenges, and propose theological and practical responses that respect the tenets of faith traditions. The event explored areas of conflict and the “faith-full” ways to resolve them. The participants were invited to recommend ways to help achieve the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

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California

Mark Carlson, Lutheran Office of Public Policy

loppca.org

LEGISLATIVE SESSION CONCLUDES: The legislative session concluded with a push by the Lutheran Office of Public Policy–California on climate change, environmental justice, criminal justice reform and campaign finance reform bills. Director Mark Carlson joined Gov. Jerry Brown, legislators and community leaders for a bill signing in Fresno strengthening our state’s commitment to environmental justice and allocating greenhouse gas reduction funds from carbon cap-and-trade. Brown signed a bill allowing the option of public financing for state and local campaigns and a bill placing some restorative justice language in the Penal Code. He vetoed a bill to ensure in-person jail visitation, as a trend to video visitation continues.

BALLOT MEASURE WORK CONTINUES: LOPP-CA Policy Council recommendations on 17 measures are at loppca.org. Much effort has been directed toward ending the death penalty and retaining the plastic grocery bag ban. An Advocacy Sunday is being promoted for Oct. 16, including an ELCAvotes! emphasis. Mark will be attending the Southwest California Synod Women of the ELCA convention, synod professional leadership conferences, and a small, statewide Lutherans Restoring Creation planning retreat, sharing election materials.

9/11 REMEMBRANCE: It was a blessing to have Domestic Mission Director and former Metropolitan New York Synod Bishop Stephen Bouman in Sacramento. He met with congregational leaders, did site visits, and Mark accompanied him on the morning of 9/11 to the state Peace Officers Memorial by the Capitol (with a Lutheran California Highway Patrol officer), and the opening ceremony of the New York Fire Department  firefighter memorial stair climb in a nearby high-rise.

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Colorado

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–Colorado

lam-co.org

THEOLOGICAL CONFERENCE: The Rocky Mountain Synod Theological Conference took place in Cheyenne, Wyo., Sept. 19-22. Nearly 150 leaders from the synod gathered for worship, reflection, continuing education and fellowship. The synod is home to two advocacy ministries, Colorado and New Mexico, and both offices were present throughout the gathering to equip leaders for the busy election season.

VOTER GUIDES: Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–Colorado has prepared voter guides to help people of faith (and Lutherans in particular) consider the nine ballot issues that will be in front of Colorado voters in 2016. Each guide contains a summary of the ballot measures, resources for considering these issues, links to check voter registration and more. The guides are available digitally at lam-co.org or they can be ordered from the Rocky Mountain Synod office.

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Minnesota

Tammy Walhof, Lutheran Advocacy–Minnesota

tammy@lcppm.org

ELECTIONS: The Minneapolis Area Synod hosted candidates from three West Metro legislative districts on clean energy and water, and Bethel Lutheran hosted candidates in Rochester. A Lindstrom congregation is interested in helping residents register to vote. Contact tammy@lcppm.org for election-related options for your congregation.

2017 PLANS: LA–MN’s Policy Council set general directions for the upcoming year at its September meeting. Payday lending was dropped but will continue to be a focus of action through 2016 in support of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed rules.

• Affordable housing: Even as new affordable units are added to rental stock, Minnesota is losing thousands of previously affordable units to investor buy-outs and luxury conversions. High housing costs remain a primary cause of instability and hunger. Affordable housing and related services will remain a high priority in 2017.
• Clean energy, clean water, climate, sustainable agriculture: Despite a renewable boom, Minnesota’s “80 percent carbon reduction by 2050” goal remains elusive. Gov. Mark Dayton supports increasing renewable energy to 50 percent by 2030 and also made clean water a priority last year. LA-MN and partners are evaluating the degree the administration might support differing proposals.

Some partners have asked LA-MN to participate in efforts on sustainable agriculture. The Policy Council sees agriculture, energy and water as interrelated and important to climate issues.

• Immigration, racism: LA-MN will continue to work on welcoming refugees and immigrants and hopes to find appropriate ways to address racism toward immigrants and Minnesotans of color.

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New Mexico

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–New Mexico

lutheranadvocacynm.org

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–New Mexico is a partner with the Interfaith Hunger Coalition. The coalition recently sponsored a workshop called “Hunger 101.” The workshop drew more than 50 people who heard an in depth presentation by New Mexico Voices for Children on the state’s budget situation and included a number of possible public policies that could help deal with the current budget crisis. LAM–NM Director Ruth Hoffman talked about several state issues about which attendees could contact their legislators. Ruth helped people identify their state legislators and provided contact information so that letters could be written to those lawmakers.

The state Legislature has been meeting in a special session to address the state’s severe revenue crisis. The last two fiscal years are underfunded by about $600 million. Because the state constitution mandates that state budgets be balanced, the governor has called the legislature to Santa Fe. Unfortunately, the governor also included several crime bills on her proclamation for the session. Included among those crime bills is one to reinstate the death penalty in New Mexico. LAM–NM was a leader in the coalition that successfully advocated to abolish capital punishment in 2009. LAM–NM is working on bills to protect social service programs from budget cuts, advocating for more state revenue, and fighting legislation that would reinstate the death penalty.

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Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy–Pennsylvania                            

lutheranadvocacypa.org

With the focus on “being church together for the sake of the world, in Pennsylvania,” LAMPa policy council and guests, including five Directors of Evangelical Mission, held our annual retreat in State College to re-imagine how we are called to live into this ministry together. Guests helped the policy council begin to discern what issues we might work on in the next legislative session by discussing what we are seeing in our congregations, communities and media. These helped the policy council identify areas around which to convene teams, as LAMPa moves forward in restructuring for mission. Hunger, racial justice, mental health and addiction, creation justice, education, immigration, and poverty, housing and jobs were the areas lifted up for the creation of issue teams to be convened by policy council members.

Senate Bill 851, a safe-harbor bill that would redirect youth victims of sex trafficking into services and away from the criminal justice system, was the focus of service and advocacy projects in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11.  The Lower Susquehanna Synod’s Women’s Organization passed a resolution supporting the bill, writing to the head of the Judiciary Committee and individual senators on its behalf. In addition to advocacy, members of First Lutheran in Chambersburg and Emmanuel Lutheran in Pittsburgh labeled bars of hotel soap with the phone number of the national human trafficking hotline. The soap will be distributed to hotels as a way to intervene where trafficking often occurs. Since the action, the bill has was voted out of committee.

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Texas

Samuel D. Brannon, Texas Impact

texasimpact.org

REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM: Texas’ decision to withdraw from the federal refugee resettlement program does not reflect the values of Texans. Texans are courageous, hospitable and faithful. Texans should not tolerate this decision made on their behalf, which seeks to impede the process of meeting critical needs for some of the most beleaguered of God’s children.

The state’s decision will not end the resettlement of refugees in Texas. Instead, it will obstruct the delivery of life-sustaining support for the refugees already in Texas. It also will siphon precious nonprofit and faith-based resources intended for refugees into a crisis-driven effort to rebuild a system that was already working effectively and efficiently.

Finally, the state’s decision will not prevent Texas faith communities from aiding our sisters and brothers fleeing persecution in other parts of the world. Refugees come to Texas seeking shelter from religious intolerance, violence and failed states. They have already experienced immeasurable hardships, rejection, death and deprivation. Refugees see Texas as a place of freedom and safety for themselves and their families. The state’s decision notwithstanding, we will continue to work to ensure that their faith in our state is well founded.

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Wisconsin

Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin

loppw.org

ANNUAL LOPPW RETREAT AND UPDATED PRIORITIES: The advisory council and staff honed our priorities including: calling for an end to childhood hunger addressing the crisis of human trafficking; caring for God’s creation; confronting the impact of money on public policies and supporting immigration reform.

STATEWIDE CONFERENCE AND RALLY ON ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Our panel included someone who had been trafficked, an outreach worker with homeless youth, and two assemblywomen from the Republican and Democratic parties. We also heard from La Crosse Area Synod Bishop Jim Arends, who spoke about why he wanted anti-human trafficking to be a priority for LOPPW in 2014, and from South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Bishop Mary Froiland on why it is improtant to be a public church.

HUNGER TEAM IN THE NORTHERN GREAT LAKES SYNOD: There was a discussion on the Child Nutrition Reauthorization, and we were updated on the landscape in the Northwoods.

CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION: LOPPW’s director was on a panel at the Wisconsin Power & Light conference in Appleton. She also co-led a workshop in which she spoke about the legislative landscape of Wisconsin in relationship climate change and water.

CANDIDATE FORUM FOR STATE SENATE SEAT HELD IN OSHKOSH: Council member Deb Martin moderated our candidate forum at All Saints Lutheran Church, Oshkosh. The Rev. Kim Krogstad opened us up with prayer and was the time keeper.  The event made NBC news in Green Bay.

 

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Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy – Pennsylvania                          

lutheranadvocacypa.org

With the General Assembly in recess until September, August provided time for assessing and strengthening partnerships within the church, including relationships with Lutheran camps and seminaries. Meetings are exploring ways to lift up stories from our ministries and create a program that would include advocacy as an element of faith formation. LAMPa’s policy council will engage these topics and more as we restructure for mission at our annual retreat in September.

LAMPa is also equipping synodical women’s organizations to support Safe Harbor legislation as part of the churchwide dedicated day of service on Sept. 11. Congregations may label bars of soap with the human trafficking hotline information for distribution at hotels as a service project. Lower Susquehanna’s organization adopted a resolution in support of SB851 and is sending a letter to the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The resolution also calls on members to write their individual lawmakers in support of the bill that would divert trafficked children from the criminal justice system into appropriate services.

Very little is expected to be addressed in the few remaining weeks of the legislative session beyond finishing details connected to the budget. We remain alert for any movement on a memo circulated early in the session on possible payday lending legislation.

Texas

Samuel D. Brannon, Texas Impact

texasimpact.org

On Aug. 22, Dr. John Hellerstedt, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), met in Austin with Lutheran and other faith leaders to discuss Texas’ Zika plan.

“All of us play a role in limiting the potential that it gets here to Texas and the potential for it to spread,” said Hellerstedt. He explained that practices like using mosquito repellent, putting screens in open windows and wearing long-sleeve clothing will go a long way in preventing contact with an infected mosquito. He added that personal prevention measures can be almost 100 percent effective. “We don´t have to be perfect at this, but we do need to be as consistent as possible in these practices,” said Hellerstedt.

He said the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been working closely with the state on Texas’ strategy. So far, all cases reported in Texas are the result of mosquito bites received during foreign travel or were passed by sexual transmission. DSHS asked faith organizations to engage their communities because, although behavioral change is difficult, the public needs to start taking real preventive measures. Congregations can help by:

• Meeting with local officials to be communication partners.
• Informing their communities. Resources available here: org.
• Going door-to-door with preventive information in high-risk neighborhoods.

Preparation, education and rapid response – coordinated at the state and local level, and with partnerships between state agencies and community organizations like congregations – is the best way to protect our communities from the spread of Zika.

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Washington

Paul Benz, Faith Action Network

fanwa.org

ELECTED OFFICIAL MEETINGS: Faith Action Network (FAN) is busy meeting with elected officials and the faith advocates in their districts. We’re primarily focusing on state legislators but also meeting with county council members and members of Congress. Our main state issues are: revenue solutions to fund K-12 education and our broken mental health systems, repealing our state’s death penalty statute and reforming our use of deadly force statute. Our two primary congressional issues are child nutrition and passing sensible sentencing reform. At all these meetings, we are sharing a statement: Interfaith Leaders Call for a Responsible & Respectful 2016 Electoral Process.

CANDIDATE/INITIATIVE FORUMS: FAN is currently planning candidate forums in districts with competitive state Senate races, each hosted by congregations and moderated by faith leaders. We are also doing a forum on two key ballot initiatives: increasing the minimum wage while establishing paid sick and safe leave, and reducing gun violence using “Extreme Risk Protection Orders.”

NEW ORGANIZING INTERNS: FAN will soon have its three new organizing interns in place: Chasity Jones from Louisiana with the United Methodist Global Missions program, Joshua Sullivan from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, and David Choi from Virginia with the United Church of Christ’s Justice Leadership Program.doing a forum on two key ballot initiatives: increasing the minimum wage while establishing paid sick and safe leave, and reducing gun violence using “Extreme Risk Protection Orders.”

ANNUAL CLUSTER GATHERINGS: Every fall, FAN gathers our advocates and friends together in 17 geographic clusters all around our state. We do this to hear what FAN is doing and to hear what advocacy-related projects our various faith communities are doing. The overarching goal is to bring people of different faith traditions together to see how we can be more effective in our common work of advocating for justice.

(Photo caption: Our Interfaith Leaders Council gathered this month to call for a responsible, honest, and respectful election season this year.)

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Wisconsin

Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin

loppw.org

POVERTY AND HUNGER: The hunger team in La Crosse is talking about supporting the efforts of ELCA World Hunger and, with LOPPW, advocating for a just bill for the Child Nutrition Reauthorization.

ELCAVOTES: LOPPW is working with the League of Women Voters to plan a candidate forum in the East-Central Synod of Wisconsin and is working with a council member to organize an additional forum.

UPCOMING CONFERENCE: The anti-trafficking conference LOPPW is organizing with Cherish All Children will include legislators, an outreach worker to homeless youth, and at least one individual who was trafficked as a youth and now works to stop sex trafficking. More information at loppw.org/events/.

DAYS AFTER MILWAUKEE WAS HIT BY VIOLENCE: “One good thing that might come out of what happened in Milwaukee is that it will bring national attention to Milwaukee’s race problems. … We need to have dialogue, but sometimes things erupt. … Not everyone is racist . … We can’t just separate into sides all the time; that won’t work in the long run.” Spoken by a high school student unearthing soil at Alice’s Garden (director/minister Venice Williams is an LOPPW Advisory Council member).

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Contact us at washingtonoffice@elca.org

By: Ryan Taylor, ELCA Legislative Intern

Photo Credit: U.S. Department of Education

In this election cycle full of hyper-partisanship, campaign insults, and the perceived inability of the public to agree on a variety of topics, there remains one issue on which the American people can come together: the economy. According to a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 84% of registered voters cite the economy as an issue “very important” to their vote in the 2016 election. In fact, the economy topped Pew’s list of results as the single most important issue to voters in this campaign.

If this is the case, how, then, do we improve our economy and in turn make it work for everyone? Perhaps one way to advance our economic progress is to properly invest in and increase access to quality education.

In 2010, President Obama declared in a speech that, “education is the economic issue of our time. It’s an economic issue when the unemployment rate for folks who’ve never gone to college is almost double what it is for those who have gone to college. Education is an economic issue when nearly eight in 10 new jobs will require workforce training or a higher education by the end of this decade. Education is an economic issue when we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that countries that out-educate us today, they will out-compete us tomorrow.”

President Obama then suggested that, “The single most important thing we can do is to make sure we’ve got a world-class education system for everybody. That is a prerequisite for prosperity. It is an obligation that we have for the next generation.”

The ELCA’s social statement “Our Calling in Education” states that we minister in two ways: to educate people in the Christian faith for their vocation, and to strive with others to ensure that all have access to high-quality education that develops personal gifts and abilities and serves the common good.

Education issues are also critical this November. In the aforementioned survey conducted by Pew, 66% of registered voters said education is “very important” to their vote in the 2016 election. Throughout the remainder of this election cycle, we must encourage candidates up and down the ballot to support quality education for all, with a particular emphasis on youth.

Early childhood education lies at the core of this issue. Studies consistently show that high-quality education for children before the age of five sets them up for future success. For example, the HighScope Perry Preschool Study found that “individuals who were enrolled in a quality preschool program ultimately earned up to $2,000 more per month than those who were not.” Furthermore, the study found that “young people who were in preschool programs are more likely to graduate from high school and own homes.”

Because children rapidly develop social and cognitive skills during the earliest stages of their lives, it is imperative that every child has access to high quality preschool education. Building upon President Obama’s Preschool for All proposal and in accordance with our Lutheran calling in education, we must advocate for proper funding and must work to expand access to universal preschool.

While great progress has been made in this arena, there is still much work to be done. There are still six states that do not provide state funding for pre-Kindergarten programs (pre-K). Just under half (46 percent) of age-eligible children attend pre-K across the country, and only 4 percent of 3-year-olds and 28 percent of 4-year-olds attend state-funded programs. We must continue to push our candidates for office, as well as current legislators, to provide adequate federal funding to states that already provide pre-k programs. Furthermore, we should push for new federal funding to states that do not provide pre-k programs.

This November, with so much at stake, let us renew the fight for quality education for all God’s children. Universal preschool is a bold first step toward a bright future not only for students across the country, but also for our economy. If we truly value a strong education system and a strong economy, we must work to elect public officials who value educating our children in the most critical stages of social and cognitive development and onward. We can participate in this work knowing that access to quality education is a core value in our shared Lutheran heritage.

(Photo Credit: U.S. Department of Education)

This statement was given by Rachel Birkedal, ELCA Churchwide Assembly voting member representing the North Carolina Synod. Rachel shared this message during discussion period at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly (#ELCAcwa) prior to the passage of the ELCA’s #AMMPARO strategy.

“I served as a Young Adults in Global Mission – ELCA in Mexico and later as a Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) member with a free legal service provider to asylum seekers in the upper Midwest. In Mexico, my fellow YAGM have served at migrant shelters throughout the transit routines in Mexico. We have felt fear as we have watched migrants and our friends travel through Mexico, as they approach the border and ask for asylum.

Upon returning to the U.S., I have worked primarily with woman and children fleeing violence in the northern triangle of Central America and the networks that support them. My co-workers and I have sat at the table and held the stories of those seeking asylum. We have held the life stories of woman escaping domestic violence, youth who are persecuted for being young and unwilling to join one of the ruling gangs in their country, and so much more. Time after time we heard horrific stories and time and time again we have seen resilience and a fight that some how got them to our country to ask for safety.

There are countless obstacles that this vulnerable population face in their home countries, in transit and once in the US. Those who are in the process of migration or seeking asylum in our immigration court system need the community and the Church to continue to tell them that they are human; that they are valued, that their lives have meaning and that we will not leave them alone in an immigration system that is almost impossible to navigate with out support.

The work is not new. It is already being done. Those who work with migrants and asylum seekers have been touched by the lives we have encountered and I hope that if you haven’t found a way to feel connected, that this strategy will implement programs and advocacy that will allow you to be affected by the lives of your neighbors as I have been, and that the spirit will move us together to continue to provide refuge and “amparo” for those who desperately need it. For these reasons and more, I support the AMMPARO strategy. Que dios les bendiga. Gracias.”

Learn more about how the ELCA is Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation, and Opportunities: www.ELCA.org/AMMPARO

AUGUST RECESS IN D.C.: It’s summer recess at the Capitol, which means members of Congress have returned to their states and districts until after Labor Day. ELCA Advocacy shared a resource informing advocates about ways to take action as lawmakers set up town halls, constituent coffees and other events. As political candidates prepare for the 2017 election, ELCA Advocacy will share additional #ELCAvotes mobilizing resources.

ADVOCACY AT THE CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY: ELCA Advocacy will be present in a number of ways at this year’s Churchwide Assembly. Engagement with young adult attendees will focus on the ELCAvotes initiative to encourage civic participation and action to ensure all citizens have the right to vote, as well as to discuss the intersections of voting rights with racial, gender and economic justice. ELCA Advocacy will provide leadership at the Grace Gathering during workshops on Care for Creation, Human Trafficking and AMMPARO and in two Grace in Action afternoon events.

HOUSING PRIORITIES PASS CONGRESS: ELCA Advocacy applauded Congress for passing the Housing Opportunities Through Modernization Act on July 14. It was a top housing legislative priority for ELCA Advocacy and will help expand the reach and access of U.S. housing programs to extremely low-income families in the most need of assistance. ELCA Advocacy will be working to prepare more engagement on affordable housing and homeless assistance advocacy for 2017 and in the near future.

AMMPARO ADVOCACY – NEW BILL ADDRESSING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN CENTRAL AMERICA: The Secure the Northern Triangle Act was introduced in the House and the Senate. The bill provides a regional approach to addressing the humanitarian crisis of children and families being forced to flee their communities in Central America. It includes needed reforms to the U.S. immigration system that receives unaccompanied children and families while also providing guidance on how the U.S. should invest in Central America. ELCA Advocacy supports the regional approach to the bill but is concerned about providing resources to law enforcement agencies that violate human rights. See the full statement here.

ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT IN CENTRAL AMERICA: Last month, the Department of State announced an expansion to its in-country refugee processing program for Central Americans. The program, which previously allowed lawfully present parents living in the U.S. to only request refugee status for their minor children living in the Northern Triangle, will allow these parents to apply for their adult children. In addition, parents and family caregivers of children will be able to be considered for the program. To increase protection, the U.S. government will have the ability to provide protection in Costa Rica for children and their families going through the process who have an immediate need to leave their community. This announcement is a welcome step toward ensuring the safety of children and families in Central America.

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Ohio welcomed the 2016 Republican National Convention last month. Ohio also experienced political activism from across the spectrum throughout July to raise awareness about a variety of important issues. Advocates from around the state descended on Cleveland to lift up their voices on the issues most important to them. In early July, faith leaders, joined by the Rev. William Barber, leader of the Moral Mondays movement, spoke and delivered a call to a higher moral ground.

Also on July 9, Bishop Abraham Allende of the Northeastern Ohio Synod and others joined a march for immigration justice, recognizing our biblical call to welcome and show hospitality to the stranger. Once the convention got underway, many advocates participated in further demonstrations to show their support for Black Lives Matter, immigration and economic justice. Sometimes in a democracy we need public tension to advance the cause of justice. The demonstrators and police of Cleveland all did a great job embracing the tension respectfully and helping advance justice. For further information: HungerNetOhio.org.

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Pennsylvania – Tracey DePasquale, Director

www.lutheranadvocacypa.org

Texas–Samuel D. Brannon, Texas Impact

texasimpact.org

On Sunday morning, July 10, the phone rang at the Lutherhill Ministries camp and retreat center. Texas Impact, the Lutheran state Public Policy Office in Texas, was calling with an urgent question: “Would you be able to accommodate a group of 60 Muslim college students for a weekend retreat … next weekend?”

The Lone Star Council of the Muslim Students Association had reserved space for their annual leadership retreat at a different camp and conference center earlier in the summer, only to be told less than a week before the start of the retreat that they couldn’t go to that camp after all – because they weren’t Christians. The students reached out to Texas Impact for help, and Texas Impact staff members called Lutherhill.

Lutherhill sprang into action. They had a few things already scheduled for the upcoming weekend, including a wedding and a staff training session, but they quickly committed to welcoming the Muslim students with open arms and moved things and people around to make it work. “Our staff enjoyed the Lone Star student group,” said Matt Kindsvatter, executive director of Lutherhill Ministries. “They were one of the nicest groups we’ve ever hosted.”

A little Lutheran welcome can go a long way. Thank you, Lutherhill Ministries!

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Wisconsin – Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin

www.loppw.org

CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION: The Wisconsin Climate Table met again in July to strategize further how to build grassroots efforts to tip Wisconsin toward a commitment to diminish carbon dioxide emissions.

A bill to have the Wisconsin Department of Justice create posters with the Polaris hotline displayed and to make the posters known in key areas was passed into law. Polaris takes calls to help victims of human trafficking 24 hours per day. On July 28, a press conference at the Capitol launched a campaign to publicize the posters. LOPPW supported the bill, helped add an amendment to it, and was named as one of the partners at the press conference. A lot of work is needed to make this campaign work.

LOPPW/Cherish All Children’s Northwest Synod team (on left) held its second half-day conference on human trafficking, this time at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Superior. At the Superior conference, Bishop Rick Hoyme led devotions and later blessed the letters participants wrote to their participants. Our next event will be in Madison on Sept. 14.

ELCA WORLD HUNGER: LOPPW’s director and volunteer, Eleanor Siebert, attended the ELCA World Hunger gathering.  LOPPW made contact with members of hunger teams from three synods in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan at the event.

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Contact us at washingtonoffice@elca.org