____________________

____________________

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.

____________________

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.)

____________________

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).

____________________

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.

____________________

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.

____________________

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!

____________________

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.

____________________

Contact us at washingtonoffice@elca.org

 

CHICAGO (July 18, 2016) – In a July 15 letter addressed to Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined more than 90 national Christian leaders with the Circle of Protection asking to meet with the candidates to discuss “plans for offering help and opportunity to hungry and poor people in the United States and around the world.”

“We are leaders of Christian communions, organizations and schools who care deeply about hunger and poverty, and we are praying for a president who shares that concern,” the letter reads.

The leaders emphasized that steps toward ending hunger and poverty “will require action by all sectors of society and by all the nations of the world.”

The Circle of Protection is a coalition of diverse Christian leaders that advocates for hungry and poor people in the United States and around the world.

The letter is available at http://bit.ly/2agyixy.

– – –

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 3.7 million members in more than 9,300 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.

Please welcome Ruth Ivory-Moore to ELCA Advocacy! Ruth has joined our team as Program Director for Environment and Energy Policy! Ruth brings a background and careers in chemical engineering, and as a corporate legal counsel. Her legal specialties including climate change, commercial, contracts, environmental, and antitrust law. Ruth believes that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose…” (NKJV Romans 8:28).   She feels that serving in the Environment and Energy Policy position is a blessing from God allowing her to use her diverse background to address critical issues.

As I walk down the sidewalk to find a place to eat lunch not far from the steps of the Capitol, I notice a squirrel that is leisurely sitting on the back of one of the benches. As I pass within three feet of him, he does not flinch or attempt to flee. Our eyes meet. He looks very content, as if to say “join me if you like, but I am here to stay.” I elect to walk passed my animal friend to another bench that is well positioned under majestic shade trees. The temperature must be approaching 100^oF, but there is a nice breeze that makes one forget the sweltering heat.

I begin to eat my lunch, and I notice black and gray colored birds scampering around and flying between trees. They seem to be at peace and happy. For a moment, I forget about the headline news: unrest across the waters; turmoil in our communities; and racial tensions that continue to exist. I marvel at God’s creations (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16). I marvel at the synchronization; the synergy; and the beauty.

But then reality hits. I am reminded that this squirrel and those birds are so content; the trees are providing shade; the wind provides cooling; all in nature working in harmony. They have no concern about the damage that climate change is doing to the environment. I am who needs to be concerned.

God calls on us to care for and protect all of creation. Should we not embrace this responsibility?

Nowhere is this calling more important than in our work toward eliminating the causes of, mitigating the impact of, and implementing adaption measures for addressing climate change. While resolving to address climate change impacts on creation is not hard, the path toward a solution appears monumental. This is a challenge not seen by humankind before. A few recent news items help to shed some light on the complexity of the challenges our country faces in trying to develop innovations that will also address climate change:

Last year, Hawaii pledged to convert to 100 percent renewable power by 2045. The path to accomplishing this has not been mapped out. One major obstacle identified is the current power grid. Renewables will produce excess power and the grid was not designed to handle this excess energy.  How is this excess power to be stored for later use?

The current Administration is attempting to make it financially easier to purchase zero emissions vehicles, that is, electric cars. But how does one really get to zero emissions? The electricity used to power these vehicles is produced by generators that are predominately fueled by fossil fuels. Renewable fuels account for only about 13% of the electricity generated.

Other areas to consider not in the news include:

What does global travel look like in a renewables world? How are passenger airplanes to be fueled? The fuel cell needed would be too heavy.

What alternatives are needed to transition the use of everyday things made from hydrocarbons derived from fossil fuels that go into making items such as cosmetics, clothing, and medical supplies; food items such as artificial ripening of fruit; and food grade polymers for chewing gum base?

How is the displaced worker and the community whose livelihood (existence) depends on fossil fuels to survive? How do we help them to transition to other technologies?

These are only a few items to consider, which makes the task at hand daunting. But we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to God’s purpose (Romans 8:28). In carrying out God’s mandate to be stewards we must take care of all creation, not leaving anyone or anything behind. Now is a time for action that entails us using our God given intelligence and skills to devise solutions to address climate change from every angle.

ELCA Advocacy is encouraged by provisions in “Secure the Northern Triangle Act”

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Advocacy Office (ELCA Advocacy) is encouraged by the regional protection focus on migration in the Secure the Northern Triangle Act (S. 3106/H.R. 5850). The bill, introduced in the Senate by Senator Harry Reid (NV) with a companion legislation introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Reps. Zoe Lofgren (CA) and Eliot L. Engel (NY), acknowledges that children and families from Central America are in need of humanitarian protection and outlines steps for U.S. and Central American governments to improve the systems put in place to protect vulnerable populations. The bill also conditions U.S. financial support to Central American governments on progress made to improve their efforts to protect human rights.

Thanks to the expertise of organizations and churches that the ELCA accompanies throughout the region, we know that U.S. funding can have a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable communities when it involves their voices and honors their concerns.

ELCA Advocacy remains concerned about providing U.S. resources to enforcement agencies that have not demonstrated an increased focus on human rights and humanitarian protection. Our partners in Central America continue to report grave human rights violations by representatives of the same agencies to whom this bill would provide training and resources. More broadly, we are troubled by the lack of wide civil society involvement in the Plan of the Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern Triangle mentioned in the bill.

Testimonies from our partners who describe the immense humanitarian gap in Mexico are sobering. Migrants, especially women and children, face incredible violence perpetrated by multiple actors, including law enforcement agents.  We would welcome stronger human rights conditions for funding to Mexico.

The ELCA affirms that “earthly peace is built on the recognition of the unity and goodness of created existence, the oneness of humanity, and the dignity of every person” (ELCA social statement, “For Peace in God’s World”). Through the relationships we have built while accompanying organizations and churches in Central America and Mexico, we know that the only way to effectively address the displacement of children and families is by protecting those displaced while simultaneously seeking to address the issues driving people to flee their communities. We are pleased that this bill addresses both issues and look forward to working with Congress to bring our faithful perspective to legislation affecting children and families from Central America.

THE GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY ACT PASSES CONGRESS: After long months of advocacy and policy negotiations, Congress has finally passed the Global Food Security Act, a landmark food security legislation. A top priority of ELCA Advocacy, this bipartisan legislation authorizes Feed the Future– a vital global food and hunger initiative, into law. Feed the Future works to bolster agricultural development, improve nutrition, and stimulate local economic growth, which in turn helps to reduce poverty. In addition, the Global Food Security Act strengthens transparency and accountability measures to ensure effectiveness and stewardship. Together we celebrate this great milestone; for it is because you raised your voices and took action that we were able to compel Congress to pass this legislation.

WELCOMING RUTH IVORY-MOORE TO THE ELCA ADVOCACY TEAM: ELCA Advocacy is delighted to introduce our new Program Director for Environment and Energy, Ruth Ivory-Moore. Ruth has had careers in chemical engineering, as a corporate legal counsel, and brings legal specialties including environmental law and climate change. Ruth is married and has two children.  She enjoys spending time with family (especially her two grandchildren) and friends. Ruth is involved with Christian education in her church and is about to embark on training to become a Stephen Minister.  Her other volunteer work includes chairing a young adult and youth leadership summit in southern Virginia, as well as addressing various community needs such as criminal law reform and health care. Welcome Ruth!

GRIEVING WITH OUR CHURCH AND NATION FOR THE TRAGIC LOSS OF LIFE: ELCA Advocacy continues to grieve with our church and nation for the tragic loss of life last week, the repeated reminders of the wounds of racism, fear and injustice, and our own complicity in their infliction. Bishop Eaton has called on ELCA ministries and members to be present in our communities in the wake of this and any violence; to accompany protesters, law enforcement, and any who are frightened, despairing or searching for hope. The Gospel calls us to be present, to show up in the places of pain under the shadow of the cross, because these are the places Jesus will be, where he promises to be present for us with mercy, hope and resurrection to new life. Read more.

GREEN CLIMATE FUND: The Senate Appropriations Committee recently voted to continue U.S. support for the Green Climate Fund. As people across the developing world continue to be deeply impacted by climate disruption, the fund is already implementing vital and innovative projects for nations to prepare for and build community resilience. The fund is a top ELCA Advocacy priority because it dedicates a large percentage of resources to serve people already impacted by climate change. An ELCA advocacy alert was sent a day before the amendment vote and the ELCA Advocacy Office will continue to monitor the issue as it moves to the Senate and House.

GUN VIOLENCE: Following the tragic events in Orlando, Fla., Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., led House and Senate Democrats in a sit-in demonstration on the House floor, protesting the long-standing status quo of congressional inaction after mass shootings. Three days after the Orlando shooting, Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Conn., led a nearly 15-hour filibuster until Republican leaders agreed to vote on four gun-related amendments. All the measures failed in the Senate. ELCA Advocacy shared two action alerts encouraging lawmakers to support meaningful regulations. Though the Senate measures failed, a gun-violence action alert is still live for advocates who would like to continue to weigh-in on the issue.

PAYDAY LENDING RULE: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau last month released a newly proposed rule aimed at ending high-interest “debt traps” from payday lenders. The bureau said the typical payday loan lasts about two weeks and has an average annual interest rate of 390 percent. Under the proposal, a lender could only make a high-interest loan to a borrower who passed a credit check and was found to be able to repay the loan. Those failing the check could still borrow under “less risky longer-term lending options.” The proposed rules are now open for public comment, allowing individuals, community leaders and congregations to weigh in on payday lending policy. The ELCA Advocacy Office released an action alert urging followers to submit their comments the day the rule was released.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM: Congress has yet to act on meaningful criminal justice reforms this year. The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2016, which has broad bipartisan support in the Senate, would affect many who are faced with overly harsh and unfair sentences. You can read more about criminal justice reform, where it stands in Congress, and how the faith community is part of the conversation at the ELCA Advocacy Blog.

THE RUSH TO END FOR SUMMER: Advocates were busy helping state policymakers finish their business before recessing for a summer of campaigning. Ohioans are encouraged to ask every candidate or campaign this summer, “What will you do to reduce hunger in our community?” Here is a quick rundown of some of the legislation passed in the final hours before summer recess:

FOSTER CARE: Ohio expanded foster care to youth up to the age of 21. This has the potential to help a lot of youth transition successfully to adulthood and avoid homelessness and exploitation.

ELECTIONS: The governor vetoed a bill that would have imposed a poll tax if somebody sought a judicial order to keep polling locations open. Gov.  Kasich said the bill went too far in limiting the discretion of the common-pleas judge.

Also, online voter registration continues to be delayed in Ohio, despite the secretary of state’s approval of the system.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA: The Legislature legalized medicinal marijuana, however, this legislation didn’t address the criminal justice and racial justice concerns associated with decades of marijuana policy.

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION: Ohio will use existing funds to pay off our unemployment compensation debt to the federal government. This temporarily delays action on a proposal that would have drastically cut benefits for unemployed workers. However, Ohio’s unemployment compensation system still needs structural improvements to guarantee promised benefits to families who face unemployment during the next economic slowdown.

____________________

Pennsylvania – Tracey DePasquale, Director

www.lutheranadvocacypa.org

 ____________________

South Eastern Synod–Hilton Austin, Director

haustin337@att.net

Having been officially authorized at the last Synod Assembly, we were very excited to have our first exhibit at the Southeastern Synod Assembly in June. The exhibit was well received, and several people signed up either as leaders or to participate in our state advocacy efforts. John Johnson joined us for the second year and announced to the delegation that we would receive a grant to help us continue to grow the ELCA’s first regional advocacy team. It was quite exciting and very well received by the entire assembly.

The assembly also passed a “Resolution for Congregational Advocacy.”: “Whereas … therefore, be it

“Resolved that all congregations of the Southeastern Synod be encouraged to keep their members informed on current state and national public policy by having at least one, but not limited to one, member to serve as a congregational advocate; and be it further

“Resolved that the synod advocacy team, in coordination with the Bishop, the synod staff, and the Washington, D.C. advocacy office, provide training, coordination, and support to the congregational advocates, and be it further

“Resolved that Congregational Councils encourage the 50,000 members of the Southeastern Synod to fully participate in public life by voting and regularly contacting their state and national representatives and sharing their opinions on pending legislation.”

On June 30, stakeholders from our four states are meeting to plan the path forward and begin discerning our priorities for the 2017 legislative season.

 ____________________

Virginia – Kim Bobo, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy

Neill Caldwell, Communications Director

http://www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/ 

As part of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and its programs, Virginia Consumer Voices for Healthcare has increased efforts to get Virginia to take the $4.4 million daily of federal Medicaid funding to close its health insurance coverage gap.

Members of the Virginia Consumer Voices team attended a hearing on May 25 at the Virginia State Corporation Commission, which was called to evaluate the impact on Virginia residents of the proposed merger of health insurance giants Anthem and Cigna. A number of people testified, and all but one opposed  the proposed merger, which would reduce consumers’ choices on health insurance coverage in the commonwealth.

Representatives of the Medical Society of Virginia and the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association both opposed the merger, noting the anti-competitive marketplace that would result in an already highly concentrated health insurance market in Virginia, where Anthem dominates.

Virginia Consumer Voices Director Karen Cameron testified, pointing out the narrowed networks and lack of consumer choices that would result from the merger would hurt access to quality, affordable healthcare for people across Virginia.

The Bureau of Insurance still has to submit its report to the commission on the implications of the merger.

The Virginia Interfaith Center continues to prepare resources for its faith communities to use in organizing support for expanding healthcare and registering voters.

____________________

Washington – Paul Benz, Faith Action Network

www.fanwa.org

FROM SUMMITS TO CLUSTERS: Faith Action Network has completed two of its four programmatic seasons: 1) the state legislative session, January through April; and 2) four regional summits in May and June. In August through October, we will convene 17 cluster gatherings. Each of our clusters are made up of four to eight faith communities in that local area, and each cluster gathers to share about advocacy efforts and discuss how they can more effectively partner with each other and the work of FAN.

INTERN SHUFFLE: During July and August, we say farewell to our three organizing interns from the ELCA, United Methodist Church, and United Church of Christ. We will welcome our new interns in August and early September.

INITIATIVES AND CANDIDATE FORUMS: Every year, FAN does candidate and initiative forums at faith communities around the state. We have about six or seven forum events in the beginning planning stages now. All of them will be after our state’s August primary. FAN has taken positions on five initiatives; two are already on the fall ballot:

• 732 – Carbon Tax (revenue neutral) FAN is neither opposed or supports
• 735 – Overturn Citizens United (campaign finance – memorial to congress) FAN supports
• 1433 – Increase Minimum Wage and Paid Sick & Safe Leave – FAN supports
• 1491 – Extreme Risk Protection Orders for gun responsibility – FAN supports
• 1515 – Require transgender people to use public bathroom by their sex at birth-FAN opposes

 

____________________

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

www.loppw.org

HIGHLIGHTS IN JUNE! LOPPW is part of the emerging Wisconsin Climate Table, comprised of several secular environmental agencies and interfaith groups. Recently, we held an all-day meeting at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association in Stevens Point to set priorities.

LOPPW/Cherish All Children’s Northwest Synod team held a half-day conference on human trafficking at Grace Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids (East-Central Synod). At the end, the Rev. Scott Adams led us in the blessing of letters participants wrote to their legislators.

SYNOD ASSEMBLIES: LOPPW distributed resources, increased its advocacy network and received invitations to further our outreach during the Greater Milwaukee and La Crosse Area synod assemblies.

Below, the Rev. Elias Nasari, Bishop Jim Arends, Thaurra Stallings, Bishop-elect Paul Erickson, intern Kyle Kreschmann, Ryan Hall and the Rev. Benjamin Morris say, ELCAvotes!

            

____________________

Contact us at washingtonoffice@elca.org

 

Dear friend,

The refrain, “Lord, listen to your children praying” resounded during the July 8 ELCA Service of Prayer and Lamentation.  Organized as an opportunity to mourn together following the police shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, the service moved to include grief over police officers targeted by snipers at a peaceful demonstration in Dallas, which ended in five dead and six more wounded. Lord have mercy.

Today, all of our ELCA Advocacy staff grieve with our church and nation for this tragic loss of life, the repeated reminders of the wounds of racism, fear and injustice and our own complicity in their infliction. Bishop Eaton has called on ELCA ministries and members to be present in our communities in the wake of this and any violence; to accompany protesters, law enforcement, and any who are frightened, despairing or searching for hope. The Gospel calls us to be present, to show up in the places of pain. Here, under the shadow of the cross, is where Jesus promises he will meet us to be present with us through mercy, hope and transformation to new life.

ELCA Advocacy offers resources and guidance for our church to tend to the wounds of our neighbor and society by taking action to address racism, reduce violence and build healthy, safe and resilient communities through public policy advocacy. In addition to serving our neighbors by addressing hunger and poverty, we invite you to take part in opportunities listed below to make your voice heard on violence and racism.

• Take action on Gun Violence with a current alert urging Congress to take action on gun safety.
• Enact Sentencing Reform to address mass incarceration and end the new Jim Crow.
• Ensure the right to vote as #ELCAvotes continues to add resources to equip citizen disciples to faithful voting and civic participation.
• For working with local policing we recommend Building Momentum from the Ground Up: A Toolkit for Promoting Justice in Policing.

Many more advocacy opportunities exist in your local communities and through our state public policy office network. ELCA Advocacy is here to support you as you take action at any or all of these levels.

Lord, listen to your children praying. Lord, guide our actions to be present, to bring comfort and do justice.

Blessings,

The Rev. Amy Reumann

Director, ELCA Advocacy

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

By: Ryan Taylor, Legislative Intern

Congress has the capacity and, more importantly, the responsibility to act upon and pass S.2123, the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2016. This Congress; however, refuses to act upon the legislation and ignores millions of our brothers and sisters disproportionately affected by our current flawed and egregious sentencing laws. As a Church, we implore this Congress to act.

This legislation has broad bipartisan support in the Senate and is supported by the civil rights community and the faith community, among many others. The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act would help restructure, revitalize, and effectively innovate our criminal justice system by reducing overly-aggressive sentencing laws for low-level drug crimes and, in turn, shrink not only the population of our federal prisons, but also the cost of running them.

Since 1986 and the implementation of mandatory minimum drug sentences, both the number of incarcerations and the overall length of time spent in prison by inmates have dramatically increased. In fact, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, today, nearly half of all federal inmates are serving sentences for low-level, nonviolent drug crimes.

Take, for example, the story of Sharanda Jones shared by Families Against Mandatory Minimums:

“When Sharanda herself was a child, her mother was paralyzed in a car accident. She did not meet her father until she was an adult. Sharanda’s grandmother worked, and the close-knit family relied on disability income and welfare support.”

After graduating from high school in 1985, Sharanda earned a food certification license and a cosmetology license. She maintained steady employment in both fields, but still struggled to support herself and her young daughter.

“Out of desperation, Sharanda made the bad decision to become involved in distributing cocaine and crack cocaine in the mid-1990s. In 1999, she was arrested and indicted in federal court along with several codefendants, including some family members. Sharanda was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine at trial and sentenced to life without parole in federal prison…

How did this first-time, nonviolent offender end up with a life sentence? Sharanda was sentenced under the harsher crack cocaine penalties because The Court found that she knew, or should have known, that the powder cocaine she brought back was being converted into crack cocaine.”

Although Sharanda’s sentence was commuted by President Obama in December 2015 and she was released from prison in April 2016, the sentence she received was overzealous and abhorrent for a one-time, non-violent drug arrest given no prior criminal history. Sharanda’s case is not unique and amplifies the fundamental and thus systemic flaws in our current sentencing laws.

If enacted into law, S.2123 would expand what are known as safety-valve provisions. These provisions allow judges broader discretion to sentence low-level drug offenders to less time in prison if they meet certain requirements, as opposed to levying mandatory minimum sentences for low-level crimes. The bill would also allow some low-risk prisoners the opportunity to participate in rehabilitation programs designed to prevent prisoners from falling back into criminal behavior in order to earn up to a 25 percent reduction of their sentences. Moreover, the bill would develop alternatives to incarceration for low-level drug offenders who have shown no signs of violent behavior. Finally, this bill would repeal mandatory life sentences without parole for nonviolent drug offenders with “three strikes.”

The provisions of the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act are commonsense, bipartisan, and are supported by a multitude of organizations and Americans across the country. Indeed, according to a 2012 Pew National Survey, 82 percent of respondents voiced support for sending fewer low-risk, non-violent offenders to prison and re-investing in alternatives to incarceration.

As Lutherans, we must continue to pursue and exhibit justice, love, and compassion for all God’s children. We must remember that we are all sinners, and we are reminded by Daniel 9:9 that “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.” Thus as both sinners and children of God, we must remain steadfast in seeking mercy and forgiveness in all that we do, and reforming our criminal justice system is one way in which we may advance these ideals.

Sharanda Jones’ experience is only one of many examples of why our criminal justice system is broken. Now is the time for Congress to act. No longer can we stand by and lock up our brothers and sisters under harsh and one-size-fits-all drug sentences. We must continue to advocate for reform, and Congress should take seriously our call for action and our pursuit of justice.