The Rev. Amy Reumann, director \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ELCA.org\/advocacy<\/a><\/h4>\nSTATE OF THE UNION & ADVOCACY PRIORITIES: <\/strong>On Tuesday, Jan. 30, President Trump addressed our nation and introduced this administration\u2019s major priorities for 2018. The annual State of the Union speech provides an opportunity for Americans to learn about the policies our president hopes to focus attention on in the upcoming legislative year. In response to this important moment, ELCA Advocacy presented our public policy priorities for 2018<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe ELCA Advocacy policy action agenda focuses the work of the Washington, D.C., office on current issues central to sustaining a just world where all are fed. Issue selection is based on many factors, starting with prayerful consideration of God\u2019s vision for a more just world. Issue agendas are based on concerns that the ELCA has identified and spoken about through social statements, churchwide assembly memorials or other authoritative documents. You can read more at the ELCA Advocacy Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2018\/02\/Hunger-Leadership-Gathering-Photo-1-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>JANUARY HUNGER LEADERSHIP GATHERING<\/strong>: <\/strong>On Jan. 23, approximately 150 Lutheran hunger leaders from across the nation gathered on Capitol Hill to advocate for policies and provisions in the 2018 farm bill. Reauthorized roughly every five years, the farm bill determines far-reaching rules that affect food assistance and agricultural development, research, land usage, farm and energy production<\/a> \u2013 both in the U.S. and abroad.<\/p>\nLutheran leaders held over 130 visits with congressional offices in which they called on Congress to support comprehensive solutions that affirm Lutheran values and shared stories about ways their ministries and local communities are affected by policies in the farm bill. Lawmakers are debating early drafts of the bill now, and this month is a critical time for action! Advocates can reach out to their members of Congress at the ELCA Action Center<\/a>.<\/p>\nFEB. 21, PRAY. FAST. ACT: <\/strong>The February day to #PrayFastAct<\/a> is Wednesday, Feb. 21! This month, we are mindful of the injustices levied upon American Indians and Native Alaskans. There are approximately 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives whose ancestors have ceded millions of acres of land that has made the United States what it is today and who also were, and are, subjected to various forms of physical and social injustices. As Lutherans, we have an obligation to work, pray and give to respond to and end those injustices. Resources and a shared statement from ELCA Advocacy and The Episcopal Church will come later this month.<\/p>\nBUDGET UPDATE \u2013 GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: <\/strong>Earlier last month, the federal government shutdown for three days after Congress failed to meet a spending deadline. Shortly after the shutdown began, ELCA Advocacy shared a statement with lawmakers<\/a> encouraging a way forward on important issues.<\/p>\nThough Congress passed a temporary stopgap measure to keep the government open for several weeks, lawmakers will need to pass a new spending deal by Feb. 8. Faith advocates can reach out to their representatives on top budget priorities at the ELCA Action Center<\/a> and through action alerts focused on the \u201cFor Such a Time as This\u201d campaign.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2018\/02\/dc1-224x300.jpg\")
<\/a>THE MIGRANT JOURNEY THROUGH AMMPARO: <\/strong>Alaide Vilchis Ibarra, program director for migration policy; Mary Campbell, program director for AMMPARO; Stephen Deal, regional director for Central America; and David Wunsch, director for unit operations and programs in Global Mission, traveled to Guatemala and Mexico alongside members from companion churches and partners implementing AMMPARO programs. The delegation followed a common migrant route taken by Central American children and families in Guatemala and the southern border of Mexico.<\/p>\nThe trip focused on learning more about the services and gaps for Central American children and families, and asylum seekers in Mexico, and making connections with existing organizations to ensure the protection of children and families. The delegation met with civil society, government officials and representatives of international organizations. We confirmed that the number of people seeking asylum in Mexico continues to go up.<\/p>\n
\nLutheran Office for World Community, United Nations, New York, N.Y.<\/h1>\nDennis Frado, director<\/h4>\n
SYMPOSIUM FOCUSES ON MIGRATION \u2013 DISPLACEMENT AND MARGINALIZATION, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE: <\/strong>The Fourth Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations in International Affairs was held at the United Nations on Jan. 22, organized by the ACT Alliance, the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, the General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, and the World Council of Churches.<\/p>\nThe symposium focused on migration: displacement and marginalization, inclusion and justice. Since its inception in 2015 the symposia have discussed human dignity and rights; prevention of atrocity crimes and violent extremism; and just, inclusive and sustainable peace.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2018\/02\/LOWC1-300x169.jpg\")
<\/a>The tone was set as U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed welcomed approximately 250 participants and said that 2018 offers an excellent opportunity to ensure that migration is undertaken in a safe and orderly manner as the United Nations negotiates global compacts for migrants and refugees. Mohammed urged faith-based organizations to be involved in this process however possible. She noted that she comes from the Fulani tribe, a group widely dispersed in the Sahel and West Africa, pointing out that \u201crefugees and migrants are not the other; they are us.\u201d<\/p>\nThe Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, World Council of Churches general secretary, asked, \u201cWhat does it mean to be a human being in the world today?\u201d ACT Alliance General Secretary Rudelmar Bue\u00f1o de Faria said faith-based organizations need to focus on the person and reminded participants that migration itself is not a problem \u2013 \u201cWhat does need fixing is the continued violation of the human rights of migrants.\u201d<\/p>\n
CHILDREN\u2019S RIGHTS IN RELATION TO PROPOSED COMPACTS: <\/strong>UNICEF hosted a half-day consultation on Jan. 23 to explore children\u2019s rights in the Global Compact on Refugees and the Global Compact for Migration.<\/p>\nDennis Frado shared perspectives provided by the experiences of several Lutheran World Federation\u2019s (LWF) country programs including Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Myanmar, Central African Republic, Cameroon and Colombia. To protect and assist unaccompanied and separated children in refugee and internally displaced situations, LWF has partnered with UNICEF, the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), other non-governmental organizations and host governments to set up child-protection and education programs. Using a community-based approach, LWF builds the capacities of foster parents, teachers, care-givers and community members to understand and protect child rights as well as strengthen mechanisms for prevention and response to rights violations.<\/p>\n
LWF works with UNHCR and host governments in welcoming and receiving asylum seekers, including the provision of first-line services by managing transit and reception centers, including registration and identifying specific vulnerabilities and capacities among the affected populations.<\/p>\n
In addition to providing basic education at two refugee camps in Kenya and six camps in South Sudan, incentives there promote the enrollment and regular attendance of girls, given the numerous barriers to girls\u2019 education.\u00a0 Another focus is on accessibility for and inclusion of physically challenged youth to education. Malnutrition, child health and regular attendance concerns are addressed through school feeding programs.<\/p>\n
\nCalifornia<\/h1>\nMark Carlson, Lutheran Office of Public Policy \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0loppca.org<\/a><\/h4>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2018\/02\/CA-Delegation-partial-ELCA-Hunger-Leaders-225x300.jpg\")
<\/a>ELCA HUNGER LEADERS GATHERING: <\/strong>A highlight for January was the ELCA World Hunger Leaders Gathering in Washington, D.C., with about a dozen people from the three synods that cover California, including two students from California Lutheran University.\u00a0 \u201cA Day on the Hill\u201d included delegation meetings with staff for senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, and a number of meetings and drop-in visits with California\u2019s large House delegation.\u00a0 Farm bill reauthorization was the focus, and a primary emphasis was on the food-aid provisions, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.<\/p>\n
\nColorado<\/h1>\nPeter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry\u2013Colorado \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0lam-co.org<\/a><\/h4>\n
The ELCA Advocacy policy action agenda focuses the work of the Washington, D.C., office on current issues central to sustaining a just world where all are fed. Issue selection is based on many factors, starting with prayerful consideration of God\u2019s vision for a more just world. Issue agendas are based on concerns that the ELCA has identified and spoken about through social statements, churchwide assembly memorials or other authoritative documents. You can read more at the ELCA Advocacy Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lutheran leaders held over 130 visits with congressional offices in which they called on Congress to support comprehensive solutions that affirm Lutheran values and shared stories about ways their ministries and local communities are affected by policies in the farm bill. Lawmakers are debating early drafts of the bill now, and this month is a critical time for action! Advocates can reach out to their members of Congress at the ELCA Action Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n FEB. 21, PRAY. FAST. ACT: <\/strong>The February day to #PrayFastAct<\/a> is Wednesday, Feb. 21! This month, we are mindful of the injustices levied upon American Indians and Native Alaskans. There are approximately 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives whose ancestors have ceded millions of acres of land that has made the United States what it is today and who also were, and are, subjected to various forms of physical and social injustices. As Lutherans, we have an obligation to work, pray and give to respond to and end those injustices. Resources and a shared statement from ELCA Advocacy and The Episcopal Church will come later this month.<\/p>\n BUDGET UPDATE \u2013 GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: <\/strong>Earlier last month, the federal government shutdown for three days after Congress failed to meet a spending deadline. Shortly after the shutdown began, ELCA Advocacy shared a statement with lawmakers<\/a> encouraging a way forward on important issues.<\/p>\n Though Congress passed a temporary stopgap measure to keep the government open for several weeks, lawmakers will need to pass a new spending deal by Feb. 8. Faith advocates can reach out to their representatives on top budget priorities at the ELCA Action Center<\/a> and through action alerts focused on the \u201cFor Such a Time as This\u201d campaign.<\/p>\n The trip focused on learning more about the services and gaps for Central American children and families, and asylum seekers in Mexico, and making connections with existing organizations to ensure the protection of children and families. The delegation met with civil society, government officials and representatives of international organizations. We confirmed that the number of people seeking asylum in Mexico continues to go up.<\/p>\n SYMPOSIUM FOCUSES ON MIGRATION \u2013 DISPLACEMENT AND MARGINALIZATION, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE: <\/strong>The Fourth Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations in International Affairs was held at the United Nations on Jan. 22, organized by the ACT Alliance, the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, the General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, and the World Council of Churches.<\/p>\n The symposium focused on migration: displacement and marginalization, inclusion and justice. Since its inception in 2015 the symposia have discussed human dignity and rights; prevention of atrocity crimes and violent extremism; and just, inclusive and sustainable peace.<\/p>\n The Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, World Council of Churches general secretary, asked, \u201cWhat does it mean to be a human being in the world today?\u201d ACT Alliance General Secretary Rudelmar Bue\u00f1o de Faria said faith-based organizations need to focus on the person and reminded participants that migration itself is not a problem \u2013 \u201cWhat does need fixing is the continued violation of the human rights of migrants.\u201d<\/p>\n CHILDREN\u2019S RIGHTS IN RELATION TO PROPOSED COMPACTS: <\/strong>UNICEF hosted a half-day consultation on Jan. 23 to explore children\u2019s rights in the Global Compact on Refugees and the Global Compact for Migration.<\/p>\n Dennis Frado shared perspectives provided by the experiences of several Lutheran World Federation\u2019s (LWF) country programs including Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Myanmar, Central African Republic, Cameroon and Colombia. To protect and assist unaccompanied and separated children in refugee and internally displaced situations, LWF has partnered with UNICEF, the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), other non-governmental organizations and host governments to set up child-protection and education programs. Using a community-based approach, LWF builds the capacities of foster parents, teachers, care-givers and community members to understand and protect child rights as well as strengthen mechanisms for prevention and response to rights violations.<\/p>\n LWF works with UNHCR and host governments in welcoming and receiving asylum seekers, including the provision of first-line services by managing transit and reception centers, including registration and identifying specific vulnerabilities and capacities among the affected populations.<\/p>\n In addition to providing basic education at two refugee camps in Kenya and six camps in South Sudan, incentives there promote the enrollment and regular attendance of girls, given the numerous barriers to girls\u2019 education.\u00a0 Another focus is on accessibility for and inclusion of physically challenged youth to education. Malnutrition, child health and regular attendance concerns are addressed through school feeding programs.<\/p>\n<\/a>JANUARY HUNGER LEADERSHIP GATHERING<\/strong>: <\/strong>On Jan. 23, approximately 150 Lutheran hunger leaders from across the nation gathered on Capitol Hill to advocate for policies and provisions in the 2018 farm bill. Reauthorized roughly every five years, the farm bill determines far-reaching rules that affect food assistance and agricultural development, research, land usage, farm and energy production<\/a> \u2013 both in the U.S. and abroad.<\/p>\n<\/a>THE MIGRANT JOURNEY THROUGH AMMPARO: <\/strong>Alaide Vilchis Ibarra, program director for migration policy; Mary Campbell, program director for AMMPARO; Stephen Deal, regional director for Central America; and David Wunsch, director for unit operations and programs in Global Mission, traveled to Guatemala and Mexico alongside members from companion churches and partners implementing AMMPARO programs. The delegation followed a common migrant route taken by Central American children and families in Guatemala and the southern border of Mexico.<\/p>\n
\nLutheran Office for World Community, United Nations, New York, N.Y.<\/h1>\n
Dennis Frado, director<\/h4>\n
<\/a>The tone was set as U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed welcomed approximately 250 participants and said that 2018 offers an excellent opportunity to ensure that migration is undertaken in a safe and orderly manner as the United Nations negotiates global compacts for migrants and refugees. Mohammed urged faith-based organizations to be involved in this process however possible. She noted that she comes from the Fulani tribe, a group widely dispersed in the Sahel and West Africa, pointing out that \u201crefugees and migrants are not the other; they are us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nCalifornia<\/h1>\n
Mark Carlson, Lutheran Office of Public Policy \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0loppca.org<\/a><\/h4>\n
<\/a>ELCA HUNGER LEADERS GATHERING: <\/strong>A highlight for January was the ELCA World Hunger Leaders Gathering in Washington, D.C., with about a dozen people from the three synods that cover California, including two students from California Lutheran University.\u00a0 \u201cA Day on the Hill\u201d included delegation meetings with staff for senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, and a number of meetings and drop-in visits with California\u2019s large House delegation.\u00a0 Farm bill reauthorization was the focus, and a primary emphasis was on the food-aid provisions, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.<\/p>\n
\nColorado<\/h1>\n
Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry\u2013Colorado \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0lam-co.org<\/a><\/h4>\n
![\"castlerock\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2018\/02\/co1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2018\/02\/New-Mexico-1-300x173.jpg\")
<\/a>2018 BISHOP\u2019S LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEON & ISSUES BRIEFING:<\/strong> This year\u2019s event began in the morning with about 160 advocates from around New Mexico gathering to learn about issues included in the 2018 LAM-NM Advocacy Agenda and that are being considered in the current legislative session. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Advocates were from ELCA congregations as well as from Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and United Church of Christ congregations. Breakout sessions included \u201cNegative Impacts of Taxing Food\u201d and \u201cHealth Care in NM: Opportunities & Challenges in 2018 and Beyond.\u201d In the morning, Bishop Jim Gonia spoke about \u201cincarnational advocacy.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"castlerock\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2018\/02\/New-Mexico-2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2018\/02\/PA-photo-1-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>ELCA WORLD HUNGER:<\/strong> Eleven hunger leaders from across Pennsylvania, accompanied by LAMPa staff, participated in the ELCA World Hunger Leaders Leadership Gathering Jan. 21-24. More than 150 leaders from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., where they learned about the root causes of hunger, shared stories of their ministries, and advocated for the farm bill with their members of Congress.<\/p>\n![\"castlerock\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2018\/02\/PA-2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2018\/02\/PA-3-300x111.jpg\")
<\/a>LUTHERAN DAY 2018 \u201cLet Justice Roll Down Like Waters\u201d:<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>State Sen. Judiciary Chair Stewart Greenleaf will be the keynote speaker at LAMPa\u2019s annual day of advocacy on May 21. LAMPa will recognize Greenleaf for his many years of service and for being a champion of criminal justice reform.<\/p>\n![\"castlerock\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2018\/02\/Washington-State-1.5.jpg\")
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2018\/02\/Wisconsin-2-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a>CO-LEADING ON ADVOCACY: <\/strong>The director led the first of two advocacy conferences with Bishop Gerald Mansholt in the East Central Synod. Bishop Mansholt focused on advocacy, immigration and refugees. The director focused on how to create an advocacy ministry in congregations using several exercises from the new LOPPW resource, \u201cOur Church Our World: Partnering in God\u2019s Mission.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2018\/02\/Wisconsin-3-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a><\/strong>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2018\/02\/Wisconsin-4-e1517839963658-225x300.jpg\")
CONFERENCES IN WASHINGTON D.C.: <\/strong>The director accompanied other Wisconsinites to the offices of two senators and two representatives (right, Sen. Ron Johnson\u2019s office) to advocate for a healthy farm bill as part of the ELCA World Hunger event. The director also attended the Forgotten Luther II symposium.<\/p>\n