{"id":4228,"date":"2019-09-05T15:00:50","date_gmt":"2019-09-05T20:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/?p=4228"},"modified":"2019-09-06T11:11:28","modified_gmt":"2019-09-06T16:11:28","slug":"september-update-u-n-and-state-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/september-update-u-n-and-state-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"September Update: U.N. and State Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

United Nations<\/a> | California<\/a> | Delaware <\/a>| Florida<\/a> | Minnesota<\/a> | New Mexico<\/a> | Pennsylvania <\/a>| Southeastern Synod<\/a> | Washington <\/a> | Wisconsin <\/a><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Lutheran Office for World Community, United Nations, New York, N.Y.<\/h3>\n

Dennis Frado, director<\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/a>WELCOMING ECUMENICAL CAMPERS<\/strong>: On August 1, 2019, the Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC) delivered a presentation to a group of youth from Cross Roads \u2018S.E.E.K in the City\u2019<\/a> summer camp program, to inform the campers of LOWC and its work with the United Nations. Based in New Jersey, Cross Roads<\/a> is a joint ecumenical retreat center and camp of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark<\/a> and the New Jersey Synod of the ELCA<\/a>. The youth were actively engaged throughout and asked a range of questions including the role of youth within the United Nations.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>AFRICAN DESCENT LUTHERAN ASSOCIATION 2019:\u00a0<\/strong>In early August, Jackie Maddox ( ELCA Advocacy Office, Washington D.C) and \u00a0Christine Mangale (LOWC), attended the African Descent Lutheran Association\u2019s (ADLA<\/a>) 2019 Biennial Assembly, held in Milwaukee. Assembly highlights included the celebration of the 40th<\/sup> Anniversary of the ordination of black women in the Lutheran Church, a discussion on the gift of Human Sexuality because all Black Lives Matter, and the historic commemoration of the 400th<\/sup> Anniversary of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. In response to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America\u2019s (ELCA) Declaration to People of African Descent<\/a> (adopted June 27, 2019 by the Church Council), Reverend Lamont Wells, \u00a0President of ADLA, accepted the apology (viewed here<\/a>), stating \u2018we the people of African descent of the ELCA can receive this apology as a divine mark of repentance that serves as a catalyst for change \u2026This apology is received because Jesus has shown us the way towards reconciliation.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>2019 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD\u2019S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: <\/strong>The International Day of the World\u2019s Indigenous Peoples<\/a> was commemorated on August 9 at the United Nations. The event focused on this year\u2019s theme of Indigenous Languages<\/a> and its preservation and revitalization at both the national and international level, in order to protect the unique cultures, heritage and identities of the indigenous peoples they sustain.<\/p>\n

According to the United Nations, although indigenous peoples only make up 5% of the world\u2019s population, \u2018they speak 60% of the worlds\u2019 languages\u2019, with estimates suggesting that \u2018more than half of the world\u2019s languages will become extinct by 2100.\u2019 The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs\u2019 Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch held a high-level segment, a panel discussion with four indigenous speakers, followed by an interactive segment focused on creative initiatives that promote the use of indigenous languages.<\/p>\n

Recommendations for charting a constructive pathway forward included committing to a Decade of Indigenous Languages, creating further legislation that includes incorporating indigenous languages into school curriculum, and stronger dialogue and partnerships.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>FAREWELL TO REV. REBEKKA P\u00d6HLMANN: <\/strong>This month, the Lutheran Office for World Community was sad to say farewell to Reverend Rebekka P\u00f6hlmann, at the conclusion of her one-year internship with the office. While working for LOWC, Rebekka has been actively engaged with issues related to Israel\/ Palestine, interreligious and ecumenical dialogue, gender equality and the intersection of gender and security questions. Rebekka has taken on the role of Senior Pastor for a congregation in Ludwigstadt, Germany. We wish her all the best!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>MIGRATION AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING CONFERENCE: <\/strong>Dennis Frado, Director of LOWC, traveled to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to deliver a presentation on how the UN is addressing the issue of human trafficking. The International Conference on Migration and the Human Trafficking Crisis in Asia, held August 21-23, was convened by ELCA Global Mission and local Cambodian partner Life With Dignity<\/a>. Four of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals<\/a> related to the prevention of human trafficking were shared: SDG 5 (Gender Equality, Target 5.2<\/a>), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth, Target 8.7<\/a>), SDG 10 (Reduce Inequality, Target 10.7<\/a>) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, Target 16.2<\/a>), alongside an extensive list of resources, protocols and initiatives. Dennis also highlighted the Global Compact on Migration,<\/a> adopted by the UN in December 2018.\u00a0 LOWC had monitored the negotiations leading to the Compact\u2019s adoption.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

California<\/h3>\n

Regina Q. Banks, Lutheran Office of Public Policy- California (LOPP-CA) lutheranpublicpolicyca.org<\/a><\/h4>\n

LEGISLATURE BACK IN SESSION: <\/strong>Fiscal committees had until August 30 to hear and pass the remaining fiscal bills to the floors of the respective houses. The remaining two weeks of session, until September 13, are reserved for floor sessions. This first year of a two-year session adjourns at midnight on Friday, September 13, 2019. Please look out for time-sensitive alerts about ways to support our advocacy as measures move from the floor of the legislature to the governor\u2019s desk for signature.<\/p>\n

LOBBY DAY PARTICIPATION: <\/strong>LOPP-CA has had an exciting month supporting our ministry partners and advocacy allies in their lobby days and advocacy actions. Just a couple of highlights:<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, August 21st<\/sup> we participated in Building The California Dream Alliance (BCDA) lobby day. BCDA unites more than 60 organizations in a broad progressive coalition in an ambitious agenda to uplift families and expand opportunities for all Californians. We worked on stronger protections for striking and locked out workers, more robust safeguards for student borrowers, greater securities for our undocumented siblings and much more. Go to http:\/\/cadreambuilder.org<\/a> to find out more about BCDA and our participation.<\/p>\n

California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL) envisions a stable climate where humans live in right and just relationship, interconnected with a healthy, thriving, natural world. They work toward this goal through education, advocacy, direct action and conservation. Their lobby day was Wednesday, August 28th<\/sup> and together we advocated for \u201cComplete Streets\u201d (safe use of our community streets for walkers, bikers, public transportation, and private vehicles), Smog Checks for Big Rigs, the protection of our state lands from would-be fossil fuel extractors, and plastics use abatement. LOPP-CA would be glad to help you register to become an IPL congregation.<\/p>\n

PARTNERSHIP WITH FARMING HOPE: <\/strong>LOPP-CA is excited to announce collaboration with Farming Hope, a non-profit community organization providing transitional employment and training in the culinary industry to unhoused and low-income people in our community. They are a recipient of an ELCA World Hunger grant and Executive Director Jamie Stark was well received at the hunger leaders gathering this summer in Minneapolis, Minn. Initial discussions were had over brunch on August 24th<\/sup> with representatives of Lutheran Social Services of Northern California, ELCA World Hunger and the office of Bishop Mark Holmerud, ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod<\/span>. To find out more about Farming Hope visit them at https:\/\/farminghope.org<\/a> and have a bite at their commercial kitchen site Manny\u2019s at 3092 16th Street in San Francisco.<\/p>\n

MISSION SUPPORT LETTER: <\/strong>Be on the lookout for a letter going to congregations asking for additional mission support. The work we do here at LOPP-CA is dependent upon you and your congregation\u2019s generosity. Please consider blessing our ministry with an additional gift today. Instructions can be found in the mail, or at our website: lutheranpublicpolicyca.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

CONGREGATION VISIT THANK YOU: <\/strong>\u00a0A sincere thank you goes out to congregations that have welcomed LOPP-CA into their Sunday worship experiences recently. They were truly blessed times in the Lord, and we look forward to coming back soon. Specifically, Faith Lutheran Church in Marysville, Calif.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Delaware<\/h3>\n

Gordon Simmons, Public Policy Officer, Delaware Lutheran Office for Public Policy<\/h4>\n

The Delaware Lutheran Office for Public Policy was begun in the mid 1980’s but discontinued in 2012. In 2019, we went back into business!\u00a0 I’ve been serving as the (volunteer) Public Policy Officer.\u00a0 We have a Policy Council composed of members of seven of the 13 congregations in the state. I spent a good deal of my time this year building relationships in the Legislature, holding one-on-ones with 60 of the 62 senators and representatives. I also preached and led forums in 12 of the 13 congregations. We had a “Lutheran Day at the Capitol.”\u00a0 For 2020, we have identified two issues for concentrated work: the environment (especially trying to raise the current 25% by 2025 renewable energy goal) and education (especially supporting the state’s efforts to reorganize and improve the public schools in Wilmington).<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Florida<\/h3>\n

Russell Meyer , Florida Faith Advocacy Office\/Florida Council of Churches\u00a0 floridachurches.org<\/a><\/h4>\n

Now that Dorian passed by the state, Floridians are turning out to support the Bahamas. Category 5 hurricanes blow cities to smithereens. There have been 4 in 5 years. More frequent and more intense weather comes from climate change. Now\u2019s the time to talk about climate in your congregation. The Florida Legislature begins committee weeks this month in preparation for the January-March session. Expect more vouchers for private schools and disaster resiliency conversation. The hope for real criminal justice reform is high, and the fear of more adversity for immigrants is real. Healthcare and food assistance are still under attack.<\/p>\n

Affordable housing is still being sunk by big development. Public schools are under open attack with the state education commissioner pushing to reduce them by two-thirds. The synod has combined its advocacy and ecumenical\/interreligious teams, recognizing that our commitment to religious engagement is critical to our public advocacy for the common good, and vice versa. Sanctuary church is attracting great attention; contact us if you\u2019re looking for a speaker.<\/p>\n

The State Clergy Convening is Sept. 12-13 in Orlando to delve into advocacy issues.<\/p>\n

A retreat with Alexia Salvatierra on faith-rooted organizing is Oct. 13-14 in Leesburg.<\/p>\n

Check floridachurches.org<\/a> for details. Or advocacy@floridachurches.org<\/a>. @floridachurches FB | TW
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Minnesota<\/h3>\n

Tammy Walhof, Lutheran Advocacy- Minnesota (LA-MN)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 lutheranadvocacymn.org<\/a><\/h4>\n

FACEBOOK FOCI:<\/strong><\/p>\n