{"id":7264,"date":"2023-10-24T14:52:43","date_gmt":"2023-10-24T19:52:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/?p=7264"},"modified":"2023-10-24T14:52:43","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T19:52:43","slug":"october-updates-u-n-and-state-edition-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/october-updates-u-n-and-state-edition-2\/","title":{"rendered":"October Updates &#8211; U.N. and State Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Following are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (sppos) in the ELCA Advocacy Network this month. Full list and map of sppos <a href=\"https:\/\/download.elca.org\/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository\/ELCA_Advocacy_map_and_list.pdf?_ga=2.233997977.648384114.1611598146-2061210645.1599663542\">available<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#un\">U.N.<\/a> | <a href=\"#arizona\">ARIZONA<\/a> | <a href=\"#california\">CALIFORNIA<\/a> | <a href=\"#Colorado\">COLORADO <\/a> |<a href=\"#Kansas\">KANSAS <\/a> | <a href=\"#Minnesota\">MINNESOTA <\/a> | <a href=\"#Washington\">WASHINGTON <\/a>|<a href=\"#Wisconsin\">WISCONSIN<\/a> <a name=\"un\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>New York<\/h4>\n<h4>Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC), U.N. \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elca.org\/lowc\">ELCA.org\/lowc<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4>Christine Mangale, Director<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf02b\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf02b&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">LWF Assembly:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC) director Christine Mangale joined more than a thousand participants from around the global Lutheran communion who gathered in Krakow, Poland for the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Thirteenth Assembly. It took place from 13 to 19 September 2023 under the theme \u201cOne Body, One Spirit, One Hope.\u201d The theme is drawn from Ephesians 4:4 (NRSV). The Assembly was hosted by the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland (ECACP). <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Assembly is the LWF\u2019s highest decision-making body which elects a new president and Council and sets directions for the global communion over the coming years. Danish Bishop Henrik Stubkj\u00e6r was elected as the new president of the LWF.\u00a0 Mangale took part in the Assembly with LWF Action for Justice (AfJ) Unit and ELCA Service and Justice colleagues, and supported several events held, including co-leading a session at the LWF Women\u2019s Pre-Assembly in Wroclaw and a Jarmark workshop at the Assembly.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf02b\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf02b&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">U.N. General Assembly:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The United Nations General Assembly \u2013 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/high-level-week-2023\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">High Level Week<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> 2023 marked \u201ca crucial milestone in the journey towards achieving the 2030 Agenda and the urgent need to put the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track.\u201d <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">LOWC staff were presence and monitored elements including<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">SDG Action Weekend (Sept. 16-17)<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> &#8211; A call for inclusive collaboration and partnership was a recurring theme. Many stakeholders pointed out the impossibility of progress if specific groups continue to be targeted and excluded. Women, children, people with disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ community, and people migrating are at risk of being left behind.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">March to End Fossil Fuels (Sept. 17)\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">SDG Summit (Sept. 18-20) &#8211;<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The year 2023 is the halfway point for the SDGs. Only 15% of the SDG\u2019s targets have been achieved. Covid19, conflict and climate change were named the leading contributing factors for failure to date. While Member States reiterated their commitment to sustainable development, enormous shortfalls remain in funding and actionable political will. Without concrete actions and commitment there is a risk that many will be left behind.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Finance for Development (Sept. 19)<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> &#8211; Official development assistance (ODA) is below commitments and in trending decline. Developing states are increasingly vocal about their nearly insurmountable challenges resulting from a legacy of colonial occupation followed by cycles of increasing debt. States locked in this debt crisis have formed partnerships with increasing numbers of mild income and industrialized states calling for negotiations toward a UN Tax treaty.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Annual U.N. Ecumenical Prayer Service for Children and Young People (Sept. 19)<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Freedom of Religion (Sept. 20-21)<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">PEPFAR-UNAIDS Communities of Faith Initiative Breakfast (Sept. 20)\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Climate and Migration Workshop (Sept. 19) &#8211;<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> ACT Alliance, Bread for the World, and Open Society Foundations co-hosted a workshop titled:\u00a0 &#8220;Addressing the Protection Gap- Human Mobility and the Climate Crisis in International Frameworks.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a name=\"arizona\"><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Arizona<\/h4>\n<h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lamaz.org\/\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span>lamaz.org<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4>Solveig Muus, Director<\/h4>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">LAMA<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">) <span class=\"TextRun SCXW83404465 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW83404465 BCX8\">hosted the <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange TrackChangeHoverSelectColorRed SCXW83404465 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW83404465 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun TrackChangeHoverSelectHighlightRed SCXW83404465 BCX8\">ELCA-affiliated state public policy office <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW83404465 BCX8\">(SPPO) directors, D.C. advocacy staff <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and Hunger Advocacy Fellows at a retreat at Spirit in the Desert <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">in September &#8211; that was an amazing opportunity for learning and sharing!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We welcomed our new Hunger Advocacy Fellow, Autumn Byars, to the team for a year of advocacy training, congregational engagement, faith formation and much more. Byars <span class=\"TextRun SCXW185895081 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightPipeRest SCXW185895081 BCX8\">comes out of the Campus Ministry program at Arizona State University, and <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW185895081 BCX8\">we\u2019re<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW185895081 BCX8\"> delighted to have this amazing person working in our office. Thank you to <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW185895081 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.elca.org\/hunger\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW185895081 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW185895081 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">ELCA World Hunger<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW185895081 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW185895081 BCX8\">!<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW185895081 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Following the unanimous vote on our Hunger Resolution at the Grand Canyon Synod Assembly in June, we continue to record congregational responses to a synod-wide Hunger Ministry Survey. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To date, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">100% of the congregations <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">are involved in at least one feeding ministry. We continue legislative and congregational visits to share updates and invite new folks to join LAMA\u2019s mission, strengthening our network of churches and advocates.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">LAMA\u2019s annual Summit is on November 4<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">th. C<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ongregational liaisons, synod hunger leaders, clergy, policy council members, staff and community members will gather to explore the theme of Advocacy as a Spiritual Practice.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Following a productive Policy Council retreat, LAMA identified its policy priorities for 2024:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Food Insecurity<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> and the root causes of hunger in Arizona<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Voting and Civic Engagement, <\/span><\/b>providing education on the intersection of voting and justice and encouraging faithful voter participation<span style=\"font-size: 16px\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Water <\/span><\/b>as a precious resource in the face of droughts and population growth in Arizona<span style=\"font-size: 16px\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Housing and Homelessness<\/span><\/b> in partnership with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div id=\"attachment_7265\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/Spirit-in-the-Desert.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7265\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7265\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/Spirit-in-the-Desert-300x157.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/Spirit-in-the-Desert-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/Spirit-in-the-Desert-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/Spirit-in-the-Desert-250x131.png 250w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/Spirit-in-the-Desert-670x350.png 670w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/Spirit-in-the-Desert.png 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7265\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">State Public Policy Office directors, DC advocacy Staff and Hunger Advocacy Fellows at the Spirit in the Desert Retreat<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a name=\"california\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>California<\/h4>\n<h4>Lutheran Office of Public Policy \u2013 California (LOPP-CA) \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lutheranpublicpolicyca.org\/\">lutheranpublicpolicyca.org<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4>Regina Banks, Director<\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The deadline for Governor Newsom to sign or veto bills passed on October 14<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">th<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. There were policy victories in the 2023 legislative session, but there were also notable losses. Here are the results of some bills <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the Lutheran Office <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Public Po<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">licy<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> &#8211; California<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> (<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">LOPPCA<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">)<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> was actively tracking and advocating around this session:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Signed-<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p>SB 4 (Wiener)-<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> This is a huge advocacy win this year! SB 4 will allow faith institutions and non-profit colleges to build affordable housing on their lands despite previous zoning restrictions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>SB 253 (Wiener)-<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> One of the major climate bills this year, which was a part of the corporate accountability package, SB 253 requires large corporations to report their emissions in all phases of their manufacturing, operations, and supply chain processes.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>SB 616 (Gonzalez)-<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Expands the required amount of paid sick leave provided to an employee from 3 to 5 days.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Vetoed\/Failed in Legislature-<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p>AB 249 (Holden)-<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Clean school drinking water; lead testing and infrastructure improvements. This is one of our Lobby Day bills that was unexpectedly vetoed.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>AB 1498 (Gipson)-<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Would have created a minimum value of $300 for the California Earned Income Tax Credit.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>AB 524 (Wicks)-<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Would have prohibited discrimination against employees based on their family caregiver status.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span> <a name=\"Colorado\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Colorado<\/h4>\n<h4>Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado (LAM-CO) \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lam-co.org\/\">lam-co.org<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4>Peter Severson, Director<\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">VOTER GUIDE GOES LIVE: The 2023 edition of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado\u2019s <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(LAM-<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">CO<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">) <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">annual Voter Guide is now available online! Check out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rmselca.org\/ColoradoBallot2023\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/www.rmselca.org\/ColoradoBallot2023<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to see our position and analysis for each of Colorado\u2019s statewide ballot measures, Prop HH and Prop II.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240,&quot;469777462&quot;:[6870],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240,&quot;469777462&quot;:[6870],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">CHRISTIAN UNITY GATHERING: LAM-CO Director Peter Severson attended the 2023 Christian Unity Gathering of the National Council of Churches in Nashville, Tenn., <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">representing the ELCA on the Joint Action and Advocacy for Justice and Peace Table. The program focused on addressing the role of the church in a public square that is increasingly besieged by extremism and nationalism. The ecumenical gathering was marked by spirited worship, thoughtful conversation and joyful reconnection.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240,&quot;469777462&quot;:[6870],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span> <a name=\"Kansas\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Kansas<\/h4>\n<h4>Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/actionnetwork.org\/groups\/kansas-interfaith-action\">KIFA.org<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4>Rabbi Moti Rieber, Executive Director<\/h4>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW186829106 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW186829106 BCX8\">Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) is holding a series of panel discussions throughout the state in October and November to explore Christian nationalism<span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightPipeRest SCXW186829106 BCX8\">: what it is, how it is affecting state and national politics and how people of faith can effectively stand against it.<\/span><span class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW186829106 BCX8\"><span class=\"SCXW186829106 BCX8\">\u00a0<\/span><br class=\"SCXW186829106 BCX8\" \/><\/span><span class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW186829106 BCX8\"><span class=\"SCXW186829106 BCX8\">\u00a0<\/span><br class=\"SCXW186829106 BCX8\" \/><\/span>Christian nationalism has been called<span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW186829106 BCX8\"> by <\/span><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW186829106 BCX8\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentStart CommentHighlightPipeRest CommentHighlightRest SCXW186829106 BCX8\">some<\/span><\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightPipeRest SCXW186829106 BCX8\">\u202f<\/span><span class=\"TrackChangeTextDeletionMarker TrackedChange SCXW186829106 BCX8\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun TrackChangeTextDeletion SCXW186829106 BCX8\">\u201c<\/span><\/span>the single biggest threat to religious freedom in the United States today.&#8221; It holds that the <span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange TrackChangeHoverSelectColorRed SCXW186829106 BCX8\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun TrackChangeHoverSelectHighlightRed SCXW186829106 BCX8\">United States <span class=\"TextRun SCXW210292973 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW210292973 BCX8\">is defined by Christianity, and that <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange TrackChangeHoverSelectColorRed SCXW210292973 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW210292973 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun TrackChangeHoverSelectHighlightRed SCXW210292973 BCX8\">the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange TrackChangeHoverSelectColorRed SCXW210292973 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW210292973 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentStart CommentHighlightPipeRest CommentHighlightRest TrackChangeHoverSelectHighlightRed SCXW210292973 BCX8\">nation <\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW258472608 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightPipeRest SCXW258472608 BCX8\">is and must remain a \u201cChristian nation.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW258472608 BCX8\"><br class=\"SCXW258472608 BCX8\" \/><\/span><span class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW258472608 BCX8\"><span class=\"SCXW258472608 BCX8\">\u00a0<\/span><br class=\"SCXW258472608 BCX8\" \/><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW258472608 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW258472608 BCX8\">Called \u201cCountering the Threat of White Christian Nationalism,\u201d these conversations will include an academic to explain what Christian nationalism is and how it is affecting state and national politics; a pastor to talk about how it is a twisting of the teachings of Christianity and why it is important, particularly for white Christians, to stand against <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW258472608 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW258472608 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW258472608 BCX8\">Christian nationalism; and Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director of KIFA, who will explore how this tendency is being used to push regressive policies in a wide range of areas in Kansas and throughout the nation. <span class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW258472608 BCX8\"><span class=\"SCXW258472608 BCX8\">\u00a0<\/span><br class=\"SCXW258472608 BCX8\" \/><\/span><span class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW258472608 BCX8\"><span class=\"SCXW258472608 BCX8\">\u00a0<\/span><br class=\"SCXW258472608 BCX8\" \/><\/span>The events will take place in Emporia, Wichita, Salina, Fairway, Newton and Manhattan, K<span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange TrackChangeHoverSelectColorRed SCXW258472608 BCX8\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun TrackChangeHoverSelectHighlightRed SCXW258472608 BCX8\">an., t<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hroughout October and early November. Visit <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/kansasinterfaithaction.org\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">KansasInterfaithAction.org<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> for more information and to register.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span> <a name=\"Minnesota\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Minnesota<\/h4>\n<h4>Lutheran Advocacy Minnesota (LA-MN) \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lutheranadvocacymn.org\/\">lutheranadvocacymn.org<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4>Tammy Walhof, Director<\/h4>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Energy Tax Credits &amp; Rebates:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">As director of Lutheran Advocacy \u2013 Minnesota, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I recently attended a full day event to learn more about the opportunities. State programs are just getting up and running, and guidance is still coming regarding federal options. There are <\/span><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">exciting opportunities for churches and nonprofits<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> (tax credits for entities that don\u2019t pay taxes). Some homeowner options are geared toward lower <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">and<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">lower-middle income households so they don\u2019t get left out of energy transitions. I\u2019ve been in touch with colleagues from a partner organization about jointly planning an event (or series of events) to help churches learn what is available. Even before that, it helps to assess if there are actions needed first (new roof or upgraded electric panel). There is some funding to help with preparation, too.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">COP28 UN International Climate Conference:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> I am honored to be one of a few people representing the ELCA in Dubai for the upcoming conference. I plan to follow the Land Use track which includes agriculture, forestry, and food issues. Trainings and other preparations are ongoing in anticipation.\u202f\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Homes for All Planning:<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Our Homes for All Coalition is just beginning planning for the next session. We did get major legislation and funding in the last session, but our legislators and the public need to understand the housing\/homelessness crisis was decades in the making, and will require significantly more commitments at the federal, state, and local levels. <\/span><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Please watch your email for federal action alerts<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> this fall. <\/span><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">If Congress cuts housing<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> in budget actions, <\/span><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">it could wipe out many of our state gains.<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Pennsylvania<\/h4>\n<h4>Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lutheranadvocacypa.org\/\">lutheranadvocacypa.org<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>Tracey DePasquale, Director<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The legislature returned in September to the as-yet-unfinished work of passing code bills needed to enact the spending plan signed in August after a showdown over state-funded vouchers for students to attend private and religious schools.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pennsylvania (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lutheranadvocacypa.org\/lampa-welcomes-hunger-advocacy-fellow-quentin-bernhard\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">LAMPa<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">)<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> welcomed Hunger Advocacy Fellow Quentin Bernhard<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> in September. Bernhard and Director Tracey DePasquale joined <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ELCA-affiliat<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ed state public policy <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">office <span class=\"TextRun SCXW1592103 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightPipeRest SCXW1592103 BCX8\">colleagues for a convening to share legislative updates and effective practices and explore the impacts of Christian <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange TrackChangeHoverSelectColorRed SCXW1592103 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW1592103 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun TrackChangeHoverSelectHighlightRed SCXW1592103 BCX8\">nationalism. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lutheranadvocacypa.org\/about\/policy-council\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">LAMPa also welcomed four new policy council members<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, just in time for the annual retreat, which\u00a0 focused on relationship building and understanding how they and LAMPa fit into the life of the wider church.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7266\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/LAMPA-group-pic.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7266\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7266\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/LAMPA-group-pic-300x187.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/LAMPA-group-pic-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/LAMPA-group-pic-250x156.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/LAMPA-group-pic-560x350.jpg 560w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/LAMPA-group-pic.jpg 653w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7266\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">LAMPa Annual Retreat<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">LAMPa co-hosted a convening of the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Coalition. Teams presented their priorities for our common agenda for 2024.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">DePasquale participated on state Emergency Food Assistance Advisory Council in making recommendations to the Department of Agriculture for the upcoming budget.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In other items, LAMPa staff:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Gathered reports from hunger ministries to issue an alert regarding WIC funding and collaborated with <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ELCA <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">federal <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">advocacy <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">staff in preparing for Hill visits on the Farm Bill with P<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">enn. synod <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">bishops.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Organized d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">epolarization training.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lutheranadvocacypa.org\/event\/depolarization-a-virtual-workshop-for-discipleship-in-a-democracy\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Register here for the Nov. 8 interactive virtual event.<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Engaged advocates in a social media campaign for Season of Creation. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Helped congregations add advocacy to <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">God\u2019s work. Our hands.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Sunday.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_7267\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/LAMPA-Advocate-safe-schools.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7267\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7267\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/LAMPA-Advocate-safe-schools-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/LAMPA-Advocate-safe-schools-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/LAMPA-Advocate-safe-schools-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/LAMPA-Advocate-safe-schools-466x350.jpg 466w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/LAMPA-Advocate-safe-schools.jpg 605w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7267\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Joined Lutheran advocates rallying in support of safe schools for trans youth.<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Worked with partners around upcoming events on gun violence and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> on<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lutheranadvocacypa.org\/event\/driving-pa-forward-lobby-day\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">drivers\u2019 licenses for all,<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> regardless of immigration status.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a name=\"Washington\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Washington<\/h4>\n<h4>Faith Action Network\u00a0 (FANWA) \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/fanwa.org\/\">fanwa.org<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>Elise DeGooyer, Executive Director<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW82313067 BCX8\"><span class=\"SCXW82313067 BCX8\">\u00a0<\/span><br class=\"SCXW82313067 BCX8\" \/><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW82313067 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW82313067 BCX8\">This month we welcomed <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW82313067 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW82313067 BCX8\">Tomo<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW82313067 BCX8\"> Duke <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW82313067 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW82313067 BCX8\">as our<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW82313067 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW82313067 BCX8\"> ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW82313067 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW82313067 BCX8\"> for an internship year funded by ELCA World Hunger<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">with our ELCA Witness in Society <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">partners. Duke brings ecumenical and interfaith experiences to our work to address root causes of hunger.\u00a0 We also welcomed a new <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Faith Action Network (<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">FAN<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">)<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Network Events Manager, Alex Robinson<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, who brings a background in theater and event production for faith communities. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As we work on our state legislative agenda, we focused our advocacy attention on food justice this past month. We invited our network to our annual Food Week of Action (October 15-22). Leading up to the week, we compiled and shared <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fanwa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Food-Week-of-Action-10-13.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">this resource<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> of advocacy opportunities for individuals and communities of faith and conscience to plan an action or raise awareness in their time of worship or gatherings. During the week, we also offered an Anti-Hunger Advocacy webinar where we covered anti-hunger policy efforts and the next legislative priorities. We addressed the importance of advocating for federal legislation like the Farm Bill and the WIC program for nutrition access for marginalized populations and state legislation like Free School Meals for All Students. We have earnestly invited and encouraged our network to equip their faith-driven compassion and social services for hungry communities with policy advocacy.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">FAN staff have been setting up regional cluster meetings for our network, from Spokane to Wenatchee, from the Puget Sound region to Vancouver, and listened to their concerns during this interim time between legislative sessions. It is a valuable opportunity for us to hear more about local organizing efforts and how FAN can be supportive.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7268\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/FAN-Activism.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7268\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7268\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/FAN-Activism-300x134.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"134\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/FAN-Activism-300x134.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/FAN-Activism-1024x456.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/FAN-Activism-768x342.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/FAN-Activism-250x111.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/FAN-Activism-700x312.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/FAN-Activism.jpg 1430w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7268\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">FAN Staff joined hundreds of Windmill mushroom workers, UFW, and supporters to demand the workers\u2019 union rights.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a name=\"Wisconsin\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Wisconsin<\/h4>\n<h4>The Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.loppw.org\/\">loppw.org<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4>The Rev. Cindy Crane, Director<\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_7269\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/Wednesday-Noon-Live.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7269\" class=\"wp-image-7269 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/Wednesday-Noon-Live.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"164\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/Wednesday-Noon-Live.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/Wednesday-Noon-Live-250x137.png 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7269\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/watch\/live\/?ref=watch_permalink&amp;v=6827328753956515\">Wednesday Noon Live<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW213404366 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW213404366 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW213404366 BCX8\">Lutheran Office of Public Policy \u2013 Wisconsin (LOPPW) <\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW213404366 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW213404366 BCX8\">interviewed Christine Moffett who is the ELCA <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW213404366 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW213404366 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW213404366 BCX8\">Program <\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW213404366 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW213404366 BCX8\">Director for Environment and Energy. <\/span><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">She discussed her work on climate change, water, and different federal efforts she is working on. She also told us about the hope she has for the future as a young adult. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Learn more about the 2023 Senate Bill <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">312 through this action alert: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/support.elca.org\/site\/R?i=dbPgu7XqFSe1Sp7ems6oYZ4HDP14saZ9xwu8mw5c04sucG5vegj5Aw\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Hold Polluters Responsible for Contaminants they Produce.<\/span><\/b><\/a> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">It would adjust Senate Bill 312 to help the Department of Natural Resources to thrive in doing their work to address the insidious problem of PFAS (forever chemicals) in our water.\u00a0 To learn more about PFAS, please see our issue paper from our spring advocacy day:\u00a0 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/support.elca.org\/site\/R?i=hy7aLO19yLchtqaJpViwHLWZ8WLoKzkA9xiIcpddv1Pjqasyc4cGbw\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">PFAS Issue Paper<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As was intended, there is a bill to define how the $125 million will be spent.\u00a0 Senate Bill 312 unfortunately includes limiting the Department of Natural Resources&#8217; ability to hold polluters responsible for the contaminants they produce in our water.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Learn more here:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/support.elca.org\/site\/R?i=ywiFoKuUP4-FtM-LAmfvrQ-u2r-k4D5ZxRfLNw8v4pHBc9dsm279Zg\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Expand Voting Access<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Senate Bill 39 and Assembly Bill 38 expand voting access by allowing people to opt-in through email to receive updates via text about their absentee ballots as well as request their absentee ballots this way.\u00a0 Support this bipartisan effort!<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">Read the bill here: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/support.elca.org\/site\/R?i=FWKUgYEW754DNWT33DC2Xj2jcGq4OEr6dU0lPTeVH3ogGVYuLjgQ2A\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">(23-1550\/1) (wisconsin.gov).<\/span><\/a> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">Learn more <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/support.elca.org\/site\/R?i=QKWX-7a0HE4F53uWkwZieztwQuGT2Rsl2o_9SEoYeReWbUEhAvtRjw\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">here<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Following are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (sppos) in the ELCA Advocacy Network this month. Full list and map of sppos available. &nbsp; U.N. | ARIZONA | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO |KANSAS | MINNESOTA | WASHINGTON |WISCONSIN &nbsp; New York Lutheran Office for World Community [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":297,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1400],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7264","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-post"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>October Updates - U.N. and State Edition - ELCA Advocacy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/october-updates-u-n-and-state-edition-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"October Updates - U.N. and State Edition - ELCA Advocacy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Following are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (sppos) in the ELCA Advocacy Network this month. Full list and map of sppos available. &nbsp; U.N. | ARIZONA | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO |KANSAS | MINNESOTA | WASHINGTON |WISCONSIN &nbsp; New York Lutheran Office for World Community [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/october-updates-u-n-and-state-edition-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"ELCA Advocacy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-10-24T19:52:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/Spirit-in-the-Desert.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"522\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"williammilner\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"williammilner\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.elca.org\\\/advocacy\\\/october-updates-u-n-and-state-edition-2\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.elca.org\\\/advocacy\\\/october-updates-u-n-and-state-edition-2\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"williammilner\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.elca.org\\\/advocacy\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/69fe07caa508e4b7d8dfbfe0e6ac2791\"},\"headline\":\"October Updates &#8211; 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