from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Senior Director

Partial expanded content from Advocacy Connections: April 2024

HUNGER IN THE FARM BILL | PARTICULATE MATTER EMISSIONS STANDARDS | PEPFAR EXTENDED FOR JUST ONE YEAR | CALLS FOR BILATERAL CEASEFIRE INCREASE | APPROPRIATIONS BILL INCREASES IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT SPENDING

 

HUNGER IN THE FARM BILL:  Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA), chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, announced intentions to introduce legislative text for reauthorizing the Farm Bill as soon as April. This comes after reports of policy disagreements among lawmakers on how to allocate anti-hunger, conservation and crop investment funding.

Though little is expected to pass in an election year, Congress must pass or temporarily extend a Farm Bill by the end of September before certain programs start to expire.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

Food programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) accompany the mission of our ministries, food pantries and charitable investments striving for a just world where all are fed. Cuts or newly added barriers to the SNAP program could come at a dire time as food costs continue to climb in many of our communities, and as many of our ministries are over capacity.

What’s Next:

The ELCA Action Center has a current Action Alert urging lawmakers to preserve funding for SNAP and anti-hunger programs in the Farm Bill. ELCA Witness in Society staff will be meeting with congressional staff ahead of potential House introduction and will be monitoring the legislation.

PARTICULATE MATTER EMISSIONS STANDARDS: In February, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated its standards for particulate matter in accordance with the Clean Air Act. This new standard is to go into effect on May 6, 2024. Recently, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) introduced a Congressional Review Act to nullify this rule change.

Why it Matters in the ELCA:

ELCA advocacy joined other faith partners to advocate for this change over the last year (March 2023 letter) and celebrated the new standard from the EPA. This rule change is expected to save an estimated 4,500 lives and deliver $46 billion in health benefits in 2032.

What’s Next:

ELCA advocacy and interfaith partners are advocating with lawmakers to show support for the new EPA particulate matter emissions standards and asking offices to oppose the proposed congressional review act.

PEPFAR EXTENDED FOR JUST ONE YEAR: Members of Congress included a one-year extension of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in the final FY24 appropriations bill. The new reauthorization will expire on Mar. 25, 2025. This is the first time PEPFAR has received reauthorization of less than five years, raising concerns about the long-term impact on global PEPFAR services.

In addition to reauthorization, Congress also appropriated a flat level of funding for PEPFAR programming, and for other bilateral HIV programs administered by USAID. The multilateral Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria received a reduction.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

PEPFAR is the largest U.S. global health program devoted to a single disease. Today, PEPFAR supports over 20 million people around the world by providing lifesaving antiretroviral treatment. Because of PEPFAR, millions of babies born to mothers living with HIV are born HIV-free. Lutheran hospitals in countries like Tanzania partner with PEPFAR to provide various services to people living with HIV.

What’s Next:

In the coming year, ELCA advocacy and partners will continue to urge members of Congress to pass a multi-year PEPFAR reauthorization before Mar. 25, 2025.

CALLS FOR BILATERAL CEASEFIRE INCREASE:  ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton joined global Christian leaders in calling for a cease fire in Gaza. The chorus of churches and global Christian leaders wrote an Easter letter calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and saying, “We hold onto the hope that peace is possible even in the midst of this darkest hour.”

Despite White House statements and congressional action, President Biden authorized arms transfer to Israel. Despite multiple letters to the administration from church leaders – including those from the ELCA and global Christian leaders – the Biden Administration authorized a multi-billion-dollar arms transfer to Israel on Mar. 27, even after historic public condemnation of the Netanyahu government from the administration and Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

The opening line of the ELCA social statement For Peace in God’s World states: “We of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America share with the Church of Jesus Christ in all times and places the calling to be peacemakers.”

What’s Next:

The ELCA will continue to advocate for a permanent bilateral ceasefire and the restoration of funding to UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

APPROPRIATIONS BILL INCREASES IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT SPENDING: On Mar. 8, Congress passed H.R. 2882, the “Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024”. The FY24 minibus package provides funding for various immigration programs and provisions. The package did not include harmful immigration policy riders. The spending package overall represents a dramatic increase in funding for immigration enforcement, detention, and removal operations; meanwhile, funding for overseas programs to address migration and refugees decreased or stayed the same.

Some notable highlights include $34 million to process work permit applications and funding for case management, alternatives to detention, and the Shelter and Service Program (SSP) through FEMA to support NGOs serving migrants.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

The ELCA continues to work for fair and compassionate immigration policies that weigh the need for security with functioning asylum and immigration policies, arising from the accompaniment of ELCA programs and ministries with migrants. By providing yet more billions in additional for funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) while neglecting to address the drivers of migration or widening legal pathways to the United States, lawmakers resign to repeat the mistakes of the past. For years, the number of people arriving at the border has increased, despite an ever-increasing influx of tax-dollars for border enforcement. During the FY24 budget process, the ELCA advocated for funding to provide safety and dignity for asylum seekers, for international assistance to address the drivers of migration and for investments in refugee protection.

What’s Next:

The FY25 federal appropriations process begins in earnest soon. Reportedly, the administration is also weighing certain executive actions (used previously to impose a travel ban on people of Muslim-majority countries) which would most certainly draw legal challenges, irrespective of congressional action on a border supplemental package.

 

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Moriah Reichert, Bloomington, IN

Warm-up Question

• Have you seen little kids trying to do grown up things? Does your family have any stories of you trying to do something before you understood what you were doing?

Before We Understand

When we’re little, we often try to model our siblings, parents, or other grown-ups around us. One of my favorite pictures from toddler years is a photo of my dad and I on the couch. My dad is reading a Star Trek book, and I’m “reading” Sandra Bonyton’s Doggies: A Counting and Barking Book.

Last week, a friend showed me a video of her niece “reading” a book. No matter that the pages were upside down and she was turning the wrong direction: she was reading it! As little kids, we attempt what the people around us do. We adopt mannerisms and we say words that we don’t really understand.

If you’ve spent time with younger family members or friends, you might notice they’re paying very close attention to you. They’re trying to figure out how to be people; they’re learning how to be in the world.

Too often in the church, I think we pretend that we know exactly how to be God’s faithful people. Often, in actuality, we look much more like toddlers reading books. In love and our best intentions, we try to be the people God wants us to be, not quite understanding it. Often we mess up and look a little silly.

But, the story in Acts of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch reminds us that God loves and celebrates our best attempts to be the people God calls us to be. God loves our best efforts, and even sends mentors and guides like Philip to help us understand more. We’re all like little children, living into the hope that as we try to follow God, we’ll be blessed like the Ethiopian Eunuch even if we don’t understand.

Discussion Questions

• Are there times when you don’t feel like you’re “doing faith right?”
• What does it mean to you to be close to someone?

Fifth Sunday After Easter

Acts 8:26-40

Psalm 22:25-31

1 John 4:7-21

John 15:1-8

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year A at Lectionary Readings.)

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

Growing things can be so difficult because it involves a lot of waiting and a lot of uncertainty. I grew up in a small farming town, and I learned from them that even with all of the advancements science has made in helping plants be stronger and grow better, farmers still have to put a lot of trust in the weather. An exceptionally wet spring or a dry June can wreak havoc on a growing season.

In the gospel lesson from today, Jesus reminds us that no matter how fickle the growing season, if we stick close with him, we’ll bear fruit. Jesus reminds us to trust in him. Even when it feels like we haven’t sprouted a new leaf or grown fruit in so so long, Jesus says to trust, and to draw close to him.

Often we hope that Jesus will make us bear fruit. We show up when that is all we can do. We end up going through the motions, just like little kids pretending to read. We might not feel it, and we might not totally understand what is happening, but all of it still counts as drawing near to Jesus. Every time we show up to do the work of ministry and loving other people, even and especially when we don’t feel like it, we are drawing close to Jesus. We are leaning into the trust that God will work in us and we will bear fruit.

 Discussion Questions

• Can you think of a time when you didn’t feel like doing something, but you showed up and eventually were glad that you had done it?
• Jesus says that we will bear fruit if we draw near to him. What does that mean to you?

Activity Suggestions

• Plan a shared Sunday School or youth group event with the youngest members of your congregation. What do they teach you about leaning into faith even when you don’t understand it?
• Journal about something that you did, even when you didn’t feel like it. You might think about a season of a sport and days when you didn’t want to show up to practice.
• Find a plant to tend yourself or as a community. Scientists are still trying to figure out if talking to your plants helps them grow, but it might (and it certainly doesn’t hurt)!

Closing Prayer

Tending God, you cherish us and nourish us. Remind us that when we show up, even if we don’t feel like it or don’t understand, you still work through us. We give you thanks for the plants that grow and mirror the work you do in us, and we give you thanks for children that teach us to love and embrace you even when we don’t fully understand. Amen.

Rita Argus (Denver, CO)

Warm-up Question

• What signs of spring have you noticed this week?

The Good Shepherd

I love going for hikes, especially in the springtime. Even before I moved to Denver, I would go for long walks in nature and soak in God’s creation. There was just something about the budding of trees, the smell of the soil, the rustling of birds or squirrels, and the warmth of the sunshine that would calm my brain and ground me in the moment.

On one particular hiking adventure, the trail led us through a valley dotted with yellows, oranges, pinks, and whites of wildflowers. A slow trickling stream crisscrossed over the path before flowing into a pond deeper in the valley. The trail worked its way up so that we were overlooking the pond and there hanging out in the pond were two grown moose and their small calf. Since we were at a safe distance from them, we took the opportunity to watch them as they waded through the water and grazed on the vegetation. As I took a deep breath, that place felt just as holy as a sanctuary.

With all of the notifications and texts and new stories and deadlines and to-do lists and everything else this busy life throws at us, I find it is so important to take these moments to be in God’s creation and to stop and breathe. These moments not only help me to reconnect with God and fill my spiritual cup, but they also help my mental health and physical well-being.

This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday. While we might think of a shepherd as someone who keeps us out of danger, a good shepherd also leads their flock to places where they can slow down and rest on their journey. So, let’s lean into the calling of our Good Shepherd to slow down and rest a bit this week.

Discussion Questions

• How do you care for your mental health, physical well-being, and spirituality?
• Where are places outside of the church building that you find holy?
• What are ways that you reconnect with God?

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Acts 4:5-12

Psalm 23

1 John 3:16-24

John 10:11-18

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year A at Lectionary Readings .)

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

 Jesus often uses metaphors, like being a good shepherd, in the Gospel texts. Sometimes those metaphors can be really unfamiliar to our lives today. Even as a person who grew up on a hobby farm in southern Wisconsin, we didn’t shepherd our animals in the way that Jesus’ original audience did. We had the luxury of good pasture land for them to graze on and the protection of a barn in the evenings. But, we did have one trick up our sleeves: our llama named Becky.

Besides being a fun addition to the barn, Becky also protected our herd. I know, it feels funny to think of a llama as a shepherd of sorts, but llamas develop a deep connection and love for their herd. Llamas see it as their job to protect the herd from any outside threats. If you were to walk into the barn, Becky would immediately lean her long neck over the fence, get right into your face, and smell your breath to determine if she knew you. If she knew you, she would go about her business of eating and watching out for the herd. But, if she didn’t know you, then her intense stare and concentration would be glued to you as she watched your every move and ensured you were not up to any shenanigans. And what would happen if she didn’t like what you were doing? Yep, you probably guessed it: she would spit on you. Yuck.

Gross llama spit aside, Becky’s role was so important in bringing a sense of security to our herd of goats. In the springtime, the mama goats would often be down in the pasture, carefree and grazing to their hearts’ content while Becky would be settled down closer to the barn with all of the little goat kids jumping all around and over her. The mama goats trusted fully that their little ones would be ok with “Auntie Becky.”

While reading this week’s Gospel text, I found myself reflecting on this trust that the goats had for our shepherd llama. One line stood out especially: “I know my own and my own know me.” While I wish this journey of faith was that straightforward, there have been times when I felt like I didn’t know God or what God wanted of me. Times when I feared or had doubt and I cried out to Jesus and was met with silence (or I didn’t recognize or missed hearing him).  Times when I have been so focused and worried about the barrier in front of me that I didn’t notice the Holy Spirit reaching out a helping hand.

 Maybe in all of this, I am trying too hard to be a “good sheep” when really what Jesus is saying is more simple, and therefore, radical. Maybe Jesus is saying, “You belong. You really do! I know you and you are mine. I am here for you. Period”. Because here is the thing, even out here in the wilderness where we roam, Jesus is here with us. Jesus accompanies us, laughing at our joys, crying at our sorrows, listening to our frustrations, and every other moment in between because we are called and claimed children (sheep!) of God who belong and matter more than we can even imagine.

Discussion Questions

• Imagine a modern example of a good shepherd and describe it.
• What are ways that Jesus has shepherded you in your life of faith?
• What does belonging mean to you?

Activity Suggestions

• Write phrases that remind you that you are belong on sticky notes to hang up in your room or bathroom mirror to remind you of God’s love and presence in your life.
• Take time to journal or create art around a modern example of a good shepherd that you have  encountered in your life of faith.

Closing Prayer

Good and gracious shepherd of the sheep, you seek the lost and guide us in your ways. Fill our hearts with your love and help us to know you are deeply as you know us. We pray this in the name of the one who creates, redeems, and sustains us, now and forever. Amen.

This is a re-post of a piece from the St. Paul Area Synod blog, by Vernita Kennen of Incarnation Lutheran Church in Shoreview, MN. The original blog post can be found here.

 

People who care about hunger issues from the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Area Synods gathered in March to talk about how we might work together. We acknowledged needing renewed efforts within our congregations, communities and our synods. Some of us came from congregations, some from specific hunger ministries, some from synod and churchwide staffs but all came with a heart for those who live with hunger. Some had years of experience working on hunger issues and others had less, but everyone came with a passion somehow connected to hunger.

Conversation about programs and policies, local and global efforts, immediate aid and sustainable efforts abounded. Networking was raised as a need as was acknowledging monetary contributions, advocacy, and hands-on efforts. We see the need to talk about “on ramps” to engage others in hunger ministry. Our hope is that we can work towards something that supports the current hunger ministries across the synods as well as moves to more education and learning for all of our congregations.

Additional voices, experience, and questions are valuable and welcome! Please contact or Justin Grimm (Saint Paul Area Synod) at justin.grimm@spas-elca.org or Bob Hulteen (Minneapolis Area Synod) at: b.hulteen@mpls-synod.org if you are interested in joining future planning.

Vernita Kennen
Incarnation, Shoreview

Each month ELCA Worship highlights resources and events from other organizations and institutions. These Lutheran and ecumenical partner organizations work alongside the ELCA to support worship leaders, worship planners, musicians, and all who care about the worship of the church.

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Association of Lutheran Church Musicians

ALCM nurtures and equips musicians to serve and lead the church’s song.

Ponder Anew: Serving and Leading the Church’s Song
July 22 – 25
Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind.

Join us on the campus of Valparaiso University and the beautiful Chapel of the Resurrection as we Ponder Anew how to communicate God’s saving grace to all peoples in meaningful, relevant ways. Through workshops, discussions, worship, and hands-on learning opportunities, we invite you to strengthen your gifts and develop new skills in topics such as worship leadership, technology, composition, enriching assembly song and more, all the while forming connections from Generation to Generation with young musicians attending the Lutheran Summer Music Academy (LSM).

The emphasis of this conference is on practical skill-building. Registrants will be able to attend in-depth learning sessions on a variety of topics. These sessions are 90 minutes long and typically consist of multiple sessions, with each session building on the previous. In addition to the in-depth learning sessions, a variety of workshops will round out this practical learning experience. Many fine presenters will be on hand to lead us in a variety of learning opportunities.

On Wednesday, July 24 at 7:30 PM, all are invited to attend a 300th anniversary performance of J. S. Bach’s St. John Passion, performed by the Bach Collegium Valparaiso and directed by Christopher M. Cock, artistic director and conductor, in the Chapel of the Resurrection. You do not need to register for the conference to attend. Cannot be in Valparaiso for the conference? Live Streaming Virtual Registration Now Available!

Additional information about the conference, including pricing, scholarships, and accommodations, is available on the ALCM website.

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Music that Makes Community

Music that Makes Community (MMC) practices communal song-sharing that inspires deep spiritual connection, brave shared leadership, and sparks the possibility of transformation in our world.

Music that Makes Community

Music that Makes Community (MMC) practices communal song-sharing that inspires deep spiritual connection, brave shared leadership, and sparks the possibility of transformation in our world.

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!  Alleluia!

MMC is delighted to share a number of upcoming workshops and events, more details on the “Sacred Land” Call for Songs, a song for Pentecost, and the story of a new song birthed by one of our board members.

Upcoming in-person workshops!

• April 18-20: Leading music at the Messy Church USA conference in Chicago.
• Friday, May 31: 1-Day Community Singing Workshop in Kearney, Nebraska connected to Nebraska’s synod assembly.
• Saturday, July 13: 1-Day Community Singing Workshop in Atlanta, Georgia right before The Hymn Society conference.
• Many local practice groups and community sings are meeting monthly! Check out when Albuquerque, Chicago, Brownsburg (IN), Ellensburg (WA), and Minneapolis-St. Paul and more are meeting here!

Virtual gatherings: Monday Morning Grounding is a virtual point of connection and reflection for clergy and musicians. The current session continues until May 20, 2024. Register for the Zoom link!

The Sacred Land Call for Songs is now open! Learn more about the playlist project partnership between MMC and the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery here. Open Office Hours to ask questions and get feedback are on Tuesday, April 23 and Thursday, May 23.  The deadline to submit songs is June 1. Even if you don’t submit a song, we hope worship planners, clergy, and musicians will watch for the release of the playlist in September and use the resources as they plan ways to amplify indigenous voices for Indigenous Peoples Day, Native American Heritage month, and every day.

To conclude, we suggest Rachael Weasley’s round Windy God for Pentecost this year. It can be found in their Songs for Contemplation for Activists and Christians, which you can purchase here. We also invite you to read about MMC board member Jennifer Sanborn’s experience of birthing the song “We Are All Doing Our Best” on the blog

May the rest of your Easter season be a glorious noticing of miracles amidst challenging times.

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Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival

Transforming and connecting lives through faith and music since 1981.

Happy Easter from your friends at Lutheran Summer Music! Please enjoy this musical offering of Paul Basler’s Alleluia from Songs of Faith, performed by the LSM 2023 Festival Choir, conducted by Dr. Shannon Gravelle. Learn more about LSM at LSMacademy.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Augsburg Fortress Events and Resources

Augsburg Fortress is an imprint of 1517 Media, the publishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Sundays and Seasons Print Subscription
Enroll in the Sundays and Seasons print subscription to receive each subsequent release of the Sundays and Seasons resources you have selected when the next volume releases. Your subscription begins with the next annual edition released in the spring.

You can choose which planning resources you want to purchase each year together or separately

• Sundays and Seasons: Guide to Worship Planning
• Sundays and Seasons: Preaching
• Planning Guide and Preaching Combo Pack
• Worship Planning Calendar: Sundays and Seasons
• Planning Guide and Calendar Combo Pack
• Calendar of Word and Season

 

Operation Restoration
This VBS invites kids to be menders in God’s world. As they make connections between Bible stories and mending actions, they’ll discover simple ways to live out faith in daily life. Everyone at Operation Restoration explores language and practices to mend God’s world.

 

Call to Allyship: Preparing Your Congregation for Leaders of Color
How can churches do the work of becoming allies for the leaders they call? In belonging to a predominantly white denomination, ELCA members are called to listen and learn from its leaders of color to recognize the assumptions, biases, and harmful actions that result when congregations don’t commit to become allies. Authors offer wisdom, storytelling, and concrete suggestions for churches preparing to call a leader of color. Call to Allyship is a must-read for call committees, church councils, social justice teams, and anyone prepared to do the work of understanding, welcoming, and celebrating these leaders.

 

Baptism Certificates
Augsburg Fortress offers a variety of baptismal certificates, including both physical and downloadable options for both children and adults in English and Spanish.

 

Save the Date for Augsburg Fortress Summer Music Clinics

Join clinicians David Cherwien and Mark Sedio for Augsburg Fortress’ free summer music clinics this summer in any of our five locations! Registration information is still forthcoming, but now is the time to save the date:
July 16-17 in St. Paul, Minn
July 19-20 in Columbia, S.C.
August 1-2 in Philadelphia, Pa.
August 5-6 in Columbus, Ohio
August 9-10 in Chicago, Ill.

In observance of Arab American Heritage Month, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries invited Rev. Dr. Niveen Ibrahim Sarras to share her thoughts on this topic with our readers.

 

People in the West often assume that Arab Christians were converted from Islam to Christianity by Western missionaries. However, Arab Christians have always existed in the Middle East and have enjoyed significant influence in the Arabian Peninsula.

To understand Arab Christians, it helps to know the geography of the peninsula. Arabia, known as Jazīrat Al-ʿArab (“Island of the Arabs”) in Arabic, extends beyond present-day Saudi Arabia, encompassing the Arabian Peninsula (bordered by the Red Sea to the west), the Gulf of Aden to the south, the Arabian Sea to the southeast, and the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf (also known as the Arabian Gulf) to the east.

Arabia was inhabited by nomadic bedouins who survived through hunting, mercenary work, trade and raids on other tribes. As noted in Acts 2:11, Arab merchants traveled to Palestine for business. Christian tribes such as the Ghassanids, Lakhmids, Banu Taghlib, Banu Tamim and Nabataeans were spread across the peninsula, originating from Yemen and migrating to the Levant after the destruction of the Marib Dam in the sixth century BCE. By the fifth century CE most of these tribes had converted to Christianity. Arab Christians in the peninsula spoke and prayed in Arabic, yet their liturgical and confessional writings were in Syriac.[1]

In 732 CE, Arab forces influenced by Islam conquered the Levant, a Greco-Roman region that had previously been part of the Byzantine Empire. Muslims spread their Arabic language with each conquest. The Levant was predominantly inhabited by non-Arab Christians, possibly descendants of various ancient civilizations. Christian communities in the conquered territories spoke Greek, Syriac, Coptic, Armenian and Ethiopian languages.[2] Communities in Damascus and Baghdad were predominantly Arameans, using Aramaic for theology and liturgy, whereas those in Palestine, Jordan and Sinai utilized Greek ecclesiastically but Aramaic/Syriac locally. Over time Christians in the Levant and Egypt became Arabized through the imposition of the Arabic language. The Melkite Church was the first to adopt Arabic for worship.[3]

In the eighth century CE, Arabized Christian families in the Levant were drawn to Muslim power, leading them to convert to Islam. Christians held high positions and contributed to intellectual life under Muslim rule but faced pressure to convert. Muslim authorities imposed a poll tax on Arab Christians who refused to convert,[4] so they translated their religious texts into Arabic and developed apologetics to defend their faith. After the Crusades, Muslims imposed harsh policies on Christians, prompting resentment. Arabization accelerated through translation efforts and Islamic influences.

The Ottoman Empire’s occupation of the Middle East, which lasted from 1516 to 1917. led to “Turkification” efforts, and this cultural oppression provoked an Arab nationalist movement. Arab Christians revived the Arabic language and culture, but tribalism frustrated their efforts to form a unified Arab identity. Despite these differing identities, Islam’s influence remains strong among Arab Christians.

In sum, Christians in the conquered territories became Arabized when the Arabic language was imposed upon them. In other words, they are not Arabs by ethnic or race bound but by the Arabic language.

 

The Rev. Niveen Ibrahim Sarras was born and raised in Bethlehem, Palestine. She is the first Palestinian woman ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA. Her passion for the Bible started through attending Sunday school at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation and attending Lutheran school in Bethlehem.

Hungry for a deeper knowledge of Scripture and eager to answer God’s call to ministry, Rev. Sarras earned her Master of Divinity degree from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, Calif., laying the foundation for her ministry of Word and Sacrament. Her academic pursuits led her to the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, where she earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Old Testament.

Rev. Sarras loves to teach Scripture and theology. She shared her knowledge through programs such as the Lay School of the ELCA East-Central Synod of Wisconsin, where she taught feminist, womanist and mujerista theology. She expanded her horizons by teaching courses such as “Introduction to Feminist Theology” and “An Introduction to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam” in Marathon County, Wis., through the Extension program at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Rev. Sarras’ scholarly contributions challenge traditional biblical commentaries and offer fresh perspectives on matters of faith and society. Notable among her publications is “Jesus Was a Palestinian Jew — Not White,” which challenges traditional misconceptions about Jesus’ identity and roots. Her scholarly article “Refuting the Violent Image of God in the Book of Joshua 6-12” was anthologized in The (De)legitimization of Violence in Sacred and Human Contexts (Palgrace Macmillan, 2021), offering fresh insights into the violence depicted in the book.

Beyond academia, Rev. Sarras finds pleasure in hiking, biking, baking and immersing herself in books on politics, faith and Scripture, as well as watching documentary movies. In her roles as a pastor and as a scholar, Sarras advocates for critical thinking and encourages others to deepen their understanding of faith.

 

 

[1] Sidney H. Griffith, The Church in the Shadow of the Mosque: Christians and Muslims in the World of Islam (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2012), 9.

[2] Griffith, The Church in the Shadow of the Mosque, 8

[3] Ibid., 49

[4] Kenneth Cragg, The Arab Christian: A History in the Middle East (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1991), 54.

 

 

 

Samantha DiBiaso, Rockville MD 

Warm-up Questions 

• What is one of your first memories of Jesus?

Caution! Red Letter Bible!  

When I was a kid, I didn’t really go to church. But I had a Bible that my grandparents gave me at my baptism that sparked my curiosity. I would open that Bible up from time to time when I played pretend “librarian” with all my stuffed animals. Every time I opened it up, I was startled by the words printed in red. It was one of those red letter edition Bibles that printed all of Jesus’ words in red. As a kid, reading Jesus’ words in red made me think Jesus was angry, scary, and mean. Why? Because, in my mind, red equaled angry, scary, and mean.  

As I grew up and started going to church, I began to learn that Jesus is not angry, scary, and mean, but instead is loving, caring, and empowering. But I think that those red letters still shaped how I read the Bible. Often times I would hear Jesus’ words and questions as words of judgement and shame, questions like: 

What do you want me to do for you? 

Do you love me?  

You of little faith, why did you doubt? 

 The church didn’t always help with hearing those questions as words of judgement, particularly because I felt that what I was learning in church was that doubt in my faith was bad. Just like with the red letter Bible, I saw DOUBT in big red letters. Caution! Don’t doubt! Doubting is bad!  

Maybe you had this experience too. Maybe you were taught by the church that doubt was the opposite of faith. Maybe you have had or have doubts and feel shame about them. To you and to our past child selves, I say today, I am sorry and may we as a church do better. 

Even though the church has not always done the best job at teaching us this, the reality is that doubt is not the absence of faith. Doubt is essential to faith. Engaging and wrestling with our doubts, along with asking questions about Jesus, is a part of what it means to have faith. Jesus doesn’t welcome us on our journey of faith to test or shame our doubts. Jesus doesn’t belittle what little faith we may have. Instead, Jesus reaches into our lives with deep and compassionate love, reminding us again and again that our doubts are welcome. 

Discussion Questions 

• What were you taught about doubts as a kid?  
• Do you have any doubts about God today? What are they? 

Easter Sunday 

Acts 3:12-19

Psalm 4

1 John 3:1-7

Luke 24:36b-48

Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at Lectionary Readings. 

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day. 

Gospel Reflection 

In our gospel reading we find Jesus appearing to the disciples after Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus says, “Peace be with you,” and the disciples are terrified because they think they are seeing a ghost. If I was them, I would be terrified too! After all, wasn’t he crucified just a few days ago? Jesus responds to their fear with a question, asking, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?”  

Often times we tend to hear Jesus’ questions about doubt as words of judgement. We hear that doubt is wrong and that we should just have more faith. But what if, instead of words of judgement, we were to hear Jesus’ words as encouragement? Instead of hearing Jesus’ question, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” written in red, what if we hear them as written in love? 

What if we hear Jesus’ words in a way that a parent might encourage their child when they are teaching them how to ride a bike? Catching their child when they fall, and saying, “Little one, why are you afraid and why did you doubt? I’ve got you. I will always be here to catch you when you fall. I will always be here to help you. Look at my hands and my feet. I am with you always.” 

And then Jesus sits down by a campfire and offers the disciples something to eat.  Jesus welcomes the disciples to join him around the campfire, full stop. Jesus doesn’t say, “Well you can only come to the campfire if you have enough faith and as long as you don’t have any doubts.”  

Instead, Jesus welcomes the disciples to join him around the campfire just as they are–doubts and all. The same goes for us as well. Jesus encourages and empowers us as we learn how to ride our bikes of faith. On our journey, Jesus will be there to encourage our doubts because they will help us to practice and grow in our faith. And then when it is time to take a break, Jesus will invite us again to sit around a campfire to eat food and to share stories.  

Discussion Questions 

• When is a time that you’ve felt like the disciples, afraid and locked up in a room out of fear?
• When is a time that you’ve felt like Thomas, wanting to see evidence of Jesus and his resurrection?
• What do you think it looks like to see “marks of the resurrection” all around us? Can you think of one that you’ve seen this week?

Activity Suggestions: 

• Try playing around with Jesus’ tone when you read stories in scripture. In places where you may hear judgement, try out hearing Jesus’ words as encouragement. Reflect on what it is like to hear the story with a different tone from Jesus. Do you hear the story differently?  You can use some of these stories to get started: 
  • Matthew 14:22-32: Jesus walks on water 
  • Mark 4:35-40: Jesus calms the storm  
  • John 20:11-16: Jesus appears to Mary
• Write a letter to your past self that felt judged or shamed. Write yourself a letter from Jesus’ perspective of love, curiosity, and wonder. What is it like to share Jesus’ words of encouragement with your past self?  
• Spend some time journaling about a time when Jesus showed up when you were feeling afraid or struggling to believe. 

Closing Prayer 

God of us all, you care for us as your beloved children. Fill us with your words of love, curiosity, and encouragement. Help us to turn our judgement into wonder. Guide us to be people of your wonder so that we may continue to live into the beautiful mysteries of the resurrection. We pray in the name of Jesus, who is love: Amen.  

 

As you make plans to celebrate the festivals of Pentecost and Holy Trinity and look ahead to summer worship, consider the following ways to explore All Creation Sings. 

Day of Pentecost 

Try worshiping in multiple languages through either song or spoken word. Has your assembly worshiped using ACS Setting 11, a fully bilingual setting in Spanish and English? Watch this video from Bishop Felix Malpica as he gives pointers for beginning the process of bilingual worship. Audio recordings of the music in Setting 11 are available to support your introduction process.

Sing “Come, Holy Spirit” (ACS 940) as a gathering song or around a time of prayer. This video from Music that Makes Community shows how it can be taught to an assembly. 

Teach your choir “As the Wind Song” (ACS 943). A lovely two-part arrangement by Helen Kemp in the St. Olaf Choirbook for Women can be enhanced with free instrument parts for chime tree and glockenspiel. Subscribers to Prelude Music Planner can download this anthem (titled Wind Song) as well as an arrangement for SATB choir and handbells (Published by Choristers Guild). 

Holy Trinity 

Explore rich imagery for God by getting to know the “Scriptural Images for God” (p. 268 in the Pew Edition). This blog post gives one pastor’s perspective on this helpful appendix. Another post written prior to the publication of ACS gives helpful background on the inclusion of this content. 

Experience more fully the richness of Trinity in ACS through Kids Celebrate the Trinity, a booklet for kids but also super helpful for their grown-ups. Purchase in advance and have available for kids in worship that day and throughout the year.

Sing the hymn “The Play of the Godhead” by Mary Louise Bringle. This video will introduce you to the text and tune.    

Summer 

Discover All Creation Sings outside of worship with an intergenerational event using Gather Together: 8 Intergenerational Events to Explore All Creation Sings. Perhaps you have a session close to Trinity Sunday and use “Image-ine the Possibilities: An Event about the Images of God.”  

Plan for next year’s choir season by choosing some anthem arrangements of hymns in ACS. This is an excellent way for the choir to introduce unfamiliar texts and tunes to the assembly.  This PDF available from Augsburg Fortress offers several suggestions from multiple publishers. 

Use the Service of Word and Prayer as the scaffolding for a brief summer outdoor worship. This video gives help for using the service. 

Dig Deep into the All Creation Sings website, especially if ACS is new to you. You’ll find many more articles, videos, and webinars as well as PDFS and image files to assist in any introductory events.

Mariah Mills, Boise ID 

Warm-up Questions 

• How did you celebrate the resurrection of Jesus this Easter?
• What happened after all of the celebrations were over? Did it feel like life just went back to normal?

What You See, Isn’t Always the Truth 

Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! What now?

If you went to or watched church on Easter Sunday, you likely heard something along the lines of: “Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the powers of sin, death, and the devil have been defeated! We no longer have to fear, we no longer have to be captive to sin, we are set free! Death is no longer the last word!” These are the beautiful truths we hold on to as followers of Jesus.

If you’re like me, you probably found yourself watching the news or using social media later that day after church. Through all of the scrolling we’re bombarded with stories about the ways death and injustice continue to wreak havoc throughout our world. We just proclaimed that death and evil have been defeated, and at the same time we still witness so much unjust death and so much evil. It looks like death continues to prevail. When all of the alleluias subside, what do we do with the resurrection? How do we reconcile the promise of the resurrection with a world that continues to hurt and suffer?

Thankfully, one week after we hear the joyful proclamation of Christ’s resurrection, we hear about what happened in the days following the empty tomb. It’s there, in this story we find today about the aftermath, that we find even more good news—as we wrestle with what resurrection means for us, and for the world, Jesus shows up.

Discussion Questions 

• How do you respond when you see the ways death and evil continue to show up in the world?
  • Do you think it’s possible to still see glimpses of the resurrection in the midst of it all? What do those glimpses look like?
• If you could ask Jesus one question about his resurrection, what would it be?

Easter Sunday 

Acts 4:32-35

Psalm 133

1 John 1:1—2:2

John 20:19-31

Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at Lectionary Readings. 

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day. 

Gospel Reflection 

If you read this passage from John and immediately went to “Doubting Thomas,” you wouldn’t be the only one. Often, along with his disbelief, Thomas becomes the star of the show in this passage. People try to wrestle with whether Thomas is doubting. or lacking trust. People wonder if that’s good, bad, or none of the above. Those are all great things to wrestle with at a time when doubt and questions continue to be seen as “bad” in the Christian faith. But if we zoom out a bit, and look at this passage within the bigger picture of the resurrection, I wonder if we’ll get a different perspective.

When we look at this passage rooted in resurrection, I think we find that these encounters with the disciples, Thomas, and the risen Jesus are directly addressing the question “What now?” The disciples know that the tomb is empty, and they’ve heard Mary say “I have seen the Lord.” Now they’re locked up in a room, out of fear for what might happen to them if they were outside. They could face the same fate as Jesus if they were found out. They are afraid of what’s next, uncertain about where Jesus is, and probably have questions about what Mary saw. What now? Then Jesus appears before them, saying “Peace be with you.” Jesus brings them peace in the midst of their fear.

We aren’t sure why, but Thomas isn’t there. Maybe he was making a coffee run, or maybe he really did believe that Mary had seen the risen Jesus and he was out proclaiming the good news. All we know is that Thomas missed seeing Jesus. So, all Thomas wants is what the other disciples had: an encounter with the risen Christ. Thomas wants to see for himself what the other disciples now know, that Jesus is alive. He is adamant, saying “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and his side, I will not believe.” Jesus appears before Thomas, saying “Peace be with you,” showing Thomas the marks in his hands. Jesus brings Thomas peace, and shows the marks of his defeat over death, all in the midst of his yearning to know Jesus is alive.

Today we also ask ourselves the question, “Jesus is risen. What now?” We may find ourselves feeling a lot like the disciples, filled with fear and uncertainty about the future. We may feel like it’s easier to hide and shut out the world rather than be with all those who suffer. Today we are reminded that, through the Holy Spirit, we have received the breath of the risen Christ. This is both a breath of peace and a breath that sends us out into the world as the body of Christ.

We may also find ourselves feeling a lot like Thomas, and I think that’s because we are all Thomas. We have not seen the resurrected Jesus in bodily form appear before us. Yet that does not mean we cannot believe. Although Jesus has not appeared to us to show us the marks of his hands, there are marks of the resurrected Jesus that we can see all around us. When you see signs of hope in the midst of the world’s suffering, those are marks of resurrection.

Alleluia! Christ is risen! What now? We live as the body of Christ in the world, trusting in the promise of resurrection. We do this with all of our joy, fear, wonder, questions, disbelief, and faith in tow. And as we live as Christ’s body, living in a world that still endures death and suffering, we will see that there are indeed still marks of the resurrection permeating all things.

Discussion Questions 

• When is a time that you’ve felt like the disciples, afraid and locked up in a room out of fear?
• When is a time that you’ve felt like Thomas, wanting to see evidence of Jesus and his resurrection?
• What do you think it looks like to see “marks of the resurrection” all around us? Can you think of one that you’ve seen this week?

Activity Suggestions: 

• Go out and live as the body of Christ in one way this week. Maybe that looks like volunteering at a nonprofit, helping a neighbor with yard work, or talking to someone new and getting to know them.
• Spend some time journaling about a time when Jesus showed up when you were feeling afraid or struggling to believe. 

Closing Prayer 

God of resurrection, we praise you for the life, death, and resurrection of your son Jesus. As we wrestle with what resurrection means for our world, help us to see marks of the risen Jesus. Show us marks that give us hope for the coming Kingdom, a place where all that has been fractured is restored. A place where death, injustice, and evil are no more. A place of resurrection. Build us up as the body of Christ, and guide us as we proclaim the promise of resurrection in a hurting world. Amen.

Following are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (sppos) in the ELCA Advocacy Network last month. Full list and map of sppos available.

U.N. | ARIZONA | CALIFORNIA | MINNESOTA | OHIO | PENNSYLVANIA | WASHINGTON | WISCONSIN

New York

Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC), U.N. – ELCA.org/lowc

Christine Mangale, Director

As our Lutheran Office for World Community colleagues conclude vigorous activity during the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), no March update is available.

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Arizona

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY ARIZONA (LAMA) lamaz.org

Solveig Muus, Director

LAMA hosted its 3rd annual Lutheran Day at the Legislature on January 18. Gathered were 125 Lutherans and friends representing 24 of Arizona’s 30 legislative districts to hear remarks from Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Arizona’s longest-serving senator, Lela Alston, Bishop Deborah Hutterer and others, and then met with their legislators about hunger, the water crisis, equal access to voting, and the need for low-income housing. Participants met with more than 40 lawmakers, practicing neighbor love through advocacy and demonstrating that faith is an action word. 

LAMA co-hosted its 2nd annual Anti-Hunger Advocacy Day at the Capitol on February 21. LAMA co-founded the Arizona Anti-Hunger Alliance, a statewide coalition of food banks, farmers, healthy school meals advocates, community gardeners, justice advocates, state agencies and faith-based organizations who share common values – ending hunger! – to educate our legislators and advocate for the more than 750,000 Arizonans who face hunger every day. 

The Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders Network sponsored the 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge, an ELCA Region 2 inter-synod challenge. Participating were 708 individuals in 149 congregations across the five synods of Region 2. Based on the enthusiastic response to the challenge and a productive regional meeting at the ELCA World Hunger Leaders Gathering in February, the Region 2 delegates decided to meet regularly to discern how the five synods might collaborate as church together around hunger. 

The Grand Canyon Synod’s Bishop Deborah Hutterer joined other faith leaders and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle on February 15 to discuss the pressing need for affordable, accessible housing, pressing for the passage of Yes In God’s Backyard (YIGBY), legislation aimed at helping Arizona meet the needs of its inadequately-housed citizens.

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California

Lutheran Office of Public Policy (LOPPCA) – lutheranpublicpolicyca.org

Regina Banks, Director

LOPPCA has a strong focus on the state budget situation leading up to the May Revision deadline. The Legislative Analyst’s Office projects a potential $73 billion deficit as of February. Our priority areas to prevent the most drastic cuts this year are centered in housing, human services, and climate. A budget letter containing LOPPCA’s specific 2024 budget asks has been completed.  

The policy bill process is ramping up in the state legislature as well. A couple bills that we’ve begun to track and support in our office include:  

AB 2090 (Irwin) – which would require the Office of Farm to Fork in CA’s Department of Agriculture to work with transportation agencies to prioritize efforts in food deserts, especially counties most impacted by food security. Additionally, the bill would require the office to work with school districts to assess access to school meal programs during academic calendar breaks and school closures.  

SB 252 (Gonzalez) – which would prohibit the state retirement systems from making new investments or renewing existing investments of retirement funds in a fossil fuel company.  

Upcoming event: Registration is ongoing for our 5th annual Lutheran Lobby Day on Wednesday, May 15th in Sacramento! Register and learn more here: https://lutheranpublicpolicyca.org/lutheran-lobby-day-2024

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 Minnesota

Lutheran Advocacy Minnesota (LA-MN) – lutheranadvocacymn.org

Tammy Walhof, Director

E-Waste Recycling: Bills to redefine and collect electronic waste have passed House and Senate Environment Committees. Next, they must pass the respective Commerce Committees, and then Ways and Means in the House and Finance in the Senate. Our previous Action Alerts are still valid, but focus on asking legislators to urge their colleagues in the Commerce Committees to pass the bills (H.F.3566 in House; S.F.3940 in Senate). Concerns with small upfront fees to be charged on electronics to pay for statewide collection should be countered by reminding legislators that health costs of toxins getting into groundwater or air are much greater, as are taxpayer costs as counties address fire hazards from electronics in trash.

Affordable Housing: The House Capitol Investment Committee passed H.F.4194 for $500 million in Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIBs) and an expansion of the possible uses of HIBs to allow funds to be used to address deferred maintenance, insurance, renovations, and more. Our partners at MCCD (Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers) claim that about one-third of affordable housing residents are at risk of losing housing because operators can’t keep up with expenses (a problem stemming from increasing insurance and pandemic losses). Although we do not expect obstacles at the House Housing Committee, please watch for Action Alerts as HIBs move forward from there. 

 Lenten Letter Challenge: Action is still possible from this initiative which helps generate action to legislators from your church, committee, group, friends, or wherever through our Lenten Letter Challenge (scroll to mid-page). Action doesn’t need to be tied to Lent, but Lenten season launch was meaningful timing. 

 

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Ohio

Hunger Network in Ohio (HNO) – www.hungernetohio.com

Deacon Nick Bates, Director

Gerrymandering Reform NOW! 

When legislators are more concerned with small segments of primary voters and cable news quotes, our food pantries, social services, and school groups will not be heard on the local needs. That is why the Hunger Network is all in on gerrymandering reform! The Citizens not Politicians campaign is gathering signatures to put the issue before Ohio voters in November. Luther said that Daily bread includes good government. We need a government where the people choose our representatives not where politicians choose their voters. Learn more at https://www.hungernetohio.com/redistricting 

Faith Leaders Legislative Lunch April 16th 11-1pm at the Ohio Statehouse.  

Join people of faith and advocates to have lunch with our lawmakers to discuss safe, decent, and affordable housing in Ohio and what can be done to guarantee every Ohioan a bed at night and a full table for dinner. You can reserve your seat at www.hungernetohio.com/events  

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Pennsylvania

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) – lutheranadvocacypa.org

Tracey DePasquale, Director

LAMPa is excited to open registration for Lutheran Day in the Capitol, and our 45th Anniversary Gala Celebration of Advocates on May 9!  We will celebrate and cultivate being church together in Pennsylvania for the sake of the world God loves, lifting up our partnership with ELCA World Hunger as we mark 50 years of striving for a just world where all are fed. 

In February, LAMPa staff participated in the World Hunger Leaders Gathering in Texas. Read what Penn. hunger leaders took away from the event.

Gov. Josh Shapiro announced his budget in February. LAMPa found much to applaud, but called for more investment in anti-hunger programs to meet the need we are witnessing. 

 As we marked National School Breakfast Week with a win and a challenge, LAMPa encouraged congregations to step up in support of summer nutrition programs.  

 LAMPa launched a period poverty postcard campaign on International Women’s Day, Mar. 8, urging lawmakers to support the governor’s request for $3 million for menstrual hygiene products in public schools – a need raised by our ministries with struggling families and individuals across the state. 

Recognizing that Pennsylvania is a pivotal state this election year, Gov. Shapiro launched an elections security task force, and LAMPa shared tips and resources for faithful civic engagement as a way of loving our neighbor. 

 As the daffodils began to bloom in Pennsylvania, LAMPa shared resources for congregations and conferences to mark Earth Day in praise, prayer and action for the care of neighbor and our common home.

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Washington

Faith Action Network  (FANWA) – fanwa.org

Elise DeGooyer, Executive Director

 We are grateful to report that FAN had our successful Interfaith Advocacy Day on February 8. The sun shone upon nearly 200 faithful advocates who gathered from across the state. We heard from plenary speakers including Sen. Yasmin Trudeau and attended workshops on different advocacy topics presented by coalition partners in the morning. Attendees caucused among their districts and met with legislators and staff. This year, the attendees had a unique opportunity of “floor pulls,” and some legislators stepped off the floor to meet their constituents in the lobby. The dynamic presence of FAN advocates at the Capitol served as a reminder of the crucial role faith communities play in legislative advocacy. 

As Washington’s 2024 legislative session wrapped up, we have exciting news. At the time of this writing, some bills that we advocated for are nearing the governor’s desk to be signed into law, including HB 2368 Funding for Services for Newly Arrived Immigrants which impacts those who do not qualify for federal refugee programs, and HB 1541 Nothing About Us Without Us to ensure the meaningful participation of people with direct lived experience on state committees. We also witnessed several major policies stall, such as HB 2114 Limiting Rent Increases at seven percent annually, and HB 1579 Establishing a State Office of Independent Prosecutor. Updates can be found on our bill tracker. 

While some bills’ journeys to become law may have stopped short this year, FAN’s advocacy does not cease. As the legislators finalized the  supplemental budget, FAN network  raised our voices to call for budget allocations that meet the environmental and human needs of communities like children in school, senior citizens experiencing heightened food insecurity, and unhoused people.  

 

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Wisconsin

The Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) – loppw.org

The Rev. Cindy Crane, Director

Voting: On Wednesday Noon Live we interviewed Jay Heck, Common Cause, and discussed how legislative maps in Wisconsin will impact state elections. Heck has been working on fair maps in Wisconsin and explained the nuances of the new maps. We asked him: 

•   What just happened to our Wisconsin maps? 
•   Are the new ones much fairer? 
•   Why did Republicans hang on to the old ones? 
•   Why were some Democrats against the new ones? 
•   How long-lasting are the new maps? 

  Care for God’s Creation:  LOPPW is supporting SB791 that would allow Wisconsin to meet the requirements for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. Wisconsin is one of two states that has not met these requirements. If passed, Wisconsin’s Department of Transportation would administer $78.5 million in federal funding for electric vehicle infrastructure to have Level 3 DC Fast Electric Vehicle Charging Stations every 50 miles on major state highways. 

  Immigration:  LOPPW has been advocating on four state bills relate to DACA recipients receiving occupational licensing, a tax credit, in-state tuition, and allowing them to be police officers. All but the police officer stipulation failed to pass the Assembly before the session wrapped up.  There is some chance the latter will pass in the Senate.  We know the Republican authors are committed to bringing the bills back and that there will continue to be bipartisan support.  

  New Office:  LOPPW moved with the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin into its space at Lakeview Lutheran Church in Madison!