ELCA Advocacy Office, Washington, D.C.

The Rev. Amy Reumann, director                                                                                       ELCA.org/advocacy 

ELCAvotes:In the lead up to Election Day on November 6th, this coming “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday on Sept. 9, will feature ELCAvotes advocacy resources to use during the day of service.This year’s resources will focus on voting rights, including a background resource guide and a template letter to Congress supporting the Voting Rights Advancement Act.  

ELCAvotes is a non-partisan initiative to expand the role of the church in encouraging voter participation. Updated congregational resources, Lutheran Bible studies, factsheets and civic participation guides are online at ELCA.org/votes. More ELCAvotes resources, such as interfaith webinars, blogs and social media toolkits, will be released over the summer and fall. Be sure to sign up to ELCAvotes to be the first to receive new resources!

FARM BILL UPDATE: In late July, the House of Representatives voted to conference with the Senate on the 2018 farm bill. Many of our nation’s most critical food and farm policies depend on the renewal of the farm bill, impacting people from rural America to developing countries. Among the differences between the House and Senate bills that need to be addressed are conservation programs and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

As House lawmakers head to their home districts for August recess, now is a critical time to reach out to legislators in support of compassionate, comprehensive policies that religious leaders have long supported. Find out how you can coordinate action with your lawmakers while they are in town with the ELCA In-District Guide. ELCA Advocacy will share an updated action alert in support of a comprehensive, bipartisan farm bill in August. Stay up to date with the farm bill through ELCAadvocacy blogs.

PREVENTION OF GENOCIDES AND ATROCITIES: On July 17, the House passed the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act. If signed into law, it would recognize preventing genocide and other atrocities as a core national security interest and moral responsibility. ELCA Advocacy and ecumenical partners are major supporters of the bill and its focus on atrocities worldwide.

As currently written, the act would help coordinate U.S. efforts to prevent global atrocities from occurring and also introduce prevention training for foreign service officers. It would also require the president to update Congress on efforts taken to minimize violence in countries at risk and provide global assessments of instability, conflict and atrocities. Lutherans are encouraged to share their opinion on the bill, and ELCA Advocacy will share an action alert with more information on it in the coming weeks.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND JUST TRANSITION: Ruth Ivory Moore, ELCA Advocacy’s Director for Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility, is leading a committee in planning a Talanoa Dialogue on  “ just transition” and “loss and damage” as an affiliate event of the Global Climate Action Summit in September.  The planning committee includes the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary of California Lutheran University, the Lutheran World Federation, ACT Alliance, Brot für die Welt, Lutherans Restoring Creation, and the Lutheran Office of Public Policy-California.   The Talanoa Dialogue brings together faith-based organizations to produce a submission for the consideration of the UNFCCC Secretariat on how to reach zero carbon and resilient economies without leaving stranded employees and communities. The submission will also address the plight of millions of people facing unprecedented humanitarian crises due to environmental degradation resulting  in devastating losses for which no means of adequate compensation exists.

Lutheran Office for World Community, United Nations, New York, N.Y. 

Dennis Frado, director 

FORUM DISCUSSES “SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT SOCIETIES”: In 2012, the U.N. High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) was mandated by the Conference on Sustainable Development. This year’s HLPF met July 9-18 with the theme “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies,” reviewing progress made toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year’s conference included 25 meetings, more than 250 side events and 46 voluntary national reviews attended by more than 2,200 participants. Read the closing remarks of Marie Chatardová, president of the U.N. Economic and Social Council, here; those delivered by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres may be read here.

On July 16, the U.N. Population Fund, in collaboration with U.N. faith-based partners, including The Lutheran World Federation and ACT Alliance, offered the HLPF side event “Strengthening Resilience Through Faith-Based Partnership: Women and Girls’ Health in the Context of SDG 11.”

Faustina Nillan Manyangu, national director for women and children in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, was a panelist. Her work focuses on vulnerable groups of women and children who are marginalized and susceptible within the church and the community at large.

CONSENSUS REACHED ON MIGRATION COMPACT: The final intergovernmental negotiations for the draft Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration were concluded on July 13 by consensus, with formal adoption of the compact slated for December in Marrakech, Morocco. A joint civil-society statement at the conclusion of the negotiations highlighted some of the significant achievements:

• working to end child detention;
• expanding regular avenues for migration and measures for regularization as a way to increase safe, orderly, and regular migration and reduce vulnerabilities;
• emphasizing community-based alternatives to detention and not promoting detention as a deterrent to irregular migration;
• protecting migrants in situations of vulnerability, including those fleeing slow and sudden natural disasters, the adverse effects of climate change and environmental degradation;
• safeguarding the rights of children by adhering to the principle of the best interest of the child at all times and ensuring their protection and access to sustainable solutions;
• ensuring decent work and labor rights;
• promoting concrete gender-responsive policies and the empowerment of women as agents rather than from the lens of victims;
• guaranteeing due process, individual assessment and effective remedy in return procedures by upholding the prohibition on collective expulsion and the principle of non-refoulement;
• strengthening the collection of data on migration to better inform humane policy responses in a manner that respects the right to privacy;
• investing in sustainable development at national and local levels in order to honor the right of migrants to live and support their families in their countries of origin; and
• cooperating to provide international protection to migrants in situations of vulnerability at borders.

They also noted: “Unfortunately, the compact falls short in several important areas and in some aspects steps away from current international standards and regional practice. For example: we regret that no stronger language could be achieved on the non-criminalization of migrants and of those who provide support to them, on firewalls, access to basic services and on full labor rights and freedom of association for irregular migrant workers.”

At a news conference hailing the agreement, Miroslav Lajčák, president of the 72nd Session of the General Assembly, said, “The reality is that migration is here. It has been here for centuries. And it will be here for centuries more. And this agreement addresses this reality. And it offers a way to deal with it.”

Miroslav Lajčák (center), president of the 72nd session of the General Assembly, and co-facilitators for the Global Compact on Migration process: Juan José Gómez Camacho (second from right), permanent representative of Mexico, and Jürg Lauber (right), permanent representative of Switzerland, hold up the gavel at the end of the meeting.

California

Mark Carlson, Lutheran Office of Public Policy                                                                       http://loppca.org 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Before the Legislature left for its summer “work session” (recess), the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee passed SB 100, which has a goal of reaching 100 percent carbon-emission free electrical energy by 2045. Celebrating with LOPP-CA Director Mark Carlson (right in photo) were author Sen. Kevin De Léon (center) and representatives from the Friends Committee on Legislation of California, California Interfaith Power & Light and Yolo Interfaith Coalition for Climate Justice. California is already ahead of the goals set in its Renewable Portfolio Standard.

LOPP-CA is hosting the August Advocacy Day for California Interfaith Power & Light and will be joined by Jane Affonso for the Green California Lobby Day and Awards Reception on Aug. 8. Jane is a Southwest California Synod Council member, co-chairs its Green Faith Team, and is vice chair of the LOPP-CA Policy Council.  On Aug. 7, Jane will join a group from The Belfry, Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry at the University of California-Davis, for a Build the Dream Alliance Lobby Day with a focus on bail reform, reform of law enforcement’s use of deadly force (from “reasonable” to “necessary”), and a ban on required employee arbitration, a reform recommended by advocates for those affected by sexual harassment.

BALLOT MEASURES: The Policy Council met July 14 to consider the 10 measures in addition to Propositions 1 and 2 (housing funds, support). It supported returning rent control authority to local governments, currently pre-empted by the state.

 

Colorado

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–Colorado                                                                  lam-co.org 

BALLOT MEASURES: Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado is participating in two coalitions to support measures for the fall statewide ballot. One is Amendment A, an effort to remove the exception to the ban on slavery in Article II of our state constitution. The language mirrors the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, where slavery and involuntary servitude are not prohibited for those convicted of a crime. If successful, Colorado would be the first state to remove such language from its constitution.

The second measure is Initiative 126, an effort to cap payday loan interest rates at 36 percent. Currently, Coloradans who take out payday loans end up with rates averaging 129 percent, and in some cases, loan rates exceed 200 percent. This predatory, exploitative practice is condemned in the Bible as usury, and we’ve joined a broad coalition of faith-based and non-religious groups to put this measure on the ballot. To learn more, visit stoppredatorypaydayloans.com.

There will undoubtedly be many more measures on our ballot, some of which we may take a position on. For now, we are excited to be working on these two important issues.

BORDER ADVOCACY: The Rocky Mountain Synod put out the call for emergency support for several border agencies that were set to receive hundreds of migrant families during the week of July 23. Families are trying to reunite in the wake of the federal government’s logistically and morally disastrous “zero tolerance” policy. Thank you to all those who have supported this emergency fund!

 

North Carolina 

GeoRene Jones, North Carolina Synod Social Justice & Advocacy Ministries 

#KeepFamiliesTogether: The ELCA in North Carolina offered strong support for #KeepFamiliesTogether events on June 30.

St Mark’s (Asheville), Grace (Hendersonville), Cross & Crown (Matthews), Holy Trinity and Christ Lutheran (Charlotte), Haven and St. John’s (Salisbury), First and Augsburg (Greensboro), Grace and St Philip’s (Raleigh), Christ the King (Cary) Abiding Savior and St Paul’s (Durham), St. Matthew’s (Wilmington) and others across the state rallied, telephoned and emailed legislators in support of immigration and refugee policies that preserve family unity.

Grace (Hendersonville) continues the focus of welcoming the stranger when it jointly hosts “Stranger to Neighbor” presentation(s) of local agencies in their community.

RACISM: ELCA efforts against racism continue as we strive for meaningful inter-congregational relationships. In Charlotte, Holy Trinity (ELCA) and Little Rock (AME-Zion) regularly work shoulder-to-shoulder in outreach. Grace Lutheran and St Paul AME-Zion (Hendersonville) are working together to offer race-relations education, including a potential civil rights bus tour in early 2019.

WILD GOOSE FESTIVAL: Social Justice & Advocacy Ministries joined forces with Lenoir-Rhyne/Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary at the 2018 Wild Goose Festival, July 13-16, in Hot Springs. Festival attendee and presenter, the Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, explains, “The Wild Goose is a progressive, justice, music and arts festival; therefore, there is nothing remotely like it in the United States. I mean, this is it!”

 

New Mexico

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–New Mexico                               lutheranadvocacynm.org 

HEARING ON DETAINED IMMIGRANTS: The Legislature’s interim  Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee recently held a hearing on immigrants and refugees being held in private prisons or detention centers. The hearing room was packed with immigrants and their families, as well as many people concerned about the detention of migrants. Migrants and their families told many disturbing stories about their experiences while being held in private detention centers. There are two such facilities in New Mexico. LAM-NM Director Ruth Hoffman testified against the privatization of prisons using the ELCA criminal justice social statement.

New Jersey

Sara Lilja, Lutheran Episcopal Advocacy Ministry of New Jersey (LEAMNJ) 

SPRING EVENTS AND LEGISLATION: This summer, the Lutheran Episcopal Advocacy Ministry of New Jersey (LEAMNJ) is working primarily on legislative action after a spring filled with educational events. Our spring events included two regional gatherings to learn how to advocate for criminal justice reform and economic justice reform in community; a bus trip with 150 individuals to the March For Our Lives in Washington, D.C., to support the youth-led movement to end gun violence; and the launch of a movement to allow undocumented New Jerseyans to get driver’s licenses. Building off that momentum, we are working hard on two legislative actions: 1) Paid family leave for all New Jersey workers, and 2) Guaranteed $15/hour minimum wage.

1) In March, LEAMNJ co-hosted a lobby day in Trenton, connecting people of faith to legislators on the issue of paid family and sick leave for all New Jerseyans. At the end of that day, the legislation was passed out of the Assembly and was approved by both the Assembly and the Senate. It was a great day of putting faith into action. We anticipate this legislation being signed into law in the fall.

2) There is much support in the Legislature and from the governor for raising the New Jersey minimum wage to $15/hour by 2023. LEAMNJ is mobilizing people of faith to contact elected officials to ensure that all workers (including those working in businesses with tips) are guaranteed that wage when the bill is voted on.

HUNGER ADVOCACY FELLOW: Looking ahead to the fall, LEAMNJ is excited to welcome Erica Earnest as our Hunger Advocacy Fellow for the coming year! Erica recently earned her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and will complete her Master of Social Work from Rutgers in Spring 2019. A big welcome to Erica!

VIDEO: Finally, thanks to a generous grant, LEAMNJ was able to produce a short video to help share our story. That video can be found here.

 

Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy–Pennsylvania                                     lutheranadvocacypa.org

ENERGY-STAR STEWARDSHIP TOUR: LAMPa is joining faith-based partners, in conjunction with the EPA, planning a PA Energy-Star Stewardship Tour Sept. 23-24 at multiple locations across the state. Energy Star is the nation’s voluntary program helping congregations, businesses, schools, homeowners and tenants save energy and water – and, therefore, money.

AIR POLLUTION REPORT: LAMPa Director Tracey DePasquale spoke at a Capitol news conference unveiling the report by the Frontier Group, PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center and the Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, “The air, which is to be life-giving, is for some, death-dealing. And climate change is only going to make this worse.” Read more here.

STATE SUPREME COURT RULING: By a decision of 7 to 0, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on July 18 found that Act 80 of 2012 was enacted in a manner that violated the Pennsylvania Constitution. Advocates, including LAMPa, opposed the measure that hurt Pennsylvanians living in severe poverty, and Community Legal Services challenged the constitutionality of Act 80 with a lawsuit. Learn more.

 

“GOD’S WORK. OUR HANDS.” SUNDAY: LAMPa continues to provide resources for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. Take your service to neighbors a step further toward justice through advocacy. Contact us at LAMPa@lutheranadvocacypa.org and put “Sept. 9” in the subject line. We can also put you in touch with congregations that have successfully incorporated advocacy into their day of service.

Southeastern Synod

Hilton Austin, director               

IMMIGRATION/DETENTION: On June 30, Southeastern Synod Advocacy was involved in marches all across our four states to protest immigration detention centers and the separation of families. In Atlanta, members of our team joined approximately 10,000 people gathered at the Atlanta Detention Center and marched to the Paul D. Coverdale Legislative Office Building.

ELECTIONS: Currently, it seems everything in both Georgia and Tennessee is focused on the upcoming mid-term elections. Some of our team was involved in a get-out-the-vote campaign for July 24 primary runoff elections.

SYNOD ASSEMBLY: Under the theme “Reformation 500 … Now What?,” the assembly considered who God is calling us to be and what God is calling us to do into the future. Bishop Julian Gordy put it this way:

So be of good cheer, friends. In spite of what you may have heard, these are good days to be the church. Opportunities to be Christ for our neighbors abound in this world in which our neighbors are lonely and disconnected from community, a world in which refugees are turned away from the borders of wealthy nations and hearts are hardened against those looking for asylum, a world in which the poor are losing access to health care and nutrition in the world’s richest nation, a world in which race determines too much how people are treated by the law and by institutions and by you and me, a time in which hateful language in high places is a daily occurrence and sword rattling is ascendant, a time in which those claiming evangelical Christianity lead the chorus of condemnation –  in this world, in this Southeast, we can be, we are called to be, “the alternative face of Christianity” … to show the way of God’s love and mercy that are meant for all people.

We had great turnout  for our advocacy workshops, “A Voice in the Wilderness,” as we continue to mobilize more Lutherans to take action on social justice issues.

HUNGER ADVOCACY FELLOW: We are excited about the addition of our new Hunger Advocacy Fellow, Kimberly Jordan Slappey. She will begin her year with us on Sept. 4.

Washington 

Paul Benz, Faith Action Network                                                                                                             fanwa.org  

WASHINGTON STATE AND NATIONAL POLICY: At the federal level, we continue to focus on the farm bill, encouraging our network to advocate for the bipartisan Senate version, which will preserve vital Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding. We have August recess meeting requests in for two moderate Republican House members to meet with faith leaders on this issue as well as on immigration issues.

At the state level, we are beginning to form our 2019 legislative agenda via policy meetings with our many partners.

STAFF TRANSITIONS: As we said goodbye to two staff members last month, we welcomed two more! We are excited to have Sarah Vatne (at left on the right) to join us as an ELCA Hunger Fellow and Tara MillerBerry (on the left) as our administrative and development coordinator.

CLUSTER GATHERINGS: Our annual fall Cluster Gatherings are in the process of being scheduled. These are 21 small group meetings held across the state every fall to gather our members and friends together to hear what is going on in their faith communities and to strategize about how to work together more effectively.

CANDIDATE FORUMS: FAN held three pre-primary (Aug. 7) candidate forums covering four legislative districts. One was hosted by one of our Jewish faith partners in which we were the prime sponsors and brought in 90 attendees to hear from five candidates. We look forward to providing more of these opportunities in the fall.

Wisconsin

Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin                                              loppw.org  

HUNGER, THE FARM BILL, IMMIGRATION AND THE ELCA:  About 55 people attended an event LOPPW organized with hunger volunteers Cindy Dobberke and Molly Riehle of the Greater Milwaukee Synod. We included tips on advocacy, information for advocating on the farm bill and letters on immigration for people to sign. Panelists on immigration included AMMPARO Director Mary Campbell, Bishop Paul Erickson, Faith Santa Fe Lutheran Church’s Pastor Richard Suero and his parishioners, the Hernandez siblings, whose mother was almost deported.

AUGUST ACTION:  LOPPW’s director, council members and other volunteers are working to get appointments with all of Wisconsin’s members of Congress and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to discuss the farm bill and immigration in August while our representatives are in district.

Planning: 

• Oct. 6: Care for God’s Creation Conference

• Nov. 3–4 or 5: Hungry for Change Overnight Lutheran Campus Ministry Retreat for all campus ministries in Wisconsin and the UP, planned by LOPPW and campus ministries in Madison and Milwaukee, to be held in Milwaukee. The focus will be on hunger and will include visits to organizations making a difference with hunger and discussions about advocacy.
• ELCAvotes: Along with a full-time hunger fellow, LOPPW will have an intern via a program developed by Madison Campus Ministry for 10 hours per week. Sarah Schultz has not officially begun but would like to focus on getting students out to vote and sat in on a D.C. office-initiated conference call on ELCAvotes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s post is by Chad Hershberger, Executive Director of Camp Mount Luther in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania.

Sitting along a lakeshore, enjoying the quiet breeze of summer, kids intently listen to a pastor talking about the reach of God’s love through Jesus Christ. The pastor tells them that sharing God’s love will reach far, just like ripples when a stone is thrown into a body of water. Those words are not just spoken. After being told about how God’s love extends beyond our reach, the kids throw a stone into the lake and watch as their ripples extend to the edges of the shore. The message of God’s word comes alive as they commune with their Creator in this place set apart.

Camp worship has been happening all over the country this summer in 126 Lutheran Outdoor Ministry sites. I am blessed to serve one of them and got to throw my own stone into our lake recently as part of this all-camp worship service. I’ve been around my camp since I was nine years old and for me, camp worship is where God really comes alive and God’s presence is truly felt as I’m surrounded by the beauty of creation.

When we gather together at camp as the people of God and invoke God’s presence, we are an extension of congregational worship. We show campers the connections between camp worship and their home church’s worship. Our staff who plans worship are taught the basic shape of Lutheran liturgy. What I think is a little different at camp is that campers are encouraged to be actively engaged. We don’t treat worship as a spectator sport! It is participatory and God’s message comes alive, through our singing, our moving around doing motions, and when throwing rocks into a lake.

You may think from my description that worship at camp is always loud which is not the case! One of my favorite worship services is what we call “field worship.” Campers and staff sit in our field, usually in the dark, looking up at the sky and listening to music and scripture as they spend some time reflecting on God and engaging in silent prayer. My favorite field worship is when Psalm 23 is recited as we lay in the field and listen to soft piano music. Hearing the words “lying down in green pastures” while actually lying down in a green pasture is powerful. Field worship gives campers and staff time to enjoy creation and experience worship in a different way. Even in the silence, God hears our cries of thanksgiving and praise.

It has been my experience that a camp worship service can be very powerful. But as I write this, describing these worship experiences, I recall the words of one of my predecessors here at Mount Luther. Early in my tenure as director, I sat in the kitchen of Don and Betty Mincemoyer who served here in the 1960s. They related the camp mission to their staff in this way: “Every thought a prayer; every action a worship experience.” Having the chance to give expression to what the whole creation yearns to do—praising God from whom all blessings flow—is what we continually do every day as we swim, make crafts, eat meals, hike, and play games. Camp is a place where we continually make our thoughts a prayer and our actions a worship experience. And because of that worship, both on our lakeshores and in other spots of God’s creation, lives are changed as Jesus Christ is encountered in new and exciting ways.

By Whylie Cook, ELCA Advocacy 2018 Summer Intern

 

Last month, we had the incredible opportunity to present about our advocacy work to a group of 50 high school youth from Wisconsin. Having spent nearly my entire life in Wisconsin, it was refreshing to connect with engaged youth that were energized to work for change in their communities.

While our presentation primarily focused on the farm bill and touched a bit on immigration and ELCA AMMPARO, I was extremely overjoyed when we turned to action by writing letters to our congressional leaders. These young people asked intelligent and passionate questions about what it means to live out our faith and love our neighbor. They took advocacy seriously and saw that they can make their voices heard in world that often speaks for them.

A couple of days later while attending a World Refugee Day event in the Senate building, we just so happened to run into the same group again. We decided to take a couple of minutes to help them unpack and debrief about their meetings with their legislators. The group had a successful meeting as well as one that was challenging. I was overjoyed when they were able to name hurtful rhetoric and realize that they were not being heard or taken seriously. They countered the “myths of poverty” with facts and spoke truth to power in love, ushering a compassionate response to poverty based on their faith which calls them to care for their neighbor. Although they felt put down, they were not defeated. In our debrief, I emphasized perseverance in holding our elected officials accountable. Calling state offices, calling national offices, and telling other constituents about their experience is an important part of holding elected officials to the people they serve.

This whole experience reminded me of the greeting among the Masai tribe in Africa, “Kasserian Ingera,” meaning “And how are the children?” These young people reminded me of how all to often, we dismiss the voices of our youth. We tell them that they can’t vote so they should not speak on issues of public policy or we dismiss them because of their age. We tell them that they have no place in our national debates which at the end of the day, immensely affect them. Our youth cry out for the longing to feel safe from gun and police violence in schools and their communities, and are instead met with not only silence, but also those who invalidate their violence and pain. How are the children? 15 million children live in poverty the United States. Instead caring for them, we cut social services, we cut affordable housing, and we debate whether or not poor children should have a right to live through health insurance. How are the children? Children are separated from their families and portrayed as criminal through our rhetoric. How are the children?

While adults often clamor about public policy, we sometimes forget to listen to the children. But the call of the Gospel is clear: ¹⁴ but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matthew 19:14). Our faith calls us to listen to the children because they are chosen and loved by God, vulnerable, and are our future. We must listen to Jesus who speaks through the children at our border. We must listen to Jesus who speaks to elected officials through young adults who call for us to feed the hungry, provide for the poor, and care for our neighbor. We must listen to our children who work toward justice and peace, refusing to let the darkness consume the light and love of God. We must listen to our children who fear violence when going to school or walking down the street. We must listen to our children who don’t have clean water to drink and clean air to breath.

In the Gospel according to Matthew Jesus commits us to “take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:10). It is through these vulnerable children whom God reveals God’s intending for a world where justice, love, and grace abide. May we always ask “how are the children”, listen to our children, and advocate for our children. May it be so.

Today’s post features words of five young people who spent time in Drawn In! Moving Out, the worship interactive learning space at the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering.

Last month on the blog, Annemarie Hartner Cook, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Maple Shade, New Jersey, shared her perspective on the first ever worship interactive space as part of the ELCA Youth Gathering. Over the course of three days, hundreds of youth came to explore this center in a variety of ways. We hope you enjoy hearing about why the event was meaningful to them in their own words.

Sy Shipman (back row, third from left) worships at St. John Lutheran Church (Windfall) in Cardington, Ohio.

I really enjoyed how it brought us together…The procession we did was fun, familiar, yet also different. I have never seen streamers on poles as part of a procession and it was neat to see that this could be something we could do at worship in our church some time! This experience started some conversation about symbols in worship and will hopefully continue to open our eyes to the depth of what we do in worship.

Taknowledge Andrew Wagner (below) worships at Augsburg Lutheran Church and Christ Beloved Community Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

When my pastor showed me the “dress up as a pastor” section and I listened to the music they were playing, it was so joyful and I stayed there until I left. I fell in love with that section and it was so fun to be there. When I put on the pastor’s robes it made me feel so much like a pastor; that’s when I said I will stay here until I leave the interactive center. When the people told me I looked so good in the robe, I felt Jesus hugging me. But my favorite part is when I walked around the center with a lot of new friends and it was so amazing to feel welcomed by the new friends.

Courtney Ng (right) worships at Holy Trinity in Bellerose, New York.

I went to the interactive center on the fourth day and it was a very exciting place to be for the day with all the activities and booths going on. As a piano player and growing up to have a passion for music, I was extremely delighted listening to other people play and experience the music section of the center. Everyone was open and great to talk to and it was a wonderful experience.

Natalie DiMundo (front row, second from left in green) worships at St. Paul Lutheran in Santa Monica, California.

The worship interaction booth at the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering was one of the most memorable components of the week. The musical area was my favorite, because I love playing music (especially with other people). This interaction booth was so memorable because it helped the group from my church bond and make connections. Because we needed to work together for the “service” or “acolyte olympics” to flow, we were able to become closer friends and fellow worshipers.

 

McKenna Moritz (left in purple) worships at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Dublin, Ohio.

The worship station was a fun learning experience for everyone who did it. We experienced an acolyte Olympiad and got to dress up like different members of the church community. I also liked the poster board set out to write prayers for different things around our world. Overall it was a great experience.

Thanks be to God for these young people and all who explored this center and attended the ELCA Youth Gathering! How can you continue to nurture the gifts of the young people in your assembly’s worship?

Issue 59 of Administration Matters

Tips for computer and internet safety

By better understanding security threats associated with the use of computers and the internet, and by understanding the manner in which these threats are exploited, you can better protect your congregation, your congregation’s information, computers and computer files. >More

New Wholeness Wheel Bible study

Published by Portico Benefit Services and authored by Pastor Amanda Nesvold of Christ Community Lutheran Church in Green Bay, Wis., this resource was a hit at this year’s synod assemblies! Use it alone or with others to consider how you’re stewarding all dimensions of your life and faith. >More

Tips for building projects

Have a building project in mind? Check out this link from Church Mutual Insurance Co. to learn more about what you need to know. Also, consider the Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA for your building financing needs. >More

Unemployment exemption for churches

Churches and religious organizations are not liable for the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA). For further information on FUTA, see IRS Publication 15, Circular E, Employer’s Tax Guide; IRS Publication 15-A, Employer’s Supplemental Tax Guide; and IRS Publication 517, Social Security and Other Information for Members of the Clergy and Religious Workers.

How to prepare for a malicious attack

Though attacks on churches are (thankfully) a rare occurrence, it is still a good idea for houses of worship to plan for the possibility of unexpected violence. >More

Leave roof work to the pros

Trying to fix a roof yourself can be hazardous. Since working on a roof is dangerous, be sure to leave the job to the professionals – they just might save you from a serious injury. >More

 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  joined 144 Faith organizations in sending the following letter to Chairman Pete Sessions and Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee Representative James McGovern asking them to support amendments in the Appropriations bill that protect the Johnson Amendment.

 

                                                                                                                                              July 16, 2018

Mr. Pete Sessions                                                                               Mr. James McGovern
Chairman                                                                                             Ranking Member
House Rules Committee                                                                   House Rules Committee
Washington, D.C. 20515                                                                   Washington, D.C. 20515

 

Dear Chairman Sessions and Ranking Member McGovern:

 

The 145 undersigned organizations write to urge you to rule in order Wasserman Schultz Amendment #8 and Lewis Amendment #48 to strike the language in Section 112 of the House 2019 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. This provision would make it effectively impossible for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to enforce a long-standing federal law, sometimes referred to as the Johnson Amendment, insofar as it applies to houses of worship.

The Johnson Amendment protects the integrity of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, including houses of worship, by ensuring they do not endorse or oppose candidates. Weakening current law would allow politicians and others seeking political power to pressure churches for endorsements, dividing congregations, and opening them up to the flow of secret money. Americans do not want our charitable nonprofits, houses of worship, and foundations to be torn apart by partisan campaign politics. We must keep this valuable safeguard that protects our houses of worship, our charitable and philanthropic organizations, and our political process.

Under the current law, which has been in place for the last six decades, houses of worship have maintained robust free speech rights and can speak out on any political and social issues that they see as important. They currently can engage in public debate on any issue, host candidate forums, hold voter registration drives, encourage people to vote, help transport people to the polls and even, with a few boundaries, lobby on specific legislation and invite candidates to speak. They simply cannot endorse or oppose candidates for public office and maintain their special tax-exempt status.

Section 112 would make it very difficult for the IRS to investigate claims that churches have violated the law by requiring consent from the IRS Commissioner for each investigation and notification to two committees in Congress before such investigations commence. The first requirement would slow down, if not functionally halt, the pursuit of 501(c)(3) violations, while the second would only further politicize these law-enforcement investigations.

Additionally, although the current law applies to all 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, Section 112 in the Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill would apply only to houses of worship. By giving houses of worship special treatment in the enforcement of IRS restrictions on intervention in political campaigns, the amendment raises serious concerns under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and undermines religious freedom.

Opposition to the repeal or weakening of the Johnson Amendment is overwhelming: 106 religious and denominational organizations, more than 5,800 charitable nonprofit organizations, more than 4,500 faith leaders,and state charities officials have all written to Congress to urge it to protect the Johnson Amendment.We firmly urge you to rule in order the Wasserman Schultz Amendment #8 and Lewis Amendment #48 to remove Section 112 because it would weaken the law that protects houses of worship and other charitable nonprofits.

 

Sincerely,

Action on Smoking and Health
The Afiya Center
African American Ministers In Action
African Methodist Episcopal Church
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Agricultural-Natural Resources Trust
Alliance for Strong Families and Communities
Alliance of Baptists
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
American Atheists
American Baptist Churches USA
American Baptist Home Mission Societies
American Conference of Academic Deans
American Conference of Cantors
American Council on Education
American Family Voices
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
American Humanist Association
American Jewish Committee (AJC)
American Society of Association Executives
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Anti-Defamation League
The Arc of the United States
The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.
Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (AWAB)
The Atlantic Foundation
Autism Society of America
Baptist Center for Ethics
Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty
Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America
Baptist Women in Ministry
Bend the Arc Jewish Action
B’nai B’rith International
BoardSource
The Bright Lines Project
Burlesque Hall of Fame
Catholics for Choice
Center for Biological Diversity
Center for Effective Philanthropy
Center for Faith and Giving
Center for Inquiry
CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers
Center on Conscience & War
Central Conference of American Rabbis
Christian Board of Publication/Chalice Press
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, US Provinces
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Council for Global Equality
Council on Foundations
Democracy 21
Disciples Center for Public Witness
Disciples Justice Action Network
The Episcopal Church
End Citizens United
Equal Partners in Faith
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Every Voice
Forum for Youth Investment
Freedom From Religion Foundation
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Friends of the Earth
Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
Girls Inc.
Greenpeace USA
Habitat for Humanity International
Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.
The Henry Ford
Hindu American Foundation
Hindu Mandirs Executives’ Conference
Hip Hop Caucus
Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings
Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation
Human Rights Campaign
Impact Fund
Independent Sector
Interfaith Alliance
Institute for Science and Human Values
Islamic Networks Group
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
The Jewish Federations of North America
JWI
Keshet
Land Trust Alliance
Lymphoma Foundation of America
Management Assistance Group
Medical Students for Choice
Men of Reform Judaism
MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership
Methodist Federation for Social Action
Morino Institute
Music Medicine Institute
Muslim Public Affairs Council
NARAL Pro-Choice America
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
National African American Clergy Network
National Association of Charitable Gift Planners
National Benevolent Association
National Center for Lesbian Rights
National Center for Transgender Equality
National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
National Council of Churches
National Council of Jewish Women
National Council of Nonprofits
National Employment Law Project
National Human Services Assembly
National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund
NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies
New Baptist Covenant
New Ways Ministry
Nonprofit Leadership Alliance
North American Bramble Growers Research Foundation
North Side Action & Resistance (Indivisible)
Nursing Students for Sexual & Reproductive Health
Partnership for America’s Children
Pension Fund of the Christian Church
People For the American Way
Phillips Theological Seminary
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Public Citizen
Rachel Carson Council
The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
Religious Institute
Rootstrikers Project at Demand Progress
Secular Coalition for America
Senior Executives Association (SEA)
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS)
T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
The United Methodist Church – General Board of Church and Society
Union for Reform Judaism
Unitarian Universalist Association
United Church of Christ, Justice & Witness Ministry
United Philanthropy Forum
U.S. PIRG
Vibrant America, Inc.
Voices for Progress
Volunteers of America
WasteWater Education
Women of Reform Judaism
Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual (WATER)
Youth Advocate Programs
YWCA USA

Today’s post is by Annemarie Hartner Cook, Pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Maple Shade, New Jersey. Annemarie served as a staff member for the ELCA Worship Interactive Center at this summer’s Youth Gathering in Houston, TX.

“It’s a worship playground, a lab, a place to explore and have fun!”  

This is how I would describe the “Drawn In! Moving Out!” interactive worship space designed for youth and their leaders at the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering. For the first time in thirty-one years, the ELCA Worship staff had a presence in the interactive learning center during the gathering. In collaboration with the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians and Lutheran Summer Music,the ELCA Worship staff designed a 3,600 square foot space where experimentation, musical collaboration, creativity, and even a little competition could flourish.

An “Acolyte Olympiad” tested the accuracy and speed of acolytes old and new in a relay course complete with candle lighting, processing, and setting the table for communion. The “Vestment Photo Booth” allowed youth to try on albs, stoles, chausibles, dalmatics, and even birettas (hats) so they could envision themselves as worship leaders and take photos together. Anne Edison-Albright of Luther College remarked that, “a group of three young women showed me the photo they took, arms lifted in orans posture. They told me it made them feel like pastors, and we all got a little tear-y. This was a Godly play area for high school youth, and they needed it, and we need them to be able to imagine themselves as leaders in the church! It helped them try on a possible future, and they loved it.”

A collaborative music space was stocked with flutes, trumpets, percussion, piano, and even an organ. Professional church musicians provided leadership for the soundtrack to our conversations, exploration, and joy. Pastor Sami Johnson noted, “My student who has a hard time fitting in found his home in your booth. He gravitated to the trumpet and ended up teaching someone else how to hold the instrument and some basic fingerings, and then he kicked off a jam session. It blew my mind to see him take leadership like that. So, thank you!”

At its heart, this space was dedicated to inviting youth to understand that worship belongs to them as much as it belongs to the rest of the church. In many worshipping communities there are few roles for youth in the planning and work of worship. Often the committees or staff that handle those things invite and expect youth to participate in limited ways that don’t utilize their creativity and unique relationship with their faith. Youth have a passion for worship in its ability to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ in ways that are both familiar and brand new.

The response to these opportunities was immediate and at times overwhelming. It seemed that in the act of giving permission to explore, touch, and play with items and instruments that they had previously presumed were off limits, there was joy. This worship playground enabled youth to literally see themselves as the leaders of worship and music for the church. They wrote beautiful prayers and asked thoughtful questions about worship and how they can continue to be involved. Our “Dismissal Buttons” gave them a chance to write their own dismissal, giving them a tangible way to be sent from this gathering back to their congregations.

Over the course of the Gathering we continued to have conversations and received inspiring stories from youth and their leaders about the impact that this space had on their vision for worship at home and even their own vocations (See the “Part Two” blog post highlighting the words from the youth themselves). Some youth would come back over and over again, hoping to beat their time in the Acolyte Olympiad, play the organ, or dress in an alb and stole. In the end, what started as permission to play became an opportunity for real discernment into how these youth can have a greater role as worship leaders at home and into the future.

 

By Elena Robles,Hunger Advocacy Fellow

 

The House of Representatives and Senate have returned from the July 4^th Recess, and ELCA Advocacy and the Advocacy network look forward to their next movements to complete the 2018 Farm Bill. The 2018 Farm Bill funds the food system, ensuring farmers get access to the support and resources needed to produce food in sustainable ways, and guaranteeing hungry people domestically and internationally are supported through the various food programs that the bill funds.

 

 

House of Representatives

In April the House of Representatives released their version of the Farm Bill, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act (HR.2), which provided strong supports for farmers and international food assistance programs. HR.2 failed to pass the first time it was voted on and passed by only two votes the second time. Hunger Advocates have expressed concern for how HR.2 would impact the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps). The proposed reforms would create additional work requirements, shift funding from the programs into the creation of short-term job trainings and would ultimately negatively impact millions of low-income seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, unemployed adults and families with children who rely on the program. Learn more about the Agriculture and Nutrition Act here.

Senate

The Senate, through the bipartisan leadership of Chairman Roberts and Ranking Member Stabenow, were able to draft and pass the Agriculture and Improvement Act (S. 3042) with 85 senators voting in favor. This is the highest vote count of approval in Farm Bill history and an excellent example of bipartisanship. The Agriculture and Improvement Act was lauded for its continued support of farmers, generous funding for international food assistance and protection of structure and funding for SNAP. Learn more about the Senate Farm Bill through the Food Research and Action Center.

 

 

Next Steps?

Senators and Representatives from both parties will need to come together to pass a final  2018 Farm Bill that establishes a strong foundation for our food systems. House and Senate leaders will appoint Conferees to serve on a conference committee tasked with negotiating a Farm Bill that can be passed by both chambers.There is hard work ahead for the Conferees as they work towards navigating major differences in SNAP funding and structure, issues around conservation, and the upcoming midterm elections which could impose serious time limits on getting a bill through both chambers. The ELCA network will be mobilized to take action on contacting Conferees for a Farm Bill that reflects the needs of all of our communities. Lutherans have a powerful faith voice to share as we continue to urge legislators to support both the needs of farmers and families who rely on nutrition assistance. 

 

 

ELCA Advocacy Office, Washington, D.C.

The Rev. Amy Reumann, director               ELCA.org/advocacy

July 21, PRAY.FAST.ACT.: On Saturday, July 21, we join with The Episcopal Church in our monthly commitment to #PrayFastAct. This month, our focus is on protecting Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security for the future. Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security are the core of our nation’s medical and income safety net for the elderly, unemployed, underemployed and disabled. In recent decades, investments in programs that spur the economic potential of individuals has declined, which has led to an increase in the number of people needing the support of these programs. Together, these programs and other safety net measures represent a significant amount of annual federal spending. Recently, proposals have been made to change the programs by manipulating eligibility or coverage to reduce spending. Difficult, but responsible, changes require Congress and the nation to invest in programs that reduce the long-term need for these programs and minimize the individual impact of the economic cycle so that these programs can cost less because they are needed less.

FARM BILL: The Senate passed a bipartisan 2018 farm bill last month that ELCA Advocacy supported. The bill will now go to a conference between the House and Senate. ELCA Advocacy plans to work to ensure that the Senate bill prevails over the House bill, which would make cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Learn more about the Senate and House versions of the farm bill by reading “The Senate Farm Bill: What a Difference Bipartisanship Makes” on the ELCA Advocacy blog.

MIGRATION and AMMPARO: In June, the House rejected a hardline immigration bill introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va. Securing America’s Future Act (H.R. 4760) would have drastically cut the nation’s legal immigration levels and provided funding for building a border wall, while also offering temporary status for “Dreamers.” ELCA Advocacy opposed the bill. The House has yet to vote on a proposed compromise immigration bill. You can take action on this issue by visiting the ELCA Advocacy Action Center. 

President Trump signed an executive order to address family separation at the U.S.-Mexico border. The executive order fails to end the zero-tolerance policy that criminalizes parents and expands family detention. ELCA Advocacy will continue to stand against family detention, advocating instead for community-based alternatives to detentions. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service has piloted alternatives for families.

INTERNATIONAL FOOD ASSISTANCE: On June 20, the Senate passed the Global Food Security Reauthorization Act. The legislation calls on Congress to extend the authority of the Global Food Security Act of 2016 for a few more years. The act established a comprehensive U.S. global food-security strategy that has enabled the U.S. government to improve the way food and nutrition programs are implemented and accounted for. As a result, some developing countries have been able to increase agricultural productivity and education opportunities. These programs help farmers feed their families and communities and contribute to their countries’ economic growth. The House has yet to pass its version of the bill.

 

Lutheran Office for World Community, United Nations, New York, N.Y. 

Dennis Frado, director

 

CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres spoke marking the start of this year’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on June 12 to a conference of signatories to the convention, which he described as one of the most widely ratified international human rights treaties. The convention reaffirms that people with disabilities are entitled to the same treatment as everyone else.

People with disabilities still often face overt discrimination, stereotyping and lack of respect for their basic human rights – with women and girls disproportionately affected. The secretary-general said that “every minute, more than 30 women are seriously injured or disabled during childbirth,” and that women and girls with disabilities face multiple barriers to accessing education, health services and jobs.

“Without women’s empowerment and gender equality, millions of women will continue to suffer from double discrimination based on both their gender and their disability,” he added. The secretary-general also spelled out the need for new approaches for and with people with disabilities, including mainstreaming disability in national legislation and development strategies.

Catalina Devandas Aguilar, U.N. special rapporteur on the rights of people with disabilities, noted that while progress has been made, it is not reaching everyone in the same way. “There is a great demand for public interventions of better and higher quality,” she said. “Only by working together will we fulfil our common goal of leaving no one behind.”

PILGRIMAGE TO PEACE PANEL FEATURES LUTHERAN EDUCATOR: On June 22 the Church Center at the United Nations was the site of Churches for Middle East Peace’s  Pilgrimage2Peace panel discussion hosted by the U.N. NGO Working Group on Israel-Palestine, of which Lutheran Office for World Community is a member. “Peacebuilding and Constructive Conflict in Israel, Palestine, and the broader Middle East” featured Georgette Hazboun Rabadi, principal of the Evangelical Lutheran School in Beit Sahour, Palestine, and Mara Lee, global executive director of the OneVoice Movement. Kyle Cristofalo, director of advocacy and government relations with churches for Middle East Peace, was the moderator.

Rabadi works to empower students and families in the region from all religious, economic and social backgrounds. She educates children and young people about global issues, connecting them with their peers locally and internationally, and inspiring them to make a difference. Her school offers student exchange programs in Europe and a local school-to-career program with guest speakers offering Palestinian narratives along with the opportunity to work on projects. She reports that when Palestinians are asked what they want, the response is: “We want the right to live with dignity.”

Lee works with the OneVoice Movement, an initiative supporting grassroots activists in Israel, Palestine and globally who are working to build human infrastructure to create the necessary conditions for a just and negotiated resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In conversation about conflict resolution, the initiative’s goal is to be pro-solution, pro-peace, and pro-humanity.

 

California

Mark Carlson, Lutheran Office of Public Policy                            loppca.org

BUDGET UPDATE: With no line-item vetoes, Gov. Jerry Brown approved a General Fund budget of about $140 billion that includes items supported by LOPP-CA to increase the CalWORKS/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families assistance grants intended to relieve childhood poverty, increase spending for child care, expand census outreach and make the state Earned Income Tax Credit available for more low-income taxpayers. Proposals to provide Medi-Cal (Medicaid) coverage for low-income young adults and seniors, regardless of immigration status, did not make it into the final budget. LOPP-CA Director Mark Carlson mixed with some of the Poor People’s Campaign participants and tried to connect some of the “outside” protestors with actual budget and legislative decisions being made “inside.”

 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: LOPP-CA was site host for a California Interfaith Power & Light Advocacy Day, supporting bills to set stronger goals for renewable electrical energy (SB 100), protect California’s coastline should the federal government seek to expand offshore oil drilling, and establish goals for carbon reduction from ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft. LOPP-CA also offered brief testimony in the Senate Elections Committee supporting stronger sponsor and funding disclosure in social media ads for ballot measures.

NOVEMBER BALLOT: California voters will decide on 12 measures, three placed on the ballot by the Legislature and nine that reached via the initiative petition process. Our priority continues to be the housing bond, cahahousing.org (Programs and Initiative). Carlson hosted the June conference of ELCA rostered leaders gathering at a permanent supportive housing site where Lutheran Social Services of Northern California provides services (photo).

 

North Carolina 

Georene Jones, North Carolina Synod Social Justice & Advocacy Ministries

THE NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD ASSEMBLY PASSED A RESOLUTION ON IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEES: The first included provisions to demand a halt to detention and deportation of people not found guilty of a felony until comprehensive immigration policy reform is passed by Congress, permanent legislation providing full citizenship to “Dreamers,” and pathways to citizenship for non-felon resident immigrants without documentation, and for maintaining family unity.

Additionally, the document demanded compassionate treatment of all who seek safety and hope in the U.S., as well as encourage increased individual and congregational support of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Lutheran Services Carolinas, and participation in the ELCA’s Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities (AMMPARO).

A second resolution regarding refugees states that in the face of the largest displacement crisis since World War II, the U.S. must honor its commitment to accept no fewer than 45,000 refugees for resettlement through fiscal year 2018 and to increase the number admitted in 2019 to 75,000.

Full-text of the resolutions as adopted are available at:

18-03 Advocacy & Action for Immigration and 18-04 Acceptance & Resettlement of Refugees.

 

 

New Mexico

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – New Mexico  lutheranadvocacynm.org

LAM-NM WORKS WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS: We recently attended an advocacy training for the Dental Therapy Coalition, which is working to enact a statute creating the mid-level profession of dental therapist. Having dental therapists would increase the number of dental providers particularly in underserved areas of our large state. We also attended the 2108 Kids Count Conference sponsored by New Mexico Voices for Children. Over 200 people networked and heard presentations about ways to improve the lives of New Mexico’s children. Our state ranks at or near the bottom in child well-being.

 

Ohio

Nick Bates, Hunger Network Ohio                                                            Nick@HungerNetOhio.org

A great synod assembly season! Hunger Network Ohio attended the Northeastern Ohio Synod and the Southern Ohio Synod assemblies this year. Between the two, we collected over 65 postcards for our congressional representatives to protect nutrition assistance in the farm bill. Both assemblies had a feature of justice.

The Northeastern Ohio Synod heard Amanda Silcox share her experience as an ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission participant and a Hunger Advocacy Fellow serving this year in the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, but originally from the Northeastern Ohio Synod. The assembly was moved by her passion and commitment to justice in our community. Likewise, the Southern Ohio Synod featured workshops on advocacy, hunger, immigration and racial inequality, including a powerful liturgy prepared by the synod’s race relations task force. Our synod assemblies are a great opportunity not only to accomplish the business of our synods but also a chance to come together to learn and grow in relationship and our understanding of the gospel.

We would also like to mention First English Lutheran Church, which is now the second congregation in Columbus hosting a family in sanctuary. Bishop Dillahunt and many congregational leaders, fresh off the busses and planes from Houston, attended a news conference to support Miriam Vargas on July 2. We will continue to live into our synod resolutions, the ELCA AMMPARO initiative and our gospel calling to welcome and love the neighbor.

                                        

 

 

Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy – Pennsylvania                             lutheranadvocacypa.org

LAMPa AT SYNOD ASSEMBLIES: LAMPa staff shared displays, information and workshops at the Lower Susquehanna, Allegheny and Upper Susquehanna synod assemblies.

SYNODS PASS SOCIAL JUSTICE RESOLUTION AT ASSEMBLIES: The Lower Susquehanna Synod adopted a resolution regarding homelessness. The Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod adopted a resolution on migrant minors and family separation at the U.S. borders. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod adopted a resolution of concern for migrant minors separated from family. The Upper Susquehanna Synod passed a resolution regarding migrant children calling for humane, compassionate treatment of those designated as undocumented minors.

 

LAMPa PARTICIPATES IN ELCA YOUTH GATHERING : LAMPa partnered with ELCA Advocacy and Lutheran Outdoor Ministries sharing an interactive exhibit, “Be the Change: Means of Grace, Scenes of Grace.” Visitors entered a space set apart to connect with God’s good creation. They discovered the fun and profound ways faith is nurtured in nature and left transformed, prepared to be the change.  

CONNECTING LUTHERANS WITH ISSUES: June was a busy month for LAMPa staff as they issued advocacy alerts to constituents for federal and state issues. Federal action on the House farm bill, two immigration bills and family separation at the border. State alerts were shared regarding the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and “Safe Harbor.”

BUDGET AND CLEAN-SLATE LAWS SIGNED: Gov. Tom Wolf signed the 2018-2019 budget and clean-slate bill into law making it easier for people who have committed crimes to move on with their lives. LAMPa has advocated for this bill for several years.

 

 

Virginia

Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy                                              virginiainterfaithcenter.org/

WHAT’S NEXT?: After late May’s Medicaid expansion victory at the Virginia General Assembly, everyone has been asking “what’s next?” Although the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy will be looking at overall policy priorities in upcoming weeks, it does plan to follow through on other priorities that need work, such as strengthening enforcement against wage theft and encouraging living wages, and making Virginia more welcoming to immigrants and others. We are also exploring what we should be doing in terms of making sure that people eligible for Medicaid expansion actually sign-up. There is no shortage of work to do.

Our staff has met with many chapters and affiliates in the last few weeks across the commonwealth. Although everyone is excited about Medicaid expansion, groups are ready and eager to continue their good work. Our chapters and affiliates are:

• making plans for how the faith community can assist with Medicaid enrollment;
• meeting with legislators about priority issues for the 2019 General Assembly;
• building Living Wage Certification programs (The Richmond program has launched and Alexandria    should launch soon; Charlottesville is in the planning phase and a new planning group has formed in Harrisonburg); and
• talking with sheriffs about how best to work with immigrant communities.

 

 

Washington 

Paul Benz, Faith Action Network                      fanwa.org

SUMMITS: FAN finished the last of four annual spring summits on June 10. Every year, we convene these regional gatherings across the state to hear our advocates’ policy priorities and share what FAN is doing. This is an important way to maintain and deepen relationships with our members. This year, we convened more than 175 advocates from many  denominations and faiths at our Puget Sound Summit.

POLICY ISSUES: This time of year, FAN is focused on Congress, advocating on the farm bill, the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, immigration bills, and the related Public Charge rule. We are staying in touch with our Washington, D.C., faith-based lobbyists while educating and activating our network of almost 7,000 advocates organized in our 10 congressional districts.

CANDIDATES FORUMS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: FAN will be sponsoring, planning and conducting several candidate forums at faith communities in critical races in our state. Our state’s primary is in August, so most of these forums are in September and October. This is a great public witness for FAN and faith communities to play in the electoral process.

 

 

Wisconsin

Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin                      loppw.org

SUMMER PLANNING FOR UPCOMING EVENTS: 

• July 17: “Hunger, the Farm Bill, Immigration and the ELCA”: LOPPW is working with two hunger volunteers, Cindy Dobberke and Molly Riehle, who attended the ELCA World Hunger gathering in January, to organize an advocacy event in Milwaukee. Register today online.
• Oct. 6: Care for God’s Creation Conference:  LOPPW and the South-Central Synod Care for God’s Creation team are planning to lift up the cutting-edge work on renewable energy in Dane County and a few other places in Wisconsin. We’ll make what’s working known and encourage grass-roots organizing to duplicate these efforts.
• Nov. 3-4 or 5: Overnight Lutheran Campus Ministry Retreat: LOPPW is working with campus pastors from Milwaukee and Madison to organize the event. We’ll encourage campus ministries from around the state and the UP and possibly beyond to attend. We’re grateful for a grant from First Lutheran Church Foundation in Gladstone, Mich.

CONSULTATION: LOPPW has been gathering information on Wisconsin ICE detention centers to offer to interested pastors and help them discern efforts they can take.

SYNOD ASSEMBLIES: LOPPW had a table and led a workshop at the La Crosse Area Synod Assembly. LOPPW was present at the Greater Milwaukee and the Northwest synod assemblies. Congratulations to the Rev. Laurie Skow-Anderson elected the Northwest Synod bishop!

HUNGER FELLOW: Candidates for the Hunger Fellow position were interviewed and LOPPW looks forward to introducing Kelsey Johnson next month!

 

With more than 30,000 youth and adults from across the ELCA, ELCA World Hunger staff were in Houston, Texas, last week for the 2018 National Youth Gathering. The event is a great opportunity for youth and leaders to learn about the many ministries of the ELCA and our partners. This year, as part of ELCA World Hunger’s Global Farm Challenge, youth had the chance to support ELCA World Hunger’s accompaniment of farmers around the world by offering their donations, glimpse a village in Malawi through a 360-degree virtual reality video, and learn about some of the challenges and opportunities smallholder farmers face through the “Field Experience” track. In this interactive track, participants followed the story of a smallholder farmer and tried their best to bring one of four crops – ginger, corn, citrus trees, or rice – from seed to market. ELCA World Hunger’s interns were a critical part of the event, helping to build and staff the track, guiding youth through the “Feld Experience,” and sharing their own passions and wisdom with participants. Below, Jasmine, Hannah, and Petra share some of their reflections on the Youth Gathering – including the ways that the event shapes staff who work it as much as it shapes the youth who attend.

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“I finally was able to realize what being Lutheran and being Church meant, and it was something truly special.”

This summer I had the privilege of attending the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas. While I thought I was ready to welcome the Youth to our space Thursday morning, I soon realized that nothing could have prepared me for welcoming 30,000 youth! The experience was truly something indescribable, never have I ever worked so hard, stood on my feet so long and felt like I was apart of something so meaningful.

Nervous at first about how the field experience would go—especially the section my fellow interns and I put together—I easily became more comfortable in the space, allowing for me to focus on what was truly important about what was going on around me. What was so impactful and enlightening about this experience had nothing to do with how perfectly I worded each sentence, or how quickly we got the crops from the finish line back to the beginning of the track, it was the small talk, and the connections being made throughout and seeing/ recognizing that over 30,000+ Lutherans were coming together from all over the U.S to celebrate God and grow in faith.

Every morning I was greeted by Petra R. and Hannah N. we would walk down to breakfast debrief for the day then head to the event. Entering this trip with them I never expected our relationships to grow how they did but I guess when you spend nearly 24 hours a day with someone that naturally happens. We all became one another’s support and when I, being the grandma intern got too tired they helped push me out of my comfort zone by encouraging me to attend a mass gathering on Saturday, which I greatly thank them for. Not being a huge fan of speakers and talks I was initially turned off by the idea, but once I was there I realized it was so much more than that, it didn’t matter exactly what was being said on stage, it was the feeling of being in a room with 30,000+ people who all believe in the same thing as you. The theme for Saturday was Hope and I could feel and see hope all around me as I sat amongst the future generations of our country. I finally was able to realize what being Lutheran and being Church meant, and it was something truly special.

I am beyond grateful that I was able to attend the Youth Gathering both because it allowed me share with youth and others ELCA World Hunger’s mission and field experience, as well as it showed me hope for the future and presented a feeling of belonging I had never felt before. I can confidently say that this experience was like no other and will stick with me for a lifetime.

-Jasmine Bolden

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“I saw young people empowered to be the leaders that this church needs…”

When I was selected to be one of ELCA World Hunger’s interns, I had no idea what I was getting into. However, I did know that I would have the opportunity to attend the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering, so I was super excited for what the summer would hold. This trip held an important significance for me, as I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Welcoming 31,000 youth and their leaders to my hometown and educating them about the impact of ELCA World Hunger and the Global Farm Challenge was such a cool experience, even amidst the stifling heat of Houston (which you can never get used to).

The theme of the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering was “This Changes Everything,” and from the moment I first arrived in the Interactive Learning space in Houston, I found that to be true. I met people from all over the United States and the Caribbean, and I like to think I showed them a thing or two about the challenges farmers face around the world.  I even had the privilege of guiding Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton through a section of the “Field Experience”—she could carry a 41.5-pound jerry can of water better than some of the youth!

In the Mass Gatherings, thousands of youth around me were enlivened by the speakers and the messages of hope and grace they brought to my generation. The speakers reflected the theme verse of the event in Ephesians: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8 NRSV). As you know, the youth of this vibrant church are a gift from God, and they were lifted up to be an important part of their churches not only in the future but now. Throughout the Youth Gathering, I saw young people empowered to be the leaders that this church needs, and I am so excited that ELCA World Hunger could be a part of this important faith formation event.

In the last Mass Gathering, the normally dark NRG Stadium was filled with light. The assignment for all the youth was to let someone important to them know that they were loved by sending them a text message with the note “May God hold you in the grip of grace.” After they sent the message, they were to turn their phone flashlights on. Quickly, the entire stadium became as bright as the noonday as thousands of people throughout the United States and the world were told that they were loved by the next generation of Lutheran leaders. After attending this gathering, I am filled with hope for what the church will look like moving forward.

-Hannah Norem

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“…this is what it takes to create a just world where all are fed.”

Beautiful chaos. Everything God-blessed, fast-paced, brightly colored and abundantly emotional— a light sprinkling of buzzwords that only begins to scratch the surface of the ELCA National Youth Gathering. Every three years, an inconceivable amount of sweat, tears, and hope breathes life to this event. Though I believe few people are blessed with having a grip on this whirlwind of an experience due to its sheer magnitude, I thought I had a pretty good idea after attending two. I easily recall the countless post-church potluck lunches, car washes, and wreath sales that brought us ever-closer to our financial goal of affording the Gathering. What I hadn’t realized was the equal anticipation felt by the staff, volunteers, and partners planning the event. Excitement, nervousness, expectation, and anticipation hummed around the office long before our arrival, for everything ELCA World Hunger’s part in the event would be. Everything I got to hear, see, and have a hand in bringing to fruition, though, was just a tiny part of the entire event. The massive floorspace we would curate was but a planet in the entire solar system of NRG Center activities, and a tiny-but-mighty speck in the galaxy of events participants would encounter in the week.

Rather than humbling, this realization was enlivening. It brought urgency to pouring ourselves into ELCA World Hunger’s area, ensuring it precisely and accurately reflected all the learning points we prayed groups would grasp. Despite my hoarse throat and empty stomach, I was committed to making my piece of ELCA World Hunger’s “Field Experience” meaningful, fun, and enriching for each group. This is the first and only time these folks that stood before me got to see the space. This was the time they had to learn about what I staunchly believe is one of the best examples of God’s work in this church and the world.

What I pray they carry home is the sentiment of injustice behind the stories they heard, and allow it to fuel action. The participants in the track each followed stories of farmers facing hunger, and in the track, they took on the voices of the farmers – and added their own excitement or frustrations to the mix. “My son is sick!” one girl screamed. Another, “I get to ride a bike!” Or, most often heard, “Aw man, I have to carry my crops?!” These were only a few of the reactions after reading how the “drought” affected each group’s “crops.” The track was a great opportunity for the youth at the Gathering to hear about experiences of others around the world – experiences that may differ from their own – and to be inspired to act.

Just how different would the world look if we each took the time to learn about other’s experiences in the world, what this means for everyone as a global community, where our Church stands in it all, and how God is calling us to respond to injustice and need? Asking these questions and creating avenues for people to explore them—this is what it takes to create a “just world where all are fed.”

-Petra Rickertsen