Most years, Congress recesses for the month of August. Legislators return to their home states and congressional districts and connect with constituents.

This is a great opportunity for local advocates to engage with elected officials, ask questions and share concerns. Our August Recess Guide contains tips for communicating with your elected officials and candidates this month.

Here are some timely questions and talking points based upon ELCA Advocacy priorities.

---

ADDITION 8/8/2019 –

The ELCA is saddened by the all-too-frequent occurrences of gun violence in the U.S. In 1994, the ELCA adopted the social message Community Violence, calling for advocacy to end the cycle of violence in the U.S. Twenty-five years later, this message is still relevant. Our baptismal covenant calls us to strive for justice and peace in all the world.

THIS MOMENT IN TIME: Gun violence

Some 40,000 people died in 2018 from gun violence in the U.S. Somewhere in our country, gun violence daily shatters a community, a neighborhood, a family. Whereas advocacy and the application of ELCA gun-violence positions in the public square are most visible when prompted by mass shootings, such incidents generally reveal the need for sustained spiritual and political response.

Only a small start has been seen in the 116th Congress of legislative response to this need. The House passed the bi-partisan Background Check Act of 2019 (H.R. 8) in February which would close loopholes for certain kinds of guns sales, such as those at gun shows and over the internet, by only allowing person-to-person gun sales if background checks could be conducted. Senate leadership has blocked consideration of this important legislation in that body [update 8/9/2019 – There has been movement on this issue]. Legislation such as the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban that would ban military assault weapons and Ethan’s Law that would require safe storage of firearms should be debated and passed. Policy consideration of high capacity magazine access and gun lock policies is needed as well as investment in domestic violence prevention.

QUESTION:

• As a member of Congress, what are you doing to address the proliferation of guns in our society, the use of military grade weapons in mass shootings, and protection of our children in schools?

 

ORIGINAL POST 7/25/2019 –

God richly provides for our daily bread — the earth can produce enough food for everyone. Yet, many of our sisters and brothers still go hungry.

THIS MOMENT IN TIME: Child nutrition programs
Child nutrition reauthorization is in discussion in the 116th Congress. Right now, the Senate Agriculture Committee is working to write bipartisan child nutrition legislation that would continue the advances made in recent years in child nutrition, add flexibility to the programs, ensure community eligibility for high-poverty school districts and protect progress toward making these meals healthier. The Senate bill could be introduced as soon as Labor Day. The House is behind but could take up a Senate bill quickly.

Child nutrition programs expired in 2015 and must be renewed through congressional action called reauthorization. These programs — school lunches, breakfasts, after-school snacks and summer meals, as well as the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program — prevent hunger and a host of educational and health-related deficiencies for children in nearly every community throughout the country. On an average day during the 2017-’18 school year, 12.5 million low-income children received free or reduced-price breakfasts and 21.9 million received free or reduced-price lunches According to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture data in 2017, 12.5 million (17%) children lived in households facing a constant struggle against hunger.

QUESTION:

• Renewing strong child-nutrition program reauthorization before the end of this year is crucial, but time is short. What are you doing to bring bipartisan legislation to a vote?

 

Secure shelter is a critical component of the foundation of the human person, the absence of which can contribute to hunger and challenges in health care, education, job prospects and more.

THIS MOMENT IN TIME: Affordable housing and homelessness
In the 2019 congressional spending deal, housing programs saw some of the smallest increases compared to other federal programs, and many state budgets face similar circumstances. Because many Lutherans are involved in sheltering and lifting up people who struggle with poverty, many of us would like to see greater investment in and focus on affordable housing.

Lack of affordable housing and rising costs are gaining more attention within local communities. Only an estimated one-third of citizens eligible for affordable housing actually receive assistance, and nearly 11 million families spend over half their income on rent. Skyrocketing housing costs force many to decide between paying for food or settling their other bills, leaving many with the constant threat of eviction and losing their home.

QUESTION:

• Support for housing programs and funding for people facing homelessness are too often a low priority for elected officials. As a national leader, will you work to make access to housing programs a top priority in Congress?

 

As stewards of this world, we are called to care for the earth and examine our behavior toward creation. While we need to take from the land for food and sustainability, we also need to be careful that we maintain good stewardship and do not exploit the wonderful things the earth provides.

THIS MOMENT IN TIME: Renewable-energy tax credit
The current renewable-energy tax credit bill does not prevent the phaseout of a number of crucial renewable-energy tax credits, which have helped to catalyze significant investment in renewable energy development and are beneficial to the environment in lowering emissions and thereby providing for cleaner air. There is discussion around a comprehensive green energy package. Efforts to salvage the tax extensions on wind and solar are critical, so that the progress made thus far is not eroded.

QUESTION:

• How does Congress start to address the tax credits and a green energy package in bipartisan manner?

THIS MOMENT IN TIME: Environmental ills
The 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report and the United States’ own National Climate Assessment report clearly show the state of environment degradation and the harm being caused by emission of greenhouse gases. Additionally, we continue to see a growing number of severe weather events related to the earth’s warming that are causing unprecedented damage and affecting everyone. Congress must begin to address these environmental ills in a bipartisan manner, ensuring that the poor, the elderly — the most vulnerable — are not harmed and do not shoulder the costs of reaching a carbon-neutral society.

QUESTION:

• Where does the Congress stand on developing legislation to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change and to produce resilient communities here in the United States, such as: building resiliency against disasters; leveraging funding for community investments; upgrading and repairing infrastructure; and reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions?

 

Concern for the well-being of others lies at the very heart of Christian faith. Christians have a variety of social identifications through their nation of origin, race, ethnicity or political affiliation, but all Christians have a common identity as children of a loving creator.

THIS MOMENT IN TIME: Foreign assistance
The international affairs budget constitutes just 1% of the federal budget. The U.S. has a rich history of providing humanitarian and development assistance to countries experiencing humanitarian emergencies and extreme poverty. We must protect and sustain our development and humanitarian programs to avoid more costly interventions in the future.

With so many complex challenges in our world, through these programs the U.S. government is able to provide treatment for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria; address food insecurity and malnutrition; and provide care for mothers and children. We know, for example, that even short bouts of hunger and malnutrition in the critical 1,000 days between a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday can lead to needless death and have devastating lifelong consequences for children who survive — reducing their overall health, learning ability and earning potential. Millions of lives have been saved over the years because of U.S. support. But we cannot stop now. This work must continue, especially because more people need assistance due to global instability and ever-increasing humanitarian crises.

QUESTIONS:

• How important do you think it is to provide foreign assistance to low-income countries?
• What would you do to address global health challenges such as Ebola, TB, HIV/AIDS and malaria?
• The needs of women and children are often relegated to the margins when it comes to economic and social advancement programs. What kind of policies and accountability measures can you suggest to address this inequality? Will you commit to working on this issue?

 

Our Lutheran faith calls us to see our neighbors as ourselves. As people flee their communities, the ELCA will continue to stand alongside its immigrant neighbors.

THIS MOMENT IN TIME: Migration
Lutherans have a deep-rooted history in refugee and immigrant issues. The God-given dignity of all people and the value of family unity have been cornerstones of ELCA faith-based advocacy, and we understand that many immigrants, as well as their families, are both frightened and confused by recent developments. We are mindful of those on the forefront, including ELCA congregations in U.S. border communities who are providing spiritual and physical sustenance, as well as border patrol officers, resettlement staff and many others charged with implementing our nation’s policies compassionately. The daily experience of ministries, Lutheran organizations and members “keep before us — so that we do not forget — the grim realities many immigrants face and the strength of character and resourcefulness newcomers demonstrate,” notes the ELCA social message “Immigration.”

Recent policies and practices, including restriction of asylum access, expanding expedited deportations, and conditions in detention centers could prevent many of the most vulnerable asylum seekers from entering the U.S. at ports of entry or going through due process in a U.S. court based upon their legal rights.

QUESTIONS:

• What are you doing to make our broken immigration infrastructure more humane and just?
• What are your views on recent unilateral actions to sequester asylum seekers? What is your plan to address heightened tensions on our southern border?

---

Reach out to your ELCA state public policy offices in more than 16 states or to the ELCA Advocacy national office at washingtonoffice@elca.org. We are available to answer your questions and aid you in the process.

Your question can spark an important conversation and provides an opportunity to hold your elected official publicly accountable. Thank you!

The Word

Micah 6:8 – For what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?

Down the River

As spring turns to summer, you decide to take a nice long walk outside. The sun is shining. You walk through the park, smell the blooming flowers, bask in the shade of the trees. You decide to walk over to the riverfront to cool off, and you notice something in the water flowing downstream. What could that be? You take a closer look and… is that a puppy? What the heck?! You jump in and grab the puppy as it floats downstream and you yell for help. Someone comes over and tends to the needs of the puppy, another pets it, and yet another feeds the puppy. Someone else looks for future care, housing, family. What a stressful moment! Thank God that’s over with.

Until…

Someone notices another puppy in the river. You pull the puppy out and repeat the pattern of care. And then another. And another. Soon, more and more puppies are floating downstream and the whole town has come to pull them out. They are caring for them as fast as they can. The patterns of care begins to get organized. Donations come in, rules regarding care get put in place, volunteers come from around the area to help.

As everyone busies themselves in the rescue efforts, a few townsfolk start to run away, up along the shore of the river. “Where are you going?” you shout, “We need everyone’s help to save these puppies!”

“We are going upstream to find out why this is happening and stop whoever is throwing them in.”

What does the Lord require of you?

This story is a way to begin to think about the differences between justice and charity. Charity is the meeting of immediate needs – rescuing and caring for the puppies floating down the river. Food banks, shelters, donations of clothing and assistance with other actions needed to maintain life in our communities. This is necessary work in the world we live in. With rampant systemic inequality, there are a lot of needs to be met and people to help. Justice is working to change the system. Finding out why these puppies are floating downstream in the first place. Looking at policies and legislation and systems in place that are creating these immense divides and inequities. How can we advocate for change to ensure that people’s rights are protected, and their needs are met – before they float downstream in the first place?

Many faith communities do amazing charity work, meeting immediate needs in their communities. Again, this is important and necessary. But what would it look like if more churches took up the fight for justice? If people of faith joined together as a collective voice for equity, for peace, for sustainability, for love? What if they used some of the resources, the connections, the stories, the relationships made from providing these direct services to inform their work in advocacy and justice?

Do Justice.

In July of 2018, I began the ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellowship. This fellowship comes from a partnership between ELCA World Hunger, ELCA Advocacy, and statewide public policy offices across the United States. It’s a 12-month program that combines leadership development with impactful advocacy – working together to end hunger and poverty by engaging directly with local, state and national governments, and equipping people of faith to seek justice and equity. There are 6 of us around the United States this year! My placement for this fellowship has been at Faith Action Network, an interfaith advocacy nonprofit in Seattle that works in coalition with individuals and faith communities from a multitude of different faith traditions and backgrounds. We fight for justice, we advocate to and for our neighbors, and we walk together in solidarity.

 

 

Through this fellowship, I’ve learned about community organizing, creating connections, and leading meetings. A lot of our work culminated during the Washington state legislative session – I did outreach and research, watched committee hearings, analyzed and tracked legislation, and encouraged folks across the state to take action on important bills and legislation. I’ve attended rallies and marches, met with elected officials both in Washington state and congressional folks in Washington DC, and spoken at youth gatherings on the importance of advocacy. I’ve lead workshops and adult education hours on social change and how a bill becomes a law. I’ve gotten to see faith communities literally practicing what they preach – loving their neighbors by fighting for change. I’ve seen churches and people of faith have a voice in advocacy. I’ve gotten to see real change take place along the way.

Love Mercy, Walk Humbly.

This year has been a breath of fresh air. I have seen kindness and love pour from the hearts of so many people working to enact policies that’ll protect and bring life to those around them. Laws and policy can protect and preserve, ignore and neglect, empower and inspire, suppress and marginalize. Creating policy from a point of love and care can be the key difference between these dichotomies.

 

 

Humility is often regarded as putting yourself below others, but I think humility can also be the simple understanding that no one can do this alone. There is much work to be done, and we must work together. This fellowship has been transformative in my understanding of justice, love, and humility. The church can be a powerful voice for change in our world, to help others. To humbly walk up the riverfront, working to change the systems that create inequalities. I hope you will take up this call to advocacy and justice as well. Together let us go to the river – a collective voice shouting for change.

 

—

There are many placements for the fellowship this upcoming year! If you want to learn how to speak out for change, how to move people of faith to care for one another, to fight for policies and legislation that will make this planet a better (and/or livable) place to be, please apply here:

ELCA Job Board

 

Reflection Questions:

1. Where do you see charity or justice being done in your community? In your community of faith?
2. What was a time you participated in / received each of these (charity and justice)?
3.  Sarah shared a passage that is meaningful to her, Micah 6:8. How do you understand God’s call to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly in your own context?
4.  What are some other passages / quotes / texts / songs that inspire you to listen to / work alongside / care for your community?
5. What are some specific gifts YOU bring to the world? How might you “humbly walk up the river” with those gifts to address the root causes of issues in your community?
6. How do you hear the Spirit calling you into the community inside and outside the church today?

 

Sarah is the Hunger Advocacy Fellow at Faith Action Network this year. Growing up in the Seattle area, she has a deep love for the northwest, and continues to fight for legislation to improve her state for everyone in it. After four summers working at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp in Montana, and a year in South Africa with Young Adults in Global Mission, this Fellowship has helped her discern her next step to begin law school in the fall! She’ll study public interest law at Gonzaga School of Law. Sarah’s passionate about intersectional feminism, comedy, playing the cello, the Good Place, Carly Rae Jepsen, strong coffee, hoppy IPAs, and sour candy.

Issue 65 of Administration Matters

ELCA Churchwide Assembly — livestream
The ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the church’s primary decision-making event, is a process of communal spiritual discernment — a time for us to be the living body of Christ, guided by the Spirit and conformed to God’s will. Watch our livestream of the 15th Churchwide Assembly, Aug. 5 through 10.

ELCA Annual Report
Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America share a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person — questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God’s work in Christ’s name for the life of the world. View or download the ELCA Annual Report – 2018 in Review video.

Political activity and tax status
501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from certain kinds of political activity, so your congregation must understand what is permissible and what is strictly prohibited in order to maintain its tax-exempt status. >More

Electrical safety — preventive maintenance
Preventive electrical maintenance is cost-effective in many ways, improves equipment efficiency and reduces utility bills. >More

Data security — protecting your congregants’ information
Data security is the critical process of protecting your congregation’s confidential information against unauthorized use. Data such as Personal Identifiable Information (PII), Social Security numbers, addresses, phone numbers, banking information and more lie at the heart of the organization. Keeping this data protected demonstrates responsibility and increases donor confidence. >More

Spring and summer weather events: Get ready!
Each part of the country has its own warm-weather risks, so prepare your property and your people accordingly for spring and summer in your region. >More

 

In this post, ELCA World Hunger summer intern Aml Mohamed reflects on her experiences of accompaniment in her home country of Egypt.

“Why are you interested in this position at the ELCA?” A classic, expected question during an interview. I paused and asked myself three questions. What is the difference between interning at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a regular nonprofit? Would I care as a practicing Muslim to work at a Lutheran faith-based institution? Would my identity as an Egyptian allow me to work and understand hunger in the US?

These are challenging questions for a rising junior in college. I am still in the process of unfolding my answers to these questions.

My tentative answer to the first question is “I don’t know!” I didn’t have the chance to compare work environments at the ELCA and other nonprofits, yet. However, what I can say is that there is something unique about working at a Lutheran faith-based institution. During orientation, we were learning about accompaniment and how it is reflected in the work of ELCA World Hunger. At the ELCA, accompaniment is defined as walking together in a solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality. Initially, I was not sure how my life related to this model. However, after a few conversations with colleagues, I found that accompaniment is not an unfamiliar term to me. I was able to point to experiences where I saw accompaniment in my home country of Egypt.  

There is a hidden power in seeing people who look like you as change-makers. This what an old friend always used to say. For years, I was on the receiving end of nonprofit organizations’ work. I was involved in programs that focus on youth development and entrepreneurship. At the age of thirteen, I remember being impressed by the staff members working on these programs. Now I understand why — they looked like me.

It is important to see work done by people who look like you, speak your language, and understand your daily life. Those might be small details, but they matter. The nonprofits allowed people from my community to be leaders, therefore, my family and I were able to trust them more. The staff members and leaders were aware of the social views on education and extracurricular activities. For example, a shared view among my parents and others is that education and learning occur only in schools and classrooms. It was difficult to come to an agreement with them that extracurricular activities are as important as school education. However, the staff members understood the culture and communicated effectively and respectfully. Thus, they were able to show them that building life skills inside and outside the classroom is critical for one’s personal and professional growth.

There is also another aspect of accompaniment that I found prevalent in my context — trust. Do you remember when your teacher would assign you tasks to do in class, like resetting the classroom tables or giving your opinion and suggestions for an activity? In such moments, I always felt that I matter. I am young, but I am trusted. I am young, but I am responsible. I am young, but I can contribute with what I have and know.

Accompaniment is not always easy; sometimes it can seem as if organizations and individuals care more about seeing their logos and names on products and services than they do for the people they are working with. Accompaniment means walking together, but most importantly, it means giving one’s companion the full trust and agency to work in their communities. Trust that people can, and they will.

Why is it important to accompany? In my opinion, I think it makes all the difference. Seeing people who look like you, understand you and face similar daily trials sets a great example for the community where work is done. It gives hope, and it maintains dignity, freedom and agency. It means remembering that you are the partner that may be needed at that moment. However, you are not the most important piece of the work.

Working on hunger is sensitive, challenging and overwhelming. However, I work with these things in mind. I will remember the times when I was young and was trusted to do things on my own. I will remember admiring the fact that the leaders in the nonprofits looked like me and understood my context. I will remind myself that to the community I walk in, I am the guest. Everyone has assets that they can contribute to the work and the journey of development. Walking with each other, we can accomplish more together. I hope you can walk along!

By John Johnson, Program Director for Domestic Policy

It happens every single day. Somewhere in our country, gun violence shatters a community, a neighborhood, a family. Almost 40,000 people died in 2018 from guns. That equates with a city the size of Annapolis, the capital of Maryland, struck down in a year – year after year.

Although written in 1995, the ELCA social message on “Community Violence” reads as if describing today.

“For some women and children, home is less safe than the street. Hate crimes continue. Neighborhood, schoolyard, workplace, or family disputes spark into violence and become lethal. They become headline news, reinforcing the atmosphere of violence and inspiring profitable entertainment media” (page 1).

Access to a lethal weapon intensifies the situation. Gun violence disproportionately impacts communities of color. Guns figure prominently in domestic violence and have been used to terrorize our children in schools. The proliferation of guns, assault weapons and the violence that ensues around these weapons is a thief in the night.

Our national reality is that the next tragedy can happen at any moment. Where is Congress? Where is the president? The realities of gun violence are not adequately in the forefront of policy discussion.

Congress and the administration should be debating and passing legislation now like:

• 1994 Assault Weapons Ban – legislation introduced that would ban military assault weapons like the AR-15 used in many recent mass shootings.
• Ethan’s Law – introduced legislation, originating in Connecticut, that would require safe storage of firearms.

The sad reality is that in the current polarized political climate, the likelihood of meaningful legislation passing Congress is remote.  Nevertheless, the values of our faith tradition compel us to keep pressing forward. “Community Violence” adopted in 1994 states that the ELCA advocates in favor of gun control on the basis of the resolution on community violence adopted by the 1993 Churchwide Assembly, which called for “passage and strict enforcement of local, state, and national legislation that rigidly controls manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, purchase, transfer, receipt, possession and transportation of handguns, assault weapons and assault-like weapons and their parts, excluding rifles and shotguns used for hunting and sporting purposes, for use other than law enforcement and military purposes” (page 4 and footnote).

Legislatively, this means we particularly look for measures that will curtail the violence, including

• Limit of high capacity magazines and require gun locks; and
• Invest in domestic violence prevention.

As we watch and advocate for policy developments that will stem the proliferation of gun violence, the church has our lamps lit – like those waiting and ready in Luke 12:35. Our support and leadership can bolster our communities as we

• Build strong anti-violence coalitions in neighborhoods;
• Encourage peer mediation skills in our schools;
• Call out the culture of violence that pervades our national culture and media; and
• Proclaim spiritual and moral resources for replacing fear and violence with hope and reconciliation in our homes, communities and nation.

 

United Nations | California | Colorado | Minnesota | Nevada | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Southeastern Synod | Washington | Wisconsin

---

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

Dennis Frado, director

GENERAL DEBATE ON HIV AND AIDS: On June 3, the annual debate took place in the General Assembly concerning the Implementation of the 2001 Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the 2011 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS. The UNAIDS target of reducing HIV by 2020 is just a year away — 90-90-90 (diagnose 90% of all HIV-positive people, provide antiretroviral therapy to 90% of those diagnosed and achieve viral suppression for 90% of those treated by 2020). This target is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 3 target 3:3 of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

As Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, chef de cabinet of the secretary general’s executive, pointed out, when AIDS was first identified more than 30 years ago, suffering and death seemed unstoppable.  Years later, nearly 8 million deaths have been averted since 2000 and three-quarters of people living with the virus now know their status. Unfortunately, this progress remains uneven. Since 2010, Eastern Europe and Central Asia have witnessed a 30% increase in HIV infections.

Ten years ago the ELCA Church Council adopted the ELCA Strategy on HIV and AIDS and called on the ELCA to respond faithfully and effectively to this pandemic. Find information concerning the ELCA’s HIV and AIDS Ministry, worship resources and more here.

Read the secretary-general’s report: “Galvanizing global ambition to end the AIDS epidemic after a decade of progress”. Read the full report with short summaries of the statements here.

STILL STANDING STRONG – INTERNATIONAL ALBINISM AWARENESS DAY : On June 13, the U.N. celebrated International Albinism Awareness Day. The theme “Still Standing Strong” encourages the international community to “recognize, celebrate and stand in solidarity with persons with albinism around the world”. On this day, everyone is reminded that people with albinism deserve to have their rights to life and security protected.

Different speakers shared their work on awareness-raising and the challenges that people with albinism face. Senator Isaac Mwaura from Kenya pointed out how important it is to be innovative and create spaces where people with albinism feel secure, beautiful and seen. This message was also shared by Diandra Forrest, the first woman with albinism to sign with a major modeling agency.

 PROGRESS OF THE WORLD’S WOMEN REPORT LAUNCH: On June 25, U.N. Women launched a 2019 report titled “Progress of the World’s Women 2019-2020: Families in a Changing World,” which highlights the diversity of families. Families “can be places of love and affection” however, women and girls “too often face violence and discrimination” within the home. The report includes a comprehensive policy agenda with eight recommendations, calling on governments, civil society and the private sector to safeguard women’s and girls’ rights. You can read the online report here and a blog post on the report by Joanna Lilja, Church of Sweden.

---

California

Regina Q. Banks, Lutheran Office of Public Policy- California (LOPP-CA)           loppca.org

BUDGET GAINS AND LOSSES: During our Lobby Day last month we advocated for a Medi-Cal (California’s low-income health care program) expansion that would cover all income-eligible people independent of immigration status. We, and our allies, were partially successful in spurring an expansion that will cover those up to age 26.  We also talked to legislators about the establishment of a clean, safe and affordable drinking water fund. The Legislature agreed and chose to finance the measure with cap-and-trade funds as opposed to the governor’s proposed new fee on polluters. Finally, the Legislature approved a significant expansion to the California Earned Income Tax Credit. This is a tent post for the End Child Poverty coalition to which we belong and was a huge win. Unfortunately, the expansion will not include those who file taxes with an ITIN, whose filers are primarily undocumented workers. Thank you to everyone who came to Lobby Day, made calls, wrote e-mails and prayed. We got both some significant wins and a clearer roadmap of the work ahead!

WORLD REFUGEE DAY ACKNOWLEDGMENT: June 20^thmarked U.N. World Refugee Day. LOPP-CA acknowledged the day with partners such as St. Paul Lutheran Church of Lodi, Calif; Organizacion de Trabajadores, Fuerzas Unidas and others in a march and prayer circle for the reunification of families being callously held in US detentions. We prayed together and then marched to the U.S. General Services Administration building in Sacramento where we prayed for the employees and our policy makers.

SECOND-MILE GIVING: Thank you so much to everyone, congregations and individuals alike, who participated in the Sierra Pacific Synod’s second-mile giving support of LOPP-CA in June. We are humbled by your generosity.

 

---

Colorado

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

MINISTRY VISITS: Peter Severson, director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado, visited Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Grand Junction in late June to preach, present, and march in the Colorado West Pride Parade (alongside American Lutheran Church too). The two congregations joined Pride along with other faith communities that participate in the Grand Valley Interfaith Network.

Severson also visited Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp in Hillside, in early June for the commissioning service at the end of staff training. Congratulations to these great counselors and staff, who are having a great summer in the mountains as they faithfully lead campers!

In July, we look forward to visiting Trinity Lutheran Church, Boulder; First Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs; and the ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering in Minneapolis!

 

---

Minnesota

Tammy Walhof, Lutheran Advocacy- Minnesota (LA-MN)               lutheranadvocacymn.org

UPCOMING EVENT – A VIEW FROM THE BORDER/UNA VISTA DESDE LA FRONTERA: The Rev. Mateo Chavez, pastor of San Juan Bautista Lutheran Church in Tucson, Ariz., is a board member of Cruzando Fronteras, a collaborative ministry between Episcopal, Lutheran, and Anglican communities on of borders with Mexico, Latin America, and elsewhere. A free will offering will support ministries of Tapestry and San Juan Bautista, which accompany immigrants, asylum-seekers and refugees.

• 5:00 p.m. – Worship service, with Chavez preaching
• 6:00 p.m. – Dinner (suggested donation $10/adult) and Stories of sorrow, hope, determination, and love, as Chavez shares about ministry and work with immigrants and asylum seekers at the Nogales border crossing.
• Dinner RSVP: Lidia@oakgrovelutheran.org or on Tapastry (Richfield) Facebook page
• Questions: The Rev. Melissa Melnick Gonzalez, pastormelilymel@gmail.com

ASSESSING & PLANNING: The Legislative session is barely over, but Lutheran Advocacy-MN is meeting with coalition partners to review 2019 accomplishments and prepare for 2020. On both housing and clean energy, it is clear that we need more grassroots action, especially with senators. Housing did better than other issues, but Senate leadership blocked additional needed funding. Housing supportive services fell way short, despite bipartisan co-sponsorship and support! Clean Energy ran into many roadblocks in the Senate, and it’s clear that some senators in key committee positions are 8-10 years behind in their knowledge and understanding of clean energy technologies and possibilities. Now (and throughout the fall) it will be crucial to meet with your legislators to educate them on issues and get them pushing their leaders to do more! 

---

Nevada

William Ledford, Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN)     leanforjustice.org

With our legislative session officially over and the governor done signing bills, we are happy to report that almost all of the legislation we were supporting has passed. Suffice it to say, this was a successful session for LEAN. Going into our long offseason means that we are strategizing ways to increase buy-in from our represented churches and to increase awareness in our state of the work we do.

---

Ohio

Nick Bates, Hunger Network Ohio (HNO)                                               www.hungernetohio.com

AND WE DO NOT HAVE A BUDGET: Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) and Senate President Larry Obhof (R- Medina) were unable to reach an agreement to pass a budget by the June 30^th deadline. There are many issues at play – school takeovers by the state, school funding, tax policy, and other issues. During the final hours of June, the Legislature voted for temporary funding bills to keep the state government open for a few more weeks. HNO will continue to work with community groups and legislators to lift up our top issues, including the wealthiest Ohioans paying their fair share and investments in food and housing security.

STEPS BACKWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP & OHIO’S ENERGY ECONOMY: HB 6 will bail out nuclear power plants in Ohio with a guaranteed $150 million state subsidy. The bill will also reduce (Senate version) or eliminate (house version) Ohio’s renewable energy goals. This will hurt our clean energy economy and also leave Ohio behind a growing number of states that realize that renewable energy is a smart investment. We encourage our Lutheran partners to follow Ohio Interfaith Power and Light for updates on these policy issues.

VOTER REGISTRATION PLAN – EARN $200 FOR YOUR PANTRY: Are you a food pantry in Ohio and want to earn $200 (or more)? Be on the lookout for our upcoming voter registration campaign where we will pay partner pantries $200 if they incorporate voter registration into their pantry. Sign up form will be rolled out by the middle of July! 

---

Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–Pennsylvania (LAMPa) lutheranadvocacypa.org

LAMPa director Tracey DePasquale accompanied general assistance recipients and housing and domestic violence services advocates to urge lawmakers to preserve the life-saving program for the most vulnerable in times of crisis.

On June 28, Pennsylvania adopted a $34 billion budget that includes no new taxes but socks $330 million away in rainy day fund. Highlights include increases for housing; basic pre-kindergarten and special education; services for disabled Pennsylvanians and domestic violence victims; election security; and help for a struggling agricultural industry. Anti-hunger funding was held level, and a General Assistance (GA) program re-instated by the state Supreme Court last year was eliminated. LAMPa staff delivered about 100 letters in support of increased funding for anti-hunger programs that were gathered at synod assemblies. This followed more than 100 legislative visits made on Lutheran Day as well as other outreach by Lutheran advocates to let lawmakers know that, in spite of what seem like good economic statistics, our feeding ministries have not seen decreased demand.To protect GA, program director Lynn Fry met with the governor’s staff, and director Tracey DePasquale made rounds of Senate offices with recipients and advocates, including a press conference where the Rev. Timothy Seitz-Brown spoke. The battle over ending the program erupted into chaos on the Senate floor as seen in this video, highlighting growing divides in our commonwealth.

ALSO IN JUNE:

• Staff led workshops at the Upper and Lower Susquehanna synod assemblies.
• Lutheran advocates joined approximately 400 in urging lawmakers toward the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050.
• DePasquale taught post-confirmands at Camp Nawakwa how they can engage their faith in climate change advocacy.
• DePasquale visited lawmakers urging rejection of bill reducing clean-water protection.

The Rev. Timothy Seitz-Brown urges lawmakers and citizens to see God in the faces of the poor.

Kathie Westman, a member of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod’s Church and Society Committee, joined Lutheran advocates from around the state in a rally for legislation to get Pennsylvania to 100% renewable energy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

Southeastern Synod

Hilton Austin, director

SOUTHEASTERN SYNOD ASSEMBLY: We had a great assembly this year. There were three workshops that reflected our work as advocates for the common good: “Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation in the Age of Climate Change”; “Welcoming the Stranger”; and “Who is My Neighbor: A Prophetic Vision”, our ‘Advocacy Policy Council’ workshop. The latter was a seven-person panel answering how Jesus’ question “which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man?” speaks to their ministry of advocacy. It was awesome. We also gained significant support in Alabama. Kevin L. Strickland is the new bishop-elect of the Southeastern Synod.

CARE FOR CREATION: “Faithful Climate Conversations: Public Forum on Faith, Science, & Climate Solutions” was sponsored by Interfaith Power and Light and held at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. Speakers were the Rev. Susan Hendershot, president of IPL, and Dr. Kenneth Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Kait Parker of the Weather Channel was the panel moderator; the Rev. Gerald L. Hurley, chair of the IPL Board of Directors, joined the panel discussion.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM: The leader of our Criminal Justice Reform “Ready Bench” and I attended a three-day conference on “Ending Mass Incarceration” at Ebenezer Baptist Church. We made several new inter-faith connections and had the opportunity to collaborate with many of our current ecumenical partners. Michelle Alexander, Esq, author of The New Jim Crow, was the speaker at the first plenary.

IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT: World Refugee Day in Clarkston, sponsored by the Coalition of Refugee Services, was a great event, lifting up and celebrating the contributions of refugees in Georgia.

2019 ALABAMA LEGISLATIVE REPORT: The legislative session for Alabama officially drew to a close at the end of May, passing very few of the bills for which we were advocating. However, there is still plenty to celebrate from this session!
The state of Alabama seems to have had a great fiscal year, bringing wonderful benefits to several of the state’s governmental systems.

1. The Education Trust Fund (EFT) was among the systems that received benefits. The surplus in funds allowed legislators to approve a 4% increase in teacher pay, make increases to most K-12 programs, and provide a 6% increase in funds allocated to state four-year colleges and public universities.
2. Legislators also approved a $40 million increase to the state’s prison system. It is speculated that a special session may be called later in the year to address specific problems with the system as a whole.
3. A victory for care for creation was won with the passage of a gas tax. Between now and 2021, the tax on gas will rise 10 cents, 6 in the first year, and 2 more cents each subsequent year, bringing the total tax from 18 to 28 cents. Money provided in this bill will also be used to aid the Port of Mobile and create a charging station for hybrid and electric vehicles.

As far as bills we supported are concerned, HB176 was the only one that did not die in committee. With this bill’s passage, legislators ensured that many of Alabama’s hospitals will continue to receive the funding they need to keep their doors open.

On to the less than favorable bills that were passed, Alabama was one of a few states that passed an infamous heartbeat bill, banning pregnant people seeking an abortion from obtaining one if a fetal heartbeat can be detected.
Thank you to everyone who has been involved in all of the ups and downs associated with state advocacy this year. Now that all normal state legislative sessions in the synod have ended, we can rest (for just a moment!) and enjoy what has been done. Be sure to look for our special session updates and legislative posts for next year’s sessions, and don’t forget to vote!

---

Washington

Paul Benz, Faith Action Network (FAN)                                                                                 fanwa.org

REGIONAL SUMMITS: FAN wrapped up our spring summit meetings with our fourth and final gathering in Spokane on June 30. We are working to pull together notes from all of the attendees who shared their policy recommendations for the 2020 legislative session. Once we compile the notes from our network of advocates, our program committee will review them this summer. The results of that review will then be formulated into a draft legislative agenda for our board to review later in the year. Our goal is to have a board-approved draft for our legislative agenda by our annual dinner on Nov. 17! It’s important to shape this agenda with the guidance of our network and advocates from all around Washington state.

 

ELCA HUNGER ADVOCACY FELLOW: Sarah Vatne has spent the past year working at FAN as an ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow. Below she shares a reflection as she begins her final month with FAN and prepares to start law school at Gonzaga University School of Law in August:

“Throughout this year with FAN, I’ve attended rallies and marches, met with elected officials, led advocacy and educational events, spoken at youth gatherings, and worked with faith communities from a multitude of different backgrounds. I’ve really loved getting to know the other fellows in this program and talk about what brought us to this work. I’ve appreciated having the opportunity to advocate for bills that I really care about or that I think would be good for the people in our state. I’ve gotten to see real change take place in our state along the way.

It’s so important for faith communities and people of faith to get involved in policy and advocacy. I believe justice work is part of our religious calling that we are called to act with justice; to love and care for our neighbors around us. It’s not enough to say good words each Sunday, we need to actually get out and be part of the good fight, to advocate for a more just and sustainable world. It is so important for the church to continue to invest in young leaders. We need to see our church having a voice for change in our world, and I truly believe that will come from leadership from youth and young adults. Thank you all!” 

---

Wisconsin

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

IMMIGRATION: About 140 people attended our panel discussion with Bishop Viviane Thomas-Breitfeld, Bishop Paul Erickson, Dr. Stephanie Mitchell, Tim Muth, the Rev. Walter Baires, the Rev. Nick Utphall, and Mary Campbell. We are strategizing follow up. Watch the video here. We also participated in an interfaith rally in front of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center.

EMANUEL MOVIE: Over 60 people joined LOPPW and the South-Central Synod to view Emanuel on two different nights. Several attended conversation sessions afterward. We suggested our members around the state also organize people to attend the documentary.

SYNOD ASSEMBLIES: We managed a display table at the La Crosse Area Synod Assembly and were present at the Greater Milwaukee Synod Assembly.

BUDGET: We’re involved in a state budget coalition. LOPPW sent out individual e-mails about BadgerCare (taking federal dollars for Medicaid) to every Assembly and Senate member and shared responses with the coalition.

CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION:

• Participated in a gathering for Midwestern environmentalists and funders with the common goal of diminishing carbon dioxide emissions.
• Initiated a group to lead a breakout session on what our governor can do about climate change and how we can support his current efforts, for a Wisconsin Climate Table meeting with the hope of creating a policy advisory committee as a follow-up.
• LOPPW was invited to register on a bill related to buying and selling water pollution credits by one of the Republican authors.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: LOPPW updated Women of ELCA on three bills.

Two important anniversary dates occurred last week. On June 19th there was the observance of Juneteenth, the date on which African descent slaves in Texas received the good news that they had been set free from their bondage. Two days earlier marked the fourth anniversary of the slaying of nine African descent Christians at a Bible Study in their church in Charleston, South Carolina, by a young man hoping to start a race war. On both of those dates last week, there was a nationwide showing of the documentary “Emanuel.”  Director Brian Ivie is a Christian filmmaker interested in stories about the impact that the Christian witness can have on those outside of the church. The spontaneous expressions of forgiveness from some of the surviving family members in that tragedy were certainly compelling and made headlines around the world. And that witness had the effect of lessening the racial tension in the days that followed in the city of Charleston–which one of the film’s commentators described as “Confederate Disneyland,” for its glorification of its antebellum past.

 

The challenge for me in commentating on this documentary is that we white people have a tendency to make everything about us. Part of our privilege is assuming that everything is about us, after all. Indeed, in the aftermath of the shooting, we white Lutherans in South Carolina kept mentioning how two of the clergymen that had been shot in that church had graduated from our Lutheran seminary in Columbia. Somehow that seemed to ease how distressing it was to learn that the shooter came from a family that was active in one of our Lutheran churches. It fit into our theology that even our community is connected to both saint and sinner. 

 

I was one of only a handful of white persons in a theater filled with people of color at the showing of the documentary that I attended. And I felt somewhat of a voyeur watching the intense expressions of grief by the sons and daughters and spouses and mothers of the slain martyrs. But my presence was graciously acknowledged by this community of color, just as the shooter had been welcomed into the Bible study on the night of his crime.

 

The theme that Ivie focused on in his film was the radical forgiveness expressed following the event. That’s what made the headlines and the impact on those outside of the church. As the Director explored it in depth, he revealed that forgiveness was not something glib. We heard from family members that were still struggling with coming to that place of forgiveness. Those who had so vividly expressed their forgiveness said that forgiveness did not matter if the young man showed remorse or not, or came to the full realization of the pain he had caused. And that was when I realized that I, too, have been the recipient of much forgiveness and grace from people of color, even as I have been unaware of the cost to them. Yes, I am a progressive white clergyman who has engaged in the battle for racial justice. And yet, I am too tempted when I become war weary, I have the privilege to disengage and take a break from it. As he sat in a Birmingham jail cell, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote a letter calling out the progressive white clergymen of the city for wanting to work for change more slowly and cautiously. His frustration was that progressives who want to do just enough to make themselves feel good that they are not like our more visibly racist neighbors can be an even greater stumbling block than hardcore white supremacists. 

 

The most impactful part of the documentary for me was the contrast shown by the news footage of the arrest of the perpetrator. As one of the police officers approached the getaway car, he put his gun back in his holster, in stark contrast to the plentiful news reports we’ve heard about the way people of color are approached when stopped. Indeed, just prior to this church shooting in Charleston, a black man had been gunned down by a police officer in the same community. As one of the voices in the documentary expressed it, we’ve seen too many images of black bodies lying in the street “like road kill.” It is that contrast between the way people are treated by the color of their skin that we white people have long been oblivious to.

 

When I participated in my first racial reconciliation training, I remembered hearing one of the black participants describe how, in the grocery store, the clerks would place change directly in the hands of white customers, but when it came her turn, the clerk placed the change on the counter for her to pick up, rather than risking skin to skin contact. I had simply never noticed that before. Soon after participating in that event, I attended a movie theater. The perky young white ticket taker greeted me very warmly as she handed me the torn stub. But her tone and demeanor changed remarkably when she disdainfully tore the ticket of the black woman who came in after me. I would not have noticed that before the training, despite how stark the contrast was. For our obliviousness to that distinction in treatment, we white people are in need of forgiveness. For our cowardice in not saying anything when we do observe it, we are in need of forgiveness. Just as Christ died for us while we were still sinners, people of color have been patient and forgiving of us. And just as with Christ, that witness has come at a great cost. The documentary “Emanuel” shows that forgiveness does not come without great pain and suffering.

 

When I try to discuss these thoughts with my white peers, I am often accused of wallowing in “white guilt.” “I don’t want to be made to feel guilty for being white,” they say. It is part of the backlash that swept the current administration into power. But it is not about being made guilty about the past. Even discussions about reparations are not meant to be punishment for previous bad behavior on the part of our white ancestors, but are an effort to restore balance in opportunity. We have the chance to reboot the way we interact with one another in the present. We can wake up and be grateful for the patience and forgiveness from those who have been wronged. And we can learn from the witness to extend grace and forgiveness as well, rather than responding with defensiveness. I confess that I am still tempted to be intermittent in my work for this goal. Confession is a start.

 

~Pastor Mark Cerniglia

Mark Cerniglia is a retired Lutheran Pastor with 37 years of ordained ministry. He currently lives in Columbia, SC, with his racially mixed family of three generations, and serves as an Interim Pastor. He is on the board of the European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice (EDLARJ) and chairs the Immigration Task Force for the South Carolina Synod.

By Ruth Ivory-Moore, Program Director for Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility

There are four numbers that matter according to Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC):

1.5 or less – The degrees Celsius to which we must limit global warming;
2050 – the year by which the world must reach carbon neutrality;
2030 – the year by which we must limit global emissions by 35-40%; and
2020 – when new and revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), quantifying commitment for greenhouse gas reductions, must be issued by countries.

The world is in a critical state, and we are far behind in our efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 °C said the executive secretary in her Global Climate Action briefing on June 21, 2019 at the Bonn Climate Change Conference (SB50). ELCA Advocacy is present at SB50 which raises ambition to curb greenhouse gas emissions, accelerate resilience-building efforts, and ensure that climate policy is built on a solid foundation of the best available science and knowledge. Battles over resources will only exacerbate if the limit is not reached, Espinosa warned. We have the facts, but she emphasized we must “get on with the how.”

Diversity is required to address climate change, and UNFCCC appointed two High Level Champions who exemplify and connect the work of governments with the many voluntary and collaborative actions taken by cities, regions, businesses and investors, and nations. Tomasz Chruszczow, Special Envoy for Climate Change from the Ministry of Environment in Poland, said mindsets on all sides need to be changed such that there is a recognition that acting on climate presents economic opportunities to eliminate hunger. Gonzalo Muñoz, business entrepreneur and social change-maker at the forefront of environmental innovation in Chile, said moving forward requires a toolbox with four items: evidence of what has been done; grassroots engagement; talent called upon and used from around the world; and love. Both appreciated successes in the Marrakech Partnership, a framework for high level champions across seven thematic areas, namely – land use (agriculture, forestry and other land use), water, oceans and coastal zones, energy, industry, human settlements and transport.

In a meeting attended by Chruszczow and Muñoz along with ELCA Advocacy, UNFCCC staff members and others, we were assured with awareness of an important asset on earth – our humanity. One comes away with a renewed sense of hope and a firm resolve to navigate the bumpy paths ahead.

 

Join ELCA World Hunger in welcoming (back) former intern and current coordinator for network engagement, Petra Rickertsen!

Grateful for your warm ‘welcome back’ to the ELCA World Hunger team, I am elated to announce my graduation from 2018 intern to Coordinator, Network Engagement! My passion for working with the ELCA World Hunger began in high school at an ELCA National Youth Gathering, grew through creating educational opportunities at California Lutheran University, and blossomed through hands-on experiences spreading the news of our work as a Hunger Leader on my Synod’s Hunger Team. Along the way, I also worked with Lutheran Retreats, Camps, and Conferences for five summers (after many seasons as a camper), and Fit 4 The Cause throughout college, drawing camp and fitness close to my heart. Serving through each nonprofit fortified my joy for working with people diverse in their walks of faith and life.

Learning about God’s astounding creation from people to plants also piques my interest. It’s part of the reason why I eat vegetarian and feel so blessed to travel! Two great adventures included studying abroad one semester in Paris, then another semester at Oxford University (Balliol and Saïd Colleges) which included additional travel through Greece, Italy, and Israel. I find the most intriguing part of traveling to be learning about the relationships people create with their food and the communities that flourish around food’s journey from seed to body.

Though traveling abroad is brilliant, I’m just as excited for the adventures happening in my own backyard! As a people-person, everything is more fun with a buddy, whether that is skateboarding, camping, or simply staying in for homemade pizza and movie night. I’ll miss the mountains (and burritos).  However, I am curious about what it will be like to trade warm sandy beaches and palm trees on Christmas for dashing through the snow in Chicago. But, I am elated for the growth this change in scenery will bring! Most of all, I’m grateful to be here, supporting the incredible work you and our shared network is achieving through ELCA World Hunger ministries. I am inspired to be back working with you and this team until all are fed.

I’m excited to work with the ELCA World Hunger network in our shared mission to end hunger, from assisting to plan, manage and answer your questions regarding events like the ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering, to sharing on social media the astounding work you’re achieving in your communities, and our companions and partners are working on across the world.

 

Irma Banales has walked an interesting path to become a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She currently serves as director for evangelical mission for the Northern Texas – Northern Louisiana Synod. But her journey began in Mexico.

Banales was born in Durango, in north central Mexico, the eighth of ten children. Her father was a bracero, a seasonal agricultural worker permitted into the United States for temporary work. When Banales was about 5 years old, her family moved to north Mexico to Ciudad Juarez, south of the border and across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas. Her father was working in the Dallas area.

Banales was raised with certain Catholic traditions: “Every evening before we went out to play with friends, we were expected to pray the Rosary. Doing so ensured that we could have a merienda [snack] when we came back home: coffee, atole [corn meal mush] and homemade tortillas de harina [flour tortillas]. So we hurried up and prayed!”

Nine years later, the family moved to Dallas to live with her father. It was challenging for Banales to adjust to life in a US school, not knowing the language or culture. “I remember the first day at school, I was totally lost; I didn’t know English. They just sent me to classes. We were not allowed to speak Spanish or any other language than English.”

A direction unfolds

Banales is the only pastor in her family. She was ordained in 2014 through the TEEM (Theological Education for Emerging Ministries) program of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, Calif.

Her introduction to the Lutheran church came as an adult. In 1998, she was married and raising her second child when an acquaintance invited her to attend a Bible study. Banales didn’t know it was a Lutheran Bible study until it was nearly over. She was intrigued. So she visited the church, St. John/San Juan Lutheran, for worship. “I liked the liturgy, the sermon and the way they welcomed me and my children, and the fact that all could be part of the communion and serve during the service.”

Experiencing Lutheran Bible study and worship were the first steps to becoming an ELCA pastor. Working for the synod helped to seal the deal. In March 1999, Pastor Susan Rodriguez at St. John/San Juan suggested that Banales apply for a position as receptionist at the Northern Texas – Northern Louisiana Synod office. She had no idea what a synod or a bishop were, and had many other questions. She was very nervous after she got the job. “I thought they were going to let me go in a week, because my English was terrible.”

She did not lose her job. Instead, a year later, Banales moved from half-time receptionist to full-time assistant to the mission director. In the meantime, she began taking classes. “I wanted to learn as much as I could about God and the Lutheran church.” She remains thankful for the continual encouragement of Tyna Oslie, synod administrator, throughout her educational pursuits.

Five years later, Banales became the synod’s Hispanic coordinator, working in that capacity for another five years. At the same time, she served as volunteer youth director at her home church, took TEEM program courses through both PLTS and LSPS (Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest, in Austin, Texas, a program of Wartburg Theological Seminary [Dubuque, Iowa] and Lutheran School of Theology [Chicago]), and continued raising her two children. She graduated from PLTS in May 2014.

A Lutheran love story emerges

At some point along the way, “I fell in love with the ELCA,” Banales said. After attending so many classes and serving as synod Hispanic coordinator, people started asking why she was not enrolled in seminary. So she started the candidacy process. “I wanted to grow in my spiritual life, learn more about theology, and be more helpful to the people I was working with and serving.”

Banales loves the ELCA “because of the theology, the diversity, and the inclusiveness. We are traditional, liberal and conservative at the same time: like saints and sinners.”

In January 2013, then-Bishop Kevin Kanouse asked Banales to serve First Sagrada Familia in Garland, Texas, a two-expression congregation, as a SAWL (Synodically Authorized Worship Leader), where she ministered until 2017. Also, in 2017, “God blessed me double,” because, at the suggestion of Bishop Erik Gronberg, she applied for (and got the job as) DEM for her synod, and married her husband, “my angel, David.”

Banales feels blessed to accompany churches and leaders in their joys and sorrows. The journey continues.

 

by Kris A. Mainellis, Program Director for Communication and Events, Congregational Vitality