ELCA Blogs

Support U.S. Funding of Augusta Victoria Hospital! Take action today.

Background

President Joe Biden visited Augusta Victoria Hospital on July 15 as part of a two-day presidential visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories. Biden’s visit to the hospital was the first visit of a sitting U.S. president to East Jerusalem. The president announced a $100 million multiyear commitment toward the East Jerusalem Hospital Network (EJHN), of which AVH is a member.

Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) is the first and only hospital to provide radiation therapy for cancer patients in the Palestinian territories and the only medical facility in the West Bank offering pediatric kidney dialysis. AVH faces ongoing cash flow problems as a result of the inability of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to pay on a regular basis the fees for cancer patients it refers to the hospital.

The hospital has received vital support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in recent years (nearly $57.42 million in cancer-related machines, lab equipment and training) that has raised the level of cancer treatment available through AVH for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

In his address, the president emphasized that the United States will continue to work with Palestinian leaders, the Israeli government and international partners to ensure that the EJHN remains “sustainable, available, and is able to provide the high-quality care” that Palestinians deserve. He later announced in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that several Arab Gulf states would provide another $100 million to the EJHN.

“Palestinians and Israelis,” he noted, “deserve equal measure of freedom, security, prosperity and dignity. And access to health care when you need it is essential to living a life of dignity for all of us.”

Upon the occasion of the president’s visit, Bishop Ibrahim Azar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land shared a letter with Biden about the wider context and effects of the occupation, highlighting the plight of Palestinian Christians.

In her thank you letter to the president for his visit, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton said that, as a Christian theologian, she agreed with his comment that “hope springs eternal.” She said that many “found our hope for peace with justice in the Holy Land bolstered by your visit last week in support of the East Jerusalem Hospital Network. It confirmed that we must recommit ourselves to recognizing the inherent dignity of each person, as God does, and to standing with and caring for the well-being of one another — as your father said, ‘no matter what their circumstance.’”

Many members of Congress visit Palestine and Israel in August — encourage your members of Congress to visit AVH to see firsthand the important work being done and the hospital’s partnership with the U.S. government through USAID.

Contact your member of Congress to support Augusta Victoria Hospital today.

Gina Tonn

ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking Grants

2015 Request for Proposals

The ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking grants program is designed to support local programs in ELCA congregations, groups and/or synods. The grant opportunity encourages ELCA congregation, groups and/or synods to think creatively about educating, mobilizing, and expanding their networks to increase awareness of the root causes of and solutions to hunger.

Education grants can be used for events, educational programs or the development of shareable resources. For networking proposals, congregation-based and synod-based hunger leader events and trainings will be prioritized.

We are looking for proposals submitted by a non-profit charitable organization classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity by the Internal Revenue Service, or organization that operates under the fiscal sponsorship of a 501(c)(3). Proposals must:

Provide a short (2-3 paragraphs) description of your congregation, group or organization and a narrative of the context in which the project, event or initiative will take place. This should clearly show what your program, congregation or group is attempting to address and how the proposal relates to the current priorities of ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking.
Summarize how the project, event or initiative will:
1. Educate and engage ELCA congregations, groups, and/or synods;
2. Influence this church body toward better action and engagement against hunger and poverty; and
3. Encourage sustainable participation in the anti-hunger work of ELCA World Hunger past the conclusion of the project, event or initiative.
Provide a clear “goal statement” that summarizes the direction and focus of the program and defines the scope.
For education proposals, please list the learning objectives and audience for the event, resource or initiative which the grant will support.
List two or three specific, measurable outcomes by which the success of your proposal will be evaluated.
1. At least one process outcome: What activities will be completed in what specific time period?
2. At least one impact outcome: What are the expected results – what change, by how much, where and when?
Summarize the implementation strategies and methods and/or sustainability of your plan (identifying additional sources of funding if needed). If the project, event or initiative is an annual or cyclical occurrence, or you have previously applied for an ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking Grant, please include a summary of how you plan to create a self-sustaining program or how the program has grown and changed since the last grant received.
Demonstrate an ELCA connection with one letter of support by an ELCA pastor, bishop, or Lutheran agency/institution that explains how a relationship between the organization and ELCA World Hunger impacts/enhances each other’s work and furthers the objectives and guidelines of ELCA World Hunger.
Include your organization’s name, address, contact person, email, phone number, and tax ID number with your proposal.
The amount of funding you are seeking in a budget for the event, project or initiative using the format below:

Item	Amount	Explanation
Put the line item label here.	Put the line item cost here.	Describe how you came to that amount (show your calculations, if relevant). You may also use this section to further explain why you need this cost covered, if you believe that is not clear from the proposal.

Proposals will be reviewed throughout the year. All proposals must be received by December 31, 2015 to be considered for funding.

If you have any questions please email hunger@elca.org.

Issue 43 of Administration Matters

‘Stories of Faith in Action’ is now available
“Stories of Faith in Action” is a free, annual publication that highlights how God is changing lives through Mission Support, the percentage of your congregational offering that is shared with your synod and the churchwide organization. Free copies of “Stories of Faith in Action” are now available for order—all you have to cover is shipping. You can also download associated resources, including a “How to use” guide and bulletin inserts. >More

Organizing and administering congregational annual meetings
As congregational annual meetings approach, perhaps you are wondering how you can run a great meeting that is engaging for participants, productive for your congregation and a great investment of everyone’s time. >More

New ACA reporting requirement takes effect in 2016
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), when individuals file their 2015 income tax return, they must prove for the first time that they’ve maintained minimum essential health coverage throughout the year—or face a financial penalty (unless Medicare is their primary coverage). ELCA-Primary health coverage qualifies as minimum essential coverage, and Portico is managing this reporting requirement on behalf of plan members. Note: Additional ACA reporting requirements will apply to Applicable Large Employers (ALEs), generally organizations that have, on average, at least 50 full-time equivalent employees. >More
CapinCrouse LLP is the internal audit provider for the ELCA churchwide organization. You may want to read their related article: “Reporting Health Plan Coverage to Employees & the IRS.” >More

ELCA Federal Credit Union update
The ELCA Federal Credit Union is on track for opening its doors in 2016. As a financial institution rooted in your faith community, we look forward to serving you. Stay up-to-date on our progress. Visit our early-stage website at www.elcafcu.org and register to be notified as we prepare to open for business in 2016. >More

Weather protection for your ministry
Don’t be caught unprepared! When it comes to weather, are your church building and vehicles ready for whatever the next winter might bring? >More

In-kind donations
An in-kind gift consists of goods or services that are provided by the donor. Congregations can benefit greatly from such donations. >More

Winter checklist
Protecting your church property during the coldest months of the year is important, whether your climate is extreme or mild. Use this checklist to inspect, evaluate and move forward with needed maintenance. >More

Patrick Flaherty, Legislative Advocacy Intern

Patrick Flaherty, a recent college graduate from Maryland, recently started an internship in the Washington D.C. ELCA Advocacy Office. As ELCA Policy Directors send out blogs and other alerts on legislative action, we are excited to share new thoughts, stories, and perspectives on the issues from students, leaders, and Lutherans from across the country. Consider sharing your story by clicking here.

As a recent college graduate, I have had a lot of great opportunities to get involved in service and social justice work, two things I am very passionate about. As much as I love direct service I know in order to truly solve major systemic problems, you need long-term solutions. This is what created my interest in addressing issues through policy. I am excited to learn about the different aspects of policy work with the great people at ELCA Advocacy over the next couple months.

During my undergraduate studies I was able to take a number of courses that focused on the history and people of Central America. I became especially interested in U.S. international policies in the region, how they affected the people there, and how these policies continue to impact Central America-U.S. relations today. For me there is a strong connection between immigrant and migrant justice today, and the effects of U.S. policy in Central America. Keeping in mind the livelihoods of immigrants and migrants is even more important as rising violence in Central America has created major forced displacement in and outside the region, and immigration is a central topic of the public, political and presidential discourse. I believe staying informed on these issues and approaching them with compassion for the people they affect is part of our calling as people of faith.

Since starting at the ELCA Advocacy office, I’ve had the chance to go to different coalition meetings such as the Central America & Mexico Working Group and even the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) office to learn what different organizations are doing on the ground to respond to the forced displacement of Hondurans, Guatemalans and Salvadorans. Currently the three countries, commonly referred to together as the Northern Triangle, are disproportionately affected by violence forcing many people to flee to safety. These people, including children and families, are asylum seekers under international law. However the U.S. government has not recognized them as such.

I often think about how—or more precisely, when— the US will change its relationships with our southern neighbors, recognize those fleeing as needing international protection, and admit our role in some of the current problems the region is facing. Two recent articles by The New York Times highlight the US’s role in deporting General Carlos Eugenio Vides Casanova to El Salvador, and pushing for the deportation of former vice minister of defense Inocente Orlando Montano Morales to face justice in Spain. Both men participated in ordering the 1989 murders of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper, and her daughter in their home at the Universidad Centroamericana (UCA) in El Salvador’s capital, San Salvador. These extraditions can be seen as step in the right direction for the U.S., which helped fund many of the military operations in El Salvador in the 1980s that killed thousands of innocent civilians and propped up dictatorships under the guise of fighting Communism in the region.

The U.S. should continue on this path of seeking justice in the many cases of human rights violations that occurred with our government’s support in numerous Latin American countries not just El Salvador. Confronting our troubled past and accepting the roles our nation played in harming the people of Latin America should be part of building stronger relations with our neighbors. Unfortunately, at the same time the US supports these high profile deportations they are supporting the detention of thousands of children and families fleeing violence in their home countries by increasing political and financial support for efforts by Mexico to detain and deport these refugees and asylum seekers. Most of these people will be sent back to the violent neighborhoods and cities they left in the first place without ever being offered the proper legal channels to file for asylum.

Last week, I attended a hearing held by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, a branch of the Organization of American States that protects and promotes human rights in the Americas, focusing on the illegal practice by governments of stopping asylum seekers from reaching safety. The Northern Triangle countries do not have the institutions or governmental infrastructure to protect people targeted by violent agents in their countries so people are forced to look for safety outside their communities, whether it means inside or outside their country. All of the nonprofit and governmental leaders testified of their work on the ground trying to assist these refugees and the need for better institutions that can comply with international laws. The U.S. is currently the best option for thousands of people who would be harmed if they stay in their home communities. Even while we try to make some amends for past injustices we supported, we cannot ignore the current plights of thousands of Central Americans simply seeking a better life and peaceful communities. As people of faith we should reflect on Jesus’s parable about ‘The Judgment of the Nations’ from Matthew 25. He tells us that when we acted for those of His family we act for Him and here we find our calling to welcome the stranger. Hopefully we can urge our government and our communities to join in this call, especially when people facing danger and violence seek our help.

ELCA Advocacy

Lutherans are taking action across the country! Below you will find our monthly State Advocacy Newsletter. Share with your friends!

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Washington, D.C. – Mary Minette, Interim Director of Advocacy

www.elca.org/advocacy

FEDERAL SPENDING DEAL: This month, members of the U.S. House and Senate reached a bipartisan compromise with the White House on a proposed budget deal. The agreement, signed by President Obama just days before a federal default, will set raised budget limits for both defense and non-defense programs for the next two years, while simultaneously avoiding a government shutdown by raising the debt ceiling. We recognize the need to address long-term fiscal sustainability for the wellbeing of critical U.S. social service programs. However, the deal should be praised for reversing harsh and highly inefficient budget cuts, many of which have crippled programs that benefit working families and our most vulnerable neighbors. Though overall funding levels for the whole government have been decided, Congress now must work to pass a federal spending bill for the remainder of the 2016 fiscal year by Dec. 11 to avoid a government shutdown. Watch for upcoming updates and advocacy opportunities on upcoming budget talks in the coming month!

GREEN CLIMATE FUND: The budget deal that passed in late October did not specifically allocate funds for the Green Climate Fund, so it is important that members of Congress, particularly senators, hear from constituents that a final bill to fund the government through the end of the 2016 fiscal year must include the $500 million requested for the U.S.’s initial contribution to the fund. We are working with a broad coalition of faith, development and environmental groups to advocate for the funding as an important aspect of our work to support the negotiation of a strong international climate change agreement in Paris in December.

PATH TO PARIS: Negotiators met for their final session prior to the December meeting in Paris in mid-October, and while 155 countries have so far come forward with pledges to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases beginning in 2020 as part of the new agreement, many significant issues are still undecided. These include details about financial support for emissions reductions and adapting to climate change in low-income countries, how to differentiate between the responsibilities of large industrialized nations like the U.S. and European nations and those of emerging economies like China and India, and less affluent and less developed countries, and how to deal with long-term losses that countries and communities are unable to manage or adapt to. In addition, non-governmental organizations were shut out of most of the negotiating sessions in Bonn, which does not bode well for a transparent and accountable end to the negotiations in Paris.

WORLD FOOD DAY: On Oct. 16, the ELCA joined millions of people around the world to commemorate World Food Day. This is the time to celebrate the progress we have made in reducing global hunger while also recognizing that much work remains. As part of this effort, we asked our Lutheran community to take action to ensure that Congress sustains existing food and agriculture programs that fight global hunger. Click here to learn about the ELCA’s engagement in the week leading up to World Food Day.

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS: Last month, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America joined other faith and human rights organizations for a hearing at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, a regional body addressing human rights in the Americas, on the detention of asylum seekers. The ELCA, together with the Mennonite Social Action Committee in Honduras, provided a document outlining findings from our June trip to Mexico on the detention and deportation of young people seeking international protection. This document also outlined specific stories of young people with legitimate asylum claims who had been deported to Honduras from Mexico despite fearing harm. Despite numerous studies outlining the failure of Mexico to protect those seeking asylum, the U.S. government continues to praise Mexican enforcement efforts.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM: A bi-partisan coalition of Senate Judiciary members recently introduced and passed out of committee S. 2123, the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015. This important legislation is the product of intense negotiations between Judiciary Committee Democrats and Republicans. Both sides have credited the faith community for creating the political will to negotiate through our advocacy efforts in Iowa – home to Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives with committee action expected soon. The faith community sponsored two Capitol Hill briefings for staff to hear from faith leaders on the importance and moral urgency for criminal justice reform on Nov. 3.

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New York, NY – Dennis Frado, Lutheran Office for World Community

WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY: On Tuesday, Oct. 13, in commemoration with the 15^th anniversary of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325, an open debate on Women, Peace and Security was convened by the Security Council to discuss the further implementation of that resolution. In his opening remarks the secretary-general reiterated that women’s leadership in peace-building is a top priority and shared his commitment to seeing the resolutions implemented. In addition to the secretary-general, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of U.N.-Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka stressed that the most under-utilized tool in peace-building is women. She also introduced the Global Acceleration Instrument on Women Peace and Security and Humanitarian Engagement. This new fund will accelerate the implementation of UNSCR 1325 as well as channel funds to women’s organizations working on peace building. Directly after this opening segment, Resolution2242 was unanimously adopted by the Security Council. It has two key outcomes: The first is that it outlines actions to improve the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1325; the second is proposing a broader Women, Peace and Security agenda, including countering violent extremism, monitoring sexual violence within U.N. peacekeeping forces, increasing the representation of women in governments, and implementing the gender recommendations of a recently released global study.

A GLOBAL STUDY AND A GLOBAL REPORT: On Wednesday, Oct. 14, “Preventing Conflict, Transforming Justice, Securing the Peace – A Global Study on the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325” was officially launched. This study is the product of the engagement of member states, U.N. entities, regional organizations and civil society, including research institutes. Primarily, this study revealed that the ability of women to influence negotiations increased the chances of agreements being reached was positively correlated with greater implementation and had a positive impact on the durability of peace. During this time, Radhika Coomaraswamy, lead author of the global study, expressed her opinions of the recently adopted UNSC Resolution 2242. While she was overall supportive of the resolution, she had serious concerns about the mixing of women, peace and security with counter terrorism efforts. She noted the need for a clear, conceptual difference between the two, and that U.N. intentions toward civilians and military forces cannot be blurred. Finally, on Tuesday, Oct. 20, the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs launched the 2015 edition of the World’s Women Report coinciding with the occasion of World Statistics Day. The speakers at the launch emphasized the importance of presenting empirical evidence that connects statistics and policy making. The report analyzes the status of women based on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action areas of concern. It looks at both the progress and gaps over the past 20 years.

MIGRATION CRISIS IN EUROPE: On Friday, Oct. 16, Nicholas Jaech with the Lutheran Office for World Community attended an event organized by the International Peace Institute on the migration crisis in Europe. This event featured Ninette Kelley, director of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Liaison Office in New York and Vincent Cochetel, UNHCR regional coordinator for the Europe Refugee Crisis. Kelley noted the disturbing reality of the current crisis: 42,500 people are displaced every day and 50 percent of the refugees are children, which is the highest level in decades. She went on to explain that if Europe were to take in the same proportion of refugees as Turkey, the world’s refugee crisis would be solved. Cochetel illustrated the current routes that migrants are taking. The first is from North Africa up through Italy, while others enter Europe via Turkey, which he noted was the more popular route. He noted that the current crisis is not about the number of refugees, but rather the lack of responsibility among European states. As for current objectives of UNHCR in the area, he highlighted the continued effort to reduce loss of life along the migration routes, support efforts to reform asylum structures and LOWC1 policies in states, maintain strong advocacy surrounding solidarity, and provide a special focus on women and children. To learn more about the ELCA’s efforts in the migration crisis, click here. For a video of the above event, produced by the International Peace Institute, click here.

On Oct. 27, LOWC welcomed Maria Immonen, director of TheLutheran World Federation’s Department for World Service(LWS). In addition to receiving an orientation to LOWC’s work, she had appointments with ecumenical colleagues and staff of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs where they discussed LWS’ operational field programs in Central Africa and the Middle East.

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California – Mark Carlson, Lutheran Office of Public Policy

www.loppca.org

CA1 The deadline for Gov. Jerry Brown’s action on 2015 legislation passed on Oct. 11, and LOPP-CA was disappointed in the veto of AB 47 (see previous update) that would have accelerated expansion of state preschool to more children from low-income families. Citing budget pressures in the absence of action by the special legislative session on health care funding, he also vetoed an LOPP-CA supported bill expanding the state low-income housing tax credit, which helps leverage federal credits.

October was busy as LOPP-CA Director Mark Carlson used study leave time to participate in the Parliament of World Religions in Salt Lake City; co-hosted a “Not your mother’s church supper – Celebrating women in energy & climate change” for about 45 participants in CA2 the Behavior, Energy, and Climate Change Conference, with energy scientist and Lutheran Dr. Kristin Heinemeier of UC Davis; and displayed and spoke briefly at the Sierra Pacific Synod Professional Leadership Conference in Monterey.

Following the Sierra Pacific Synod Hunger event on poverty and incarceration, Mark joined ELCA World Hunger staffer Ryan Cumming and two representatives from the Southwest California Synod for worship at Trinity Lutheran, Porterville, and a water tour of East Porterville, an epicenter of drought-induced dry wells. The group accompanied volunteers in delivering water to homes, talked with families, and viewed pumps purchased with an ELCA World Hunger grant that brings water from portable tanks into homes.

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Colorado – Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado

www.lam-co.org

AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado was present at the 2015 Housing Colorado Now! Conference in Beaver Creek, meeting with policy-makers and other affordable housing advocates to develop strategies for housing low- and extremely low-income families in Colorado. The critical lack of affordable housing touches all corners of Colorado, and several speakers at the conference addressed issues anticipated in the next legislative session of the Colorado General Assembly, including rental vouchers and a renewal of the state Low Income Housing Tax Credit.

ECONOMIC SECURITY: Groups working on legislation dealing with families living in poverty have begun meeting in anticipation of the 2016 session. In particular, LAM-CO has been working with the Colorado Center on Law & Policy as well as the All Families Deserve a Chance coalition to prepare an economic security agenda for the session. Issues that may come up include paid family-and-medical leave, child care for low-income parents in college programs, and a major alteration to the state hospital provider fee, which could secure hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for education.

CONGREGATION VISITS: Director Peter Severson has been on the road visiting congregations all over the state. Pictured here is Zion Lutheran in Trinidad, whose pastor is the Rev. Andrea Doeden. The building is 125 years old and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as “Zion’s German Lutheran Church.” Built in an eclectic Victorian Gothic style, it’s the oldest Lutheran church building in Colorado!

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Illinois – Jennifer DeLeon, Lutheran Advocacy Illinois

www.lutheranadvocacy.org

STATE BUDGET: Illinois is now entering its fifth month without a budget! Lutheran Social Services Illinois our partner agency is not receiving funding for a variety of programs that serve some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, including home care for seniors, residential substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. They are doing all they can to keep providing services but they need a state budget now! Please call or write a letter to Gov. Bruce Rauner and to your state legislators by clicking here, asking them to work together to pass a budget now!

ELIMINATION OF POVERTY: Lutheran Advocacy-Il is part of the Illinois Commission on the Elimination of Poverty. The commission is an independent body focused on eliminating poverty in our state in a manner consistent with international human rights standards. As such, the commission’s charge is twofold: 1) To create and monitor a specific, substantive, measurable strategic plan for cutting extreme poverty in Illinois; and 2) To offer advice and comment on state matters that may positively or negatively impact the state’s goal of ending poverty. Studies show that suburban poverty is growing in Illinois. In October the commission held public hearings around the state and we were able to hear directly from advocates and clients served by a broad section of suburban programs. Members of the public had the opportunity to provide their feedback and inform the work plan of the Commission. Click here to learn more about the commission.

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Minnesota – Tammy Walhof, Lutheran Advocacy Minnesotatammy@lcppm.org

PAYDAY LENDING REFORM: Over the summer, the StarTribune ran reports investigating campaign contributions to state legislators by payday lenders. Embarrassment seems to be opening legislators to reform discussions. With the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, Minnesotans for Fair Lending and Trinity Lutheran Church, LA-MN is working on a payday education event scheduled for Thursday afternoon and evening, Dec. 3.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS: The lack of affordable rental housing is one of Minnesota’s greatest challenges, reiterated at a recent event with Julian Castro of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison. LA-MN continues to educate about homelessness, affordable housing, and impacts on food security.

Nativity Lutheran Church (St. Anthony) hosted a weekend conference, benefit concert, and worship services based around concern for homelessness.Tammy Walhof (LA-MN) participated and was guest speaker for all five worship services.

CLEAN POWER PLAN: LA-MN is doing presentations around coal’s impact on health and the benefits of the Clean Power Plan. The encyclical by Pope Francis helps offer alternative paths into discussion. LA-MN is also part of an effort with other faith groups across the Midwest doing “climate conversations.”

IMMIGRATION: The Northeastern Minnesota Synod Immigration Task Force and LA-MN met with Jodi Harpstead, director of Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, to learn more about how Minnesota has been less welcoming to immigrants in recent months. LA-MN also helped to facilitate an undocumented immigrant interview by high school students. LA-MN hopes to incorporate the immigration story into our upcoming work.

Facebook Twitter: @LuthAdvocacyMN

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New Jersey – Sara Lilja, New Jersey Synod

slilja@leamnj.org

LEAMNJ supported Senate bill S2360! The Episcopal Church and the ELCA asked the Legislature to support efforts that reduce violence and keep our communities safe. We called, visited and emailed our senators and prevailed on an override vote. The bill requires local, county and state law enforcement officers to be alerted when people with a history of serious mental illness ask a judge to expunge their record so they may buy a firearm. This bill will provide judges with relevant information regarding a person’s history when they are making important decisions on the expungement of records. It now goes to the Assembly for an override vote after the November elections. Much work to be done!

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New Mexico – Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran advocacy Ministry New Mexicowww.lutheranadvocacynm.org

NM2 Legislative interim work continues as the interim committees work to develop their recommendations for the 2016 legislative session. LAM-NM is closely monitoring the work of the Legislative Finance Committee, which is developing the legislative budget proposal, as well as the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee, which considers legislation affecting low-income people in our state. Interim committees will wrap up their work in early December.

NM1 The LAM-NM Policy Committee met on Oct. 24 and adopted the LAM-NM 2106 Advocacy Agenda. The 2016 Advocacy Agenda continues to focus our work on issues addressing policies that can improve the lives of people living in poverty and experiencing hunger.

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Pennsylvania – Amy Reumann, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Associate Director

www.lutheranadvocacypa.org

As Pennsylvania heads into its fifth month without a budget, one bright spot is the Legislature’s unanimous passage of the bill to expand the state Housing Trust Fund, which LAMPa’s network has been advocating for two years. Although Gov. Tom Wolf endorsed the bill months ago, LAMPa is asking Lutherans to urge him to sign it so that it doesn’t get dragged under by the budget battle entering its fifth month. Chief among the sticking points is the education budget, for which LAMPa has been advocating increased funding and a formula to move the commonwealth out of its standing as dead last in the country in terms of equity.

Director Amy Reumann preached, taught and celebrated advocacy in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, where policy council members hosted a fundraiser for LAMPa and a dinner to honor local advocates. She also engaged Lutherans around the state to testify at hearings on the Clean Power Plan and attended the annual meeting of Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light.

PA1 Associate Director Tracey DePasquale met with policy staff in the Department of Education to discuss trauma-responsive education and ways to build a statewide coalition to enact policy that reflects best practices. She also taught an adult forum at Christ Lutheran, Gettysburg, about disparities in education and as part of a series on inequality.

LAMPa staff brought together immigration advocates including Lutheran Children and Family Services at a state conference on Welcoming Communities and a Lower Susquehanna Synod information session for refugee resettlement to encourage advocacy on immigration.

As a follow-up to the National Youth Gathering, LAMPa staff participated in RiseUp York — a weekend service, learning and advocacy immersion youth retreat organized by the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Both synod and LAMPa staff hope to duplicate this experience and curriculum for other communities.

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Southeastern Synod, Georgia – Hilton Austin Jr.,

haustin337@att.net

Two members of the Southeastern Synod Advocacy Team attended the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., this month. Bishop Julian Gordy and Patti Austin, national president of Women of the ELCA, visited several members of Congress, along with other ELCA leaders, to support refugee reform legislation, to call for an end to family detention, and to support increased funding for refugee protection and assistance.

gatext2 As one of the newest ministries of the Southeastern Synod, we have been busy building our network, organizing, and developing civic and ecumenical partners. We recently added links to the ELCA Advocacy Action Center and the LIRS Action Center to our synod website. We are currently planning an advocacy training event to be held in Atlanta in mid-January; our target date for promoting the training event is Nov. 6.

Our team is organized into various, what we call, ready benches; each ready bench leader develops a network of people who are passionate about a particular issue and remain ready to take action on current state and national legislation as it arises. We currently have three in Georgia, Immigration, Human Trafficking, and Criminal Justice, and two in Tennessee, Health Care and Criminal Justice. We will continue to add ready benches as folks hear God’s call into this important work.

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Virginia – Charles Swadley, Interim President and CEO

Rob Martin, Director of Programs & Developmenthttp://www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/

HEALTH CARE: Our Virginia Consumer Voices for Health Care program along with our Hampton Roads and New River Valley chapters recently produced forums in Norfolk and Blacksburg, respectively, titled, Health Care Access: a Moral Imperative. The forums included an interfaith panel of faith leaders, testimonies from those who suffered without health care, and a call to action to local faith communities to care for our neighbors through accepting federal Medicaid funds to close the coverage gap.

ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND HUNGER: VICPP’s Northern Piedmont Chapter produced a hunger awareness event, Setting the Table: An Interfaith Event on Ending Hunger, at Germanna’s Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper, Va. Center staff and members attended the 2015 Clergy Convocation in Richmond with the theme “Repair the breach, restore the streets.” The center is partnering in a Hunger Summit with the ELCA Virginia Synod and the Virginia Council of Churches, which will be held at Virginia Union University in Richmond on Nov. 18.

CREATION CARE: VICPP co-sponsored an event with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation titled “Living Waters” to organize statewide advocacy and policy development efforts to preserve clean water in the Chesapeake Bay and its watersheds. Important references to preserving God’s creation were made with many great examples of congregations putting their faith in action through greening programs and advocacy efforts. VICPP joined other creation-care advocacy organizations on the Interfaith Climate Change Impact Tour in Richmond organized by Creation Justice Ministries. VICPP will be propelling creation care from the mountains to the coast in its advocacy action work with congregations this fall.

ADVOCACY TRAINING: Advocacy Training Sessions are being held by our Northern Virginia Chapter in Fairfax and by our Hampton Roads Chapter in Virginia Beach on Nov. 8. Staff is also presenting training “What do we do with the Stranger? A Conversation about Immigration” in Richmond on Nov. 15.

Twitter: @vainterfaith Facebook: www.facebook.com/virginiainterfaithcenter

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Washington – Paul Benz, Faith Action Network

www.fanwa.org

ELECTION: Faith Action Network (FAN) has an annual goal of organizing “interim” meetings between our advocates and their state legislators and members of congress/staff during summer and fall. So far, we have had 24 meetings with state legislators in 14 districts with 113 advocates, and 12 meetings with members of congress/staff from 10 districts with 50 advocates (including bishops).

FAN has also created a one-page description of four current ballot issues (three initiatives and one local proposition) and FAN’s positions on them. To see that,click here.

ANNUAL DINNER: FAN will be having its fifth annual dinner/fundraiser on Sunday, Nov. 15 (click here to see our invite). This year’s theme will be “Yes We Can!” focusing on the faith community’s response to racism and violence post-Charleston. The Rev. Dr. Carey G. Anderson, senior pastor at Seattle’s historic First African Methodist watext2 Episcopal Church will be our speaker, and we have invited Jennifer Pinckney (widow of the Rev. Pinckney) of Mother Emanuel AME in Charleston, S.C.

FORUMS ON TAXATION: FAN just completed two forums on each side of our state on the issue of taxation (Washington has the most regressive/unfair tax structure in our nation) with the title “What Kind of State Do You Want to Live In? Conversation and mobilization regarding our regressive tax structure.” A state legislator spoke at each event, and we had a local religious leaders’ panel, which had an ELCA and Episcopal bishop present.

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Wisconsin – Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin

www.loppw.org

WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES: LOPPW’s director led workshops at First United in Sheboygan, Lake Edge in Madison, and at the Northern Great Lakes Festival of Congregations in Minocqua, where LOPPW also displayed a table.

SYNOD TEAMS: LOPPW’s director met with Greater Milwaukee’s director for evangelical mission, The Rev. Sandy Chrostowski, about helping to start a hunger team. The director attended a workshop led by the Northern Great Lakes hunger team. LOPPW was involved in recruiting members for a Care for God’s Creation team for South-Central/LOPPW. The team will access World Hunger resources. The director has also met with the senior policy director of Clean Wisconsin about relevant state witext2 publicpolicy; LOPPW is now on the list of stakeholders for Wisconsin’s Clean Power Plan at the Deparment of Natural Resources. Wisconsin’s government has threatened to not implement any clean-power plan.

ANTI-TRAFFICKING: The director testified at a hearing on the Safe Harbor bill. LOPPW/Cherish All Children’s team in the Northwestern Synod began plans for organizing conferences accessible to people in the LaCrosse Area, Northwestern, East Central, and South-Central synods. Council Member Venice Williams discussed placing a focus on human trafficking for the annual Milwaukee King Day event Venice helps to plan; LOPPW will be a partner in 2016.

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What advocacy efforts are going on in your synod or state? We want to hear about it!

Contact us at washingtonoffice@elca.org

Brenda Smith

Libro de fe
Abra las escrituras. Únase a la conversación.

Damos gracias a Dios por todos los individuos, congregaciones, sínodos, y ministerios e instituciones de la iglesia por su compromiso serio y permanente con la transformadora palabra de Dios en Cristo, en proclamación y en las Escrituras.

La iniciativa del Libro de fe es una continua prioridad de la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en América, dedicada a motivar a todos los ministerios e individuos de la iglesia a renovar y enriquecer continuamente nuestra fuerte y extensa dedicación a las Escrituras por nuestro propio bien y por el bien del mundo.

La iniciativa del Libro de fe ha operado con un enfoque descentralizado, de bases populares, centrado en la visión que tenemos en común en la que todos son invitados a abrir las Escrituras y unirse a la conversación. Invitamos a los líderes a continuar y extender osadamente este esfuerzo en los sitios en los que se desempeñan.

Desde el principio, la iniciativa ha tenido un doble objetivo:

hacer frente al continuo reto de un desconocimiento bíblico generalizado y
renovar la enseñanza de nuestra rica herencia teológica de conocimiento, interpretación y dedicación a la Biblia.

Con el fin de ayudar a que se logren los objetivos antes mencionados y hacer frente a los retos que se especificarán a continuación, queremos promover aun más los estudios continuos de las Escrituras, usando, especialmente, un enfoque de “lentes múltiples”. Buscamos su ayuda y apoyo como socio en este esfuerzo de hacer frente a los retos que actualmente están dando forma a nuestro llamado. Algunos de los retos más grandes son:

El número creciente de individuos en la sociedad que afirman que son “espirituales, no religiosos”
La necesidad de afrontar y aprender de la gran variedad de culturas que conforman esta iglesia y el mundo
El papel de la Biblia en el esfuerzo de la misión
La importancia de la familia y el hogar como centros de desarrollo de la fe
La necesidad de uso creativo de los medios sociales
Continuo desconocimiento bíblico

A pesar de los retos, Cristo está presente cuando nos dedicamos a las Escrituras, y esta promesa nos llama a avanzar juntos. Únase a nosotros en correr la voz y animar a todos a abrir las Escrituras y unirse a la conversación.

Cuatro lentes para nuestros estudios continuos de las Escrituras.
Abra las Escrituras. Únase a la conversación.

La iniciativa ha enfatizado que los estudios continuos de la Biblia resultan muy enriquecidos cuando usamos lentes múltiples en nuestra conversación con las Escrituras y con otras personas. Este método sugerido está centrado en cuatro maneras de leer la Biblia y hacer preguntas: lectura devocional, histórica, literaria y teológica.

DEVOCIONAL: En la iglesia; en la comunidad; en la oficina; en el hogar con la familia.
¿Dónde está usted hoy?
Comenzamos. Leemos, hacemos preguntas, reflexionamos en el significado de la Biblia desde donde estemos—en cuanto a lugar, hora o estado anímico. Independientemente de donde estemos, allí nos encontramos con nuestro Libro de fe.

LITERARIA: Viajes épicos; cartas de aliento; libros de poesía
La biblioteca que siempre está abierta
Prestamos atención detenida a cómo está escrito el pasaje. Observamos qué tipo de literatura es. Notamos todos los detalles, temas, personajes, argumento, poesía y lógica. Comparamos y contrastamos éstos con nuestro conocimiento y experiencia de la vida. En este proceso descubrimos el significado.

HISTÓRICA: El templo; los Romanos; los Egipcios; el Rey David
Encontramos hoy la historia de ayer
Buscamos entender el mundo de la Biblia. Exploramos el mundo de los escritores y los originales lectores, gobernantes, esclavos, mujeres, hombres y niños. Todas las personas de nuestro Libro de fe. ¿Cómo entendemos su contexto social y cultural? ¿Cómo la vida de ellos es igual o diferente a la nuestra hoy?

TEOLÓGICA: ¿Cómo encuentro la esperanza? ¿Quién es Dios? ¿Por qué hay sufrimiento? ¿Qué es el amor?
¿Cuáles son las preguntas sobre Dios?
Cuando abrimos las Escrituras y nos unimos a la conversación, hacemos nuestras preguntas más íntimas y estamos pendientes a la voz de Dios. Oímos lo que Dios exige de nosotros y sus palabras de aliento y promesa. Vemos a Cristo vivo ayer y hoy. Sentimos el movimiento del Espíritu y somos movidos a responder. Dios está presente en el mundo.

Para averiguar más: www.bookoffaith.org Facebook @bookoffaith Twitter #bookoffaith

ELCA News

CHICAGO (ELCA) – Para miles de personas, incluido un creciente número de mujeres y niños que emigran de Centroamérica a los Estados Unidos, su parada final antes de cruzar el Río Suchiate y entrar al sur de México es la Casa de Migrante en Tecún Umán, Guatemala, explicó Stephen Deal de la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en América (ELCA, por sus siglas en inglés).

“El número de migrantes que han sido acogidos y ayudados en las instalaciones de esta casa es impactante”, dijo Deal. “Más de 140,000 desde que abrió sus puertas en 1995. En 2014, se ayudó a un total de 6,031 migrantes. En lo que va de 2015, el número de migrantes a los que se prestaron servicios ronda los 600 por mes”.
Deal es el representante regional de la ELCA en Centroamérica. En compañía de cuatro líderes de la organización nacional de la ELCA, viajó entre el 9 y el 14 de junio a México, específicamente a Tapachula y Ciudad de México. El itinerario del viaje lo organizó AMEXTRA (Asociación Mexicana de Transformación Rural y Urbana), organización compañera de la ELCA.
El viaje a México es uno de varios viajes organizados por líderes de la ELCA que tienen el compromiso de conocer mejor las causas que se encuentran en la raíz de la migración. Delegaciones de la ELCA han viajado a Honduras, El Salvador y Guatemala, así como a Texas y otras partes de los Estados Unidos, con el fin de entender las realidades que enfrentan los migrantes y los solicitantes de asilo en cuanto llegan aquí.
Desde 2014, la ELCA ha estado dando respuesta a las necesidades de los niños y sus familias, con esfuerzos que van de asegurar la adecuada representación legal a la adopción temporal, pasando por la provisión de servicios “de protección” durante su estancia en los Estados Unidos y la conexión de los niños y sus familias con congregaciones de la ELCA. Los miembros de la ELCA también están exhortando al Congreso para que apruebe una reforma migratoria integral, asistencia humanitaria y un trato humano a los migrantes en tránsito.
“En el mes de junio viajamos a la frontera sur de México para observar la situación de los migrantes, específicamente de los menores sin acompañamiento que emprenden el largo y peligroso viaje para llegar a la frontera entre México y Estados Unidos”, explicó la reverenda Raquel Rodríguez, directora de programas de área de la ELCA para Latinoamérica y el Caribe, antes del viaje de la delegación.
Los migrantes que son detenidos a lo largo de la frontera se deportan a sus países de origen, dijo Rodríguez. “Los que consiguen escapar descubren que es muy difícil recorrer la ruta migratoria hacia el norte. En el camino encuentran refugio en casas apoyadas por la iglesia católica. Algunos participantes de Adultos Jóvenes en la Misión Global de la ELCA son voluntarios en refugios donde se ayuda a migrantes centroamericanos en tránsito”, dijo.
En sus primeros años, la Casa del Migrante en Tecún Umán (en la parte guatemalteca de la frontera sur de México) proporcionaba una comida caliente, un lugar para dormir, artículos de higiene personal y un par de zapatos, comentó Deal. “Hoy [la casa] puede ofrecer los servicios de un trabajador social profesional, atención médica, asesoría psicológica, asistencia legal para los migrantes que han sido víctimas del crimen e información fundamental sobre los riesgos y peligros al otro lado del río en México.
“El último año, [el personal de la casa] notó un aumento no sólo del número de menores sin acompañar sino de familias enteras que llamaban a sus puertas. Muchos huyen de la extorsión, las amenazas de muerte y otras formas de intimidación por parte de pandillas juveniles y otros grupos del crimen organizado en sus países de origen”, dijo Deal.
El personal “se siente profundamente preocupado por los relatos de primera mano de tráfico de seres humanos que oyen con una frecuencia cada vez mayor”, dijo Deal. “De acuerdo al administrador de la casa: ‘… al viajar, los migrantes se encuentran con personas sin escrúpulos que se aprovechan de su situación vulnerable para ganar dinero. Su principal motivación es económica… Y para obtener lo que quieren, estas personas extorsionan, secuestran, esclavizan, explotan, seducen, intimidan y violan. Las principales víctimas son las mujeres y los niños, especialmente los de sexo femenino'”.

Como “personas de fe, estamos llamados a hacer más”
Además de Deal, la delegación de la ELCA incluía a Evelyn Soto, directora de programa y operaciones de unidad de la Misión Congregacional y Sinodal de la ELCA (CSM, por sus siglas en inglés); Alaide Vilchis Ibarra, subdirectora de política migratoria y defensa de los derechos humanos de la ELCA; Mary Campbell, gerente de relaciones de la Misión Global de la ELCA, y Cecilia Favela, directora de finanzas de CSM.
El grupo visitó un refugio gubernamental donde se encontraron con niños, familias e individuos que solicitaban asilo en México. Vilchis Ibarra dijo: “Muchos solicitantes de asilo en México son detenidos en refugios sin contacto con el mundo exterior, especialmente cuando se están tomando decisiones sobre su estatus de refugiado”.
Vilchis Ibarra confesó que escuchar las historias de los niños migrantes durante el viaje “fue desgarrador. Hablar con niños que han pasado por más cosas de las que me podría imaginar y ver cómo tienen que esperar meses detenidos para que los proteja un gobierno es desgarrador. Creo que, como personas de fe estamos llamados a hacer más por estas personas tan vulnerables”.
“Vi lágrimas y tristeza, no alegría ni felicidad”, externó Soto. “La gente huye de sus patrias como víctimas y luego son tratados como criminales”.
Favela dijo que “ni siquiera pueden llamar por teléfono a su familia. Hablé con una mujer cuya madre había sufrido un derrame cerebral y ni siquiera podía saber cómo estaba”.
Deal añadió: “Y debido al largo periodo de detención para la resolución de las solicitudes de asilo, las mujeres y sus familias requieren de atención psicológica por culpa de los traumas que han experimentado al salir de su patria y de las experiencias que acumulan en detención. Existe una gran necesidad de acompañamiento espiritual durante esos momentos”.

Centro de detención en Chiapas
Campbell dijo que se suele separar a las familias en centros diferentes —a las madres de sus hijos adolescentes de más edad, a las madres y sus hijos de los padres— y tienen poco o ningún contacto.
En Chiapas, Campbell conoció a una mujer que había oído ese día “que había sido aprobada su solicitud de asilo y que pronto iba a salir del centro de detención donde habían permanecido desde principios de marzo ella y sus tres hijitos de 5 y 4 años más el menor de 9 meses. Se iban a dirigir a la Ciudad de México, donde viven una tía y varios primos. Obligada a salir de Honduras por su esposo pandillero, quien abusaba físicamente de ella con mucha frecuencia, sus amenazas de muerte la hicieron decidirse a llevar a sus pequeños en este largo viaje.
“‘Si me quedaba, mis hijos habrían perdido a su madre’, dijo. Viajaron solos hasta que se les unió otra mujer que también estaba huyendo de la violencia pandilleril y los ayudó a llegar a México. ‘Dios nos protegió’, dijo. ‘Nada malo sucedió, gracias a Dios‘”.

Campbell dijo que la mujer ya está “mirando a una nueva vida, sosteniendo a su familia con su trabajo de estilista, sola con sus hijos pero viva”.
La delegación de la ELCA también se reunió con Cuauhtémoc Ibarra, miembro del personal de la congresista mexicana Amalia Dolores García Medina.
Vilchis Ibarra dijo que García Medina representa al estado de Zacatecas, “que ha sido uno de los estados con más cantidad de migrantes a Estados Unidos. Por esa razón, la migración y la suerte de los migrantes que pasan por México o que buscan seguridad en este país son una parte importante del trabajo de Ibarra. Ayudó a elaborar una ley integral del niño migrante que nunca vio la luz del día debido a complicadas cuestiones políticas. Pero contribuyó a moldear parte de la actual ley de protección del menor que se aplica a los niños migrantes”.
Durante esa reunión, Ibarra habló “apasionadamente sobre la poca protección que tienen los migrantes, especialmente los niños, en el sistema mexicano. “No creo que exista una mejor ley [de protección al menor] que la de México, aunque no creo que exista una que se respete menos’, dijo Vilchis Ibarra.
“Entendí de dónde le venía la pasión por esta cuestión. Ibarra había visto los rostros de los niños de los que habían abusado los agentes de migración o que habían estado detenidos durante meses sin conocer su futuro. Mi corazón sangra al saber que una ley que pretende protegerlos en realidad no se está aplicando. Ibarra le pidió a la sociedad civil y a las organizaciones internacionales que siguieran presionando a los gobiernos para que respeten las leyes de protección porque, como nos dijo, ‘son niños'”.
– – –
Sobre la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en América:

La ELCA es una de las mayores denominaciones cristianas en los Estados Unidos con más de 3.8 millones de miembros en casi 10,000 congregaciones de los 50 estados y la región del Caribe. Conocida como la iglesia de “La obra de Dios. Nuestras manos”, la ELCA enfatiza la gracia salvadora de Dios por medio de la fe en Jesucristo, la unidad entre los cristianos y el servicio en el mundo. Las raíces de la ELCA se hunden en los escritos del reformista alemán Martín Lutero.

Véase más en: http://www.elca.org/News-and-Events/7755#sthash.yjf9Gcma.dpuf

Heidi Hagstrom

Para cualquier persona, la enseñanza favorita de las que nos dejó Jesús es: “Así que los últimos serán primeros, y los primeros, últimos” (Mateo 20:16). Esa persona, hombre o mujer, quiere saber cuándo va a suceder. Cuándo será que pueda llegar a “gozar de los lujos que [el 1 por ciento] da por sentado”. Aparentemente piensa que el 1 por ciento son “los primeros”.

En respuesta a su duda, el sabio maestro se pregunta si esa inquisidora persona se da cuenta de lo que quería decir Jesús. En el reino de Jesús no hay primeros ni últimos; no hay ganadores ni perdedores; no hay elegidos ni no elegidos, no hay verdaderos creyentes ni infieles. “El reino [de Dios]”, dice el sabio maestro, “no es un juego de suma cero donde el ganador se lo lleva todo y nos enfrenta a nosotros contra ellos’, sino una celebración positiva donde nos unimos todos”. El sabio maestro sugiere a continuación que la persona inquisidora decida dejar de jugar su juego para jugar el juego de Jesús.

¿Qué pasaría si lo hiciéramos? ¿Qué tan diferentes serían nuestras experiencias en Detroit si nuestro enfoque se concentrara únicamente en una celebración positiva donde nos unimos todos. Tengo algunas ideas.

Mutualidad
Pidan al Espíritu Santo que les ayude a dar y recibir confianza mientras crecen juntos con otros luteranos y ciudadanos de Detroit.

Inclusividad
Pidan al Espíritu Santo que amplifique su conciencia de las personas que de otro modo podrían quedar excluidas o marginadas y que refuerce su decisión de recibirlos con los brazos abiertos, no por piedad u obligación sino con un espíritu de amor y respeto.

Vulnerabilidad
Pidan al Espíritu Santo que les dé la fuerza para mostrar su auténtico yo –incluso las partes que consideren malas o negativas– y confiar en que otros formen una conexión con ustedes ahí donde se encuentran.

Empoderamiento
Pidan al Espíritu Santo que aumente su conciencia para mirar el momento en que asumen el poder o en que actúan como si tuvieran todo el poder, y pidan la humildad para dar su poder a otros.

Sustentabilidad
Pidan al Espíritu Santo que les ayude a concretar un compromiso deliberado de atención y tiempo para escuchar reflexivamente las historias del otro e invertir en su prosperidad.

ELCA Advocacy

Lutherans are taking action across the country! Below you will find our monthly State Advocacy Newsletter. Share with your friends!

Washington, D.C.

Mary Minette,

Interim Director of Advocacy

www.elca.org/advocacy

2015 ADVOCACY CONVENING: Last month ELCA, Episcopal and community leaders from around the country met in Washington, D.C., for a two-day advocacy event. The 2015 Advocacy Convening brought together bishops and grassroots leaders in a common call to action the week of Pope Francis’ first papal visit to the United States. Participants of the convening explored the role of deliberative democracy and faith in informing public service and examined the ways our shared faith perspective can cultivate mutual respect, moral reflection, and honest conversation with our government.

On the day of Pope Francis’ joint-address to Congress, convening participants met with more than 60 congressional offices and 24 members of Congress. There, leaders and advocates with first-hand experience urged their lawmakers to pass a responsible budget that provides funding for programs that fight extreme poverty, climate change, and protect children fleeing Central America. At the same time, more than 250 advocates from across the country sent letters to Congress through the ELCA Advocacy Action Center.

DC1 DC2 DC3

ADVOCATING FOR A JUST FEDERAL BUDGET: On Sept. 30, Congress passed a resolution that will fund the federal government until Dec. 11. However, this resolution does not provide necessary increases in funding to address our concerns for environmental issues or vulnerable people. Now, budget talks continue and there is an opportunity once again to influence our members of Congress as they debate how to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year ending on Sept. 30, 2016.

In the next few months we will continue to raise our voices in support of a budget that honors our earth and the well-being of all around the world. This includes funding for the Green Climate Fund, health and refugee services, emergency food assistance, and other programs that enhance the lives of families in the U.S. and abroad. Continue to check your inbox for opportunities to join us and faith communities around the country in urging Congress to pass a faithful budget.

LUTHERAN AND EPISCOPAL CHURCH LEADERS’ OPINION COLUMN FEATURED IN USA TODAY: Presiding Bishop Eaton joined leaders of Lutheran and Episcopal churches in Canada and the United States to write an opinion column on uniting to safeguard God’s Creation that was featured in USA Today on September 23. The church leaders described that “our traditions drive us to address the interrelated problems of climate change, environmental degradation, hunger and poverty… Though we represent different religious institutions, we share a common goal, and recognize that time is short to achieve it. We all know that to protect the poorest we must protect the climate.” This piece was published during Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S.

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New York, NY

Dennis Frado, Lutheran Office for World Community

SITUATION IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: The Lutheran Office for World Community has been following the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) very closely. On Sept. 26, an upsurge in violence occurred in the previously relatively stabilized capital of Bangui. Only four days prior, a meeting between the U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and nongovernmental organizations highlighted the positive outcomes of the people-centric National Forum in Bangui, which adopted the Republican Pact for Peace, National Reconciliation and Reconstruction. These outcomes, especially free and fair national and legislative elections scheduled for October 2015, have become a high-priority for U.N. agencies, including the Security Council, DPKO and the U.N. Development Programme. However, violence in the country’s capital in the recent days has led CAR’s interim transitional president, Catherine Samba-Panza, to postpone the previously scheduled October elections. In a high-level U.N. meeting on CAR held on Oct. 1, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged member states to give financial contributions to CAR to fund the priorities of the Bangui Forum and to rally the support of the international community. As for the role of faith-based organizations in CAR, DPKO urges spaces of faith and worship to also be vehicles for reconciliation among marginalized and oppressed peoples. Additionally, The Lutheran World Federation and nine other nongovernmental organizations drafted and signed an advocacy memorandumoutlining the problems in CAR and recommending solutions. For more information on the situation in CAR, read here.

OUTLOOK OF THE HIV AND AIDS EFFORTS AT THE UNITED NATIONS: During the 70^th Session of the U.N. General Assembly, Nicholas Jaech with the Lutheran Office for World Community joined activists, health workers and governments to discuss long-term commitments to ending HIV and AIDS by 2030 – an objective outlined in the Fast-Track strategy developed byUNAIDS. On Sunday, Sept. 27, a meeting between UNAIDS and civil society was held to discuss the financial realities of achieving this goal. UNAIDS admitted a $10 billion to $15 billion global shortfall in funds necessary to successfully implement the Fast-Track strategy. On the same day, a high-level event, “Ending the AIDS Epidemic by 2030: Shaping New Models and Means of Implementation,” was hosted by the governments of Kenya and Malawi, in partnership with UNAIDS. At this event, the governments of Malawi, Kenya, Mali, Lesotho, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the United States pledged their support for the Fast-Track strategy. All governments that spoke highlighted the need to focus on adolescent girls, who are eight times more likely than men to be HIV positive. These governments also acknowledged the importance of concentrated efforts to support and de-stigmatize marginalized groups, specifically men who have sex with men, sex workers, and drug users. For more information on ELCA efforts concerning HIV and AIDS, click here. Additionally, follow them on Facebook and on Twitter at@ELCAHIVandAIDS.

U.N. TURNS 70 AND DISCUSSES REFORMS: The United Nations celebrates its 70^thanniversary in October. During the annual General Debate in September, many heads of state used this anniversary occasion to highlight the achievements of the United Nations regarding its three pillars – peace and security, development, and human rights. Nevertheless, voices also gained momentum demanding reforms of current U.N. structures. A growing number of countries support the French-Mexican initiative to encourage the permanent five members of the Security Council (China, France, the United Kingdom, Russia and the United States) to refrain from using the veto in cases of mass atrocities. A similar project was launched by the ACT-Group (Accountability, Coherence, and Transparency). About 60 countries signed a Code of Conductpledging not to vote against any drafts that would deter international action on genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes. Additionally, many member states demand a more transparent and diplomatic process of the selection, nomination and appointment of the next secretary-general, who will follow Ban Ki-moon in 2017. Many members of civil society supported this demand by joining the 1 for 7 Billion Campaign.

POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA; 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINBLE DEVELOPMENT: On Sept. 25, more than 150 heads of NY3 state convened for the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015 and adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Transforming Our World, which is “a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity.” The Global Goals, as they are called in a recently launched campaign, consist of 17 new sustainable development goals and 169 targets. LOWC has been monitoring the negotiations and will continuing to follow the implementation phase including the development of target indicators by 2016 and the establishment of review mechanisms.

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LOWC Advocacy Blog

Nicholas Jaech, Lutheran Office for World Community

THE CULTURE OF PEACE: This month, Nicholas Jaech reflects on recent developments at the United Nations and the culture of peace in his blog, “Reconciling a Culture of Peace and a Responsibility to Protect.”

“I have been overwhelmed with admiration for how active faith-based groups are at the United Nations. Social justice is at the forefront of all conversations, faith is shared, and ecumenical working groups have formed to promote peace in its many forms – climate justice, gender justice, and hunger relief, just to name a few. These groups, many ecumenical and inter-faith, illustrate how justice and peace can be created in an ever-increasingly diverse world.” Read the full version at the ELCA Advocacy Blog!

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California