Governor Releases 10-Year Housing Plan for Pennsylvania; Lawmakers Highlight Bipartisan Approaches
The ELCA social message on homelessness is clear: "Housing is a fundamental human right." Yet for hundreds of thousands of Americans, that right remains out of reach, and Pennsylvania is no exception. On Feb. 12, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Pennsylvania’s first-ever comprehensive Housing Action Plan to address critical housing
PA Human Relations Commission Issues Fair Housing Report
“God heard the cry of a homeless people and delivered them out of oppression in Egypt. Jesus, “who [had] nowhere to lay his head” (Luke 9:58), ministered with compassion to the poor and vulnerable. In practicing hospitality, we are promised to encounter the living Lord: “I was a stranger and
Governor’s Budget Includes Increases for Schools, Replacing Federal Funding
On Feb. 3, Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled a $53.3 billion state budget proposal that would use emergency funds to boost basic and special education spending in identified underfunded public schools and to help Pennsylvanians affected by recent changes in federal Medicaid and nutrition programs. Check here to track and see
Prophets, Saints, and Kings
Resisting Christian Nationalism and Building the Beloved Community with King and Bonhoeffer Kindling Faith: Prophets, Saints, and Kings Event Recording – YouTube Download: Dr. Reggie Williams Presentation Slides Download: Dr. Stephen Haynes Presentation Slides Jan. 17 was a sobering and inspiring day of learning from MLK and Bonhoeffer to resist
Presiding Bishop Curry and Minnesota Synod Bishops Condemn Immigration Activity
Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry and ELCA synod bishops from Minnesota share a joint pastoral video message condemning aggressive immigration activity. The bishops acknowledge the uncertainty being experienced by many in Minnesota and in other parts of God’s kingdom, and they remind this church that in our lament we still hold fast to
LAMPa and Lutheran Partners Attend Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition Convening
Left to right: Cricket Hunter, Rev. Linda Theophilus, Daniella Garber, Pastor Jay Eckman On January 15–16, LAMPa and Lutheran partners joined the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition (PIC) for its annual convening, hosted by Tree of Life Lutheran Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The gathering brought together advocates, organizers, service providers,
Bishop Curry Issues Statement on ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
Learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:17). Alongside our siblings in Christ in Minneapolis and throughout Minnesota and all who have been impacted by aggressive immigration enforcement and violence by federal law enforcement agents, I mourn the shocking shooting death of Renee
LAMPa Supports Young Voices in Advocacy at Winterfest
More than 200 youth and leaders at Lower Susquehanna Synod's annual winter retreat heard from recent LAMPa racial justice fellow Anna Oslikova about the transformative power of advocacy and then took first steps themselves -- writing postcards to policymakers after packing more than 30,000 meals for hungry neighbors. Oslikova, who
New Study Guide for Faith & Civic Life Social Statement
We're delighted to have available for congregational use a curriculum to help study and understand the ELCA social statement, Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All. This six-week curriculum walks congregations and faith communities through important parts of the social statemen and offers a starting point for
A Christmas Message from Bishop Curry
In his Christmas message to the church, Bishop Curry delivers a children’s sermon, describing the night when Jesus was born. “One silent night, far away in a town called Bethlehem, the stars twinkled brighter than ever. And the angels were there too. It was as if the whole sky was
