Presiding Bishop Curry Issues Pastoral Message on Gender-based Violence
March 24, 2026 Dear church, It is hard to avoid the crushing news of the headlines and what they mean for individuals every day. Today, I am writing specifically to address the sexual and gender-based violence that is all too familiar to many of us. I know many of you
LAMPa Advocacy Fellow Reflects on the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
LAMPa Advocacy Fellow Daniella Garber joined ELCA colleagues in the Lutheran Office for World Community for the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women during Women's History Month. She shares her takeaways in this reflection, published on Substack: "I had the remarkable privilege of traveling to New York City
Bishop Curry Issues Statement on Iran War
March 4, 2026 Dear siblings in Christ, They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more (Isaiah 2:4). In our Lenten journey, we are reminded of our dependence on God, and
FAITH + ELECTIONS A Source for Trustworthy Information
Misinformation and disinformation undermine not only confidence in elections, but also the trust needed to govern ourselves in a democracy. Knowing that spreading falsehoods can lead to very real harm to our neighbor, we should strive to be trustworthy in all that we share. At LAMPa, this is always our
ELCA Statement on EPA Decision to Rescind the Endangerment Finding
ELCA Statement on EPA Decision to Rescind the Endangerment Finding “The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) expresses profound concern and disappointment regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to rescind the endangerment finding on greenhouse gas emissions. This action undermines our collective responsibility to care for God’s creation
A Decade After Its Start, Ashes-to-Go a Welcomed and Meaningful Tradition
"Ashes-to-go at the Capitol is one of my favorite things of the year," said the Rev. Matthew Best, pastor at Christ Lutheran in Harrisburg and a former LAMPa Policy Chair. Beguan a decade ago to provide opportunity for individuals to receive prayers and the mark of ashes on their foreheads
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
