How Congregations Can Help Reduce Election Chaos, Increase Safety for Voters
Although some parts of Pennsylvania's election process are still being litigated, there are ways in which ELCA congregations and parishioners can offer assistance now to reduce stress and increase confidence in a system already dealing with existing and proposed changes in voting laws, significant election official turnover and glaring national
Help Eligible People Claim Stimulus Payments: Deadline is October 15
According to the Center on Budget Policy and Priorities, five million Americans who were hit hardest by the current health and economic crisis risk missing out on $6 billion in CARES Act stimulus payments if they don’t file the required online form before October 15. Many of our most
A Pastoral Word on the Grand Jury Decision in Louisville
September 24, 2020 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. ― Ephesians 2:14 In response to the grand jury decision in Louisville, Ky., we offer a word of prayer and healing following the decision not to charge police officers for
USDA Injunction a Victory for Commonwealth’s SNAP Recipients
In the wave of systemic issues bubbling to the surface of our collective state and national attention, hunger has not been left out. “Because of the pandemic, I cannot buy all the food I need for proper nutrition. I sometimes don’t have enough food, and skip meals.” said Latoya
ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Disregard for Human Life and Dignity at Private Detention Facility
“As Christ on the cross did not lose his dignity, but in fact revealed himself fully in vulnerability, every human who is being mistreated retains the image of God that confers dignity. A society should not deny a person's dignity for any reason.” —ELCA social message “Human Rights,” p. 4 On
LAMPa Welcomes ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow Larry D. Herrold Jr.
LAMPa is excited to welcome Larry D. Herrold Jr. as our first ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow. Larry is a native of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, a small-town of about 10,000 nestled where the east and west branches of the Susquehanna River meet. He graduated from Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA, in 2019 with
PA House and Senate Introduce Bills Expanding PHFA’s Rental & Mortgage Assistance Program
The Pennsylvania Senate and House have introduced legislation aimed at assisting Commonwealth residents to more easily access Federal CARES dollars directed toward rental and mortgage assistance. Landlords and potential rental and mortgage assistance recipients have had difficulty navigating the multi-step application process. The House and Senate versions of this legislation
Gov. Wolf Urges Legislature to Protect Homeowners and Renters from Eviction
As his moratorium on evictions and foreclosures expired, Gov. Tom Wolf was joined by Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) Executive Director and CEO Robin L. Wiessmann, Sen. Jay Costa, Rep. Maureen Madden and advocates to urge the legislature to quickly pass legislation to protect Pennsylvanians from eviction from their homes
USDA Extends Free Meals for Kids Through Year-end & Allows Summer Meals to Continue
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they will extend free meals for kids through Dec. 31, and will continue to allow summer meal program operators to serve free meals to all children into the fall months. This will help ensure that children have access to nutritious food as the
Voting Updates: Mail-in and Absentee Ballots; Become a Poll Worker; and Election Security
As you prepare to vote in the Nov. 3 elections, here are some important updates. Stay tuned for additional updates as we monitor pending legislation in the PA House and Senate regarding voting in Pennsylvania. The deadline to register for the November general election is October 19, 2020. Keep