LAMPa Welcomes the Rev. Brenda Martin to Policy Council
After working for 36 years as a journalist at several Pennsylvania newspapers, the Rev. Brenda Martin left journalism in Advent 2018 to take a full-time call as pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Greenville, Mercer County. As a journalist, she could never advocate for public policy or use her
Caring for Creation – New Resources Available from ELCA Advocacy
ELCA Advocacy recently shared a host of new resources that are posted on our LAMPa website under Creation Care. The materials were introduced at the ELCA Advocacy Convening. The theme this year was "Prepared to Care: Our Advocacy in Light of Disasters Intensified by Climate Change". The rubric of the
New Civic Engagement Primer and Study Guide Available
The Pennsylvania Council of Churches recently released a new Civic Engagement Primer and Study Guide providing an enlightening resource for faith communities to utilize in Sunday School and Faith Formation classes. The Pennsylvania Council of Churches has long believed in our call as Christians to be faithful citizens, participating in
Responding To Conditions At The Border
Recent news stories of appalling conditions at immigrant detention centers and of deep human sorrow on our country’s southern border have many of us desperate to be part of change. Mary Campbell, ELCA's Director of AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities) invites any faith leader (not
Free Certified Legal Translations Available for Asylees
Free certified legal translations for asylees are available through global wordsmiths. Global wordsmiths is a Social Enterprise that provides language translation and interpretation services, as well as language access consulting and training. Every dollar of profit they earn is used to finance their innovative Social Impact Initiatives. The cost
General Assistance For PA Poor Eliminated
A decades-long General Assistance (GA) program that had been re-instated by the state Supreme Court last year was eliminated last week, affecting more than 11,000 Pennsylvanians reported to be relying on the small, temporary program targeted to the most vulnerable as a bridge in times of crisis. LAMPa staff and
Gov. Wolf Signs 2019-2020 Budget
On June 28, Pennsylvania adopted a $34 billion budget that includes no new taxes but socks $330 million away in a rainy day fund. Highlights include increases for housing, education (basic, pre-k and special education), election security and help for a struggling agricultural industry. Funding for the state’s two major
Lutheran Advocates Join Hundreds in Rally for 100% Renewable Energy
On June 19, Lutheran advocates from around the Commonwealth joined more than 300 rallying in the Capitol for a plan to get Pennsylvania to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 in an attempt to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. Advocates visited lawmakers to thank them for their support
LAMPa Welcomes Susan Barclay to Policy Council
Susan Barclay, a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Rockwood, Pennsylvania, part of the Allegheny Synod, recently joined the LAMPa Policy Council. She is a retired mathematics teacher from Rockwood Area School District. Susan is married to Kirby Barclay, the mother of four children and four grandchildren, all the
New Resource Available – “The Forgotten Luther II: Reclaiming the Church’s Public Witness”
In this critical time in history, "The Forgotten Luther II: Reclaiming the Church's Public Witness", this volume argues that what is urgently needed is a cogent, clear, biblically based and theologically grounded rationale for the manner in which the church speaks and acts in the political arena. Lured at times
