Coalition Against Hate Urges PA House, Senate Leadership to Enact Hate Crime Legislation
As high profile incidents of bigotry continue to be reported in local communities, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) joins with other members of the Coalition Against Hate and state Rep. Dan Frankel calling for the PA House and Senate leadership to take action and to allow a vote on
USDA Extends Free Meals for Kids for Entire School Year
Thank you to advocates who urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to extend flexibilities to allow free meals to continue to be available to all children throughout the entire 2020-2021 school year. This unprecedented move helps ensure that all children across America have access to nutritious food as the
PUC Ending Moratorium on Utility Shut-offs
As the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) ends the moratorium on utility shut-offs, they have adopted a series of enhanced consumer protections intended to safeguard families and small businesses who are struggling financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic – and also established a framework for future discussions about utility
Women of the ELCA Release Updated Resource: “Called to be Political (But I Don’t Want to be Political!)”
Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have released a new updated version of "Called to Be Political (but I don't want to be political!)". This resource, easily adapted for virtual use, is designed to be used with Faith Formation, Sunday School, young adult or small group
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
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
Save the Date for Lutheran Day 2021 – October 28
As we continue to move through the pandemic, we look forward and invite you to mark your calendar for next year's Lutheran Day at the Capitol as we plan to gather in Harrisburg on Thursday, October 28, 2021. We have moved this annual event from the spring into the fall
ELCA Church Council Adopts New Social Message
The ELCA Church Council has unanimously adopted a new social message: “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy.” This project was called for at the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, with an intention that it be ready to read before the national election this fall. The
