LAMPa Welcomes the Rev. Matthew Best to Policy Council
The Rev. Matthew Best recently joined the LAMPa Policy Council as a representative of the Lower Susquehanna Synod (LSS). Since 2017, Best has served as the pastor of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, New Kingstown. Pastor Best also serves on the LSS Council, currently serving on the Executive Committee of Synod
Policy Council Gathers for Annual Retreat
The LAMPa Policy Council recently gathered at Camp Hebron, Halifax, for their annual retreat. The group engaged in discernment about strategic direction as policy council to support LAMPa's mission and to foster being church in the public square. Their work built upon responses to a statewide survey of ELCA rostered
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
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
LAMPa Welcomes the Rev. Dr. Gilson Waldkoenig to Policy Council
The Rev. Dr. Gilson Waldkoenig was recently appointed to the LAMPa Policy Council by interim United Lutheran Seminary President Dr. Richard Green. Gil will represent the seminary community. Gilson Waldkoenig is the Paulssen-Hale-Maurer Professor of Church in Society at United Lutheran Seminary. Since 1995 he has taught courses on the
LAMPa Policy Council Sets 2019 Priorities & Elects New Officers
The Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) Policy Council met on December 6, 2018, to set their agenda priorities for the upcoming term of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Following a thoughtful, engaging and lengthy conversation among those present the following priorities were identified: Hunger; Creation Care; Poverty; and the 2020
PA Senate Passes Bill Requiring Surrender of Guns in Certain Cases of Domestic Violence
By a 43-5 bipartisan vote, the Pennsylvania Senate approved HB 2060, which mandates convicted domestic abusers give up their guns within 24 hours of a final protection from abuse order and limits who can hold onto them for safe keeping. LAMPa, along with other interfaith partners have supported this bill.
Policy Council Gathers for Annual Retreat
The LAMPa Policy Council recently gathered at Camp Hebron, Halifax, for their annual retreat. This year’s retreat goals included building a sense of call to the ministry of LAMPa as the body of Christ. In addition, the group reviewed the mission of LAMPa and reflected on its relationship to scripture,
LAMPa Welcomes the Rev. Karl Runser to Policy Council
LAMPa welcomes the Rev. Karl Runser to its policy council as the newest representative from the Upper Susquehanna Synod. Karl grew up in southeastern Ohio and studied music history at Ohio University. He received his Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, and was ordained in 2002.
LAMPa Welcomes the Rev. Inge Williams to Policy Council
Inge Williams is the pastor of Friedens Church in Shartlesville, a hamlet at the base of the Blue Mountain in Berks County. Inge hails from the Midwest. Born in Ohio, she spent formative years in northeastern Lower Michigan. In 2014, she received her M.Div. from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus,
