Third COVID-19 Aid Package Passed and Signed: Thank You for Taking Action!
On March 27, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, H.R. 748 (CARES Act), a third economic aid package to help bring direct relief to families, reinforce struggling industries and the healthcare sector, and extend assistance to vital state and federal support programs. Members of Congress and
Message from Bishop Eaton Outlining the ELCA’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dear church, The last couple of weeks have been trying ones for everyone across this church. Our synods, congregations and ministries are facing challenges that they’ve never faced before. Being church together means more now than ever before. The churchwide office is launching a comprehensive Covid-19 response across the ELCA
Asian American Hate Crimes Outreach from the PA State Police
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world in ways we could never have imagined. Lives are being lost, schools and businesses are closed, and our way of life has drastically changed. An additional consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic are the increasing volume of hate/bias crimes and incidents targeting members of
Update on Pennsylvania’s Surprise Balance Billing Protection Act
Pennsylvania's Surprise Balance Billing Protection Act, HB 1862, bill passed out of committee unanimously, and is now sitting on the House floor, waiting for second consideration. The bill keeps consumers stay out of the middle of this issue in an emergency situation by allowing them to pay the expected in-network
ELCA Releases First Draft of Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in American (ELCA) has shared The First Draft of the Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy. The development of this message on government, civic engagement, the relationship of church and state and related matters, was called for by the 2019 ELCA
U.S. District Court Issues Injunction On SNAP Time Limits Rule For ABAWDs
On Friday, March 13, a federal judge from the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C., issued a nationwide injunction blocking the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) for Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) from taking effect. The Trump administration rule, scheduled to take effect April 1, would have forced nearly
ELCA Publishes Civic Engagement Guide
The ELCA has published a Civic Engagement Guide. The resource guide is designed to encourage, empower and equip voter education and other responsible civic participation shaped by faith values. Civic engagement, according to a frequently referenced definition, means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities
ELCA Partners With Census for Neighbor and Ourselves
Our communities are significantly shaped by census data, and Census 2020 will update these numbers for the first time in 10 years. The ELCA is an official partner of the 2020 Census to encourage the most accurate count possible. “Funding for over 100 federal programs, many of which combat poverty
Standing for Protections for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians
Lutheran advocates stood with lawmakers and supporters of protections for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians in the Capitol on Feb. 3 as members of the LGBTQ community and their families shared stories of continued discrimination in housing and employment in Pennsylvania. “I was saddened by all of the heart-rending stories,” said the Rev.
LAMPa Participates in Solitary Confinement Press Conference
LAMPa advocates joined coalition partners and legislators at a press conference on Monday, February 3 to call upon the support of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to support HB 497 and SB 832, both of which seek to limit the use of solitary confinement in prisons because of the trauma it
