Governor Releases 10-Year Housing Plan for Pennsylvania; Lawmakers Highlight Bipartisan Approaches
The ELCA social message on homelessness is clear: "Housing is a fundamental human right." Yet for hundreds of thousands of Americans, that right remains out of reach, and Pennsylvania is no exception. On Feb. 12, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Pennsylvania’s first-ever comprehensive Housing Action Plan to address critical housing
PA Human Relations Commission Issues Fair Housing Report
“God heard the cry of a homeless people and delivered them out of oppression in Egypt. Jesus, “who [had] nowhere to lay his head” (Luke 9:58), ministered with compassion to the poor and vulnerable. In practicing hospitality, we are promised to encounter the living Lord: “I was a stranger and
LAMPa and Lutheran Partners Attend Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition Convening
Left to right: Cricket Hunter, Rev. Linda Theophilus, Daniella Garber, Pastor Jay Eckman On January 15–16, LAMPa and Lutheran partners joined the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition (PIC) for its annual convening, hosted by Tree of Life Lutheran Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The gathering brought together advocates, organizers, service providers,
LAMPa Supports Office of New Pennsylvanians
On October 28, LAMPa Director Tracey DePasquale, the Rev. Andrew Berdahl, and Hunger Advocacy Fellow Daniella Garber joined advocates and lawmakers at the Pennsylvania Capitol for a press conference and to witness the House committee’s passage of legislation establishing an Office of New Pennsylvanians. House Bill 1113, introduced by Rep.
Rachel Faulkner Joins LAMPa Policy Council
LAMPa is excited to welcome Rachel Faulkner as an at-large member of the Policy Council. Faulkner is a native of Pennsylvania, in her last year of college and preparing for law school. She is a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Irwin, PA. Her lived experience finds Faulkner at
LAMPa Welcomes Daniella Garber as Hunger Advocacy Fellow
LAMPa is delighted to welcome Daniella Garber as the Hunger Advocacy Fellow for 2025-2026! The Hunger Advocacy Fellow program is made possible by the generous donations and mission support to ELCA World Hunger. Hunger Advocacy Fellows are placed at state public policy offices (SPPOs) throughout the country and the ELCA Washington
Rev. Leah Woehr-Grande Appointed to Policy Council
LAMPa is delighted to announce Bishop Bryan Penman has appointed the Rev. Leah Woehr-Grande to LAMPa’s Policy Council as a representative of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. Pastor Woehr-Grande has served as Lead Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Royersford, PA since December 2024. A native of Bucks County, PA, and
Lutherans add “Our Voices” to “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday
On Sunday, September 7 Lutherans marked the annual, denomination-wide day of service, "God's work. Our hands." Sunday. The day of service has been a staple of many congregations for the past twelve years. This year, several congregations across the Commonwealth engaged with Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Pennsylvania to amplify their
Rev. Tom Pierotti to Join LAMPa’s Policy Council
LAMPa is delighted to announce Bishop Kristen Papson of the NWPA Synod has appointed the Rev. Tom Pierotti to LAMPa’s Policy Council. Pierotti will serve a three-year term. Pierotti was ordained in 1976 and has always been interested in social ministry and public policy. While in seminary he spent two
Rev. Joel Folkemer Joins LAMPa Policy Council
LAMPa is delighted to welcome the Rev. Joel Folkemer to our Policy Council as a representative of the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Pastor Folkemer has been a long-time advocate and ally with LAMPa, and we are excited for a new chapter in our work together. Folkemer serves Union Evangelical Lutheran Church
