North American Church Leaders Call for Peace in Holy Land in Advent Prayer Resource
CHICAGO (Nov. 30, 2023) — The leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and The Episcopal Church (TEC) have released the Churches Beyond Borders 2023 Advent Cycle of Prayer. The prayer resource calls for justice
PA House Passes Hate Crimes Legislation
In the midst of rising violence and expressions of hatred, particularly toward Jewish and Muslim communities in the U.S. in the wake of conflict in the Middle East, the state House of Representatives on Tuesday passed three bills to strengthen the Commonwealth’s hate crime laws. Supported by votes from both
A Statement from Bishop Eaton on the Conflict in the Holy Land
Dear church, The ELCA’s commitments call on us to denounce unequivocally any attacks — past, present or future — by any party that lead to civilians becoming victims. Our hearts are with all those who have been killed or injured, and with their families and friends. With an anticipated ground
ELCA Releases Draft Social Message on Gun-Related Violence and Trauma
The ELCA is developing a social message about gun-related violence and trauma. Social messages are ELCA teaching documents that draw from existing social teaching but throw a fuller and sharper spotlight on a particular social issue. The draft’s themes focus on trauma, public health, and an ethic of shared responsibility
A Statement from Bishop Eaton on the Israel-Hamas War
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?" —Psalm 22:1 Dear church, As Lutherans, we are accustomed to holding tension between two truths. Thus the ELCA denounces the egregious acts of Hamas, acts that have
Blanket the Capitol and Cover the Homeless With Care
Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Yet, for many in our country, that has become increasingly impossible. A severe shortage of affordable housing has forced many not just into shelters and unstable and unsafe housing, but also into the streets. "In many communities, unsheltered homelessness is increasing, leaving
LAMPa Policy Council Gathers to Learn, Grow Community
The Laurel Highlands served as a beautiful backdrop for LAMPa's Policy Council retreat at Camp Sequanota in September. The council, which began a new term Sept. 1, heard updates on legislative action and began discussion of possible policy priorities for the next term, based on what they are witnessing in
Climate Panel Report “Dire Warning” with Narrow Window for Action
Climate change is causing widespread and dangerous threats to nature and billions of people around the planet, but especially those least able to cope, according to a report released this week by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which warns that humankind has a narrowing window for action. “This
State OKs $10M in Tax Credits as Report Outlines How Far Out of Reach Housing Remains for Workers
The Pennsylvania General Assembly and Gov. Tom Wolf approved $10 million for the Pa. Housing Tax Credit program aimed at closing the gap in affordable housing just before the National Low-Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) released its report documenting how far out of reach housing is for workers in Pennsylvania and
LAMPa Welcomes Dennis Groce to Policy Council
Dennis Groce was confirmed as a member of the LAMPa Policy Council by vote of the Northwest PA Synod Assembly in June, 2021. Dennis and his wife Marcia have been members of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in North East, PA (Erie County) since 2006. In addition to congregational roles,
