LSS Bishop’s Christmas Message on Immigration
December 18, 2018 Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent Dear partner in ministry: A Pastoral Christmas Message on Immigration They were a family of modest means, working folks, who wanted only to live peacefully in their homeland and give their baby son a good life. Unfortunately, instability and
PA Clean Slate Law Implementation Begins December 26
Clean Slate implementation begins as of December 26th, with thousands of Pennsylvanians newly eligible to seal their first-degree misdemeanors and their simple assault convictions. Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law permits many criminal cases in Pennsylvania to be sealed – taken out of public view, so they cannot be used by employers,
General Assistance Returns to PA
Pennsylvanians eligible for General Assistance have begun to receive their benefits, several months after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court unanimously held that Act 80 of 2012, which eliminated the program, had been enacted in a manner that violated the Pennsylvania Constitution. LAMPa and other advocates for low-income Pennsylvanians had opposed Act 80
Safe Harbor, Protections for Hungry Neighbors and Environment, Highlight End of Legislative Session
The unanimous passage of Safe Harbor legislation protecting child sex trafficking victims in Pennsylvania was the last act of the General Assembly before recessing prior to Tuesday election. Gov. Tom Wolf signed the bill into law on Oct. 24. The law redirects victims away from prosecution for prostitution or other
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.
Farm Bill Update
Despite efforts by leadership in the House and Senate Agriculture committees, Congress failed to reauthorize the farm bill by the Sept. 30 deadline. With the prior law now expiring, dozens of programs will stop and many others placed on hold. Long-standing authorized programs such as crop insurance and SNAP will
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,
Lutherans Share Their Voices for God’s Work. Our Hands Sunday
ELCA congregations across Pennsylvania shared their voices for God’s Work. Our Hands Sunday by addressing letters to legislators, federal and state, advocating on behalf of those whose voices may not always be heard. As a result of their thoughtful advocacy service, several hundred letters were shared with state and federal
Learn about General Assistance Applications
Certain low-income Pennsylvanians can now apply for General Assistance again. On July 18, 2018, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, in a unanimous decision, found that Act 80 of 2012 was enacted in a manner that violated the Pennsylvania Constitution. Act 80 did many things, including eliminating the General Assistance (GA)
No Kid Hungry Breakfast Grant Applications Available
Applications for No Kid Hungry breakfast grants are available online. You are encouraged to share this information with your local school district's director of food service so your district has the opportunity to expand access to school breakfast. Grants will support schools with the purchase of approved equipment, materials and