LSS Winterfest: Heeding Christ’s Call to Feed
Approximately 430 high school youth and their leaders had a chance to serve, pray and speak together for justice at Winterfest, the Lower Susquehanna Synod’s youth gathering, on Jan. 3. Based on the theme “Hungry,” and centered on Matthew’s story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, the gathering was
Meeting Pennsylvania’s Hunger Challenge: A Briefing Paper for Governor-elect Tom Wolf
LAMPa partnered with 57 organizations on a an open letter and a briefing paper for Governor-elect Tom Wolf entitled Meeting Pennylvania's Hunger Challenge. This paper highlights the impact of hunger on children and older residents, the state's effort to fight hunger, how to maximize participating in federal nutrition programs and priorities for
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Opens
Winter is approaching and temperatures are beginning to drop. Pennsylvanians who live in or close to poverty, especially those who are elderly or disabled, can find it hard to keep up on their heating bills during a time of increased demand for energy. When they cannot pay for heat, they
Hunger Advocates Oppose Bill to Abolish Property Taxes
As this legislative session drew to a close, Pennsylvania Lutherans acted within a diverse coalition of 40 organizations to successfully stop a bill that would have taxed groceries and other necessities in a move to eliminate all property taxes. Senate Bill 76 would have shifted the burden of paying for
Child Protection Changes in PA
In October 2014, the General Assembly and Gov. Tom Corbett completed a two-year effort to improve Pennsylvania’s child protection laws, with a series of bills that were officially part of the House and Senate child protection packages and based on recommendations of the Task Force on Child Protection. Two areas
The Results Are In: 2014 Issues Survey
One hundred and twenty-four individuals completed the LAMPa stakeholder survey over the summer, creating a snapshot of interests, issues and hopes for our shared advocacy ministry. The data collected in the survey will be used by the LAMPa Policy Council to shape the advocacy agenda for the 2015-16 legislative session.
Progress on Affordable Housing
We’re making progress toward ensuring that all counties benefit from the State Housing Trust Fund (PHARE). Thanks to your efforts, 22 state Senators and 24 Representatives are now cosponsors of the Housing Trust Fund bills, SB 1380 and HB 2434. SB 1380 was voted out of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, and HB
High Rates of Hunger Persist in U.S.
More than 17.5 million Americans, or 14.3 percent of households, struggled against hunger in 2013, according to the latest report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The percentage of households with children unable to eat nutritious food on a consistent basis was 19.5 percent. Across the country, food insecurity in
Church Participation in an Election Year
The staffs of the Southeastern Pennsylvania and Lower Susquehanna Synods made a public commitment to vote in 2014! Churches have a unique role to play at election time. With all of the cynicism and apathy that exists around politics and the electoral system, your efforts can act as a beacon
Lutherans Speak Out for Clean Air for All God’s Children
LAMPa coordinated the faith community voice at the Environmental Protection Agency public comment sessions in Pittsburgh on July 31 on new regulations to require carbon-pollution controls at existing coal-fired power plants. Lutherans testifying included The Rev. Dr. Leah Schade (Upper Susquehanna Synod), Mr. John Bechtel (Lower Susquehanna Synod), The Rev.
