ELCA 2021 federal policy priorities for advocacy action
Posted on January 22, 2021 by ELCA Advocacy “With the start of the 117th Congress and a new administration, and as the devastating COVID-19 pandemic influences our lives and shapes our concerns, we face pressing need for national policy action. Yet even with changes, as Christians in the world our
Volunteers Needed for “Senior Express” Home Food Delivery Program
As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on across Pennsylvania and the nation, an increasing number of senior citizens in the commonwealth are struggling to secure the food they need. Sheila Christopher, of Hunger-Free Pennsylvania, is working to ensure that all seniors have access to food programs so that their needs are met. The
Advocacy 101 Resource Now Available
Looking for new material for you or young adults you know that will assist in learning about and getting involved in faith-based advocacy? Look no further! In conjunction with ELCA World Hunger and ELCA Advocacy, the 2019-2020 Hunger Advocacy Fellows prepared the “Advocacy 101 for Young Adults: When Faith Meets
Latest COVID-19 Relief Bill Includes Emergency Housing Provisions
The latest COVID-19 Relief Bill was signed into law on December 27, 2020. The $900 billion COVID-relief package includes housing provisions such as $25 billion in emergency rental assistance and an extension of the CDC's federal eviction moratorium through January 31st. The relief bill will provide essential and desperately needed
LAMPa Program Director Begins New Chapter
LAMPa Program Director Lynn Fry will conclude her service with LAMPa in January 2021. She has served in the position for three years. Early in the New Year she will transition to a new position at United Lutheran Seminary (ULS), serving as the Coordinator of Stewardship and Donor Relations. Reflecting
Bishop Eaton Responds to Events in U.S. Capitol
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton responded to events in the U.S. Capitol on Epiphany with prayer and a call for the faithful to stand together and speak out against division and violence threatening our democracy. "The right to assemble and the right to free speech are enshrined in the Bill
PA General Assembly Kicks Off First Day Of Term With Turmoil
With families gathered as witnesses for a COVID-adapted swearing-in day in the state Capitol, normally a happy picture day, the opening of the new Pennsylvania General Assembly turned into chaos as Republicans refused to seat a Democratic member because they dispute the results in his race. As tensions escalated, the
Join LAMPa Seminary Intern for Weekly Compline
Join LAMPa United Lutheran Seminary (ULS) Intern Margaret (Meg) Folkemer for a weekly Compline Service. Since early pandemic days, Meg has been leading a compline or night prayer service every Wednesday evening live on Facebook with her family. According to Meg, "we started it as a simple way to
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton Shares Christmas Message
The room was spare and dimly lit. We sat on folding chairs in a circle—young Honduran women and some of us from the ELCA. We had come to Honduras to observe the work of AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities). This is the ELCA’s strategy
Commonwealth and Nation Face Housing Crisis: ELCA Congregations Respond
"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