LAMPa

SEPA Synod - In God's Image
2025-10-04 09:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Trinity Lutheran, Lansdale, 1000 W Main St., Lansdale, PA, 19446, United States
A day celebrating the ways in which congregations and communities that welcome all beloved who are made in God’s image.

Gathering at the Gate
2025-09-16 - 2025-09-17
See below for information on a grassroots movement and advocacy opportunity happening in Washington, D.C. on September 16-17. Gathering at the Gate is not officially sponsored by the ELCA and LAMPa, though the advocacy portions will be informed by ELCA Advocacy and Witness in Society staff.
We offer this invitation to you who want to respond to the call of Amos 5:15 to “hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate.” There are virtual options available, in addition to the in-person gathering. Registration closes September 1.
An Invitation to Make A Strong Impact
2025 has seen relentless attacks on civil rights, equal rights, refugee resettlement, and support for the most vulnerable globally and nationally. People of faith are sensing a call to embody the call of Amos – Hate Evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate (5:15). As Lutheran leaders—bishops, pastors, deacons, and faith leaders—please join us to gather as a public witness to God’s justice and mercy. Together, we pray to gather 500+ leaders to stand at the “gate” of Washington, D.C., where harmful decisions are made that shape the lives of immigrants and refugees, LGBTQIA+ people, and all those who are pushed to the margins, and are being erased in front of our eyes. This gathering will root and connect us together as we journey forward in our work together.
Why We Gather
We are Lutheran Christians—rostered and lay—gathering in a time of growing injustice against refugees, immigrants, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, those experiencing poverty, and many pushed to the margins and harmed by unjust systems. We are compelled by our faith to proclaim good news and act with courage. Rooted in Amos’ call to justice, we gather not only to pray, but to build relational power and pursue sustained change.
This is more than a two-day event in our hearts and minds. It’s a faithful step into a sustained movement over multiple years—deepening relationships, naming what is broken, and discerning a shared call to action.
What Guides Us
We are:
WITH those who suffer violence, exclusion, or erasure and organizations that advocate and work on their behalf.
AGAINST systems and rhetoric that deny dignity.
COMMITTED to sustained empowerment, advocacy, and organizing beyond this moment.​
CALLED to act from our Christian Lutheran commitments to justice, accountability, and mercy.
What Gathering at the Gate Is
This is a grassroots movement, and we pray only a starting point. We are working to create the capacity for leaders to show up, listen deeply, and speak clearly. We gather to root ourselves in faith, amplify marginalized voices, and build trust that can carry lasting work forward. We gather as Lutherans, friends, and neighbors with and for the whole church and world.
“Be merciful, just as your God is merciful.” – Luke 6:36

Learn more and register.

Liberty Lutheran: God's Work. Our Hands. Disaster Relief
2025-09-14 | The Lutheran Center – NEPA, 2354 Grove Road, Allentown, PA, 18109, United States
https://libertylutheran.org/liberty-life-services/disaster-response/gods-work-our-hands/

Kindling Faith: Aging Grace-Fully Author Series: Anne Lamott
2025-09-11 13:30 - 14:30 | United Lutheran Seminary Gettysburg campus, 61 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA, United States
Aging Grace-Fully examines how to age with grace
and live, fully, with the physical, mental and social
changes that are often difficult to accept when
growing older.
Join us to seek understanding and acceptance of
these challenges in our eight-part series featuring
leading authors who share their knowledge and
experiences about aging including suffering, love
and loss.
This event will be in-person and also streamed. See registration for details

Ecology of Grace Speaker Series
2025-09-10 18:15 - 19:00 | Grace Lutheran Church, State College, 205 S Garner Street, State College, PA
Every time we encounter the news here and around the world, we are no longer able to avoid what seems like an onslaught of alerts about the state of our world amidst storms and floods, fires, and drought as levels and frequencies almost too much to bear. And yet, as Robin Wall Kimmerer writes in The Serviceberry, An Economy of Abundance, “All flourishing is mutual.”
How do we live faithfully now? As a companion to our September worship centered upon the “Season of Creation,” we are delving into how we relate to one another and our surroundings. In the field of biology this practice is the study of ecology. As people of faith how do we approach relating to one another and our world? Our ecology is grounded in grace.
We proclaim grace to be God’s gift and love for humanity. It shows up as mercy and forgiveness and love that we receive even when we don’t deserve it. It shows up as making spaces and people whole and holy. It shows up as new life and regeneration in spite of past lives and generations. It shows up as peace and not the constant clashing of wills.
And it always shows up as a reminder that God will never call us disposable. We who are given this gift can then practice reflecting it in the world for the sake of the world.
Join five weeks of wisdom and insight on what an “Ecology of Grace” can look like and mean from a variety of perspectives:
September 10th – Rev. Dr Gil Waldkoenig, United Lutheran Seminary
September 17th – Rev Dr. Chad Rimmer, Dean and Rector, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
September 24th – Dr. Casey Sclar, The Arboretum at Penn State
October 1st – Dr. Charlie Vasey, Penn State on building sustainable bio-economies
October 8th – Lutheran Advocacy Ministry and closing Blessing of Creation
Each week begins promptly at 6:15 pm and ends at 7 pm.
Attend LIVE in the sanctuary at Grace Lutheran Church,
205 S Garner Street, State College, PA
Attend LIVESTREAMED at: https://tinyurl.com/EcologyofGrace
Post- session video will be available on our YouTube Channel:
Grace Lutheran State College, PA
Email pastorhetrick@glcpa.org with any questions
Jesus commands us to “love our neighbors as ourselves.” (Mark 12:31). Grace is a place for every body – all ages and stages; races and ethnicities; all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; those living with neurodiversity, disabilities and those who currently are not. As a community guided by the call of Jesus, we are committed to growing in anti

God's Work. Our Hands. Our Voices.
2025-09-07 08:00 - 17:00
“God’s work. Our hands.” is Sept. 7, 2025!
This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life — flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.
Add “Our Voices” to your day of service with an advocacy component. LAMPa staff is happy to help consult and help you choose an advocacy action to best complement your project! Just email us at LAMPa@LutheranAdvocacyPa.org with “GWOH” in the subject line!

Immigration Network Meeting
2025-08-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join policy experts and experienced advocates to learn about what is happening in federal immigration policy and enforcement. Find out how you can take action to stand with our immigrant neighbors as people of faith.
Guest Speaker: Kate Parsons, ELCA Advocacy Migration Policy Consultant

Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/hvnXCpGzSIWIuMkIJghnGA

In God's Image Network Meeting
2025-08-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join policy experts and experienced advocates to learn about human and civil rights policies happening at the federal and state level. Come hear ways we can be good allies for the diversity of God’s beloved.
Guest Speaker: Antoine Cummins, ELCA Advocacy Program Director for Civil Rights Policy

Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/v6EIG-9kSwaM9fHGPa9Bfw

Lutherans Restoring Creation - August Connections Call
2025-08-19 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Does it feel like “there are too many things to care about” right now?
Those with power try to divide and conquer, making us fight for time, attention and resources for “our” social justice issue against “other” social justice issues. But it’s a made up fight. We get stronger together!
This call will integrate a Lutherans Restoring Creation “Connection Call” with ELCA World Hunger leaders, some of whom are gathering soon to revitalize their efforts to “do justice, love kindness, and [move] humbly with our God.” (Micah 6:8) We’ll meet people who work for justice across multiple sectors and manifestations: migrant, economic, racial, gender or environmental (MERGE). We’ll ask each other what we’re seeing in our communities and how we can work together for a world aligned with God’s just, kind vision.
REGISTER HERE!

Why Courts Matter: Diving into How Our Judicial System Helps to Protect Our Environment
2025-08-13 17:30 - 19:00 | Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Carrick, 1811 Brownsville Rd, Pittsburgh, PA, 15210, United States
The Pennsylvania State Courts play a crucial role as the final arbiters of state law and our constitution, often having the final say on state election issues, environmental rules, and ensuring equal treatment and justice for all. Yet, many of us don’t know exactly how Pennsylvania’s judicial system works or how judges are elected in the Commonwealth.
Join us for an informative and engaging event designed for everyday residents who want to better understand our courts and how judicial elections shape our communities – and how the court system can be a tool for environmental protection and holding polluters accountable. Learn how you can make informed choices at the ballot box.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ How Pennsylvania’s court system works and why it matters to you
✅ The ways our court systems can hold polluters accountable and protect our environment
✅ The process of electing and retaining judges in Pennsylvania
✅ How to research judicial candidates and make informed voting decisions
Find out more and register here.

Hunger AND Creation Care Network Meeting
2025-08-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Gather virtually with policy experts and experienced advocates as we prepare for the Fall in Congress – especially focused on the long-awaited Farm Bill. We’ll discuss implications for hunger and climate policy, and ways to take action as people of faith.
Guest Speakers: Andrew Fuller, ELCA Advocacy Program Director for Economic Policy
Christine Moffett, ELCA Advocacy Program Director for Environment and Energy Policy
Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tckBnSSDSXitwyF8467dgQ

Housing Network Meeting
2025-08-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join our network of housing advocates to hear about upcoming national policies that will affect housing and homelessness.
Guest speaker: Andrew Fuller, ELCA Program Director for Economic Policy
Register at: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/Z2dnGDkZTYue0GDwtp6XZQ

LRC Connections Call: Do Energy Expertly!
2025-07-22 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Fact: Using less energy reduces our load on Creation and usually decreases the fossil fuels.
Fact: It also makes our energy bill cheaper.
But after that it gets a little complicated: efficiency? energy audits? What about Direct Pay?
Demystify Energy with us!
Register Here
Find out more about Lutherans Restoring Creation

WEBINAR: Protecting Homeowners in Manufactured Home Communities
2025-06-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Register Today
Manufactured home communities (MHCs) are one of the few opportunities for affordable living in many rural communities. But in recent years, that affordability has been threatened by the growing trend of acquisitions by private equity firms and other institutional investors who prioritize quick profit over habitability.
Come learn about a coalition of MHC residents working to protect MHC homeowners and keeping manufactured home communities stable for generations to come.
When: Tuesday, June 17th from 12 PM – 1 PM (EDT)
Presenters:
• Bob Besecker, Coalition of Manufactured Home Communities – A view from within
• Kevin Quisenberery, Community Justice Project – The private equity model and the limitations of current state law
• Cindy Daley, Regional Housing Legal Services – A Legislative Solution
Registration will close at 11:00 AM – 1 hour prior to the webinar start time
You will receive the link and call in information from the Housing Alliance 1 hour prior to the webinar
**Pricing**
Free for Members
$25 for Non-Members
Email info@housingalliancepa.org to verify your membership
Register Here

Commemoration of the Emanuel 9
2025-06-17
As part of the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, voting members adopted a resolution designating June 17 as a commemoration of the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9—the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C.
The resources referenced below are provided to help synods and congregations mark this commemoration. These resources can be adapted for virtual worship, online conversation, or individual reflection and devotion. You are invited to use them in whatever ways are most helpful for your local context.
Our relationship to the shooter, as well as two of the slain, reminds us of both our complicity and our calling. Together we confess that we are in bondage to the sins of racism and white supremacy and, at the same time, we rejoice in the freedom that is ours in Christ Jesus who “has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us” (Ephesians 2:14). May God continue to guide us as we seek repentance and renewal, and racial justice and reconciliation among God’s precious children.

The following paragraph describing this commemoration could be provided for congregations in resources such as service folders.
Emanuel Nine, martyrs, 2015
On June 17, 2015, Clementa C. Pinckney, Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Lee Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, and Myra Thompson were murdered by a self-professed white supremacist while they were gathered for Bible study and prayer at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (often referred to as Mother Emanuel) in Charleston, South Carolina. Pastors Pinckney and Simmons were both graduates of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. A resolution to commemorate June 17 as a day of repentance for the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine was adopted by the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on August 8, 2019. Congregations of the ELCA are encouraged reaffirm their commitment to repenting of the sins of racism and white supremacy which continue to plague this church, to venerate the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine, and to mark this day of penitence with study and prayer.

Find more resources for worship, prayer, and learning about the Emanuel 9 and racial justice in the ELCA here.

NWPA Synod Assembly
2025-06-15 - 2025-06-18
Find out more here.

Upper Susquehanna Synod Assembly
2025-06-13 - 2025-06-14

Juneteenth
2025-06-09 08:00 - 17:00
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, a time to gather in community and commemorate the official, announced end of slavery in the U.S., even if the history of oppression, racism, and anti-Black violence that characterized it are still part of our story in church and in the United States.
As ELCA Lutherans set free in Christ to seek community and to seek justice, it is our duty to act against present injustices, speak to our shared witness of Christ and of injustice in this world, and join in the celebration of freedom that is Juneteenth.
Read an ELCA blog post from our ELCA Racial Justice Ministries director on reckoning with the legacy of slavery while moving forward here.
A Living Lutheran article on Juneteenth, freedom, and our common humanity, written by an ELCA pastor, is available here.
ELCA worship resources for Juneteenth can be found here.
LAMPa is happy to accompany ELCA communities in the pursuit of justice and to connect them with resources for advocacy. Let us know what you are doing for Juneteenth and how we can support you by sending us an email at LAMPa@lutheranadvocacypa.org.

Lower Susquehanna Synod Assembly
2025-06-05 - 2025-06-07

PA Citizen Climate Action Virtual Lobby Day
2025-06-05 | Zoom
Join LAMPa, PennEnvironment and hundreds of concerned Pennsylvanians on Thursday, June 5 for Pennsylvania’s largest annual citizen lobby day for climate action — virtually! You’ll join like-minded Pennsylvanians from every corner of the state who want our elected officials to implement climate solutions.
With the attacks on our environment taking place in Washington, D.C., it’s more important than ever to meet with our local elected officials and let them know we need their leadership at the state level to promote clean renewable energy and fight climate change.
PennEnvironment’s staff will schedule 1-2 virtual meetings with your elected officials, where you’ll be joined in the meetings by PennEnvironment’s expert advocates and other concerned citizens from your community, which take 30 minutes each on average. We’ll discuss important pending policies to promote renewable energy to help tackle climate change, and you’ll get the chance to share why climate action is important to you. We’ll also hold a virtual rally and online actions that you can participate in throughout the day.
Sign Up here with LAMPa, and we’ll connect you!

Federal Immigration Litigation and You: Understanding the Court Process and Two Major Issues
2025-06-03 16:30 - 18:30 | Zoom
Register here.
Program Description:
You may have seen a flurry of headlines over the past few months discussing immigration cases making their way through the federal courts. But what do these cases mean for you? Why does it seem that the same issue results in different decisions from different courts? What is the law where you are? This training will help you understand the federal court system, teach you key vocabulary, and provide updates on two major current issues in immigration law: the Alien Enemies Act and third country deportations.
We will have Spanish simultaneous interpretation during this training.
If you are an attorney, we recommend that you register for our “2025 Annual Pre-AILA Conference Hybrid Crimes & Immigration Seminar” in addition to this training.
Please register here! Questions? Email us at events@nipnlg.org.

Capacitación para defensores comunitaries de junio:
Litigio federal de inmigración y usted: Entender el proceso del tribunal y dos asuntos principales
martes, 3 de junio de 2025
1:30 de la tarde hasta las 3:30 de la tarde hora del pacífico | 4:30 de la tarde hasta 6:30 de la tarde hora este
Zoom Webinar
Duración: Tres horas Costo: Gratis

Descripción del programa:
Es posible que haya visto una oleada de titulares en los últimos meses hablando de casos de inmigración haciendo su camino a través de los tribunales federales. Pero, ¿qué significan estos casos para usted? ¿Por qué parece que el mismo tema resulta en diferentes decisiones de diferentes tribunales?¿Cuál es la ley en el lugar donde se encuentra? Esta capacitación le ayudará a comprender el sistema judicial federal, le enseñará vocabulario clave, y le proporcionará actualizaciones sobre dos de los principales temas actuales en la ley de inmigración: la Ley de Enemigos Extranjeros y las deportaciones a terceros países.
Tendremos interpretación simultánea en español.
Si es une abogade, le recomendamos que se inscriba en nuestro CLE, “2025 Annual Pre-AILA Conference Hybrid Crimes & Immigration Seminar”, además de esta capacitación.
¡Regístrese usando el enlace de arriba! ¿Preguntas? Envíenos un correo electrónico a events@nipnlg.org.

SEPA Synod Assembly
2025-05-30 - 2025-05-31

NEPA Synod Assembly
2025-05-30 - 2025-05-31
Find out more here.
LAMPa will be present at the exhibitors table! Find out more by emailing us at LAMPa@LutheranAdvocacyPA.org.

Southwestern PA Synod Assembly
2025-05-17 09:30 - 13:00
Find out more here.
LAMPa will be present at the table exhibits and will lead a workshop! Find out more by emailing us at LAMPa@LutheranAdvocacyPa.org.

Lutheran Day in the Capitol
2025-05-13 08:00 - 17:00 | Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Camp Hill, 2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill, PA, 17011, United States
Join us for our annual Lutheran Day in the Capitol!
Find out more here.

LDR: Belonging without Othering
2025-04-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
1 hours | Online via Zoom
Facilitator: Sarah Loose
The problem of “othering” is dividing our communities, thwarting disaster recovery efforts, and impeding efforts to build resilient communities for the future. In this Partner Spotlight, Sarah Loose from the Oregon Synod will introduce the framework of Belonging without Othering; share one story of how the Synod’s Disaster & Climate Resilience Team is putting it into practice building solidarity across differences of race, class, and religion between farmworkers and faith communities; and support participants in exploring potential applications for their own contexts. The Belonging without Othering framework is from the Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley.
Register through Lutheran Disaster Response’s online portal.

Eastern Region Community of Practice Discussion
2025-04-17 09:00 - 10:00 | Zoom
1 hour | Online via Zoom
This is a recurring, quarterly online gathering
Join Lutheran Disaster Response’s Eastern Region Community of Practice Discussion to network with peers and colleagues. During this call, we’ll be discussing the 2025 Community of Practice Gathering, and collecting your thoughts and ideas on the type of content you would like to see and experience at the gathering.
Register with LDR’s online portal.

LDR: Mental, Emotional, Spiritual Support Training
2025-03-25 - 2025-03-26 | Zoom
Online via Zoom | Learn more and Register Online
Registration deadline Friday, March 14.
Facilitator: Deacon Dorie Jones
The Southeastern Synod, in collaboration with Lutheran Disaster Response, is excited to offer Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Support (MESS) disaster training for clergy and lay leaders. This pilot program being hosted through the Southeastern Synod is designed to give church leaders the skills needed to respond to a disaster in both stabilizing (immediate, short-term need following a disaster) and support (long-term need weeks, months, or years after an event) roles.
Register through LDR’s online portal here.
Suggested pre-requisites: Introduction to Disaster or just in time: disaster RESPONSE. These and other educational opportunities can be found here.

LDR: The Intersections of Climate Justice and MMIW
2025-03-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
1 hour | Online via Zoom
Special Guest: Justice Nichols and Brenda Blackhawk
Join special guest Justice Nichols, Program Coordinator for Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations for the ELCA, and Brenda Blackhawk, Director of Communications at Central Lutheran Church, for an overview of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, (MMIW) Sub-Task force, the work being done to highlight advocacy efforts and what implementing educational materials can do. Nichols will discuss the importance of creating pathways for congregations and organizations to connect with local indigenous communities and equip them to help in response to MMIW in their communities.
Register through Lutheran Disaster Response’s online portal.

LDR Connections to Synods and Congregations
2025-03-19 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
2 hours | Online via Zoom
Facilitator: Sean Coffman, Lutheran Disaster Response
LDR Connection to Synods and Congregations is designed to help Synods and Congregations understand the different ways to be involved in disaster response. The course identifies the different phases of a disaster and examines disaster’s broader definition, from weather-related events to care for the creation, school shootings, and water crises. The course also covers the importance of volunteers. It prepares participants with an overview of forms, processes, orientation, and ways to best utilize volunteers in the ways your Synod/Congregation may want to become involved with Lutheran Disaster Response.
Register through LDR’s online portal.
