Governor Signs Bipartisan “Clean Slate” Law
Pennsylvania recently became the first state in the nation with a "Clean Slate" law. Gov. Tom Wolf signed the bipartisan-backed legislation, referred to as the "Clean Slate" bill designed to remove the stigma that can stand in the way of someone getting a job, housing, college admission or loans if they
ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Travel Ban
June 26, 2018 Thus says the Lord: Act with justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the alien, the orphan, and the widow ... (Jeremiah 22:3). I am dismayed by the Supreme Court’s recent
Bishop Eaton Issues Statement on Executive Order
Statement from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on executive order 6/22/2018 About two weeks ago, I joined more than 20 other faith leaders in raising concerns about the administration’s announced plans that it would begin separating families and criminally prosecuting all people who enter the U.S. without previous authorization. In line
Pennsylvania Synods Pass Resolutions at Assemblies
Four ELCA Synods in Pennsylvania voted to pass resolutions regarding social justice issues at their recent assembly gatherings. The Lower Susquehanna Synod, meeting at Messiah College, May 31 - June 1, 2018, adopted a resolution regarding homelessness. The Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod, meeting at Thiel College, June 15-16, 2018, adopted a
Payday Lenders Thwarted For Now
Another attempt at passing a payday lending bill, HB 2429, was recently thwarted in June. Official word came through on June 19 that the House Commerce Committee vote was cancelled because the payday lenders didn’t have the votes to get it out of Committee. Thank you to everyone who worked
Hundreds Rally for Renewable Energy
Hundreds of Pennsylvanians gathered under murals depicting Pennsylvania’s industrial history in the Capitol to rally for a new vision for the Commonwealth powered by 100% renewable energy. The attendees were joined by businesses, religious leaders, local mayors, and nurses and doctors to advocate for bipartisan legislation awaiting action in the General Assembly
Safe Harbor Bill Moves Out of House Judiciary Committee
Senate Bill 554, which would provide "Safe Harbor" for victims of child sex trafficking, was voted out of the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, June 5. The legislation, which LAMPa and others have been advocating for years, is poised for a full House vote. Click here to learn more and
PA Lutherans Advocate so that Justice Might “Roll Down Like Waters”
Lutherans from across the Commonwealth spoke up for the hungry, the sick and the health of our common home as they met with their lawmakers in Harrisburg on May 27. Advocates urged their lawmakers to oppose two bills that would impose costly and cumbersome work requirements on those seeking Medicaid
LAMPa Welcomes the Rev. Karl Runser to Policy Council
LAMPa welcomes the Rev. Karl Runser to its policy council as the newest representative from the Upper Susquehanna Synod. Karl grew up in southeastern Ohio and studied music history at Ohio University. He received his Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, and was ordained in 2002.
ELCA Recommits To Work For Racial Justice and Inclusion
CHICAGO (April 6, 2018) – Following the “Act Now: Unite to End Racism” rally in Washington, D.C., the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has issued a statement on racism, recommitting this church “to work for racial justice and inclusion, to work
