PA Lutherans Participate in State of Appalachia Conference
ELCA Lutherans from across the Appalachian region participated in an ecumenical State of Appalachia Conference on March 31 – April 1, 2017, in Pipestem State Park, West Virginia. The conference "was an important gathering for public advocacy and service ministries in Appalachia," said the Rev. Dr. Gilson Waldkoenig, professor of
PA House Passes Budget Bill
The Pa. House has passed a budget that keeps Gov. Tom Wolf's planned expenditures to fight hunger, as well as a modest increase in basic education funding, but cuts spending on environmental protection, economic development and human services. The $31.5 billion plan, which is a decrease from current spending levels,
ELCA Bishops, Advocates Urge Congress to Protect Refugees, Migrants
At the end of March, over 100 Lutheran leaders, including Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, met with congressional offices in Washington, D.C. to urge their members of Congress to protect and welcome vulnerable refugees and migrant children fleeing the endemic violence and persecution in their communities. Add your voice to theirs
New Bill Creates Safe Harbor for Child Victims of Sex Trafficking
Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-Bucks, has re-introduced legislation to divert child victims of sex trafficking away from the criminal justice system and into appropriate human services. Senate Bill 554 was voted favorably out of the Judiciary Committee, (see the vote) , saw first and second considerations in the Senate and was referred
Call for A Budget That Puts Students First
As the budget impasses continues, the Campaign for Fair Education Funding this week formally called on Gov. Tom Wolf and legislators to promptly reach a budget agreement that enacts the funding formula adopted by the state Basic Education Funding Commission and increases basic education funding by at least $410 million
Serve. Pray. Act. on Behalf of Hungry Children on September 13
WHAT? This year on God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday, consider adding advocacy as a complement to your service. This year, you can help start a letter writing campaign to Congress. These letters will help advocate for justice by educating your representatives about an issue and showing your community’s commitment to
#RiseUpELCA: Taking Action on Water and Blight in PA
How do you follow up on the #RiseUpELCA National Youth Gathering in Detroit? Bring your #Proclaim Justice Day activities home! Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania has developed resources for Pennsylvania youth leaders to bring home the Detroit service and advocacy themes. 1. Teens #BoardUpBlight PA In Detroit, 3,200 vacant lots
PA Bishops Support LGBT Anti-Discrimination Bill
Harrisburg, PA — The seven Pennsylvania bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America released a letter June 18 in support of legislation that would amend the Pennsylvania Public Relations Act to prohibit discrimination in areas of employment, housing and public accommodation on the basis of actual or perceived sexual
Child Nutrition Reauthorization
In a nation of great wealth and resources, no child should ever go hungry. However, 15.8 million children in the United States live in households that struggle with hunger. For too many children, a meal served at school is the only food that can be counted on each day. Lack
LAMPa Applauds End of SNAP Asset Test
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania applauds Governor Tom Wolf for acting in the first hundred days of his administration to eliminate the onerous asset test for recipients of the Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP). The SNAP Asset Test has created the single largest barrier to food security for hundreds of
