ELCA Church Council Adopts New Social Message
The ELCA Church Council has unanimously adopted a new social message: “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy.” This project was called for at the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, with an intention that it be ready to read before the national election this fall. The
ELCA Commemorates 500th Anniversary of Luther’s The Freedom of a Christian
This year marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's treatise The Freedom of a Christian. To observe this milestone, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), invites the church to read, study and reflect on this Lutheran witness of the Christian
Exercise Your Civic Duty and Prepare to Vote
"Christians are called to be stewards of our common life through serving as faithful and active citizens. We live out our mutual responsibility for one another by guaranteeing our neighbor's right to vote and participate freely and fully in society." -- The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA
PA Council of Churches seeks Executive Director
The Pennsylvania Council of Churches continues its search for an executive director, with a deadline of August 31 for applications. They hope to find “a faithful and resourceful Christian disciple to lead the PCC in addressing the many issues and challenges facing the Christian community today and in the future.”
Accessing “Advocacy Tools for Loving Your Neighbor”
Our thoughts and prayers inform our actions. An online training event hosted jointly by the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, "Advocacy Tools for Loving Your Neighbor", was held July 9. Both Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, plus advocacy leaders from both denominations, participated
Wolf Announces Extension of Eviction Moratorium and the Award of Nearly $19 Million for Homelessness Assistance and Prevention
Governor Wolf issued an executive order extending the rental eviction and foreclosure moratorium. Due to expire on July 10, the extension protects renters and homeowners from eviction proceedings until August 31, 2020. This moratorium covers families that are not protected under other federal eviction and foreclosure programs or families that
Policing and Criminal Justice Reforms Pass, Elections Reforms On Hold As Legislature Recesses
The General Assembly unanimously passed two policing reform bills and a measure to remove barriers to professional licensing for individuals with certain unrelated prior convictions before recessing for the summer, but left work on elections reforms on the table as the President's re-election campaign sued the state this week over
Rental and Mortgage COVID Relief Funds Available
Applications for $175 million of state funding for rental and mortgage assistance are now available, and the funds will be distributed in counties on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program is managed by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). Visit www.PHFA.org for details and eligibility criteria. PHFA recently shared implementation
Pennsylvania House Leadership Transitions – Rep. Cutler Unanimously Elected Speaker
A new slate of leaders was elected in the House Republican Caucus following the resignation of former PA House Speaker Mike Turzai, effective June 15. Turzai, who resigned his House seat with five months remaining in his term accepted a position as general counsel for Peoples, a Pittsburgh-based gas
Keystone Counts Shares Update on the 2020 Census in Pennsylvania
Keystone Counts recently shared an update on the 2020 Census in Pennsylvania. LAMPa is one of the more than 100 coalition members of Keystone Counts, a statewide coalition of advocacy groups, service providers, and community organizations joined together to build an education and outreach effort for a fair and
