Federal Judge Orders ICE to Release Migrant Children from Berks County Residential Center
On June 26, 2020, California’s Central District Court ruled that ICE should release children from the country’s three family detention centers, two in Texas and one in Berks County. “There is no more time for half measures,” Judge Dolly Gee wrote, citing unsafe conditions at the centers and the dangers
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
Presiding Bishop Praises SCOTUS Decision On LGBTQIA+ Rights
June 24, 2020 “ELCA social teaching supports human rights for all people, regardless of their sex (biological), gender, or sexuality. This stance is rooted in respect and welcome for all people as created in the image of God and evident in the ELCA’s longstanding commitment to protecting civil and
ELCA Advocacy Introduces “Virtual Visits” Resources
During a time of physical distancing when policy makers are less able to be out in their districts, it is important that constituents take opportunities to communicate their experience and opinions about the heightened public health and economic challenges. There may be something invigorating about walking up to a pillared
As Trans Individuals are Targeted, Coalition Calls for Action on Hate Crime Bills
In the aftermath of the recent murder of members of the LGBTQ community, the recent historic Supreme Court ruling, and ongoing conversations about equality and justice in our society, the Pa Coalition Against Hate, of which LAMPa is a member, issued the following statement: “Now in Pride Month, a time
ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Supreme Court Decision on DACA Program
June 18, 2020 This church urges “flexible and humane ways for undocumented persons who have been in this country for a specified amount of time to be able to adjust their legal status.” — ELCA social message, “Immigration” (1998) Today I rejoice in the renewal of dreams and the transformation
Pennsylvania Partnership for Children Releases 11th Annual State of Child Welfare
The Pennsylvania Partnership for Children (PPC) released their 11th annual State of Child Welfare report – a five-year analysis of how Pennsylvania fares with practices around child safety, placement and permanency – that outlines policy recommendations aimed at improving the child welfare system and includes county-level data and statewide and
Bishop Eaton Shares Message: This is the Day
June 5, 2020 “Out of my distress I called on the Lord” (Psalm 118:5). We are a nation in distress. We are a church in distress. The coronavirus has killed 103,000 of us. The virus of racism has taken hundreds of thousands more throughout our history. Now these two deadly
ELCA Presiding Bishop Calls on Church To Observe National Day of Mourning
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has called on the church to join with faith communities across the United States in lament and remembrance, and on our elected leaders to observe Monday, June 1, as a day of mourning to honor
ELCA Reaffirms Commitment to Combat Racism and White Supremacy
May 29, 2020 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8). The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) reaffirms its commitment to combating racism and white supremacy following the recent murders of
