▶︎ Tell us how your congregation fights hunger: Take our survey By Rev. Bryan Penman and Rev. Bruce Davidson In just a days, many of us will gather around tables with friends and family and celebrate a holiday that centers around food. For some of us though, that food will be missing as many...
Category: Advocacy
November 17, 2023
PA Lutherans Advocate for Farm Bill
▶︎ Tell us how your congregation fights hunger: Take our survey By Rev. Bryan Penman and Rev. Bruce Davidson In just a days, many of us will gather around tables with friends and family and celebrate a holiday that centers around food. For some of us though, that food will be missing as many...
June 27, 2023
Stand Up for Fairness for LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians
PA Bishops Support Proposed Fairness Act Pennsylvania’s seven ELCA Bishops have issued an open letter in support of proposed legislation that would expand the list of groups legally protected from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. The Fairness Act would amend the 1955 Human Relations Act — which already prohibits discrimination based on race,...
June 22, 2023
Make Your Voice Heard on PA Hunger, Housing Funding
Hunger — Pennsylvania’s charitable food network is overwhelmed. Across the state ministries are reporting need up to three times pre-pandemic averages. The state House has passed a budget that significantly increases funding for hunger-related programs. Now the Senate must take up the plan. Learn more and take action! Housing — Let’s Build on What Works...
January 30, 2023
Rev. Little Recognized By PA Housing Alliance
The Rev. Violet Little, pastor of The Welcome Church in Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, was recognized with the Frontline Leader Award at the state’s Homes Within Reach Conference. More than 800 attended the conference, hosted by the Housing Alliance of PA, of which LAMPa is a member. The award recognizes those whose work inspires and uplifts...
October 11, 2022
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. To celebrate survivors and raise awareness about domestic violence, Lutheran Settlement House is Painting Fishtown Purple! This month, in the windows of all your favorite Fishtown spots, you’ll see posters showing support for survivors; inside, you’ll find resource cards with information about how you can help end domestic violence. Through the end...
May 17, 2022
ELCA Adopts Declaration to the Muslim Community
A week ago, our Muslim neighbors ended the holy month of Ramadan with the joyous celebration of Eid al-Fitr. For much of April, Christians and Muslims journeyed through their respective periods of fasting, prayer, and reflection, as Lent and Ramadan coincided. During this holy time of confluence between Christians and Muslims, The ELCA Church Council...
May 16, 2022
Interfaith Action on Gun Violence
From Sanctuary to Street; From Lament to Action. Thursday, June 9 at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul, 1723 Race Street, Philadelphia 19103. Join the Religious Leaders Council of Philadelphia, Heeding God’s Call, and local faith institutions to honor the memory of those taken by gun murders and work to...
March 8, 2021
’I Was Homeless, Now I Help Make Tiny Homes for People on the Street’
“I was homeless from 2008 to 2013,” says Jacqueline Chapman. Today the active Welcome Church leader is advocating for the needs of homeless people as vice-president of the board of the Sanctuary Village project, which will develop tiny houses in Northeast Philadelphia to house people now living on the streets. Jacqueline shares her story in...
November 13, 2020
For Your Prayers and Support
COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING BRUNCH…On Wednesday, Nov. 25 a collaboration of non-profits are offering “THANKSGIVING BRUNCH” (hot breakfast & dinner) to over 700 families experiencing food insecurity in Kensington. The meals will be prepared in St Michael’s “safe food certified” kitchen, and delivered to McPhearson Park & Last Stop Recovery Center in Kensington. We will also be...
November 13, 2020
Mortgage and Rental Assistance Now Available
Lutheran advocacy helped secure $175 million of funding for rental and mortgage assistance that is now available. The Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in March, provided $3.9 billion for Pennsylvania and is intended to help people hurt economically during the pandemic. In late May, the General Assembly directed $175 million...
October 2, 2020
Housing Insecurity Resources for Churches
Lutheran Congregational Services, with their partners in disaster, have put together resources for congregations and other community organizations who may get questions from people who are facing housing insecurity or homelessness, some of whom may never have faced this before. The resources are linked below and include contact information for mostly state agencies and state...
June 30, 2020
ELCA presiding bishop praises Supreme Court decision on LGBTQIA+ rights
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 15 ruling that employment discrimination on the basis of a worker’s sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. “The court’s decision is an important recognition of equal protection...
June 30, 2020
Statement on Race, Racism, and Black Lives Matter from The United Lutheran Seminary (ULS) Alumni Association (TULSAA) Board
No thoughtful citizen of this country can look at the violence and systemic racism under which Black Americans live and fail to be outraged. The brutal deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, and countless others call us all—both as Americans and as Christians—to stand in solidarity with those who have been denied justice...
June 29, 2020
Pride Month Is Ending. Our Kingdom Work is Not Done.
To the Saints of Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Today concludes our offerings of formal video prayers for PRIDE month, based on the resources of Reconciling Works. With PRIDE set alongside our current national call for racial justice in the wake of the latest string of police brutality, we have been celebrating the trailblazers who moved people’s...
June 16, 2020
Emergency Grants for PA Families Open Through July 12
Did you lose a job or work hours during the coronavirus crisis? You might be eligible for emergency cash assistance from Pennsylvania. The Emergency Cash Assistance Program will provide one-time cash grants to families who qualify. This could be helpful while you are waiting for your Unemployment Compensation to start. This program will end July...
May 8, 2020
Gov. Wolf Announces Protections From Evictions, Foreclosures
Shared by our partners at Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania: Governor Tom Wolf, joined by Attorney General Josh Shapiro, announced that he signed an executive order that protects Pennsylvanians from foreclosures or evictions through July 10. The action builds on a Pennsylvania Supreme Court order which closed court eviction proceedings until May 11 and ensures no renter...
December 4, 2019
Called To Serve Our Neighbors
Through baptism, we are called to serve our neighbors and steward God’s good creation. As Lutherans, our attention turns to the policies that make a broader difference in our lives and the lives of our vulnerable neighbors. It is important that we add our voice into the process. In this video presented by Lutheran Advocacy...
July 2, 2019
State Budget Passed; General Assistance Eliminated
On June 28, Pennsylvania adopted a $34 billion budget that includes no new taxes but socks $330 million away in a rainy day fund. Highlights include increases for housing, education (basic, pre-k and special education), election security and more. Funding for the state’s two major anti-hunger programs was held level. The State Food Purchase Program received $19.8...
May 29, 2019
ELCA Presiding Bishop Addresses Well-Being of Children in Detention Centers
May 28, 2019 Children coming to our nation for safety and protection are still dying at our southern border while in U.S. detention. Carlos, a 16-year-old youth from Guatemala, died May 20 in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Wilmer, a 2-year-old, died May 14, also in...
May 29, 2019
Julia Menzo Honored for Service to Disaster Survivors
“Because of your dream of feeding, clothing and serving people whose lives have been changed by natural disaster, many who found themselves living in and on the edge of poverty now have a brighter outlook.” Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Bishop Patricia A. Davenport so paid tribute May 20 to Julia Menzo, the Director for Community Outreach...
