Category: Advocacy

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...

Read More →

August 20, 2018

Air Pollution Report Underscores Need for Action

As the federal government considers weakening federal air quality and global warming emissions standards, air pollution remains a threat to public health in communities across Pennsylvania, according to a new national report. “This report shows that our communities – around our nation and right here in Pennsylvania — are struggling to breathe,” Lutheran Advocacy Ministry...

Read More →

June 27, 2018

ELCA presiding bishop responds to Supreme Court decision on travel ban

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 decision concerning the president’s authority to restrict travel...

Read More →

February 7, 2018

ELCA Presiding Bishop to Join Rally to End Racism

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will join ecumenical and inter-religious partners for Act Now: Unite to End Racism April 3-5 in Washington, D.C. The focus of the three-day event will be...

Read More →

January 4, 2018

“Roll Down Like Waters” – Lutheran Day 2018

Join Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania and fellow advocates from across the commonwealth in Harrisburg on May 21 for inspiration, education and participation – in worship, service and advocacy – with a focus on a powerful element in our life together: Water. We are drowned and reborn in it at our baptism. The promises made...

Read More →

September 5, 2017

ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to DACA Announcement

CHICAGO (Sept. 5, 2017) – The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s announcement about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. “As we journey together through the time God has given us, may God give...

Read More →

August 28, 2017

ELCA Speaks Against Hate, Discrimination

ELCA In light of recent public events and conversation, the ELCA has issued statements reminding us of its long-standing positions against hateful acts and discrimination by race, religious creed, or sexual identity.   Confronting Racism and anti-Semitism The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), stands against all forms of hatred and discrimination. The church believes that...

Read More →

July 10, 2017

State Budget Has Wins for Children

The 2017-2018 spending plan adopted by Pennsylvania lawmakers by the June 30 deadline includes some good news for Pennsylvania children, including increases in basic education, special education and early childhood funding, plus $2 million to incentivize improvements in school breakfast delivery, for which Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) advocated. Read more at http://www.lutheranadvocacypa.org/general-assembly-passes-spending-plan/

June 7, 2017

Give the Gift of Family

Lutheran Immigration Refugee Services There are Central American children and youth in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, specifically in Roslyn, PA that are in great need of either short or long term family foster care. You can help through “Give the Gift of Family,” a joint initiative of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and the ELCA AMMPARO program. LIRS is one of just...

Read More →

February 28, 2017

Interfaith Leaders Condemn Desecration of Jewish Cemetery

Interfaith leaders from across Greater Philadelphia gathered Monday at the Lutheran Theological Seminary to lament and condemn the weekend vandalism that desecrated the final resting places of Jews buried in Mt. Carmel Jewish Cemetery. Bishop Burkat opened a news conference with Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders by calling the damage to more than one hundred...

Read More →

February 28, 2017

Video: Interfaith Leaders Respond to Jewish Cemetery Desecration

Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders spoke in solidarity Monday against the desecration of graves at Mt. Carmel Jewish Cemetery in Wissanoming. Bishop Burkat facilitated a press conference in which dozens of faith leaders from across Greater Philadelphia stood together in support of the Jewish community and others — including immigrants, refugees, Muslims and the LGBTQ...

Read More →

June 13, 2016

Orlando: Christians Cannot Keep Silent

rainbow candles “As Christians, we turn first to Jesus” in the wake of the nation’s worst mass shooting in history at Pulse in Orlando, Florida-Bahamas Synod Bishop Robert G. Schaefer wrote in a message to that synod Monday (June 13). “But, we can no longer afford to let it end there,” he wrote. “Church, it’s time to...

Read More →

June 7, 2016

ELCA Advocacy Statement on Ryan Poverty Plan

ELCA Advocacy Today (June 7), Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) and the House of Representatives’ Task Force on Poverty, Opportunity, and Upward Mobility released a plan that will launch a bipartisan discussion on hunger and poverty and the policies required to end them.  ELCA Advocacy appreciates Speaker Ryan’s leadership, and that of all who make poverty in our...

Read More →

March 3, 2016

Global Focus: Irente School for the Blind

Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod and the North-Eastern Diocese of Tanzania have shared a strong partnership for many years. This Lent, we invite you to become part of an exciting new chapter of this companionship with an exciting new project, Located on a beautiful mountain in Tanzania, the Irente School for the Blind is a primary school for...

Read More →

February 1, 2016

Presiding Bishop Calls for Conversation About Race

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has called on the ELCA’s 3.7 million members to “be the church that models for the rest of this country what it means to have these difficult conversations” about racial inequality. Eaton made her remarks during a Jan. 14 live webcast, “Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning.” Watch the webcast recording and get...

Read More →

December 8, 2015

Get the Facts About Syrian Refugees

Lutheran Children and Family Service is the largest refugee resettlement organization in PA, and is involved in resettling Syrian refugees in Allentown. Did you know that refugees are the most scrutinized and vetted individuals entering the U.S.? Or that the process takes on average two years? LCFS has created an online resource center so that...

Read More →

December 8, 2015

Refugees Welcomed in Allentown

As Christians celebrated Christ the King on Nov. 22, 500 people gathered in Allentown, Pa., to stand in solidarity against the face of fear and hatred at an interfaith event to welcome refugees from Syria. Those in attendance included young and old, the mayor of Allentown, clergy from the community, and people of many faiths...

Read More →

November 9, 2015

Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice

The Synod is co-sponsoring live webcasts of “Listen for a Change: Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice” featuring New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, actor Anna Deavere Smith, and Vanderbilt Divinity School Dean Emilie Townes on January 21-23, 2016, at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. The webcasts from Trinity Wall Street’s annual theological conference will...

Read More →

July 1, 2015

Lutherans Raise Voices For School Funding

Lutherans from around the state raised their voices in Harrisburg at a rally for fair education funding June 23. Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) started the day by leading a prayer service on the steps of the capitol, joining other faith groups fasting there to protest Pennsylvania’s distinction of being the least equitable state...

Read More →

June 19, 2015

PA Bishops Support 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 orientation and gender identity or...

Read More →