Mission How does the ELCA engage in advocacy? History of Lutheran advocacy in Washington, D.C. Employment and internship information Staff and contact information Return to advocacy homepage

The work of the ELCA Washington Office is grounded in the Scriptures and Lutheran confessional writings. Its involvement in specific issues is based on social statements of the ELCA or social statements of the ELCA's predecessor churches when those statements are in agreement.

The ELCA Washington Office staff help to prioritize issues for the church's public policy activity.

Included in a sampling of issues currently addressed by the plan are an emphasis on alleviating domestic and international hunger and poverty, human and civil rights concerns, various health care and disability programs, economic justice, foreign aid reform and funding, the Middle East peace process, and U.S. immigration and refugee policy.

The staff of the Washington office monitors these and other issues and becomes directly involved in efforts to support measures when deemed timely and appropriate. Such efforts could include letters to members of Congress, contacts with the Administration, visits with House or Senate staff, appointments with representatives or senators, presentation of testimony before key committees, and phone calls to contacts in specific congressional districts or states to encourage their involvement on a particular issue.

Working with coalitions is important to the ELCA Washington Office. More than two dozen denominations and faith groups represented in Washington, D.C. are partners with the staff on a wide variety of issues. Beyond interfaith networks, other coalitions are joined that include labor unions, civil rights groups, civic organizations and numerous non-profit colleagues representing a wide range of viewpoints.

The ELCA Washington Office regularly communicates developments on critical public policy issues to audiences throughout the church. Frequent staff participation in briefings and presentations at congregational meetings, synod assemblies and seminars of church-related organizations helps to inform many in the ELCA of their church's activity on important issues of the day.

We Offer...

• Timely updates, reports and action alerts on legislative issues.
• Media assistance including materials to help you write informative and effective letters.
• Newsletter and backgrounders that will keep you informed on a variety of issues that are currently in discussion in Congress.
• Workshops and presentations for your synod, conference or a cluster of congregations on the biblical roots of advocacy and key social justice issues.
• Bulletin inserts, worship resources, and activity calendars that promote advocacy in the congregation and are informative on key social justice issues.
• Response to personal requests for visits to the ELCA Washington Office, information on arranging visits with your representatives and introductions to your representative if you desire.
• Materials describing the work of the ELCA Washington Office and encouraging the understanding of advocacy as a part of the Christian faith.

What happened to "LOGA"?
The Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs is now the ELCA Washington Office. The name was officially changed at the ELCA Church Council meeting April 1-2, 2006.

The name "ELCA Washington Office" better reflects that it is a part of the ELCA Churchwide organization, and that it is the ELCA advocacy presence with the federal government in Washington, D.C.