Archived "What's new" spotlights from ELCA Advocacy
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DECEMBER 19, 2007
"Immigration Raids Demean Our Values," say ELCA Synod Bishop,
LIRS President
Read the editorial co-written by Bishop E. Roy Riley and Ralston
Deffenbaugh, printed in the Herald News in New Jersey.
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DECEMBER 19, 2007
ELCA Synod
Bishop, Other Faith Leaders Urge Reauthorization of PEPFAR
The
Rev. Richard H. Graham, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod, joined with other
faith leaders and government officials on Capitol Hill Dec. 13 in
advocating for robust funding and improved policies in the
reauthorization of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
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DECEMBER 18, 2007
New Jersey State Assembly Abolishes Death Penalty
On
Dec. 13, the New Jersey State Assembly voted 44 to 36 to abolish the use
of the death penalty and to substitute the sentence "life, without the
possibility of parole." This makes New Jersey the first state to
legislatively abolish the death penalty, having re-established it after
the 1976 Supreme Court decision.
All of this is the result of a 10-year push by a very
large and effective coalition. Lutherans, especially New Jersey Bishop
Roy Riley and Pastor Bruce Davidson of the
Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry
in New Jersey, had significant and visible roles.
The ELCA
social
statement on the death penalty states that the ELCA "urge[s] the
abolition of the death penalty, and support [s] alternative and
appropriate punishment for capital crime, including the possibility of
life sentence without parole."
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DECEMBER 18, 2007
ELCA Bishops Join
LIRS in Supporting Trafficking Victims Protection Act
Ten synod bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) signed a letter Nov. 6 with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee
Service (LIRS) urging the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the
Judiciary to quickly pass the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims
Protection Reauthorization Act of 2007 (TVPRA), which contains
provisions to help identify and protect child victims of trafficking. (11.09.07)
Update --
Trafficking Bill Passes the House: On Tuesday, Dec.
4, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the William
Wilberforce Trafficking Protection Reauthorization Act of 2007.
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DECEMBER 17, 2007
Farm Bill Reforms Fail in the Senate
On Friday, Dec. 14, the 2007 U.S. Farm Bill passed the Senate on a
vote of 79 to 14. The bill does not contain much-needed reforms that
would have targeted commodity support programs to the farmers who need
them most, and continues to support prices in a way that undercuts the
efforts of struggling farmers in other countries to make a living from
farming. The final Senate bill does provide increases in funding for a
number of our priorities, including food stamps and farm conservation
programs.
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DECEMBER 14, 2007
ELCA Advocacy
Offices Purchase Carbon Offset Credits
The ELCA Washington Office, ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility,
Pittsburgh, and Lutheran Office for World Community, New York, have
purchased carbon offset credits to mitigate their carbon emissions
accumulated through air travel.
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DECEMBER 14, 2007
SCHIP Bill Vetoed
In an expected move on Dec. 12, President Bush vetoed a bill
reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a
successful and bipartisan program that has provided health coverage to
children from low-wage, working families for ten years.
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DECEMBER 14, 2007
On the Twelve Days
of Christmas, the Corporate Social Responsibility Program Gave To Me...
The
Corporate Social Responsibility Program has listed 12 resources
and giving opportunities that
offer individuals opportunities to look
at their lives and consider ways their preparation for the coming of our
Lord can bring about positive changes.
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DECEMBER 12, 2007
Updates Available Regarding SCHIP and National Housing Trust Fund
Visit the "Health" and "Housing"
sections of the Web site to learn more.
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DECEMBER 04, 2007
"Called To Be a Public Church: 2007 ELCA Voting and Civic Participation
Guide"
Download the new resource guide for encouraging, empowering, and
equipping Lutherans to engage responsibly in the 2008 election cycle.
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NOVEMBER 08, 2007
Lutheran Holy
Land Bishop, Other Faith Leaders Make Peace Commitments
The
Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land, a group of senior
Israeli and Palestinian religious leaders from Christian, Jewish and
Muslim faith organizations, announced Nov. 7 new efforts toward limiting
violence, protecting holy sites and opening dialogue for peace in the
Holy Land.
>Read the
communiqué
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OCTOBER 29, 2007
Children's Health Insurance Update
The SCHIP debate added its latest chapter Oct. 25, as the House
passed a new version of SCHIP. The latest bill passed 265-142, becoming
the third time this year the House has passed a children's health
insurance bill.
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OCTOBER 16, 2007
ELCA Presiding
Bishop Writes in Support of Children's Health Care Program
"Our Christian faith calls us to act for vulnerable people,
especially children," Hanson wrote. "SCHIP is a straightforward and
sensible way to provide coverage for millions of low-income children who
lack health insurance."
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OCTOBER 2, 2007
STAND UP and
SPEAK OUT Against Global Poverty
On Oct. 17, the ELCA
will join the
Millennium Campaign to STAND UP and SPEAK OUT against
global poverty.
Get resources for your congregation to participate!
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OCTOBER 5, 2007
ELCA Presiding
Bishop Supports Arab-Israeli-Palestinian Peace Conference
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), said he supports an international
conference aimed at taking steps toward resolving conflict peacefully
between Israelis and Palestinians in the Middle East, and this week
joined in a call for specific steps for a successful conference. The
meeting is to be hosted in November by the United States government at a
location to be determined.
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SEPTEMBER 21, 2007
Bishops Meet
Members of Congress
Twenty-six ELCA bishops, including Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson,
participated in issue briefings and met with their Members of Congress
and congressional staff Sept. 17-19, 2007.
View the
pictures (more to come).
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AUGUST 9, 2007
Audio: Bishop Hanson Highlights Advocacy Efforts
Aug. 7 news conference:
ONE Lutheran Campaign mention
>Click
here to listen (MP3 - 629 Kb)
Aug. 8 report to the assembly:
Farm Bill
mention
>Click here to
listen (MP3 - 1.1 Mb)
Aug. 8 report to the assembly:
Mentions of poverty,
environment,
ONE Lutheran Campaign
>Click
here to listen (MP3 - 1.4 Mb)
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AUGUST 9, 2007
Churchwide Assembly Highlights
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JULY 30, 2007
Photos From
"Sowing Seeds: Growing a Movement" and ELCA
Pre-Conference Now Available
Check out photos of Lutheran participants at "Sowing Seeds: Growing
a Movement" June 9-12 and the ELCA Pre-Conference June 8!
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JULY 26, 2007
ELCA, Other Faith
Groups Urge Farm Bill Reform to Help Farmers in Need
As the 2007 Farm Bill headed to the
floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on July 26, the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) joined with other faith groups in
backing amendments to the House Agriculture Committee's bill that would
help farmers in need both in the United States and internationally.
->See
the Roll Call ad
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JUNE 19, 2007
New
"Hunger and the Farm Bill" Fact Sheet Available
The Scriptures declare thematically God’s special concern for the
poor and oppressed. Who then are the hungry, and where can we seek
justice in our society by imitating Jesus’ ministry to our neighbors
in need?
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JUNE 19, 2007
ELCA, Other Faith
Groups Press Agriculture Committee for Farm Bill Reform
The Rev. Theodore F. Schneider, bishop of the Metropolitan
Washington, D.C., Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
(ELCA), joined other faith leaders July 17 in a news conference calling
on Congress for a bill that would reduce poverty while helping farmers
and rural communities in the United States and around the world.
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JUNE 9, 2007
ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility
Launches New Web Site!
The Corporate Social Responsibility program seeks to dialogue with
business representatives on the social implications of company practices
and to affect ELCA investment policy in socially responsible ways.
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JUNE 9, 2007
Join the
Shareholder's Network!
Stay informed of recent socially responsible investing news,
upcoming events on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and new
resources available online that pertain to CSR. As new ELCA policies and
issue papers are approved and new resolutions are filed with
corporations you will receive periodic updates in your inbox.
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JUNE 5, 2007
When Traveling This Summer, Bring Your
Own (Reusable) Bottle!
If you're planning on traveling this summer, whether it's to the "Sowing
Seeds" conference, Global Mission Event, Churchwide Assembly, or on a
family vacation, plan to bring a reusable bottle and refill it.
Using a reusable plastic
water bottle instead of buying bottled water will save you
money and help protect God’s creation.
Learn how!
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JUNE 5, 2007
New Farm Bill
FAQ and Other Resources Available
The U.S. Congress will act in 2007 to draft and pass a new Farm Bill
that will govern food and agricultural policy for years to come. The
Farm Bill establishes a broad range of federal hunger, farm and
conservation programs and is the basis for millions of dollars in annual
funding for programs as diverse as Food Stamps, the Conservation Reserve
Program, and farm commodity payments.
Learn more about the Farm Bill and
ELCA engagement with the Farm Bill.
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MAY 21, 2007
ELCA Synod
Bishops Join LIRS in Expressing Immigration Bill Concerns
Three synod bishops of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) expressed concern over the May 17
Senate compromise on immigration reform legislation, according to a May
18 news release from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS),
Baltimore.
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MAY 17, 2007
Rep. Herseth Sandlin to Keynote ELCA
Pre-Conference for Sowing Seeds
The Hon. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (South Dakota - At
Large) will deliver the keynote address at the ELCA Pre-Conference for
Sowing Seeds: Growing a Movement.
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MAY 17, 2007
ELCA Presiding
Bishop, Other Church Leaders Call for Compassionate Budget
As members of the U.S. House and Senate negotiated the federal budget
for fiscal year 2008, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), along with leaders of
four other Christian denominations, sent a letter May 10 to members of
the U.S. Congress calling for the budget to be just and compassionate.
[Read the ELCA
News story]
[Read
the letter]
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MAY 16, 2007
ELCA presiding
bishop to speak at June anti-hunger advocacy event
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will participate in an interfaith
convocation and address Lutherans during the "Sowing Seeds: Growing a
Movement" conference, June 9-12 in Washington, D.C.
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MAY 9, 2007
ELCA Synod Bishops
Urge Two-State Solution to Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Three bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) met in Washington, D.C. May 6-8 to urge their
members of Congress to support a solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict that ends the Israeli occupation of
East Jerusalem and the West Bank, guarantees Israel’s right to
exist, establishes a Palestinian state, and allows Jerusalem to
be shared by Israelis and Palestinians.
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MAY 3, 2007
Lutherans participate in “Global Action Days for Darfur”
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APRIL 27, 2007
ELCA Partners
With Jolie, Global Action for Children
Actress
Angelina Jolie appeared at a news conference April 26 in Washington,
D.C., to announce the launch of Global Action for Children (GAC), a
coalition advocating for orphans and vulnerable children around the
world. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a member of the
leadership council of GAC with 20 other faith groups and nonprofit
organizations.
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APRIL 26, 2007
ELCA, LWR Join
Other Groups in Advocacy on the Farm Bill
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran World
Relief, Baltimore, are joining more than a dozen other denominations and
faith-based organizations in supporting broad reforms of the U.S. Farm
Bill in 2007, aimed at reducing hunger and poverty while promoting the
livelihood of farmers and rural communities both in the U.S. and around
the world.
>Read the ELCA
News story
>Read
the Religious Working Group on the Farm Bill Press Release
>Read
the Religious Working Group on the Farm Bill Statement of Principles
>Join Faith Farm Teams
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APRIL 26, 2007
Lutherans to
participate in Middle East Peace event May 6-8
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) will feature
several prominent speakers at its advocacy conference, "For
the Peace of Jerusalem," May 6-8 in
Washington, D.C.
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APRIL 17, 2007
Andrew Genszler
Named Director of ELCA Advocacy, Washington Office
Andrew
D. Genszler will become director of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) Advocacy Department and the ELCA Washington Office on May
1. Genszler has served as the director for domestic policy, ELCA
Washington Office, since Sept. 2005. He succeeds Karen S. Vagley, who
resigned effective April 30 after four years in the role.
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APRIL 13, 2007
ELCA Presiding
Bishop Calls for Action and Advocacy on Global Warming
In a written message for Earth Day, April 22, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson,
presiding bishop of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), discussed the effects of global
warming on people living in poverty and urged Lutherans to respond with
advocacy and action.
Read the
letter
Read the ELCA
News story
Download
a bulletin insert
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APRIL 13, 2007
Middle East Update from
Churches for Middle East Peace
These past few weeks have brought a flurry of Mideast diplomatic
activity. The priority that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is
giving her efforts to help bring Israelis and Palestinians together for
face-to-face meetings shows the Administration's recognition of the
urgent need for Israeli-Palestinian peace.
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APRIL 13, 2007
Global Action Days for Darfur April
23-27: Take Action in Your Community
From April 23 to 27, global advocates for peace and justice will
gather in their local communities during the
Global Action Days for Darfur and call for action to end the
violence.
Click here to find an event that is planned in your local community.
View a map of the atrocities
with Google Maps.
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APRIL 4, 2007
Interview with
Bishop Younan Available on YouTube
Watch an interview with the Rev. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL),
about Christians in the Middle East.
Part 1 -
YouTube
Part 2 -
YouTube
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APRIL 2, 2007
ELCA Synod
Bishops Meet with Members of Congress on Immigration Reform
Several synod bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) urged their members of Congress and key congressional staff March
22 to enact comprehensive immigration reform in 2007 that is "humane and
for the common good."
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APRIL 2, 2007
LWF Council Calls
for Cooperation with Palestinian Leaders, End to Blockade
The Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) called on the
international community to cooperate with the new Palestinian government
and to end an international economic blockade. The council asked LWF
members to pray on Thursday of Holy Week (April 5) for Christians in the
Middle East.
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MARCH 28, 2007
ELCA Represented
at Anglican Conference on Global Poverty and HIV
The Rev. Callon W. Holloway, Jr., bishop of the Southern Ohio Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), was one of three
ELCA representatives at the "Towards Effective Anglican Mission" (TEAM)
conference March 7-14 in Boksburg, South Africa. Billed as "an
international conference on prophetic witness, social development, and
HIV and AIDS," the conference aimed to enhance current initiatives in
social outreach work to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
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MARCH 22, 2007 [JUBILEE
USA]
Religious, Civil Society Leaders Urge Congress to Support Expanded
International Debt Relief
Following President Bush’s trip to Latin America during which the
President emphasized the importance of debt relief in the region, more
than 20 religious and civil society leaders wrote to Rep. Maxine Waters,
Rep. Spencer Bachus, and Rep. Barney Frank today in support of
legislation currently under development that would provide expanded debt
cancellation for impoverished nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin
America. The Rev. Mark Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, was among
those signing the letter.
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MARCH 20, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Register now for "Sowing Seeds: Growing a
Movement"
June 9-12
American University, Washington, DC
Sponsored by the ELCA, ELCA World Hunger, and other faith
organizations
Join Bread for the World and thousands of people of faith, who will
gather to launch a renewed movement to end hunger and poverty in the
United States and around the world. Come to develop skills for
motivating others and mobilizing faith communities, strategize ways to
best influence decision-makers, and visit your representative's and
senators' offices to speak out for hungry people.
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MARCH 16, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Texas Farm Bill
listening Session Announced
A Farm Bill listening session is planned for Sunday, April 22, in
Victoria, Texas.
Learn more about the farm bill and details about this listening session.
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MARCH 16, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Lutherans
Advocate for Children's Issues at Ecumenical Advocacy Days
More than 1,000 U.S. church members, including more than 100 members
of the ELCA, participated in the
Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice conference
March 9-12. Under the theme "…and How are the Children?" participants
learned about issues affecting children around the world and had the
opportunity to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill.
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MARCH 14, 2007
Earth Day Sunday Resource on
Food and Farming Available
Every time you sit down for a meal, you're supporting a food system that
has reverberating effects on God's creation. How the land is farmed
impacts the air, water, soil, animals, and people, and is inextricably
linked to the health and well-being of God's creation. Learn more about
food, farming, and God's creation in a new Earth Day resource kit which
includes sermon resources, a bulletin insert, and Sunday school and
adult education activities. Earth Day is April 22, 2007 -
download the National Council of
Churches resource (pdf) for use on your congregation's designated
Earth Day Sunday.
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MARCH 6, 2007
Youth can
help change the world,
one policy at a time!
Learn how members of the Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) are
advocating for change! Thanks to the LYO Board Advocacy Liaison Emily
Isensee, who wrote this article for synod LYO presidents and other youth
leaders.
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MARCH 2, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Bulletin insert promoting Jubilee USA Grassroots Conference now
available
The Jubilee USA 2nd Annual
Grassroots Conference will be held in June 15-17 in Chicago, IL.
Download the color
bulletin insert (pdf)
Download the black
and white bulletin insert (pdf)
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FEBRUARY 27, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
LIRS report
reveals mistreatment of detained immigrant families
A report released Feb. 22 details "disturbing" conditions at the two
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) facilities which house
families undergoing immigration proceedings.
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FEBRUARY 21, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
CMEP appeals for
U.S. to stop Israel's Temple Mount excavation
On Feb. 20, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) appealed to Assistant
Secretary of State David Welch to convince Israel to halt evacuations
near the Temple Mount/Haram al- Sharif in the Old City of Jerusalem. The
letter raises concerns about the outbreak of violent protests in Israel,
the West Bank and Gaza, and globally.
Read the letter.
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FEBRUARY 20, 2007
Order your
Eco-Palms now!
More than 300 million palm fronds are harvested each year for U.S.
consumption alone - most of them for Palm Sunday. As you begin to plan
your Lenten plans, consider the Lutheran World Relief program to help
ensure the palm harvesters are earning a fair income for their labor,
and the palms are being harvested in an environmentally sustainable way
by visiting www.lwr.org/palms.
Read the issue paper on sustainability that governs this area of the
work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.
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FEBRUARY 20, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA college
presidents sign 'Presidents Climate Commitment'
Three Lutheran college presidents
signed the "American College and University Presidents Climate
Commitment," a pledge to take a leadership role in addressing global
warming. Two presidents who signed as members of the commitment's
"Leadership Circle" are Dr. Richard L. Torgerson of Luther College,
Decorah, Iowa, and Dr. Loren J. Anderson, Pacific Lutheran University,
Tacoma, Wash.
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FEBRUARY 15, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA Presiding
Bishop, Other Leaders Call for Compassionate Federal Budget
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined leaders of four other
Christian denominations Feb. 15 in sending a letter to all members of
the U.S. Congress, calling for a compassionate and just federal budget
in 2008.
[Read the letter]
[Read the ELCA
News story]
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FEBRUARY 12, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Global Warming Resources Now
Available
Learn
about the causes and implications of global warming, as well as steps
you and your congregation can take to make a difference.
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FEBRUARY 7, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA,
Episcopal Church Release Ecumenical Study Guide on Global Poverty
Intended
as a resource for congregations and other groups who are looking to
broaden their understanding of global poverty and become part of the
worldwide movement achieving the MDGs, the guide features six weekly
sessions examining Christian understandings of social justice, global
poverty, and the MDGs.
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FEBRUARY 7, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Senate Votes to Increase Minimum Wage!
With your support, on Thursday the Senate passed a wage increase by an
overwhelming majority of 94 to 3, and included some specific tax breaks
aimed at making it easier for small businesses to hire employees, and
easier for small business to remain viable and to be good employers.
Read more.
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FEBRUARY 1, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Bread for the World Lenten "Table Tents" Available
The table tents feature readings, prayers, and actions to help you and
your family observe Lent in 2007. You can download or order them.
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FEBRUARY 1, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
CMEP Publishes
Ad in Roll Call Urging President to Make Middle East Peace
a Priority
The January 30th issue of Roll
Call, a widely read publication on Capitol Hill, ran
Churches for Middle East Peace's
full-page ad highlighting the key points of the
January 23rd letter
to President Bush signed by 39 Christian leaders of American
churches and Christian institutions.
View the ad here.
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JANUARY 31, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
The 2007
Sabbath Year: A Timeline of Events & Opportunities Now Available!
Learn about how you and your congregation can be a part of the 2007
Sabbath Year for debt relief.
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JANUARY 30, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA Presiding
Bishop Meets With Secretary of State on Israeli-Palestinian Peace
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA), joined five other Christian, Jewish and Muslim
leaders in a meeting Jan. 29 with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice. Representing the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for
Peace in the Middle East (NILI), the faith leaders met with Rice to
express their strong commitment to a two-state solution of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to strong U.S. leadership toward
lasting and just peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
The meeting was covered in several major news outlets. (Registration may
be required to read these articles.)
Washington Post article
Washington Times article
Forbes article
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JANUARY 30, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Valentine's Day Alternative Gifts
 When
we think of Valentine's Day what often comes to mind are visions of
flowers, boxes of chocolates, and heart shaped cards. This year, if you
are considering such gifts, think where you make these purchases and how
they impact others.
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JANUARY 29, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA Presiding
Bishop Asks Church for Conversation about Iraq War
As the U.S. Congress debates its response to the dispatch of
additional troops to Iraq, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), sent a message Jan.
26 to ordained and professional lay leaders of the ELCA, asking them to
engage ELCA congregations in dialogue on the war and to continue to pray
for peace.
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JANUARY 24, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Church Leaders Appeal to President Bush for Peace in the Holy Land
Christian leaders of American churches and Christian institutions from a
range of traditions - Orthodox, Catholic, mainstream and evangelical
Protestants - have appealed to President Bush for peace in the Holy Land. The
January 23rd letter,
signed by 39 church leaders, encourages President Bush to make
Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking, in the context of a comprehensive
Arab-Israeli peace initiative, an urgent priority for his Administration.
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JANUARY 23, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Middle East
Lutheran Bishop Visits U.S., Calls For Peace Among Palestinians
The Rev. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Jordan and the Holy Land, Jerusalem, is in the United States this month
for a series of speaking engagements at Lutheran institutions and at the
Global Mission Festival this week in Winter Park, Fla.
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JANUARY 19, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
New ONE Resources Available
Check out the
new
PowerPoint presentation and
bulletin insert about the ONE Lutheran campaign!
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JANUARY 16, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
January 21 is Jubilee Sunday
Jubilee Sunday will launch the 2007 Sabbath Year, a time to educate,
organize, and mobilize for the jubilee vision of right relations between
people and nations and an end to unjust debt and global poverty. The
Outreach and Congregations team at Jubilee USA has created a resource
guide complete with worship materials, sermon notes, hymns, and other
necessary items to prepare you and your congregation for Jubilee Sunday
2007.
Visit Jubilee's web site for downloadable resources to use Jan. 21
or any other Sunday your congregation designates.
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JANUARY 12, 2007 [WASHINGTON, DC]
House Votes to Increase Minimum Wage!
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted 315-116 to increase
the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour. The 315 voting
for it included 233 Democrats and 82 Republicans. The Senate is expected
to take up the issue sometime next week, so stay tuned for an action
alert with your chance to raise your voice for those in need!
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JANUARY 5, 2007
ELCA Presiding Bishop Signs Letter on 21st Anniversary of Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day (pdf)
Signed by all 'heads of communion' of Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC)
member churches on the 21st anniversary celebration of Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day and the fifth anniversary of CUIC, the letter urges "our
congregations to join with other CUIC congregations in your community to
discern ways to exercise common witness and common service as together
we seek to dismantle racism and, in so doing, to be the voice and
presence of God’s love in the world." asking that it be read
in ELCA Presiding Bishop Hanson is asking all ELCA congregations to read
the letter in worship on Sunday, January 14.
>Read
the statement (pdf)
>Read the ELCA
News story
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DECEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Presiding
Bishop Hanson, Other Religious Leaders Call on the U.S. to
Make Middle East Peace a Priority
"Our nation has an inescapable responsibility and an
indispensable role to provide creative, determined
leadership for building a just peace for all in the Middle
East..."
[Read
the statement]
[Read
the letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice]
[Read
the ELCA News story]
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DECEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Documentary on Sex
Trafficking To Air on PBS in January 2007
Lives for Sale is a
new investigative documentary connecting human migration and sex
trafficking. Produced by Maryknoll Productions it will be aired on
public television stations nationwide beginning in January 2007.
Read the press release
on the documentary. To assist in getting the show seen in your
community contact your local public television station
www.pbs.org and ask for it to be aired
locally.
Read the
ELCA's message on Commercial Sexual Exploitation.
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DECEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Haiti
Legislation Passes!
Thanks to your calls and faxes, Congress passed the Haiti
Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act
December 9 in the final hours of the 109th Congress. Thank you! For more
information on the legislation and the ecumenical effort surrounding it,
please see the
ELCA News story.
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DECEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Presiding Bishop
Hanson, Other Faith Leaders Call for Increase to International Affairs
Budget to Address Global Poverty
"As leaders from diverse faith organizations, we unite today to call for
a stronger commitment and increased resources for the U.S. International
Affairs Budget. This budget funds U.S. humanitarian, development, and
diplomatic programs and fuels our commitment to address global poverty
and to provide hope and opportunity to families and children throughout
the world."
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NOVEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Presiding Bishop Hanson Blogs About ONE Campaign at Religions for Peace
"We are the first generation in the history of the world with
knowledge, resources, and capacity to end extreme poverty. What will
history say about our success or failure in building the moral and
political will to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, an holistic
framework to save the lives of more than eight million people who die
because of extreme poverty each year?"
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NOVEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Presiding Bishop
Hanson Signs On To Letter Supporting HOPE Act
"As leaders of our respective Churches and faith communities, we
urge you and all Members of Congress to pass the Haitian Hemispheric
Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act of 2006
contained in H.R. 6142."
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NOVEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Over 9,200 Lutherans Stood UP
to end poverty
Lutherans account for more than 8 percent of Americans that "Stood Up."
The ELCA Washington Office and Lutheran Office for World Community have
received reports of over 9,200 Lutheran participants so far.
See the list of congregations who
participated.
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NOVEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA Signs Statement of
Opposition to the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement
"The U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement (U.S.-Peru FTA), like
CAFTA before it, is a manifestation of the failed 'one-size-fits-all'
model that does not live up to the principles of trade justice."
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NOVEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Secretary
Rice Speaks on "Helping Palestinians Build a Better Future"
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke at the inaugural gala of
the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) on Wednesday, October 11.
She gave a strong endorsement of a two-state solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, reiterating phrases from President Bush’s
UNGA speech regarding ending the "daily humiliation of occupation" and
establishing a Palestinian state with "territorial integrity."
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NOVEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Presiding Bishop
Hanson, Other Christian Leaders Urge Minimum Wage Increase
"It is time to put this important matter of economic and racial
justice in a prominent place in the national debate and to act upon it
when Congress returns after the elections..."
Read the ELCA
News story
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NOVEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
More Farm
Bill Listening Sessions Announced
Listening sessions will be held in Nebraska (including one near the
Kansas border) and Washington state in December. PLUS - download a new
brochure on the Farm Bill and the ELCA.
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NOVEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Caring for Creation Article Featured in Lutheran Woman Today
Scroll down to see an article by Mary Minette, director for
environmental education and advocacy for the ELCA Washington Office.
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NOVEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA Student Advocacy Teams Featured in November 2006 Issue of The
Lutheran
If you're interested in starting a student advocacy team on your
campus, click here to learn more!
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OCTOBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Lutherans Help
Set World Record by "Standing Up" Against Poverty
More than 8,500 members of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) were among the 110,332 U.S. citizens and 23.5
million people worldwide who stood up during worship Oct. 15 to fight
global poverty. The "STAND
UP" event set a national and global record in the
Guinness World Records
for the largest number of people to stand up for a cause.
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OCTOBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Palestinian Children
Denied Schooling
"As I was driving to Ramallah the other day and stopped at an
intersection, a child came up to the car with a towel to try to
clean my windshield. I said, "what is this?" He said, "Please,
for God's sake, one shekel. I want to eat!" Other children later
started following us when we were walking, "Please, a shekel, a
shekel." I was offended and humiliated to watch Palestinian
children turn into beggars. And then, I realized it was daytime,
and these children should be in school, but they were just a few
of the more than 725,000 public school students who have been
out of school for two months now because there are no salaries
to pay the teachers. As a Palestinian Bishop, this saddens and
angers me."
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OCTOBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Have You Been Denied Entry to Israel?
The U.S. Consulate is preparing statistics for the State Department on
people who have been denied entry to Israel due to their U.S.
citizenship or their religious background. Preliminary reports show that
tens of thousands of people have been denied entry to Israel due to
their U.S. citizenship or religious background. If you have recently
been denied entry to Israel, please complete
this form
(MS Word document) and send it to the
U.S. Consulate to show the impact of the entry policy and to have
some hope of changing Israel's current policy.
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OCTOBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
This
Halloween, Distribute
Fair Trade
Candy
Looking to be different this Halloween? Global Exchange has come up
with a fun way for you to show your support of fair trade products.
Fair Trade
Trick or Treat Action Kits are now available. You can also purchase
chocolate directly from
Lutheran World Relief.
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OCTOBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Churches for Middle East Peace Asks President Bush to Make Peace in the
Holy Land an Urgent Priority
"Your speech to the United Nations General Assembly awakened our
hopes for your strong leadership toward resolution of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Churches for
Middle East Peace, a coalition of churches and church-related
organizations, joins you in commitment to peace in the Holy Land where
two democratic states – Israel and Palestine – might live side-by-side
in peace and security..."
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OCTOBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
LIRS Signs on to Letter
Opposing "Secure Fence Act of 2006"
"This bill goes far beyond the construction of border
barriers. It provides unprecedented authorities to the Secretary of the
Department Homeland Security (DHS) "to take all actions necessary and
appropriate to prevent all unlawful entries into the U.S."
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OCTOBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA, LIRS
Sign On To Immigration Reform Ad in Roll Call (pdf)
"As members of the faith community, we join together to call upon
President Bush and our elected officials in Congress to enact
comprehensive immigration reform legislation that establishes a safe and
humane immigration system consistent with our values..."
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OCTOBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Participate in the World
Food Day Telecast Oct. 16!
On October 16th, join the rest of the world and participate in World
Food Day. World Food Day is a worldwide event designed to increase
awareness, understanding, and informed, year-round action to alleviate
hunger. Get involved and help to build a more food-secure world
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SEPTEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA, Episcopal Presiding
Bishops Urge Renewed Commitment to End Poverty
A joint pastoral letter was released Sept. 14 from Presiding Bishop Mark
Hanson and Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, urging a renewed commitment
to ending global poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
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SEPTEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Advocate for Peace in Uganda!
Northern Uganda Lobby Day and Symposium
"Peace Within Reach"
Oct. 9-10, 2006
Washington, DC
Cost: $25 (or $5 for students or people on scholarship)
Registration deadline: Oct. 2
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SEPTEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Lutherans
Continue Call For Comprehensive Immigration Reform
ELCA NEWS
Several religious leaders called on the U.S. Congress to pass
comprehensive immigration reform -- not just "enforcement only"
legislation -- in a national conference call Sept. 12 with news
reporters.
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SEPTEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA Online
Discussion on the U.S. Farm Bill Launched
The ELCA Washington Office has been holding
listening sessions
around the country focused on the U.S. Farm Bill.
Now you can join
the online discussion forum on LutherLink! (If you are not yet a
member of LutherLink, you can
register here.)
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SEPTEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
In What Political Activities Can
Congregations Engage?
Helpful guides to IRS laws are now available on our
tool kits page.
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SEPTEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Resources Available for International Day of Peace - September 21, 2006
Find prayers and other helpful links related to this day. Remember
to pray at 3:18 p.m.!
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SEPTEMBER, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Education Social Statement Hearings Scheduled for Fall
Several hearings on the draft ELCA social statement on education,
Our Calling in
Education, have been scheduled for this fall.
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AUGUST, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Poverty Rate
Unchanged Despite Economic Recovery
Census Bureau data released August 29 shows that, although 2005 marked
the fourth year of economic growth, the poverty rate in America remains
the same in 2005 as it was in 2004.
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AUGUST, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Remembering the Gulf Coast Hurricanes
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AUGUST, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA Presiding
Bishop Addresses Session of International AIDS Conference
In a news conference prior to the session, Hanson called on
religious leaders to confront stigma and discrimination by taking HIV
tests and publicly disclosing the results. "Religious leaders willing to
be tested and make their status known is a huge first public testimony
that will give courage to other religious leaders and also their
communities to then follow,
which begins to break the silence and the stigma too often associated in
religious communities with HIV and AIDS," he said.
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AUGUST, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA Signs
On To Letter Supporting the Global Poverty Act
"As the State Department and U.S. Agency for International
Development reorganize towards “Transformational Diplomacy,” it is
critical that poverty reduction remain a central goal of U.S. foreign
assistance and that a comprehensive strategy to guide U.S. poverty
reduction efforts be developed..."
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AUGUST, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA
Presiding Bishop, LWR President Sign Letter to President Bush
Encouraging Support of Uganda Peace Negotiations
"We write to you in solidarity with our brothers and sisters
in Uganda and Sudan to encourage your Administration to fully support
peace negotiations currently taking place between the government of
Uganda and Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Juba, South Sudan..."
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JULY, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ONE Campaign and Millennium Development Goals Promoted by Bono, Others
at Global Mission Event
ELCA NEWS
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JULY, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Bishop E. Roy
Riley Jr. Testifies Before House Ways and Means Committee The
Rev. E. Roy Riley, Jr., bishop of the New Jersey Synod of the ELCA,
testified before the House Ways and Means Committee July 19 about the
10-Year Anniversary of the Welfare Reform Act of 1996. >Read
the ELCA News story
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JULY, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA Presiding
Bishop, Other Denominational Leaders Address the 10-Year Anniversary of
Welfare Reform
"Welfare may have ended as we know it, but poverty in our nation has
not."
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JULY, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
 Facts
and Statistics from the "Stand
Up, Speak Out" Workshop at the 2006 ELCA Youth Gathering
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JULY, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA Calls
for Renewal of Expiring Provisions of the Voting Rights Act
"As representatives from a broad spectrum of faith traditions, we share
the values of equality, justice and the fair treatment of all. It is in
this spirit that we urge you to take swift action to renew and restore
the expiring provisions of the Voting Rights Act as provided in S.
2703."
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JUNE, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
"Rebuild to Renewal: The Gulf Coast Through an Avocate's Eyes"
Andrew Genszler,
director for domestic policy of the ELCA Washington Office, traveled
along the Gulf Coast on a fact-finding mission June 13 to 23.
Read his blog to
find out what he discovered!
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JUNE, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Letter Sent to Chairman
Specter and Ranking Member Harkin Supporting HIV/AIDS Program Funding
"We are writing to urge you to support the President’s
request for global HIV/AIDS funding, including at least $100 million
that will be part of the U.S. contribution to the Global Fund to Fight
AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria..."
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JUNE, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Senate Passes
Significantly Improved Version of Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act
Update from
Churches for Middle East Peace
On Friday afternoon, June 22nd the Senate passed a new and improved
version of S. 2370, the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006. The new version is a result of weeks of
behind-the-scenes negotiations in which substantive, key changes were
made to the original bill.
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JUNE, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA Signs Letter to
Chairman McConnell and Ranking Member Leahy Supporting HIV/AIDS
Program Funding
"As you consider the FY 2007 State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Programs appropriations bill, we are writing to urge you to support $4.2
billion for global HIV/AIDS programs, including $2.79 billion for the
fifteen focus countries and $766 million for the Global Fund to Fight
AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Combined with an additional $600 million
in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies
appropriations bill, this would total $4.8 billion for the President’s
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in FY 2007..."
[more HIV/AIDS advocacy resources]
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JUNE, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Lutheran hospital caught in Palestinian monetary dilemma
THE CHRISTIAN CENTURY
Jerusalem's Augusta Victoria Hospital, a facility that treats
Palestinian residents from the West Bank as well as some Arabs from East
Jerusalem, has a million-dollar view from its perch atop the Mount of
Olives. But the hospital, which is owned and
operated by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), has been on an
emergency footing since January, the last time the cash-starved
Palestinian Authority was able to pay its debts. The hospital relied on
the Palestinian government's insurance payments for 40 percent of its
operating budget. The facility has been living on credit with suppliers.
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JUNE, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Lutheran Programs Highlighted in House Subcommittee Hearing
Gabriel Laizer, program associate with the Alliance to End Hunger and
active Lutheran, testified May 25 before the House subcommittee on
Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations. The hearing
focused on the need for food aid around the world and the contribution
of food aid to the United States’ public diplomacy efforts. Laizer
shared his personal experiences as a recipient of food aid in Tanzania
through Lutheran missionaries and an ELCA-sponsored secondary school,
and highlighted the promise of the ONE Campaign.
Read the story and his testimony.
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JUNE, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
"A
National Call to Prayer and Action for Children" Event Announced
Children's
advocate Marian Wright Edelman and National Council of Churches
President Michael Livingston will lead prayers and calls for action for
children during "A Season of Prayer and Action" July 8 at the Lutheran
Church of the Reformation in Capitol Hill. Join with other Christians to
raise a voice for children and go home with questions for your public
servants. This event is sponsored by the Committee on Justice for
Children and their Families and the National Council of Churches, USA.
Find more
information and register for the event here.
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JUNE, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
LIRS
President Issues
Statement on Senate Passage of Immigration Bill
"Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) commends
President Bush and the Senate for fundamentally shifting
the nature of the immigration debate toward a
comprehensive approach to immigration reform..."
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JUNE, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA
Presiding Bishop Issues Statement on Darfur Peace Process
"While we rejoice in the hope that the Darfur peace
agreement signifies, we must remain diligent in learning
more about the conflict and advocating for real security
and lasting peace..."
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JUNE, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
Bishop Hanson
Endorses Middle East Peace Resource for Congregations
A new, free
resource for congregations, the "Church Toolkit for
Israeli-Palestinian Peacemaking," is now available from
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), an ELCA-sponsored
partnership. The tool kit is designed to provide resources
and guidance on how to approach the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict in a congregational setting. "This resource gives
our congregations a tremendous opportunity for raising
awareness, educating their members, and using their voices
to speak out for peace in the Holy Land," said Presiding
Bishop Mark S. Hanson.
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MAY, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ONE
Lutherans are in the News!
Check out the
April 2006 issue of the Bread for the World newsletter for
an article on the ONE Lutheran Campaign.
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MAY, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA Presiding Bishop Urges Peace Efforts in the Middle
East
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson,
presiding bishop of the ELCA, joined other Christian
leaders in the United States in an appeal to U.S.
President George W. Bush, Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas and Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to take
immediate actions to restore hope for peace in the Middle
East.
[Read the news release]
[Read the
full letter]
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APRIL, 2006 [WASHINGTON, DC]
ELCA Advocacy for Darfur Is In the News!
The ELCA presence at the April 30 rally to stop the
genocide in Darfur was featured on CBS News and in the
Boston Globe.
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