Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest shares their webinar on the importance of voting. LAMA also shares one of the testimonies from an LSS staff member, and you can read it here.
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Join ELCA World Hunger’s Generation Zero-Hunger initiative and contribute to ending global hunger. This youth-led fundraising challenge, which will see contributions matched dollar for dollar up to $250,000, invites congregations and individuals to support vital hunger relief efforts. Participants can bring their offerings to the upcoming ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans or engage through various fundraising activities, amplifying their impact on this global crisis. Read more on the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona blog.
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LAMA invites us to join the Interfaith Campaign for Food and Nutrition Security on May 2, 2024, for a National Day of Prayer dedicated to ending hunger in the U.S. This virtual gathering will unite faith leaders and activists to mobilize support for national efforts against food and nutrition insecurity, aligning with the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. Register here.
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At University Lutheran Church and Lutheran Campus Ministry, a commitment to advocacy led to the annual Offering of Letters event, supporting Bread for the World's mission to tackle hunger through federal assistance programs. This year's focus was the pivotal Farm Bill, impacting SNAP funding and food access nationwide. The congregation's letter-writing party fostered community involvement, educated members on policy, and encouraged direct action. Read more on the LAMA website.
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On April 1st, Hunger Advocacy Fellow Autumn Byars was interviewed by José Ángel Galavis, senior multimedia journalist for Telemundo Arizona. The news network broadcast a story about the recent passage of HB2502 & HB2503, both harmful bills that if passed, would cause additional barriers to accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP). Read the full article on the LAMA website.
Autumn testified against these bills in a Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearing on March 12 (see article), along with colleagues from Arizona Food Bank Network and the William E. Morris Institute for Justice. Through multiple action alerts, the entire LAMA community has been advocating hard against these bills, but nonetheless, they passed on March 28th.
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ELCA Advocacy shares their March 2024 updates. Our post focuses on Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona’s highlights. Read the full post here at ELCA.org.
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World Water Day 2024 (March 22, 2024) emphasizes the critical need for sustainable water use and universal access to safe water under the theme “Leveraging Water for Peace.” Highlighting the challenges of water scarcity, the importance of water in preventing diseases, and the ongoing efforts for equitable water distribution, this observance calls for collective action to secure water resources for all. Read more and find resources on the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) site.
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HB2815, known as the 'Yes In God’s Back Yard' bill, received significant support from faith leaders and passed the Arizona House with a 38-21 vote. Advocacy by the religious community, including Bishop Deborah Hutterer, played a pivotal role in raising awareness and influencing lawmakers. Read more on the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) site.
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Mark your calendars for a pivotal event in the fight against hunger in Arizona—the AZ Anti-Hunger Alliance Advocacy Day on February 21, 2024, at Wesley Bolin Plaza. Learn more about this event, sponsored by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona and other members of the Arizona Anti-Hunger Alliance.
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The 2024 Lutheran Day at the Legislature, held on January 18th in Arizona, was a resounding success with 125 advocates from across the state gathering for impactful discussions on policy priorities. The day was marked by engaging with over 30 legislators, insightful speeches from influential leaders, and meaningful networking. Highlights included nonpartisan cooperation talks, strategies for addressing key issues like hunger and housing, and building stronger community relationships through advocacy. View all the photos and info at lamaz.org.
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Maximize your impact on Arizona’s legislative process with LAMA’s RTS training on January 26, 2024, from 2-2:30 pm. Learn to use the RTS system to voice your opinions on legislative bills effectively. Register for the webinar and become a proactive citizen in shaping state policies.
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In her poignant reflection, Autumn Byars, an ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow with the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Arizona, part of our Grand Canyon Synod, calls for a disruption in the exhausting cycles of the federal election process through the power of compassion. Byars challenges candidates and constituents alike to approach the political arena with understanding and grace, fostering solutions grounded in our shared humanity rather than divisive rhetoric.
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Mark your calendars for January 18, 2024, for "Lutheran Day at the Legislature." Join fellow advocates at the Arizona Capitol for a day of impactful action. Prepare with available resources and advocacy training at LAMA's resource page, and share the event using our promotional materials.
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Prepare for Lutheran Day at the Legislature (1/18/2024) with a special Zoom prep session on January 11, 2024 at 3:30 pm. Learn the agenda, understand the bills, and acquire tips for effective legislative communication. Register now to gain insights from experts and equip yourself for impactful advocacy.
For full details and registration, visit Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona's prep day page.
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LAMA encourages a pre-session check of your legislative district. Stay updated and engage effectively with your legislators. Find your legislators here.
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As 2023 comes to a close, LAMA invites you to celebrate with them the work we’ve accomplished together. They’re are grateful to you for your faithful advocacy this year, and look forward to the work that we will do together in 2024. And don’t forget to register for Lutheran Day at the Legislature! View their 2023 year end newsletter here.
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We share the latest updates from ELCA Advocacy, and highlight the entry from Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) – lamaz.org, in this post.
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Embrace the spirit of Advent with Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona's inspiring message. This season, delve into the profound ways the Bible encourages us to prepare for meeting God - not just spiritually, but through active service. Explore various ways to incorporate advocacy into your daily spiritual practice, and learn how you can contribute to meaningful change.
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“We at the LAMA office want to wish you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving! We hope you take this holiday to enjoy God’s bountiful gifts of friends, family, and food— however those things may be present in your life. This year, we give thanks for our wonderful community of advocates and liaisons, for all the congregations who have welcomed us and joined us in our work, for all of our partner networks, and for the opportunities we have been given to do God’s work through advocacy.” Read the full post on the LAMA website.
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The Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona community convened at the Love of Christ Lutheran Church for an engaging and spirited LAMA Summit. This year's assembly, themed "Advocacy as a Spiritual Practice," not only fortified the bond between advocacy and spirituality but also highlighted key policy focuses: addressing hunger and food insecurity, enhancing voting and civic engagement, and conserving water resources.
The summit, facilitated by Pastor Sarah Stadler, featured story-sharing sessions, strategic planning for advocacy as a daily spiritual routine, and a meaningful invitation writing campaign to legislators for the upcoming Lutheran Day at the Legislature. Read more about the summit on the LAMA site.
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