As the 2024 Farm Bill is debated on Capitol Hill, the ELCA encourages advocacy for a bill that supports feeding the hungry, sustainable farming, and inclusive community development. The blog provides updates on the legislative process, highlights action alerts, and offers resources to engage ELCA members in advocacy for a just and effective Farm Bill.
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The ELCA Advocacy's latest updates highlight new initiatives and resources to enhance Lutheran participation in the 2024 elections. From a six-session online series exploring Lutheran civic duties to practical training for poll monitors, these opportunities aim to deepen our engagement and understanding of political processes.
Personal experiences from poll monitors and greeters, like Solveig Muus and Autumn Byars from the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona, offer insights into the practical aspects of ensuring fair and accessible voting processes.
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The ELCA is actively advocating for the 2024 Farm Bill, urging Congress to pass legislation that provides food security, supports sustainable farming, and promotes inclusivity and environmental stewardship. With the current bill expiring in September 2024, now is a crucial time for action. Engage through the ELCA Action Center, participate in upcoming advocacy webinars, and help shape a Farm Bill that reflects our Lutheran values of care and compassion. Join us in making a difference in our communities and beyond. Read more and learn how @ elca.org.
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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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April's updates from the Lutheran Office for World Community and various state public policy offices reveal significant advocacy efforts on critical issues like gender justice at the UN, environmental sustainability, and public health across the United States. Key activities included legislative engagements, advocacy training, and impactful community discussions aiming to influence policy at both state and national levels.
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April's updates from the Lutheran Office for World Community and various state public policy offices reveal significant advocacy efforts on critical issues like gender justice at the UN, environmental sustainability, and public health across the United States. Key activities included legislative engagements, advocacy training, and impactful community discussions aiming to influence policy at both state and national levels.
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As part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share this video from the ELCA’s "Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith." Watch the video as a standalone resource, or explore the full set of the curriculum, including leader’s guides.
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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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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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As part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share this video from the ELCA’s "Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith." Watch the video as a standalone resource, or explore the full set of the curriculum, including leader’s guides.
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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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Explore the ELCA Advocacy's March 2024 updates on pressing legislative matters, including the Federal Budget's impact on hunger and housing, the progress of the Yes In God's Back Yard Act for affordable housing, and the efforts towards wildlife conservation and Uyghur human rights. Discover the ELCA's call for ceasefire and support for UNRWA funding, along with its solidarity with Annunciation House, reflecting its commitment to peace, human rights, and support for the vulnerable.
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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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The ELCA Advocacy blog post by William Milner and Alex Parker explores the profound significance of election engagement from a faith-based perspective. Highlighting the enthusiasm for the democratic process and the sacred calling to steward democracy, the authors encourage active civic participation as an act of service to neighbors and a commitment to justice.
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As part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share this video from the ELCA’s "Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith." Watch the video as a standalone resource, or explore the full set of the curriculum, including leader’s guides.
Read More
February's Advocacy Connections from the ELCA Advocacy office outlines critical updates on social justice initiatives, including the expansion of the Child Tax Credit, potential funding shortfalls for the WIC program, and legislative efforts to protect human rights defenders. The update also highlights ongoing advocacy for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and concerns over proposed changes to immigration law, emphasizing the ELCA's commitment to social justice and humanitarian aid.
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Religious leaders across Arizona, including Bishop Hutterer, rallied at the state Capitol to support legislative efforts aimed at alleviating the affordable housing crisis. They advocated for a bill, “Yes in God’s Backyard,” to permit religious institutions to develop affordable housing on their properties. Read or listen to the article from KJZZ here, and read the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona article here.
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The ELCA Advocacy blog shares crucial updates from various State Public Policy Offices, focusing on legislative efforts across states like California, Ohio, Texas, and Washington. From budget challenges to advocacy victories and ongoing community engagement events, the updates underscore the collaborative work for justice and public policy reform.
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