July E-News

PA BUDGET DEADLINE PASSES: STILL TIME TO BE HEARD

The 2026-27 state budget was due June 30, and for the fifth year in a row, PA begins the new fiscal year without a spending plan. The Senate adjourned Tuesday, with leadership indicating that negotiations will continue after the holiday. For LAMPa, hunger is a top funding priority. There's still time to make your voice heard on food security, data centers and more using the action alerts below.

COMMUNICATIONS & ADVOCACY ENGAGEMENT POST OPEN

Do you (or someone you know) have professional communications experience, a passion for justice and a call to serve God's mission in the world -- especially in the public square? LAMPa is seeking a communications and advocacy engagement manager. Learn more here, including how to apply for this full-time position within ELCA Witness in Society.

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PENNSYLVANIA'S SYNOD ASSEMBLY SEASON WRAPS UP

LAMPa had a presence at all seven PA synod assemblies this spring, gathering hundreds of signed postcards for lawmakers and listening to Lutherans eager to talk about their ministries. It's great to catch up with longtime advocates and meet new ones every year. Thanks for stopping by!

SET A WELCOME TABLE WITH GREAT AMERICAN POTLUCK

On Sunday, July 5, communities across America will gather for potlucks to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. It's a great reason to set a welcome table for building beloved community! Learn about how you can host a potluck here and let us know what tables you are building in YOUR community!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING SEPT. 13? LET LAMPA HELP AS YOU PLAN!

God's work. Our hands. Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. Let LAMPa help you plan for our churchwide day of service and advocacy as we show up as Church Together for the aske of the world God loves! Send us a note with GWOH in the subject line.

Action

Urge Senate to Support Data Center Moratorium, Regulation

Data center bills sitting in the Senate could be considered with the budget. HB2496, which calls for a six-month moratorium on data centers, passed the House with near-unanimous support. HB 1834 establishes regulations for large energy users, renewable energy requirements, and funding for low-income energy assistance in Pennsylvania. Learn more and act.

Protect Nutrition Benefits With Simple Security Measure

A bill that would add secure chip technology to nutrition benefit cards passed the House with unanimous support! Please urge your senator to support HB2540 and fund the transition to secure chip-enabled cards in this year’s budget and save an estimated $15 million in benefits theft yearly. Learn more and act.

We See the Hungry: Remember Them in the State Budget

The number of Pennsylvanians experiencing food insecurity has already increased by 44 percent in the last two years. Now, surging costs of fuel and food prices, coupled with changes to SNAP and other federal safety net programs, threaten to send those numbers even higher. A budget is a moral document. Urge lawmakers to remember the hungry.

Action Needed as U.S. Senate Takes Up Farm Bill Next

A partisan Farm Bill narrowly passed the House of Representatives on Apr. 30 by a near party-line vote. This comes as many governors say the (SNAP) program could be in jeopardy in their state if Congress does not act. As the Farm Bill faces Senate consideration, the input of faith partners will be crucial to advancing a bill that supports needs of hungry people, rural communities and farming families. Learn more and act.

Act to Strengthen Sunshine Act for Greater Government Transparency

In 2021, PA’s Sunshine Act required meeting agendas 24 hours in advance, with limited exceptions. A court ruling broadened a majority-vote loophole, weakening transparency. HB 2146 and SB1150 are bipartisan bills that would clarify the intent and ensure transparency for responsible and accountable governance. Learn more and act.

Resources

Public Witness and For-Profit Immigration Detention

As immigration detention surges across the United States, the private companies building and running detention facilities are reporting record profits.

Learn more and take concrete steps to ensure the safety of all, with the new ELCA Witness in Society and ELCA AMMPARO resource "You Shall Also Love the Stranger: Public Witness and For-Profit Immigration Detention."

Being Public Church in the Electoral Process

Election years are a significant time for Lutherans to be active in civic engagement, including ELCA rostered ministers, congregations, synod offices, seminaries, and college or university campus ministry groups. As a church we affirm the importance of government, specifically democratic self-governance. An important part of faithful civic engagement is abiding by the law. This resource offers guidance for congregations and rostered leaders alike to ensure that activities related to the electoral process are transparent, nonpartisan and legal. Download here.

Signs for the times -- Free to download from ELCA resources

Find this and other downloadable signs for witness in the public square.

ELCA resouces for advocacy and public witness can be found at https://resources.elca.org/tag/signage/

Share your statement! Tag LAMPa or ELCA Advocacy on socials with your signs.

Artificial intelligence issue paper available from ELCA CSR

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have been around for a long time, but in the past five years they have become nearly ubiquitous, thanks to faster computer chips and greater interest in their potential. There are potential benefits of AI, some of which we are already experiencing without even realizing we are being served by AI. There are also many concerns and worrying events that dictate caution and oversight. L earn more about benefits, risks and reasons for caution.

Faith and Civic Life Study Guide Available for Congregations

We’re delighted to have available for congregational use a curriculum to help study and understand the ELCA social statement, Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All.

This six-week curriculum walks congregations and faith communities through important parts of the social statemen and offers a starting point for conversation and discernment around topics brought up by the statement.

Download the study guide here.

Planning fall faith formation? Consider Bonhoeffer curriculum

If your congregation hasn't already used this curriculum, consider adding it to your fall faith formation plans. This resource congregational use was created by Dr. Lori Brandt Hale – “Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a House Divided and a World on Fire.” The facilitator’s guide, participant workbook, and accompanying slides for each week can be downloaded here . Explore the life and theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and the lessons we can use as we live at the intersection of faith and civic life today. Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor and theologian living in Nazi Germany, who eventually joined the resistance and was arrested and killed before the end of WWII. LAMPa is a partner in distributing to congregations to inspire deeper conversation and discernment about how we live as disciples today.

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