Lutheran Day at the Legislature Recap

What a day! Highlights below.

• Nearly 100 advocates from 23 of Arizona’s 30 districts gathered at the State Capitol for a day of advocacy on January 30, 2023

• Sen. Raquel Terán (D), Senate Minority Leader from LD26 and Rep. Tim Dunn (R) from LD25 (Yuma) were featured speakers, along with Ashley St. Thomas, Arizona Food Bank Network; Jessie Gruner, Pinnacle Prevention; and Connie Phillips, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest.

• Participants met with their legislators in support of anti-hunger bills HB2211 and HB2142

• Bishop Hutterer led the invocation in the Senate, advocates were introduced in the House gallery by Rep. Jennifer Pawlik (D), LD13 and in the Senate by Sen. Raquel Terán (D), LD26.

• Advocates attended the Health & Human Services Committee to hear testimony in support of HB2211, which received a 9-0 due pass recommendation.

We crowd-sourced the photography this year! Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed photos to the montage: Braden Biggs, Sheri Brown, Lupe Conchas, Rep. Patty Contreras, Jay Conner, Mark Engel, Brian Flatgard, Bob Hindal, Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, Melanie Hobden, Bishop Deborah Hutterer, Sandi Lien, Rev. Charles Newman, Connie Phillips, Rev. Kristin Rice, Debra Slack, Rev. Christine Stoxen and Barb and Owen Swenson.

Pictorial recap of Lutheran Day at the Legislature

Nearly 100 Lutherans and friends of Lutherans from 23 of Arizona’s 30 districts gathered at the State Capitol for a day of advocacy on January 30, 2023.

The seal of the great state of Arizona includes the memorable phrase, Ditat Deus, meaning God enriches.

Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza was created by House Joint Resolution No. 2003 under Governor Bruce Babbitt.

The crack team at LSS-SW checks in Susan Masood and other participants with efficiency and aplomb. At the table: Caitlin Gonzales, Jay Eberle and Alondra Mora. Pr. Peter Perry (St. John’s, Glendale) approves.

Meeting old friends, making new ones.

Sheri Brown (Dewey), Pr. Peter Perry (St. John’s, Glendale), and Pr. Karn Carroll (Our Saviour’s, Phoenix) love their neighbors.

Wesley Bolin Plaza comes alive with Lutheran advocates.

The gathering in rapt attention.

Mark Engel (Holy Trinity, Chandler), the LAMA policy council chair, kept the energy going throughout the event.

Bishop Deborah Hutterer leads the opening devotion. “We are gathered and united today at Wesley Bolin Plaza, and maybe we are surprised by our unity in this place at a time of deep polarization in our culture. But dear friends, the reality is this: we are united at all times by the choices we collectively make, for good or ill. We are united in disparaging each other, or we are united in finding solutions. We are united because we share these mountains and streets, deserts and waterways. We are united by our needs: to raise our children, to enjoy this life, to use our gifts in service to a greater good. We are united in stagnancy or innovation, complacency or enthusiasm. Whatever we do, we are united in the consequences of these actions. Let us be united in seeking the common good.”

Enjoying the presentations are Vic Peterson, Bob Hindal, Pr. Peter Perry, Sheri Brown, Brian Flatgard, Pr. Kirk Anderson and Molly Watson.

The folks from All saints playing it cool: Owen Swenson, Pr. Kristin Rice, Hannah Roberts and Sydney Williams.

Amidst all the chaos, constituents of LD26 meet with Rep. Flavio Bravo. Clockwise left to right: Rep. Bravo, Bob Hindal (Our Saviour’s, Phoenix, hidden), Lupe Conchas (Bread for the World), Ellie Hutchison (Arizona Faith Network), Pr. Sarah Stadler (Esperanza, Ahwatukee) and Connie Phillips (LSS-SW).

Constituent meeting from left to right: Lupe Conchas, Connie Phillips, Pr. Sarah Stadler (Esperanza, Ahwatukee), Rep. Flavio Bravo (D), LD26, Ellie Hutchison, Alondra Mora and Bob Hindal (Our Saviour’s, Phoenix).

Sen. Raquel Terán (D), Senate Minority Leader from LD26 is introduced as featured speaker by Mark Engel.

Sen. Raquel Terán (D), LD26, cheers for her colleague, Rep. Tim Dunn (R) LD25 as he takes the podium. Also pictured left to right: Vic Peterson (Christ Evangelical, Goodyear), Pr. Conrad Braaten and Wayne Brezina (Christ, Sedona) and Pr. Brian Weinberger (Bethlehem, Mesa).

Vic Peterson (Christ Evangelical, Goodyear) gets an opportunity to pose with Sen. Raquel Terán (D), LD26, Senate Minority Leader.

Rep. Tim Dunn (R) from LD25 (Yuma), frequent sponsor of hunger bills in the legislature, was an inspiring speaker at the event.

Jay Conner of Jaybird Media at work documenting the day for an upcoming LAMA/LSS-SW advocacy video.

Connie Phillips, the well-known and -respected President and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, shares an inspiring message.

LAMA director Solveig Muus (Grace, Phoenix).

Ashley St. Thomas, Director of Public Policy at Arizona Food Bank Network, shares the 3-year journey of the HB2211, the SNAP Drug Felon Application Modernization bill.

Intent on the message.

Jessie Gruner, Director of Community Innovation at Pinnacle Prevention, shares details about HB2142 the Double Up Food Bucks Arizona bill.

View of the Arizona Capitol from the plaza.

Crossroads, San Tan Valley. Left to right: Pr. Charles Newman, Rachel Evans and Heidi Miller.

Holy Trinity, Chandler. Clockwise from lower left: Pr. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, Pr. Christine Stoxen, Sandi Lien, Susan Gaumont, Mark Engel, Rich Sisco and Barbra Carl.

Bishop Hutterer, Pr. Pat Reed (GC Synod office) and Pr. Brian Weinberger (Bethlehem, Mesa).

Andrea Arey, Pr. Christine Stoxen and Pr. Jacqui Pagel find each other at the event.

The LD12 Contingent: From left to right: Sen. Mitzi Epstein, Andrea Arey, … Elaine Kraemer, Pr. Steve Holm, Jayne Peterson, friend, Janie Magruder (LSS-SW board member), Jim Gisselquist and Jane Gisselquist (Esperanza, Ahwatukee), Tim Perlick, Pr. Jacqui Pagel and Craig Peck

Constituent meeting with Rep. Judy Schwiebert (D), LD02 includes (left to right) Hannah Roberts, Owen Swenson, Barb Swenson, Pr. Kristin Rice, Rep. Schwiebert, Mike Reed, Pr. Dan Hoeger, Pr. Pat Reed of All Saints, Phoenix, and Steve Crofton, Ellie Hutchison (Arizona Faith Network) and Karen Crofton.

Constituent meeting with Rep. Patty Contreras (D), LD12. Clockwise left to right: Rep. Contreras, Janie Magruder (behind her), Pr. Miguel Gomez-Acosta (GC Synod office), Elaine Kraemer (Desert Cross, Tempe), Brad Somero, Pr. Steve Holm (Desert Cross, Tempe), Jacqui Pagel (GC Synod office), Melanie Hobden (Desert Cross, Tempe), Jayne Peterson, Jane Gisselquist (Esperanza, Ahwatukee, partially hidden), James Nelson and Craig Peck. Photo courtesy Rep. Contreras.

Constituent meeting with Rep. Jennifer Pawlik (D), LD13. Left to right: Mark Engel, Rich Sisco, Sandi Lien, Rep. Pawlik, Carolyn Johannsen and Caitlin Gonzales.

Mark Engel meets one-on-one with Rep. Liz Harris (R), LD13.

LD03 meeting with Sen. John Kavanagh (R), center, includes Debra Slack (Christ the Lord, Carefree), Bishop Deborah Hutterer, Cindy Berkland (also Christ the Lord) and Rev. Alan Field.

The LD05 contingent is headed to their meeting with Senator Lela Alston (D), LD05. Left to right: Solveig Muus, Peter Faur (La Casa de Cristo, Scottsdale), Pr. Phil Gustafson (Grace, Phoenix), Braden Biggs, Connie Phillips (LSS-SW) and Jay Eberle (LSS-SW).

A typical constituent meeting, this time with longest-serving active legislator in both houses: Senator Lela Alston (D),LD05.

“Always take a picture for social media!” Connie Phillips says, while demonstrating the technique. Left to right: Connie Phillips, Pr. Phil Gustafson (Grace, Phoenix), Wendy Look (LSS-SW board member), Braden Biggs, Sen. Alston, Peter Faur (La Casa de Cristo, Scottsdale), Jay Eberle (LSS-SW), Molly Watson and Solveig Muus (Grace, Phoenix). Sen. Alston proudly wears our pin!

Bishop Hutterer, Teena Dorn (Fountain of Life, Tucson), Pr. Robert Jones (Santa Cruz, Tucson) and friend, who drove up from Tucson to participate, relaxed in the Senate Democratic Caucus Room between appointments.

It’s a busy day in the Arizona Senate as leaders gather to assemble before the gavel drops.

The view of the gallery from Bishop Deborah’s perch at the front of the Senate floor.

“All rise for the invocation and pledge of allegiance.” Senate gallery, just before a “point of personal privilege,” by Sen. Raquel Terán, who introduced the Lutherans in the gallery.

Bishop Deborah Hutterer leads the Invocation in the Arizona Senate. To her left (viewing right) is Senate President Warren Peterson.

And a busy day in the Arizona House as well. The view from the gallery.

Pr. Dan Hoeger, Hannah Roberts, Sydney Williams and Pr. Kristin Rice of All Saints, Phoenix, await the gavel drop in the House of Representatives.

Selfie of Barbara Swenson and Owen Swenson from All Saints, Phoenix and friends Karen and Steve Crofton in the House gallery.

LAMA Hunger advocates wait to be recognized in the House gallery.

Tom Kertis, President & CEO of St. Mary’s Food Bank (L), and Mark Barnes on behalf of Arizona Food Bank Network (C) testify before the Health & Human Services Committee, including Rep. Selina Bliss (R), LD01 in support of HB2211.

Mark Barnes of Arizona Food Bank Network testifies before the Health and Human Services Committee about the benefits of HB2211. The committee voted 9-0 to recommended a due pass. Successful first hurdle!