State Public Policy Offices Gather at Chicago ‘Becoming Conference’

The Lutheran and interfaith State Public Policy Offices (SPPO) of Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin met with staff, Witness in Society leaders from the Washington, D.C. office and Hunger Advocacy Fellows at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago on Wednesday, August 24 - Saturday, August 28.

The coalition, which consists of ELCA-based offices, synod-based offices, and interfaith advocacy organizations, discussed Civic Engagement, Christian Nationalism, Abortion, the Inflation Reduction Act, Hunger, Housing, Climate and the Farm Bill. In addition, the SPPOs, who haven’t gathered in person since 2018, tackled housekeeping issues such as fundraising, databases, the monthly call format, and much more.

John Johnson, Program Director for Domestic Policy in the ELCA Office of Advocacy, led two open listening sessions on the Farm Bill in preparation for developing strategies for advocacy regarding the bill’s upcoming reauthorization.

The SPPO participants also joined plenary session, breakout sessions, round tables, service learning opportunities, worship, and other activities sponsored by teams across the ELCA, including World Hunger Leaders, AMMPARO, Companion Synod Networks, the ELCA Deaconess Community, Ethnic Specific and Multicultural Ministries, Former Missionaries, International Scholars, International Camp Counselors, Lutheran Disaster Response, Most Generous Congregations, Mission Funding Directors, Partners In Mission, Peace Not Walls, Regional Representatives, Service and Justice Teams and more.

The Becoming Conference, of which the SPPO gathering was a part, identified five justice foci: Migration Justice, Economic Justice, Racial Justice, Gender Justice and Environmental Justice (MERGE). “We recognize that these forms of justice do not stand alone bur are intertwined in their impact on individuals and communities. Throughout the conference, we will learn more about these forms of justice and the ministries that connect with them.

It was a valuable time for connection and discussion of many open topics that simply cannot be covered in depth in a monthly Zoom call.

State Public Policy Office leaders pose for the class picture.

SPPO track at the Becoming Conference, first in-person gathering since 2018.

John Johnson, Program Director, Domestic Policy in the ELCA Office of Advocacy, leads the discussion.

The Rev. Deborah Hutterer, bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod (L), Solveig Muus, director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (C) and the Rev. Jacqui Pagel, Associate to the Bishop for Candidacy & Faith Formation (R).

Plenary session at the Becoming Conference.

Grand Canyon Synod advocacy team Solveig Muus (LAMA-Arizona) and Bill Ledford (LEAN-Nevada).

LAMA SPPO Director Solveig Muus (L) and LAMA Policy Council member Melanie Hobden (R), in an ELCA World Hunger listening session.

Regina Banks, state public policy director for Lutheran Office of Public Policy - California (LOPP-CA) delivers the message at closing worship.

Rachel Wyffels (L), outgoing Hunger Advocacy Fellow in Minnesota and Solveig Muus, LAMA Director (R) swap stories about Saint Olaf College.

Dr. Ryan Cumming, Program Director, Hunger Education (L) and Solveig Muus (R) strike up a friendship while discussing hunger advocacy strategy.