Rev. Sarah Stadler, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix, thoughtfully and candidly reflects on advocacy as a spiritual practice. Pr. Sarah will facilitate Advocacy 101, a 4-week virtual class beginning Thursday, August 6 at 6:30pm PT, as a part of the Phoenix Fusion collaborative.

Congress is considering a new supplemental package to address the economic impacts of COVID-19. An ELCA priority in this package is addressing hunger increasing in our communities as unemployment and financial hardships rise. Urge Congress to include a temporary increase in the maximum SNAP benefit by 15% during this emergency.

Systemic inequality makes BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities, citizens without adequate access to healthcare and nutritious food, and slaughterhouse and food chain workers especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and other threats. If we want to create a healthier and more just society, abusive attitudes and extractive industries need to be transformed — starting with our broken food system. Exceptionally well documented article.

For most of American history, the light-skinned Jesus conjured up by white congregations demanded the preservation of inequality as part of the divine order.

How you can voice your opinion on legislative initiatives from the comfort of your armchair by registering for Arizona’s user-friendly RTS System. LAMA will help you!

The disability civil rights movement has many distinct narratives, but the prevailing themes are of community, justice and equity.

Do you or someone you know have the drive to help build ELCA World Hunger capacity o end hunger by deepening and expanding Lutheran advocacy efforts in synods, coalitions and networks? Now accepting applications.

Today, 1% of the world is a barely livable hot zone. By 2070, that portion could go up to 19%. Billions of people call this land home. Where will they go?

The Great American Outdoors Act will fix crumbling national park infrastructure and permanently support the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund. Both Senators Cinema and McSally sponsored this bill. Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) is chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.

The Sierra Club is attempting to reckon with the racist views of its co-founder, legendary naturalist John Muir. The announcement is the most significant move by an environmental group to address systemic racism after the killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans sparked widespread protests across the country.

The ELCA Civic Engagement and Voter Education Guide is a resource guide to encourage, empower and equip voter education and other responsible civic participation shaped by faith values.

On July 22, members of Congress will take a critical vote to repeal the discriminatory immigration policies that have marred our country’s legacy of being a safe haven for those fleeing violence and persecution. The NO BAN Act will repeal the harmful Muslim and African bans and strengthens the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion and nationality.

The Arizona Primary Election is August 4. Early Voting for the Primary Election has started. Mail ballots back by July 29, or drop it off at a drop box or voting location by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Early in person voting begins July 31.

SNAP’s (food stamps) broad reach among low-income families with children and others who may struggle to afford an adequate diet makes it one of the most effective means of delivering food assistance. The economic crisis spurred by COVID-19 has resulted in an unprecedented increase in SNAP’s reach: 6 to 7 million more people have applied and been approved for benefits since February, state-reported data show.

From Forbes: John Lewis may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think about the environment or climate change. However, his body of work shows that he understood the significance of environmental issues and climate change.

From New York Times Magazine: Robin DiAngelo’s best seller is giving white Americans a new way to talk about race. Do those conversations actually serve the cause of equality?

This can be done without gathering in person!

On “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, ELCA churches put our faith in action – visible year-round and on Sunday, September 13 as we respond to God calling us into the world to serve together.

Among our gifts of service that we dedicate to the glory of God, engaging in advocacy is a way to serve our neighbor. Through advocacy ministry, we form relationships with our policymakers and can stand up for policies that move us closer to a world that God envisions, where the health and safety of all people are prioritized.

If this rule is implemented, it would mean that thousands of our siblings in Christ, many of whom are already suffering due to changes made to our asylum system, would be unable to seek protection in the United States. As Lutherans and as citizens, we are called to speak up to ensure that people fleeing for their lives can find refuge in this country.