Advocacy and Social Justice
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Grand Canyon Synod Partnering with Statewide Hunger Advisory Council
NEW THIS WEEK
On April 24, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and local hospital leaders announced a new arrangement to expand children's health insurance through KidsCare, funded by hospitals with federal matching funds. KidsCare was frozen to new enrollment three years ago, but last year was temporarily re-opened to a limited number of children. The recent announcement by the City of Phoenix, which will help children statewide, assures that there is ample funding for uninsured children to enroll in KidsCare throughout 2013. AHCCCS, which administers KidsCare, also announced that the income limit would be raised, meaning families can now make up to two times the federal poverty level, or about $47,000 a year for a family of four, and still be covered in KidsCare.
While this funding for KidsCare is temporary, Kids Health Link in Maricopa County and Nuestra Salud (Our Health) in Southern Arizona are ready to help families apply for KidsCare now and transition into the new health insurance marketplaces that are being created under the Affordable Care Act in 2014. Families can ask questions and get assistance statewide with KidsCare by calling 800-377-3536.You can also help us spread the word about expanded KidsCare coverage with this flyer.
Parents also will gain coverage under the new arrangement. Previously, parents lost their AHCCCS coverage when their children turned 18 or went into foster care as they were considered childless adults. Now parents enrolled in AHCCCS can continue their coverage even if they no longer have children under 18 in their home.With so many changes in health care, CAA has updated our health manual, Health Care Resources for Arizona’s Low Income and Uninsured Families.
Disaster Preparedness Training offered to Maricopa County congregations through LSS-SW
Daily we are made aware of some form of natural or human-made disaster impacting a local community. Our congregations are often strategically-placed to be a source of refuge, shelter, or as a local command center. LSS-SW is offering a variety of training opportunities for local congregation leaders in Maricopa County throughout the summer in effort to position our congregations to be prepared and ready to serve. For more information on this workshop click here. Free workshops will be
offered to the first 40 congregations from June 1, 2013 to May
20, 2014.
Voice what’s important to you!
As members of the ELCA, we believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor, and advocating for public policy that helps the most vulnerable and protects God’s creation is one way we live out this call.
The advocacy ministries of our church want to hear from you now! Your responses to the short four-question ELCA Advocacy National Priorities survey greatly help the church facilitate this active and growing network of Lutherans speaking out for public policy that advances the common good and reflects your commitments.
Get started now at www.ELCA.org/advocacy/survey.
ELCA State Public Policy Offices
ELCA Advocacy Website
ELCA advocacy ministry speaks for biblical values: peacemaking, hospitality to strangers, care for creation, and concern for people living in poverty and struggling with hunger and disease. Click here to visit their website.
ELCA World Hunger March 2013 GoandDoNews
In the March copy you will find:
- A letter from Sharon’s Desk
- An announcement of registration opening for the upcoming 2013 ELCA World Hunger Leadership Event in Des Moines, Iowa this summer
- Information about the ELCA World Hunger Synod Giving Reports and 2013 ELCA World Hunger synod assembly material ordering
- Information about 2013 ELCA World Hunger and ELCA Malaria Campaign summer interns
(Please note: The link for the 2013 internship information is incorrect in the PDF. Please visit http://bit.ly/bahE1A for the information.) - A word about ELCA World Hunger staff travel and visits to spend time with you – the network
- A reflection by our coordinator for volunteer engagement, Jessica Fairfax
Ministry Opportunity
The anti-sex trafficking issue is continuing to pick up speed here in Arizona. Ascension Lutheran Church members, under the leadership of Kade Kadrie and in conjunction with a coalition of passionate and influential members in the community, are in the process of developing an educational program for hotel and resort management and staff to combat this growing nationwide problem. The goal is to provide guidance to all employees for the recognition and reporting of sex trafficking, to develop a code of conduct as it relates to sex trafficking in these venues and to offer a certificate of achievement after completion of the program. The coalition consists of Phoenix Vice; The Sandra Day O’Connor House, Homeland Security Investigations, Arizona State University and major corporate headquarters for hotel and resorts. All this activity requires funding and we continue to look for donations from all who wish to partner with us in any way they can. Please contact Jayne Baker, Diaconal Minister, Ascension Lutheran Church, Paradise Valley, AZ, for more information.
Pocket Pals at Ascension, Paradise Valley
The Pocket Pals at Ascension donate their Time, Talent and the Funding needed to purchase, create and sew quilts that have been designed with a large pocket attached so a child can store and carry their belongings when they are getting moved from one home to another. The group works directly with the Department of Economic Security (DES)/Child Protective Services (CPS), who pick up the quilts and distributes them to children who have been removed from their homes. Click here to learn how you can be involved with Pocket Pals and reach out to the children of Phoenix.
The LOWC is a shared ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran World Federation. Click here to read news, events and resources for LOWC partners, including international information.
Help our Veterans by Donating
MANA House, a transitional living center for veterans, houses 51 veterans who are working towards independence and self-sufficiency. MANA (Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force) House, located at 755 East Willetta Street in Phoenix, provides a quality, stable environment for veterans, with services to assist with benefits, education, employment, and permanent housing. They currently house veterans from the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflicts. MANA House can use all the usual donations: monetary, detergent, toilet paper, clothing, etc. For a current "Wish List" of MANA House click here. To read the MANA House article in the Aug. 13, 2012, Arizona Republic click here.
Children's Action Alliance - A Vote for Arizona's Children Since 1988
The Arizona Legislature adjourned two weeks ago and CAA has compiled our analysis of Who's for Kids and Who's Just Kidding. We're pleased to share with your our legislative report card so you can how your legislators voted regarding issues affecting children and families.
We hope that you'll share Who's for Kids and Who's Just Kidding with your family, friends and colleagues so they can determine if their lawmakers' votes match Arizona's values.
Our advocacy work would not be possible without the financial support of people like you - thank you. Your donation of $10, $25, $50 or more will allow CAA to continue to produce important tools like Who's for Kids and Who's Just Kidding so our leaders can be held accountable.
Deportation of 46,686 Parents of U.S. Citizen Children. DHS released a report which revealed it had deported 46,686 parents with at least one U.S. citizen child in the first half of 2011. If the rate of deportations continued for the rest of 2011, LIRS projects that over 100,000 children saw their parents deported in 2011. Click here to read the LIRS press release.
One in seven people go hungry in the world every day. That is 925 million people.
Does your congregation host a meal before Lenten services? Why not gather for a meal and help fight hunger at the same time? Enjoy global cuisine while learning about the world and how our church is making a difference. Instead of charging for the meal, collect donations to support ELCA World Hunger. Visit www.elca.org/hunger/lent for complete instructions on 12 different global meals - complete with recipes, table prayers, printable place mats, table tents, dramas, discussion starters and more.
Special invitation. For those of you who already subscribe to the ELCA World Hunger Hunger Rumblings blog, you may have seen the ELCA's World Hunger recent post on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed rule on carbon emissions from new power plants. The National Council of Churches of Christ Eco-Justice program and the ELCA Washington Office invite you to be one of 9,000 goal comments on the rule. To participate in this opportunity to make your voice heard at the national level, please click here.
Center for Women with Vision Courses - Ongoing
Phoenix Seminary’s Center for Women with Vision is a safe gathering place where women are valued and launched for Kingdom work in their personal, spiritual and vocational lives. The primary focus is to equip and connect spiritually intentional Christian women (individuals as well as ministries), empowering them to live out their vision and God’s calling upon their lives; ultimately creating greater spiritual influence on the culture of our community. For more information about the Center or register for a course click here.
DES - Grand Canyon Synod Partnering with Statewide Hunger Advisory Council
It is a pleasure for the Grand Canyon Synod Advocacy office to participate in an ongoing partnership with the Department of Economic Security Statewide Hunger Advisory Council. This group is comprised of a myriad of stakeholders whose professional roles serve to dedicate them to the eradication of hunger in every location in Arizona. Please note the ongoing meeting minutes provided from each monthly meeting of this group. Meetings are held monthly at the East Jefferson location of the Department of Economic Security in Phoenix. Follow-up on any agenda item that is listed or discussion recorded in the meeting minutes may be accomplished through contacting the meeting chair Linda Hamman, Hunger Relief Program Manager, Department of Economic Security.
Arizona Food Policy Task Force Contacts
NEW ADVOCACY RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Health Care Reform/Debate Issues
Click here to view the website of St. Luke's Health Initiatives and sign up for the online publication "Thinking Out Loud", their monthly newsletter discussing AZ health care and policy landscape.
“Channeling Change: Making Collective Impact Work”
An in-depth look at how organizations of all types, acting in diverse settings, are implementing a collective impact approach to solve large-scale social problems. Written by Fay Hanleybrown, John Kania, & Mark Kramer. Provided courtesy of AZ Faith Based & Community Initiatives.
Advocacy Best Practices Survey
Seminary student, Ryan Cosgrove, is completing an independent study at the ELCA's Washington Advocacy Office that will gather stories from congregations engaged in "advocacy best practices" ministries. These stories will be gathered into a resource for use by congregations as well as the Washington Office. If you would like to participate in this survey just follow the link - http://archive.elca.org/cgi-bin/rws/rws5.pl?FORM=CosgroveSurvey
Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Phoenix, AZ
Click here to view new food pantry and thrift store hours of operation.
AZ Faith Based & Community Initiatives
The purpose of this initiative is to develop leaders and advocates to foster collective community efficacy so that every child, adult and family in the state of Arizona will be safe and economically secure. To encourage and foster dialogue between faith-based and community organizations, and existing systems of care.
2013 Agendas & Minutes
The next meeting of the Arizona Council on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (www.GodEnriches.org) will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 23 atCatholic Charities (4747 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix). Click the link above for the agenda.
Arizona Council on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Contact Sheet
For more information or sign-up to receive their monthly e-newsletter visit the AZ Faith Based & Community Initiatives website.
Department of Economic Security moves to a 'Person-Centric' Model
This year the Department of Economic Security will begin its transformation into a “Person-Centric” integrated engine for human well-being; one that focuses its energies on not only delivering services that meet the unique needs of individual customers, but intentionally working to grow that consumer beyond their system. DES is launching a blog that is intended to be a multi-channel conversation, an effort to create a direct and open line of communication with everyone who cares about and has a stake in Arizona neighbors who need an added hand from their community to make their lives work. To read the blog or obtain more information click here.
The Society for Nonprofit Organizations is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
with members throughout the world.
AZ 2-1-1 Update
Community Information & Referral (CIR), an Arizona 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has recently been designated as lead entity and the provider of 2-1-1 services in Arizona. Persons in need will be able to call this easy-to-remember number, 2-1-1, to access information on shelter and food emergencies, and all health and human service resources. To read more about this important resource click here. To download the 2-1-1 brochure click here.
AZ Coalition for Military Families - Guidelines for Care Project
The concept behind this cross‐sector effort is to bring together key stakeholders from the military, government and community to establish guidelines for the care and support of the military and veteran population. As far as is known, this is the first such effort to undertake this type of process. The end result will be that service members, veterans and families will be connected to the right program, resource and/or benefit at the right time. For more information on how you can help click here.
AZ Roster of Human Services Program Contacts
Click here for the current roster of Human Services Program contacts with the Arizona Department of Economic Security. These individuals and programs may be of specific help to your congregation in its current and future outreach work and to individuals who approach your congregation for specific assistance. The AZ DES team has identified individuals in their service units who are readily available to answer questions and to help connect Arizona citizens to services that may be critical for their ongoing health and well being. Please do not hesitate to use these resources as you deem appropriate.
The Association of Arizona Food Banks has released the Arizona Highlights of the 2010 Hunger in America Report. This report is the largest, most comprehensive study of domestic emergency food assistance ever conducted and provides data on the emergency response to hunger and the people served by food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in the Feeding America network. The report is a valuable tool for our congregations in understanding the "least of these" in our midst we are called to minister to. For information on food banks in Arizona please visit the Association of Arizona Food Banks' website.
AZ WIC Information
The federally funded Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) teaches Arizona families about nutrition. To learn more about this program click here.
The Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA is very proud to support the social statements of our faith denomination through specific Advocacy work. We encourage you to view the Churchwide website at ELCA for easy reference to these materials on our denomination’s Social Statements and to frequently visit this website for updates on specific activities in the Advocacy arena. In addition, we ask you to consider the following questions in terms of your own personal commitment to advocacy beyond the pew as well as in the daily work of your own Lutheran congregation.
Are you an ‘advocating congregation’? This means your congregation is:
- One that, amid our diversity of opinions, uses our voices to communicate to elected officials regarding the critical social issues of the day.
- One that believes that striving for justice and peace is part of our baptismal vocation.
- One that makes the connection between acts of charity and acts of justice.
Has your congregation committed to at least three of the following activities?
- Inviting Synod advocacy staff to preach and teach on the issues of the day.
- Convening and advocacy Bible study.
- Hosting a forum with elected officials.
- Holding an offering of letters.
- Sending members to Faith Advocacy Day at the Capitol.
- Attending rallies and other public events that support our policy beliefs as outlined in our denomination’s Social Statements.
- Making public policy work a line item in your church’s annual budget.
- Collecting a special offering for designated Advocacy work.
We look forward to the opportunity to work with you in partnership on behalf of our local neighborhoods and communities on the task of advocacy in today’s ever changing world. Please contact Teri Traaen for further information as to how you may become involved in this critical work.
New Assistant to the Bishop for Advocacy-NV, The Rev. Mike Patterson (Effective January 2013)
Pr. Mike is an ordained Episcopal priest and former Lutheran. He served as President of the Church Council at Lord of Mercy Lutheran Church in Sparks. Mike began the process toward ordination in the Episcopal Church in 2009 and was ordained in March 2010. Since Lutherans and Episcopalians are in full communion, Mike’s background is perfect for LAMN. The Episcopal Diocese of Nevada has designated Mike as their Canon Advocate as well.
Before he began studying for the priesthood, Mike was a teacher. He taught for 16 years in the Washoe County School District, teaching media, history and government. He has said his most rewarding teaching was in connection with “We The People.” This is a national program in which students learn about U.S. government, and then conduct debate-style competition on selected topics, usually constitutional issues. During his teaching career, Mike was named as the Nevada CTE Teacher of the Year and participated in unpaid lobbying on behalf of charter school funding.
We are thankful Pr. Mike has agreed to be our advocacy representative in Nevada. If you would like to welcome Pr. Mike he can be reached at lamn@lutheranadvocacynv.org.
Lutheran Social Services of Nevada
January 2013 Volunteer Calendar
Check out this new site and mission here or watch an introductory video for LAMN. There is a new feature on the Nevada State Legislative website that makes it incredibly easy to stay informed on issues and even have a say in the debate.
The ELCA Social Statements urge Lutherans to participate in public dialog and to hold elected officials accountable to Christian values. Lutherans in Nevada are in a wonderful place to do just that with this new internet tool.
The Religious Alliance in Nevada (RAIN) since 1997 has provided an advocate in the Nevada Legislature to speak for the care of those who are least able to speak for themselves or who have the least basic necessities of life. RAIN is an alliance of five Christian denominations (Lutheran, Catholic, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and Methodist), the members of which are motivated by an understanding of faith that requires more than a personal relationship to the divine. Justice, love of neighbor, compassion, reconciliation, and serving others (especially the poor) are at the heart of God’s message in Scripture. To explain this special ministry of advocacy, former Assistant to the Bishop for Advocacy-NV and RAIN Advocate, Larry Struve, has written A Unique Faith-based Advocacy Ministry: Providing a Voice of Conscience for State Legislators. Please take the time to read this article and forward to a friend.
Check out this article:
LAMN Article for SPS e Newsletter
A Wall Mentality
As a border state, Immigration issues are always in our Arizona news. Recently a Grand Canyon Synod Lutheran Pastor walked along the fence being built on the border which we share with our neighbor, Mexico. Please read about his experience.
Ecumenical Study Guide on Global Poverty
Follow this link for a great new resource that will inspire you to take action to end global poverty.
Immigration and the DREAM Act
An ongoing commitment for the Grand Canyon Synod is to be a ‘public voice’ for issues affecting the marginalized and underserved in our individual, local and national communities. As a result of this commitment, members of the Synod staff are regularly involved with issues at the Arizona and Nevada legislatures. In addition and recently, we partnered with the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services office for visits with key elected officials on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. We also were included in a briefing with senior policy officials working in the White House administration. Below you will find links to documents that reflect not only the LIRS talking points concerning the ongoing debate on the DREAM Act, but also feedback bulletins from the vote on December 8, 2010, in the House of Representatives as well as a counter point document on some of the issues of concern being expressed by members who did not vote for this version of the DREAM Act. This counter point document reflects some of the dissenting voices in the United States Senate. We encourage all of our churches and individual members to become informed on this and all other issues affecting our communities throughout the U.S. As Lutherans, we have a responsibility to voice our support and our concerns on all matters affecting the well being of individuals and communities. Continue to watch the Synod website for more real time links on various crucial issues.
- Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service - Words Matter
- Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service - DREAM Act Talking Points
- Letter from Congressman Trent Franks regarding the DREAM Act
- Explanation of the DREAM Act legislation by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
- LIRS has created a Leadership Summit webpage (www.lirs.org/lils) where you will find a number of helpful congregational resources, along with links to the Summit evaluation.
National Hunger Awareness
Here are some practical ways that you can help end hunger in your state:
- Make sure you know about the available assistance - and how to get it.
- Talk to your kids about the importance of good nutrition and a healthy breakfast.
- Talk to your school officials about nutrition programs and advocate for greater public and charter school efforts to expand universal school breakfast participation.
- Students volunteer to host a food drive.
- Participate in food & fund-raising activities like Share our Strength’s annual Great American Bake Sale, Great American Dine Out, and local food drives.
- Host a neighborhood awareness raising party.
- Donate backyard produce/citrus to your local food pantry.
- Write or call your City Council, state legislators, and board of Education to let them know you support policies to end childhood hunger.
Contact your local hunger assistance organizations to find out how you can help by sharing your time & talents.
Got more ideas? Tell us about them! We would like to share the things that you & your congregation are doing to help. For questions regarding the content of this page, please contact Teri Traaen or 602.957.3223.
