Public channels, biblical values World hunger and poverty in the U.S. and abroad have long been concerns for ELCA advocates, and there has always been concern regarding migration. But some new issues are emerging. Paul Benz, an ELCA pastor and co-director of the
Faith Action Network (FAN), based in Seattle, said that on the federal level child nutrition programs are current concerns. Reform of federal sentencing guidelines that often keep people imprisoned without possibilities for rehabilitation is also an emerging concern. In New Jersey, Lilja said the concerns are racial bias in the criminal justice system and equal pay for women. The growing industry of “payday loans,” short-term
loans extracting high interest from low-income people, worries advocates in Washington and Wisconsin. Also in Wisconsin, Crane is involved in combating human trafficking, which can take the poor and young people into prostitution and involuntary servitude. Advocacy ministry today is also ecumenical and
interreligious, as illustrated by the Lutheran-Episcopal cooperation in New Jersey and Washington state’s FAN. “We lower the ‘Lutheran’ flag,” Benz said, “and raise up a new interfaith flag, a flag that says the family of faith includes our Jewish brothers and sisters, Muslims and others down [across] the religion spectrum.” Voices of faith have some “standing” in public
life, say people with long experience working with government agencies. “We have developed good relationships because we Lutherans are regarded as being extremely thoughtful, that we don’t shoot from the hip—we seek constructive dialogue with public officials and members of their staff,” Reumann said. Sometimes advocacy is dramatic and very public
Lutherans met in Madison, Wis., to participate in a rally regarding human trafficking. The rally was organized by the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin and Cherish all Children. It included a visit to the capitol building to talk with legislators about funding and better legislation for youth victims of sex trafficking.
Ali Brauner (left) of Cathedral in the Night and Mikka McCracken, director for ELCA World Hunger planning and engagement, met with Rep. Joseph Kennedy during the 2015 Advocacy Convening to discuss the intersection of poverty and climate change.
when rallies and demonstrations are organized around certain issues. But more often it’s quiet and slow, involving months or even years of work with government and social agencies. Reumann said the ELCA helped get the Global Food Security Act, a bill aimed at improving agriculture, water resources and other food-related conditions around the world, through Congress. Crane said, “Our voice was heard on payday
lending.” Her office also helped Republican legislators in Wisconsin pass a bill establishing a telephone hotline to help victims of human trafficking. In Washington state, Benz said church advocacy
was helpful in legislation requiring background checks for those who purchase guns at gun shows. Church efforts at the United Nations can even open
up new opportunities for service around the world, said Frado, who has been in contact with the organization for more than 20 years. His office helps women from around the world meet at the United Nations, and “many doors have opened,” he said.
LIVINGLUTHERAN.ORG 17
Photo: Risdon Photography
Photo: Vicki Hanrahan
Photo: ELCA Advocacy
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