Advocacy

Christ in the Rubble: Faith, the Bible, and Genocide in Gaza

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago hosted Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, pastor, theologian, and academic dean of Bethlehem Bible College in Bethlehem, West Bank, for a public conference on his latest work, Christ in the Rubble: Faith, the Bible, and the Genocide in Gaza on March 26, 2025. In his book, he challenges mainstream Christians’ uncritical embrace of the modern State of Israel and challenges us to realign our beliefs and actions with Christ – who can be found not among perpetrators of violence, but with victims buried under the rubble of war. View the video of his speech below.

Keep investments in clean energy for individuals and churches.

U.S. electricity demand is projected to rapidly increase through the end of the decade. To meet this need and enhance resilience against natural disasters, the Department of Energy estimates the United States must double the size of its power grid in the next decade – a challenge requiring robust investments in affordable, renewable energy sources. The clean energy tax credits passed under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-169) (IRA) are essential for supporting this transition and meeting the power requirements of a growing economy. Before the IRA, these credits’ predecessors enjoyed long-standing bipartisan support for their benefits to communities around the country.  This Action Alert is an opportunity to take advocacy action as part of your Lenten practice. Our baptismal calling to "serve all people," following the example of Christ, has urgent meaning as our progress in addressing climate change and the healing and wholeness of God’s good creation are threatened.

Tell your members of Congress to oppose repealing the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy investments in the upcoming budget reconciliation bill.

Take Action Now!

Thanks to all who participated in this year’s Offering of Letters.  Last Sunday they were dedicated and on Monday sent to your representatives and senators.  A total of 64 letters were sent by snail mail and email.

Staff from Bread for the World will be visiting members of Congress and as time goes on, we will learn more about the fate of the WIC program and global nutrition programs. The continuing resolution that was recently adopted for this fiscal year (FY25) has included full funding for all eligible WIC recipients and maintains U.S. global nutrition funding at the FY24level.

The Administration, however, has halted the disbursement of global nutrition funding.  Although a judge has found this action to be illegal and unconstitutional, it is unclear whether the action of Congress will be honored by the Administration. The Administration’s budget request for FY26 is expected to include deep spending cuts.  Advocates must continue to urge the Administration to see that full funding for WIC ensures a healthy start for children in the U.S., and that dollars spent compassionately to address hunger around the world not only save lives but wins friends. 

 The U.S. Department of State has abruptly terminated grant agreements with all 10 national resettlement agencies for refugees. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton convened a coalition of interfaith leaders to respond. 

From the  Interfaith Solidarity Statement on Refugees and Immigrants:

 “In these overlapping holy days of Purim, Lent, and Ramadan, we join our voices together to express our grave concern for the individuals and families seeking refuge in this country. . . .“We urge all people of faith and goodwill to join us in advocating with our elected leaders for our partnerships with the government to be restored so that we can fully work with those we are called to serve.” 

The 10 National Resettlement Agencies that assist refugees in the US are: Bethany Christian Services, Church World Service, Episcopal Migration Ministries, Ethiopian Community Development Council, Global Refuge, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, International Rescue Committee, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, World Relief Corporation, and The Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Read the entire Statement here:Interfaith Solidarity Statement on Refugees and Immigrants

A Message from Bishop Curry (edited)

Dear siblings in Christ,

Some of you are likely familiar with the phrase, “flood the zone.” It’s a sports metaphor currently used by politicians to fill the news cycle with so much, so fast, that the chaos causes us to be overwhelmed and distracted.

Through its executive orders and operations, the federal administration has in recent weeks targeted our transgender siblings, refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, Lutheran Social Services, federal employees, the Department of Education, agriculture, DEI programs, and others. People near and dear to us, and those on the other side of the world, are threatened, abandoned, fearful, and feel hopeless.

Even when we do not feel hopeful, we continue to walk with one another—accompaniment is a value we treasure in this synod and in the wider church.  Other strengths of our synod include our diversity, our inclusion, and our social justice ministries. Our synod is rich in diversity, including LGBTQIA+ leaders, welcoming congregations, and ethnic-specific ministries.. . .

I encourage you to participate in local, state, and national coalitions (such as ELCA Advocacy) so together we can move toward action and speak more powerfully. Look also to those closest to you—family members, neighbors, and faith communities—asking how recent events are impacting them. We are bound together and constructive conversations are key to shaping our world.

Together, we will continue to navigate these challenging waters, anchored in the hope and strength of one another and of our faith.

We are the church together,

Bishop Yehiel Curry

To read the entire message, click on this link:   A Message from Bishop Curry

Urge Congress to call for an end to the Trump administration’s funding freeze suspending U.S. foreign assistance.

Recently, the Trump administration issued a series of executive orders and directives to federal agencies to suspend current and new U.S. foreign assistance programs for 90 days pending a review. In addition to a funding suspension, the administration also issued a “stop-work order” on most U.S. foreign assistance programs.  

It is a common practice of new U.S. presidents to review programs at the beginning of their tenure. But the review process need not necessitate freezing programs for which Congress has already appropriated funding. Freezing funds causes major disruptions to services and benefits which many in our communities and around the world depend on, especially those on the margins of society – which is happening now. Presently, programs that have been impacted by the funding freeze include:

-Global health programs

-Refugee integration, Resilience, environment, and food security programs

-Funding for Augusta Victoria Hospital operated by the Lutheran World Federation

Please ask your members of Congress to call for an end to the funding freeze. Take Action Now!

Vetted Refugees Denied Entry in the US and Funding Cut to Welcoming Agencies

The Administration’s executive order to abruptly halt refugee admissions is devastating to families who have waited years for the chance to rebuild their lives in safety. Many were prepared to leave for the U.S., only to learn their flights were canceled.

Refugees go through one of the most rigorous vetting processes in the world and it’s heartbreaking to see their dreams of safety derailed just days before, or in some cases, just hours before they were set to begin their new lives here. And now, the Administration has also ordered Global Refuge to stop serving the 5,870 recently arrived refugees in its care! Government funding that helps to provide food, housing, education, job placement, healthcare, and basic needs to newly arrived refugees has been halted. This order also affects Exodus World Service, the agency through whom Trinity has helped welcome refugees.

Of course, the welcoming agencies will continue to serve newly arrived refugees.  But now there is now a larger-than-ever need for your support. Please go to https://www.globalrefuge.org/ and donate now. 

The wildfire disaster in California is just one of many — including hurricanes, war and famine — to which Lutheran Disaster Response is still responding.  Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response equip us to respond to communities affected by wildfires and related disasters. These gifts also empower us to respond to disasters whenever and wherever they strike. Gifts to "U.S. Wildfires" will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by wildfires until the response is complete.

As Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton said in her statement about the wildfires, "The prophet Isaiah writes that even when fires rage, the final word is faith, not fear. God redeems us and calls us by name to be agents of healing and hope, even amid staggering loss. In faith, we respond through prayer, accompaniment and action."

Lutheran Disaster Response is coordinating with the Southwest California Synod and Pacifica Synod to assess the needs of people impacted by the wildfires. We will work with them to address immediate needs amid the destruction and assist with recovery efforts for months and years to come.

Continue to pray for communities in California impacted by the wildfires. May God's healing presence bring them peace and hope in their time of need and give strength to those working diligently to contain the fires and care for affected communities. To view the links and Bishop Eaton’s Statement, visit the Trinity Weekly or the online version of the Bulletin.

Green Advocacy Victories in Illinois in 2024

Illinois became the 5th state to require the teaching of climate change in publics chools with HB4895/ Public Act 103-0837.It also creates professional development resources for teachers.

SB1289/ Public Act 103-0651,the The Carbon Capture and Sequestration Regulations bill, will provide essential standards to protect our air, water, climate, and communities from the risks associated with each stage of CCS and the use of carbon dioxide (CO2)for enhanced oil recovery. It sets forth the strongest carbon dioxide-related safety protections in the nation.

SB2781/ Public Act 103-0923 creates a Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant Program to restore degraded lands and promote the growth of native vegetation.

SB2876/ Public Act 103-0927,the Large Event Facilities Act aims to reduce plastic pollution in Illinois by requiring large event facilities such as convention centers and sports stadiums(3,500+ capacity) to provide access to recycling and composting bins, helping to reduce the waste from single-use plastics and food scraps.

SB2960/ Public Act 103-0934,the Small Single-Use Plastic Bottle Act, requires hotels with 50 or more rooms to eliminate the use of small, single-use plastic bottles, such as those containing shampoo.