Lutheran Statewide Advocacy

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About Lutheran Statewide Advocacy

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What is Lutheran Statewide Advocacy?

Lutheran Statewide Advocacy began in September 1983 in the Lutheran Church in America. Over the years it has provided a voice for the voiceless to government in New York State, in particular on behalf of persons whose economic security is at risk.

Support Lutheran Statewide Advocacy

Lutheran Statewide Advocacy invites you to coordinate congregational awareness and action, through:

• Study. You would study written material provided by Lutheran Statewide Advocacy, also keeping your eyes open for relevant stories and editorials in the media.
• Interaction. You would maintain contact with your Congregation regarding what you're learning and doing. For example, you may set aside space in your parish newsletter for justice updates.
• Coordination. You take action. Lutheran Statewide Advocacy will ask you to contact leaders in New York State Government about the concerns of the ELCA. You also solicit responses from members of your congregation by asking them to contact government officials also.

Priority Issues:

Lutheran Statewide Advocacy is guided by an Executive Committee representing both New York Synods and the Division for Church in Society of the ELCA. Lutheran Statewide Advocacy takes no position on public policy to which any partner has objections. All positions are based on the Social Statements of the ELCA and its predecessors. We firmly believe what is often stated in Lutheran Social Statements, that government has the responsibility to help meet the needs and uphold the rights of those who are at the margins of the economic system (see, for examples, "The Church and Social Welfare," LCA 1968, and "Towards Fairness in Public Taxing and Spending," ALC 1982).

Hunger:
Lutheran Statewide Advocacy supports efforts by New York State to ensure that all, particularly children and frail elderly, have access to adequate diets. We support strong state programs to supplement federal programs, and outreach efforts.

Economic Justice:
Lutheran Statewide Advocacy supports both a strong "safety net" for the economically vulnerable and intentional efforts to facilitate the availability of meaningful full employment.

Health Care:
Lutheran Statewide Advocacy continues to support universal, affordable, and quality health care as a right of all. We oppose efforts to dismantle or compromise the quality and/or accessibility of health care.

Death Penalty:
Lutheran Statewide Advocacy continues in its opposition to the death penalty because we "question whether the death penalty has been and can be administered justly" ("Death Penalty," ELCA 1991).

We Coordinate With Others

Lutheran Statewide Advocacy has been very active in inititating and strengthening several advocacy coalitions. We work closely with the New York State Council of Churches, Interfaith IMPACT, the Nutrition Consortium of New York State, and SENSES (the Statewide Emergency Network for Social and Economic Security).

Lutheran Statewide Advocacy also works cooperatively with the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs, our ELCA federal advocacy office. They are located at 122 C Street N.W., Washington, DC 20001. Grassroots Coordinator, The Rev. Faye Codding, can be reached by telephone at (202) 626-7935.

"The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

- Luke 4:18-19.

"The Church is a people created by God in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, called and sent to bear witness to God's creative, redeeming, and sanctifying activity in the world... To fulfill these purposes, the church shall... Study social issues and trends, work to discover the causes of oppression and injustice, and develop programs of ministry and advocacy to further human dignity, freedom, justice, and peace in the world."