LAMPa Welcomes Tracey DePasquale, Associate Director
Welcome to Tracey, who has begun her call as LAMPa's new Associate Director. Tracey brings experience in journalism, public policy, education and ministry to her new post. She is a member of Christ Lutheran Church in York, where she most recently served as director of program ministries. Prior to that, she taught politics and economics at West York Area High School and worked as a reporter and editor at newspapers in Bloomsburg and York. Read more about Tracey and read her blog post on fighting hunger through expanding the school breakfast program.
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Cover the Commonwealth Campaign to Expand Medicaid
Cover the Commonwealth seeks to bring health coverage to over 500,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians by expanding the Medicaid program. LAMPa is coordinating a faith community effort to encourage Pennsylvania to take advantage of this opportunity, which will also bring jobs and stimulate the economy. Read more. Then, take action by signing on to the Cover the Commonwealth campaign.
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Payday Update - No News May Be Good News
A new bill to legalize payday lending has not yet been introduced, a hopeful sign that the lenders do not yet have enough legislative support for it. LAMPa continues to make visits to present the faith community's opposition. Check out this new study by the Pew Foundation and consider sending a letter to the editor of your local paper. Check out LAMPa's LTE guide and this example.
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Two LAMPa Advocacy Events in Western Pennsylvania
(To arrange similar events in your part of the state contact the LAMPa office)
Moved To Do Something - To Act...To Advocate - Learn about how to make a difference on the local, state, and federal levels. Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network will offer training in local community action, the ELCA Washington Office will discuss federal advocacy and PA State Senator Jim Ferlo will discuss what difference your voice can make at the State Capitol. Saturday, April 13, 1:00 - 4:00 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 304 Morewood Ave., Pittsburgh. The event is free, but please register. Call 412-367-8222. Addressing Climate Change - Lutherans Restoring Creation and LAMPa invite you to a showing of the documentary film "Chasing Ice" on April 27, 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Camp Lutherlyn. Lunch is provided. Following the movie, participants will explore specific ways to act on climate change. Please RSVP by calling the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod Office (412) 367-8222 or e-mail Pastor Paul Lubold.
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Democracy in Danger: Discipleship and Citizen Action
Lutheran Day at the Capitol - May 7, 2013
Come to Lutheran Day at the Capitol to seek greater justice for the common good with Lutherans from around the state! The keynote speaker is the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, President and CEO of Common Cause. Lutheran Day will be at Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill, with a bus shuttle to the State Capitol, Harrisburg. The agenda and registration will be available starting March 4th. Download a flyer.
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Advocacy Resources
HUNGER: A Place at the Table is a movie premiering March 1 that provides a new look at the lives of people facing food insecurity in the U.S. Check out the website to find where it is playing or to access on iTunes or for download.
ENVIRONMENT: Join GreenFaith and the US Green Building Council for a two-webinar series on Green Building for Religious Institutions. The webinar series will take place on two Mondays - March 11 and 18 from 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET. Register here.
ELCA WASHINGTON OFFICE: Take the ELCA Advocacy National Priorities survey to share what's important to you at www.ELCA.org/advocacy/survey. By completing the short, four-question survey, you are helping to determine the collective priority issues for our active and growing network of Lutheran advocates.
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