LAMPa Enews - January 2014

Keynote Speaker: House Majority Policy Committee Chair Dave Reed (R-Indiana), initiator of a statewide poverty study seeking new solutions to address poverty in Pennsylvania.

35th ANNIVERSARY DINNER AND CELEBRATION to follow in the Capitol Rotunda. Full information coming soon and registration

for both events begins in February!

PREACHING ON THE GOSPEL AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The annual "Preach in on Climate Change" takes place February 14-16 every year. Join LAMPa and PA Interfaith Power and Light for a preaching preparation event (call in or in person!), led by the Rev. Dr. Karyn Wiseman, Associate Professor of Homiletics at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Register here.

NEW ELCA WORLD HUNGER RESOURCES

"Digging In: A Leader's Guide to Service Learning" is a new guide for service learning projects and trips. It's organized into four steps (Preparation, Action, Reflection and Celebration) and will walk you through how to make the most out of your next opportunity.

Martin Luther's Top Ten Quotes About Ministry Among the Poor. How many ways can you find to use these?

Review of Robert Lupton's Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help. LAMPa has used this book to talk about best practices in

anti-poverty ministries. How might it inform your work?

RESOURCES FOR YOUR CREATION CARE ADVOCACY

Earth Day 2014 - Creation Justice Ministries has prepared this new resources titled Water, Holy Water and will be available in just a couple of weeks. Send them an email to receive a copy.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days - March 21-24 will bring together more than 30 Christian organizations to host a national gathering in Washington DC to speak out for God's Creation and communities.

HOUSING TRUST FUND MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Nearly $8.5 million is going to put homes within reach of more Pennsylvanians in 22 counties, thanks to the Pa. Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund. The recently awarded funding comes from impact fees in the Marcellus Shale region and will be returned to projects in those areas. LAMPa is working with housing partners to expand the Pa. State Housing Trust Fund to create jobs, strengthen communities and prevent homelessness. Read more.

See the projects the fund is supporting here.