Last month, the presiding bishops of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church issued a call to Pray,
Fast and Act in support of federal programs that are vital to hungry people
struggling with poverty. #PrayFastAct
This June we answer
their call by urging action to protect vital nutritional assistance, housing,
and community-strengthening federal programs.
Visit ELCA.org/PrayFastAct to find resources
for you and your congregation!
ON JUNE 21, JOIN ELCA
ADVOCACY AND PRESIDING BISHOPS OF THE ELCA AND THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH AS, TOGETHER,
WE:
PRAY for our nation’s
elected leaders and for all who struggle with hunger and poverty;
FAST to call attention in
our own minds and actions the needs and circumstances of the poorest among us;
and
ACT by
urging our elected representatives to continue funding crucial safety net
programs.
JUNE
ACTION: APPROPRIATIONS FOR DOMESTIC HUMAN NEEDS
As Lutherans, we are called to protect, support and uplift
those who lack access to basic human needs – a roof over their heads, food and
decent employment. As a church we can make part of the difference in the lives
of our poorest brothers and sisters, but without government assistance
programs, millions of Americans would be unable to feed their children, find
employment or locate adequate housing. Some of these important programs
include:
- WIC
(Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)
– WIC helps low-income mothers and their children access nutritional
benefits.
- Federal
Unemployment Benefits and Allowances – These funds
support low-income people struggling to find permanent employment.
- Low-income
housing Assistance, community development and homelessness prevention
– These programs assist homeless and low-income people to find viable
housing.
- The
Second Chance Act – This law affords grants to
non-profit organizations, state and local government agencies and
registered Indian tribes to provide educational, mental health, substance
abuse and job-training programs for individuals transitioning out of the
prison system.
Read
more about appropriations for domestic human needs.
Look out for the June call to fasting and action on
Wednesday, June 21. For more advocacy opportunities, visit Advocacy.ELCA.org. Thank you for your dedication
and leadership on this important issue!
(To view this email in your web browser, click here).
