As Congress begins its August recess, many elected officials are already turning their attention toward the November elections. But for people of faith, August is not a time to step back from advocacy—it is our time to speak up.

But the Stakes are higher than ever many Nevadans are bracing for medicaid cuts, reduction in SNAP benefits, Nearly 300,000 people in Nevada are self-employed, independent contractors, or freelancers without employer-sponsored health insurance benefits. Around 28,000 people in the state lost access to SNAP in May. A year later, the cost of living is astounding, and it is getting harder for everyone.

At Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada, we believe this is an opportunity to remind our elected leaders that public policy should serve the common good and reflect our shared values of justice, compassion, and human dignity.

During the August recess, we encourage Lutherans and all people of goodwill to advocate for policies that:

• Protect SNAP and strengthen the Farm Bill so every family has access to nutritious food.
• Protect Medicaid and expand access to affordable, quality health care.
• Address housing insecurity by supporting safe, stable, and affordable housing for all Nevadans.
• Protect immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers by upholding human dignity and welcoming our neighbors.
• Strengthen democracy and civic participation by ensuring every eligible voter has the opportunity to make their voice heard.

Advocacy is an expression of our faith in action. Together, let us continue to seek justice, love our neighbors, and work for policies that help all people flourish.

Contact your lawmakers today. Customize your message with your experiences and values.

Find your Member of Congress Here

Senator Catherine Cortez Mastro, 202-224-3542, https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/

Senator Jackie Rosen, 202-224-6244, https://www.rosen.senate.gov/

Rep. Dina Titus, (202)-225-5965, https://titus.house.gov/

Rep. Mark Amodei, (202)-225-6155, https://amodei.house.gov/

Rep. Susie Lee, (202)-225-3252, https://susielee.house.gov/

Rep Steven Horsford, (202)-225-9894, https://horsford.house.gov/

If you would like to schedule time with your legislator, please reach out to Pastor Paul, and he is willing to work with ELCA Advocacy Partners to secure a time.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have been around for a long time, but in the past five years they have become nearly ubiquitous, thanks to faster computer chips and greater interest in their potential. There are potential benefits of AI, some of which we are already experiencing without even realizing we are being served by AI. There are also many concerns and worrying events that dictate caution and oversight. Learn more about benefits, risks and reasons for caution.

The ELCA has released several new 2026 resources that help tell the story of how Lutherans are working together to address hunger, disaster, displacement, poverty and community need — in the United States and around the world. For LEAN advocates, these resources are useful reminders that public witness, congregational ministry and generous giving are all connected ways we serve our neighbor.

The spring 2026 issue of LifeLines shares stories from ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response, showing how Lutheran gifts help communities and families in the United States and around the world. Paired with the 2025 Year in Review poster, it offers a clear picture of the scope of ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response: grants, accompaniment, disaster recovery, food security, sustainable livelihoods, health, education, care for creation and advocacy all woven together as part of one church’s witness.

These resources are especially helpful for congregations looking for temple talks, adult forum topics, newsletter articles or mission moments. The 2025 Year in Review shows ELCA World Hunger work in 59 countries and 49 states and territories, and Lutheran Disaster Response work in 52 countries and 35 states and territories. It also highlights domestic hunger work in areas such as food security, housing, LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, care for creation, health, education, sustainable livelihoods and community organizing.

The Leadership Circle Newsletter highlights the relationships that make this churchwide ministry possible — from local congregations to global mission partners, from new-start communities to Daily Bread grants responding to food insecurity. It reminds us that consistent support helps fill food pantries, rebuild communities, accompany global partners and form new leaders for the church.

The winter 2026 issue of Boundless offers vivid stories of Christ’s abounding love and grace through ELCA ministries. Readers meet an ELCA missionary serving migrants and refugees in Cairo, girls in Serbia pursuing education with support from ELCA World Hunger partners, and ministries experimenting with new ways to build belonging and community. These stories help us see the human face of the work: people seeking safety, students pursuing dreams, congregations listening to their neighbors and communities finding hope.

For us as Lutherans, these resources can strengthen our advocacy and our ministry. Hunger is local and global. Disaster response is immediate and long-term. Migration is both a border reality and a global reality. Community organizing, housing, health, education and care for creation are not separate from faith; they are part of how we love our neighbors in public.

LEAN encourages congregations, hunger leaders, social ministry teams and adult education groups to explore these ELCA resources and share them widely. Use them to tell stories in worship, invite offerings for ELCA World Hunger or Lutheran Disaster Response, inspire new local partnerships, and connect service with advocacy for policies that help every neighbor thrive.

Explore the resources:

• ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response: LifeLines, Spring 2026
• ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response: 2025 Year in Review Poster
• ELCA Leadership Circle Newsletter, Spring 2026
• Boundless, Winter 2026

Together, these resources remind us that we are part of a larger church working for a world where people are fed, communities are restored, migrants are welcomed, young leaders are formed and hope is made visible.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Carson City, NV – Today, the United States Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision in Watson v. Republican National Committee, held that federal election laws do not prevent states from counting absentee ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but received afterward within deadlines established by state law. The Court concluded that federal law sets the deadline for when ballots must be cast, but not when election officials must receive them.

The decision is particularly significant for Nevada. During the 2024 election, more than 44 percent of Nevada voters cast their ballots by mail, and 11,875 ballots that were postmarked by Election Day were counted after arriving within Nevada’s statutory four-day grace period.

“Today’s decision in Watson v. Republican National Committee provides important certainty for Nevada’s election system as we prepare for the 2026 elections. A different outcome could have disrupted longstanding election procedures and created unnecessary confusion for voters and election officials across our state.

Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada is committed to ensuring that every eligible Nevadan has a meaningful opportunity to participate in our democracy. This includes military members serving overseas, voters with disabilities who may be unable to vote in person, and Nevadans living in rural communities where voting centers may be many miles away.

Nevada’s vote-by-mail system helps ensure that eligible voters who follow the law are able to have their ballots counted. Today’s decision affirms that states retain the authority to establish reasonable procedures for counting timely cast ballots. While this ruling preserves Nevada’s current election process, we will continue working alongside our coalition partners to protect fair, accessible, and secure elections for every eligible voter in our state.” said Rev. Paul M. Larson, Advocacy Director.

Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada remains committed to advancing policies that strengthen civic participation, protect the constitutional right to vote, and ensure every eligible voter can fully participate in our democracy.

For Media Contact:

Rev. Paul M. Larson
Advocacy Director
Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada
paullarson@leanforjustice.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Carson City, NV – Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN) welcomes the fact that the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment remains in effect. While the Supreme Court’s recent decision did not resolve the underlying constitutional question, the longstanding principle that children born in the United States are citizens regardless of their parents’ immigration status continues to be recognized and protected.

For more than 125 years, birthright citizenship has reflected one of our nation’s foundational promises: that every child born on American soil is entitled to equal protection under the law and has the opportunity to fully participate in the civic, economic, and social life of our country.

“The Fourteenth Amendment has long protected the principle that citizenship is determined by birth on American soil, not by a parent’s immigration status. We are grateful that this constitutional guarantee remains in place while the legal process continues.

One of Nevada’s greatest strengths is its diversity. Every child born in the United States deserves the same rights, the same opportunities, and the same chance to succeed. No child should have their citizenship questioned because of the circumstances of their parents,” said Rev. Paul M. Larson, Advocacy Director for Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada.

Nevada is home to a vibrant immigrant community, and thousands of Nevada families live in mixed-status households. LEAN recognizes that the continuing protection of birthright citizenship provides reassurance to countless families who have faced uncertainty in recent months.

As people of faith, we believe every person is created in the image of God and is worthy of dignity, justice, and equal treatment under the law. We will continue to advocate for policies that strengthen families, uphold constitutional protections, and ensure every child has the opportunity to flourish.

For Media Contact

Rev. Paul M. Larson
Advocacy Director
Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada
paullarson@leanforjustice.org