Here are just a few of the bills making their way through the Legislature that LEAN is following.

The Trump administration has called for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants in the United States, recently terminating historical restrictions on immigration activity at places of worship, schools and hospitals. Mass deportations would have significant emotional, health and financial tolls on impacted immigrant families as well as the broader community. Congress is preparing to allocate billions for this directive.

This Action Alert is part of a Lenten Action Series, an opportunity to take advocacy action as part of your Lenten practice. Our baptismal calling to “serve all people,” following the example of Christ, takes on urgent meaning as families across the nation face mounting challenges.

The book of Genesis underscores that “human beings are created ‘in God’s image’” (Genesis 1:27). The ELCA social policy resolution, “Toward Just, Compassionate, and Humane Immigration Reform,” acknowledges the presence of undocumented immigrants. It advocates for both good governance to protect the nation and the just and humane enforcement of immigration laws. It guides the view of this church to prioritize human dignity while upholding the law.

Now is the time to act. Congress has moved quickly to authorize hundreds of millions in new funding for immigration detention, immigration agents, border wall construction and surveillance technology along the border and is poised to authorize billions more through budget reconciliation.

In addition to new spending to be utilized for mass detention and deportation, reconciliation opens the door to cuts to hunger programs, cuts to immigrant’s limited eligibility for social services, and harmful non-fiscally related immigration policy.

Act now to tell Congress you oppose the detention and separation of immigrant families. Customize your letter with your values and local experiences.

Thank you for your advocacy. 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has released a draft social message on child protection and maltreatment—and your input is essential. This draft is open for public comment now through June 30, 2025, and all members of the Grand Canyon Synod are encouraged to read, reflect, and respond.

The message, created in response to a directive from the 2022 Churchwide Assembly, lifts up the church’s responsibility to care for children, grounding its call in the words of Jesus from Matthew 19:13–14: “Let the little children come to me… for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” The draft seeks to address the staggering crisis of child abuse and neglect in the U.S., where at least 1 in 7 children experience maltreatment each year, according to the CDC.

The ELCA’s social messages provide teaching and guidance on pressing social concerns. This child protection message draws from Lutheran theology and existing ELCA social teaching, affirming our sacred duty to create spaces where all children are welcomed, protected, and nurtured. But to ensure the message is as faithful, relevant, and impactful as possible, it must reflect the voices and experiences of the wider church.

We invite you to:

• Read the draft: ELCA.org/childprotection

• Complete the online survey to share your thoughts

• Submit written feedback or questions via the contact form on the site

• Access a large-print version or stay tuned for the Spanish translation, coming soon

This period of reflection and input is a chance to live into our baptismal promise to “nurture children in the faith and teach them to trust God.” Your engagement can help the ELCA create a powerful, faithful response to protect the most vulnerable among us.

The clean energy tax credits passed under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) (Public Law 117-169) are essential. Tax credits support transition to more sustainable energy investment and the meeting of power requirements of a growing economy, including a U.S. manufacturing revival, building and transportation electrification, AI technology and next generation data centers.  

Before the IRA, these credits’ predecessors enjoyed long-standing bipartisan support for their benefits to communities around the country. Recent research has shown the threats to the U.S. economy posed by repealing the IRA’s energy tax credits include: $336 billion in less investment over the next 15 years; 97,000 fewer American energy jobs created; and an average 10% increase in electricity bills. 

We urge Congress to oppose the repeal of IRA investments in affordable clean energy, American jobs, and economic development in the upcoming budget reconciliation bill. Examples of tax credits which meet this nation’s needs are: 

• Energy Investment Tax Credit (IRC Sec. 48E): Lowers the cost of building clean energy infrastructure. 
• Production Tax Credit (IRC Sec. 45Y): Provides credits per kilowatt hour of clean energy. 
• Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit (IRC Sec. 45X): Lowers the cost of making solar, wind, and battery components as well as producing power inverters and critical minerals. 
• Electric Vehicle Tax Credits (IRC Sec. 30D and Sec. 25E): Sec. 30D provides up to $7,500 for qualified new EV purchases. Sec. 25E provides up to $4,000 for pre-owned EVs. 
• Residential Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Tax Credits (IRC Sec. 25D and Sec. 25C): Sec. 25D lowers the cost of home projects like rooftop solar, battery storage, or geothermal heat pump installation. Sec. 25C lowers the costs of projects like home weatherization, heat pump installation, or electric water heater installation. 

This Action Alert is part of a Lenten Action Series, an opportunity to take advocacy action as part of your Lenten practice. Our baptismal calling to “serve all people,” following the example of Christ, has urgent meaning as our progress in addressing climate change and the healing and wholeness of God’s good creation are threatened. 

Share your values and convictions with elected officials to urge Congress to oppose the repeal of IRA investments in affordable clean energy, American jobs and economic development in the upcoming budget reconciliation bill. Expand your impact by sharing specific experiences of you or your congregation’s experience with these tax credits. 

ACT NOW!