How is ELCA World Hunger responding to major federal funding cuts? Join the Sierra Pacific Synod Hunger Network on June 18 at 7 pm via Zoom as we hear from Susannah Cunningham, Senior Director for the ELCA Building Resilient Communities Team, and learn how these programs are still making a difference—and how you can help.

 To register, email Edie at thelotts@gmail.com

 Zoom link will be sent a week before the event.

Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada recognizes that most congregations tend to be more active in acts of mercy than acts of justice. Handing out food at a soup kitchen seems more straight forward than advocating for school breakfast programs. LEAN encourages congregations to do both acts of mercy and acts of justice.

Every congregation or faith community is unique. Each has its own set of leaders, committees and ministries. How best to engage the advocacy ministry in congregations varies greatly, which is why LEAN seeks a Congregational Liaison for each congregation.

The Role of Liaisons

Core Functions: Congregational liaisons are asked to do the following core functions:

• Ask the congregational leadership to include LEAN news, events and resources in bulletins, newsletters or other materials.
• Participate in at least one meeting a year with legislators and invite others to participate
• Invite congregation members to do some advocacy before or during the Nevada legislative session (January – June).
  • Writing letters
  • Sending emails
  • Signing a petition
• Participate in Lutheran Day at the Legislature

Additional Functions: If able, the liaisons are invited to:

• Encourage civic engagement – registering to vote, help getting out the vote, completing the census (all non-partisan activities).
• Connect interested members of your congregation with key LEAN program areas
  • Hunger and associated food security issues (equity, housing, homelessness, etc.) – Do you have a caring committee or outreach team?
  • Welcoming all – Do you want to welcome immigrants in your community or build a partnership with other faith traditions?
• Familiarize yourself and your congregation with the ELCA Social Statements and Social Messages.
• Be informed – Sign up for LEAN newsletters, ELCA Advocacy Network and learn about ELCA Advocacy efforts,
• Be engaged – Follow LEAN and ELCA Advocacy Facebook and social media, like and repost events and news
• Encourage the congregation to support LEAN financially through a special offering, inclusion in the budget or a special grant.

LEAN supports Congregational Liaisons:

• Provide materials as needed to distribute and display (posters, brochures).
• Send occasional special resources for congregations.
• Find speakers for programs and events at the congregations or online.
• Connect the congregation with other interested congregations in the area.

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 senators to oppose the rushed repeal of IRA investments in affordable clean energy, American jobs, and economic development in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”.  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. Churches have made use of these credits.  
• 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.  

 The ELCA social statement Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice reads: “As Lutheran Christians, we confess that both our witness to God’s goodness in creation and our acceptance of caregiving responsibility have often been weak and uncertain” (p. 1). This is an opportunity to share your values and convictions with elected officials to urge senators 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.  

Thank you for adding your voice!