After four long days, the Assembly passed Assembly Bill 4 on Sunday. AB 4 is Governor Lombardo’s omnibus crime bill, proposing sweeping changes to Nevada’s criminal statutes. Despite its “tough on crime” posture, the measure is unnecessary: statewide crime has been trending downward since 2019, according to publicly available Uniform Crime Reporting data. Yet the bill fails to address the root causes of crime—such as housing instability, poverty, mental health needs, and access to social services—and does not meaningfully improve public safety. Instead, it prioritizes punitive approaches over proven, community-centered solutions.
“No matter what happens next, we must continue to care for all neighbors, especially those who are marginalized,” he reminds us.
Read the full message here:
November 12, 2025
When I was installed as your presiding bishop, the preacher proclaimed that in times of division, disruption and fear, God calls us, through love, to lift up one another just as Christ lifts us up. I have taken that to heart and been alert to all the ways in which we, made into God’s own beloved through word and sacrament, testify to that love in daily service and ministry. Across the ELCA, I have seen and am deeply grateful for:
Ministries mobilizing to serve meals and distribute food amid the harm, chaos and confusion of a government shutdown and the ongoing blocking of food assistance for 42 million people in our nation.
Congregations offering accompaniment and hope as they come alongside neighbors made vulnerable by aggressive and indiscriminate immigration enforcement.
Leaders from Lutheran Disaster Response urging members of Congress to commit to programs that lift up those made vulnerable in disasters.
Congregations reaching out to federal workers by supplying meals, meeting daily needs, providing gift cards and helping them find work.
Preachers faithfully proclaiming the theology of the cross that illuminates the brokenness of sin but also the mystery of a grace that claims us, frees us and sends us to be messengers of hope in a hurting world.
As a church, we do not hold back in lifting up those whom God calls us to serve, even and especially when government abdicates its responsibilities for the common good. My installation as your presiding bishop coincided with the start of the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history. In this moment, I draw strength from the writings of Martin Luther, who used the example of Mary and the words of the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) to urge the rulers of his time to exercise power in ways that serve all people.
Jesus gave us an image of a vine and its branches (John 15:1) to illustrate our connectedness to him and, through him, to one another. Our rootedness in Christ sustains us with his love. His love connects us to one another. We must stay connected to face the challenges of this moment.
An end to the government shutdown will not immediately resolve food insecurity, so we will keep feeding and supporting our neighbors. The racial profiling and harm to our immigrant neighbors show no signs of diminishing, so we will heed God’s call to show up alongside these neighbors in solidarity. Our broken politics and partisan divisions will not heal by themselves, so we will show up through participation, bridge-building and advocacy.
No matter what happens next, we must continue to care for all neighbors, especially those who are marginalized. Our 1994 social message “Community Violence” tells us that “we have the responsibility to join with others to hold government accountable for protecting society and ensuring justice for all, and to seek changes in policies and practices toward these ends” (p. 4). As we do, I am confident that Christ’s grace will be sufficient, freeing us to lift up others and seek justice for everyone.
Gracious God, we pray for our public servants, that they do their work in a spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice. Inspire them to use their authority to serve faithfully and to promote our common life. Guide our leaders to govern in such a way that all people enjoy a peaceful and just society. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. —All Creation Sings, p. 50
Monday, November 17, 2025 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Zoom
Join the Safe Communities Coalition for a skill building workshop led by Secure Community Network’s Regional Director, David Humble. This workshop will help community and faith leaders recognize, assess, and respond to potential security concerns while maintaining a welcoming environment. Learn how simple awareness and intentional engagement can enhance safety and connection at community gatherings.Together, let’s create welcoming spaces that are both safe and connected.
What a whirlwind these last two days have been. At times, it has felt less like a legislative process and and more like watching a Bravo reality show—complete with plot twists, sharp exchanges, and the ever-present tension between Northern and Southern Nevada. The days have been long, and I almost wish we had legislator confessionals to go with them.
The hearing rooms—and even the overflow spaces—were packed as supporters and opponents lined up to testify. Fireworks flew in committee: Speaker Yeager issued a sharp rebuke toward Assemblymember LaRue Hatch, and Assemblymember Torres-Fawcett stepped in to defend her and the actions of the minority caucus shortly before the committee advanced the bill. AB 4, the omnibus crime bill, also passed out of committee. Both pieces of legislation remain highly contentious, setting the stage for what looks to be a heated and emotional floor debate on Sunday morning.
Amid the tension, there was also meaningful progress. Yesterday, Senate Bill 6 was introduced—a crucial next step in addressing the long-standing crisis in Windsor Park. This historically Black neighborhood in North Las Vegas has been literally sinking for nearly forty years due to shifting fault lines and the over-tapping of the underground aquifer. Homes and infrastructure have continued to crack and buckle as the ground moves beneath them.
During the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers passed the Windsor Park Environmental Justice Act (SB 450), which provided $37 million to support relocation efforts. While the framework for relocation was established, many households still remain—well over twenty—and additional funding is needed to complete the project. Senator Dina Neal, who represents the area, has been a tireless advocate for the community. With new home construction now planned for around 90 replacement homes, SB 6 seeks to secure the remaining funds needed to ensure every resident can relocate safely. Testimony during the hearing was deeply moving—from long-time residents who have endured decades of uncertainty, to newer homeowners who unknowingly purchased homes without being told about the geological instability beneath them.
The evening ended with a rare moment of unanimity: the Senate passed SB 3, which establishes the Silver State General Assistance Program. This measure creates a state-managed safety net fund to ensure that, if SNAP administration is disrupted during extraordinary circumstances—such as a government shutdown—Nevada can step in to support food assistance. While the bill focuses primarily on establishing this general assistance framework, it is also connected to broader investments in social services that lawmakers have been discussing throughout the session.
The work stretched late into the night, wrapping up around 10 p.m. Pastor Paul will be back at the Legislature on Saturday as the special session continues.
As 2025 draws to a close, Global Refuge reflects on the many ways the work of welcome has been tested—and our conviction to come back better than ever in 2026. Join us to learn more about the current state of immigration policy, our programming, and how you can help us meet critical needs and spread hope in the final month of the year.
Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada 