ELCA ACTION ALERT: Urge Congress to Pass Strong Housing Legislation

After a year of negotiations, the Senate and House have passed separate major housing bills that now must be conferenced to advance cohesive legislation. Take action.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Actpassed the Senate in early March by a wide bipartisan margin, and now must be conferenced with the House of Representatives which passed its own version. This is a critical step where the final shape of this legislation will be determined.

As ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry wrote to senators ahead of the Senate passage, “In our religious tradition, housing is a moral issue that concerns human beings created in God’s image for a life of dignity in justice. When families cannot afford stable shelter, many other aspects of life – employment, education, health, and safety – are at risk.” Lutheran and ecumenical congregations are seeing the housing crisis firsthand, and many are already working to build affordable housing and emergency shelters on church property. But the faith community cannot do this alone. 

The ROAD to Housing Act as amended by the Senate would expand housing supply, support rural communities, strengthen disaster recovery programs vital to Lutheran Disaster Response efforts, and open pathways to manufactured housing in underserved areas. It is critical that lawmakers pass this legislation as soon as possible ahead of a busy legislative season. 

Contact your members of Congress today – and urge them to support a strong, effective conferenced version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act – one that meaningfully expands access to safe affordable homes.

Take Action!

From the Advocacy Director’s Bookshelf

Our history with Iran is deeper than the headlines.

Did you know that some of Iran’s most prestigious schools and hospitals were founded by Presbyterian missionaries? Before the geopolitics of today, there was a century-long legacy of service, education, and mutual respect.

In America and Iran, John Ghazvinian gives a compelling history including the story of the Presbyterians in Iran—from the founding of Alborz College to the sacrifice of Howard Baskerville, a Presbyterian teacher who died for Iranian democracy.

In a time of conflict and tension, this book offers a necessary reminder of our shared humanity and the deep roots of our faith’s commitment to the Iranian people. It is an essential read for any church member seeking to understand the situation we are in today through the lens of our own history.

Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307271811…

Jesus and Justice: Faithful Advocacy and Confronting Christian Nationalism

Faithful Advocacy and Confronting Christian Nationalism

Join us for the March Presbyterian Advocacy Hour!

March 25th 12:00 pm EDT

Christians across generations are asking what it means to follow Jesus in a world, and a Church, marked by injustice and division. This Presbyterian Advocacy Hour explores how our faith calls us not to withdraw, but to act. Together, we’ll unpack what Christian Nationalism is, how it distorts the message of Jesus, and how it shows up in the life of the Church today.

We’ll ask questions like: How does Christian Nationalism shape the faith of Christians today? Do symbols like flags in sanctuaries or patriotic songs during worship influence our theology? And why do conversations about justice and advocacy sometimes create tension in the Church?

We’ll also explore how the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Office of Public Witness engages policymakers in Washington, D.C., and how advocacy can be a faithful expression of Christ’s call to love our neighbors and pursue the common good.

People of all ages bring wisdom, experience, and passion to the work of justice. This conversation invites you to imagine what it means to follow Jesus in the work of justice, boldly, faithfully, and together.

Connecting Faith and Action in a Global Health Crisis

Join faith leaders, policymakers and economists in Lenten Conversation on the pressing global health challenges of our time. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a cosponsor of “Connecting Faith and Action in a Global Health Crisis,” an interactive, online convening on Wed. Mar. 25 from 1-3:30 ET. Register from bit.ly/FaithGlobalHealth.

This is a Lenten opportunity to reflect on the state of global health and the moral responsibility to protect life and dignity – including the role of Christians in advancing global health and faithful, evidence-based responses to challenges.