Author: Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada

LEAN Names New Advocacy Director

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Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN) announces that Rev. Paul Larson, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Family in Carson City, NV, has been named to the position of Advocacy Director. He will serve as legislative advocate on behalf of Lutheran parishioners across the state of Nevada, reporting to the LEAN Policy Council. The 83rd Session of the Nevada Legislature convenes its 120-day biannual session on Feb. 3, 2025.

As a registered lobbyist, Rev. Larson will keep abreast of social justice issues facing individuals and families in Nevada, as well as issues relating to the care of creation. Under the Policy Council’s direction, he will monitor the introduction of relevant bills; advocate the LEAN position on issues with elected officials; conduct speaking engagements and/or workshops (in person or online) at a congregational level on active advocacy and participating in the legislative process; and perform various other outreach and advocacy duties, including helping plan a “Lobby Day” at the Nevada Capitol in February. He will also network with local, state, and national advocacy groups pursuing a similar public policy agenda, and, where appropriate, serve as a member on relevant state-level boards and coalitions.

As a body, LEAN operates under direction and with support of the Grand Canyon and Sierra Pacific Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

“Over LEAN’s nearly three-decade history, we’ve always had strong, committed, spirit-led advocates to represent Christian principles in the halls of Nevada power,” says Vic Williams, longtime LEAN Policy Council member and current secretary/treasurer. “Rev. Larson is the latest in a long line of dedicated servants, and we truly look forward to working with him to further our mission, with the ELCA’s Social Statements as our foundation.”

Before being called in October 2024 as lead pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Family, Rev. Larson served as pastor at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in his native Salinas, CA, for two years; during that time he also served as Chaplain for Lutheran Campus Ministry of the Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz. Previous positions include Strategic Designer for Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Young Adult Ministry in Chicago, Illinois; Interim Youth Director for East Bay Lutheran Youth Parish in Oakland, CA; and Vicar at Advent Lutheran Church, Westminster, CO. He also brings a wealth of community organizing and communications experience to his new LEAN position.

“I was interested in this position because of today’s changing political landscape, and how people of faith respond to it,” says Rev. Larson. “There are plenty of issues in play for the upcoming session, from immigration to early childhood development to food insecurity, to addiction. How do we support families through these and other challenges? I look forward to representing congregations and LEAN as we advocate for all Nevadans.”

Rev. Larson holds an M.DIV from United Lutheran Seminary, Philadelphia, PA, and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Sociology and Political Science from Luther College in Decorah, IA.

To reach Rev. Larson, please email him at paullarson@leanforjustice.org.

Sacred Crossroads: The Intersection of Faith and Immigration

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Though the 2024 election is over, there is much work to do here in the West when it comes to protecting our brothers and sisters seeking asylum and, ultimately, legal residence in the United States. This resource raises the importance of centering our values as well as the perspectives of others, includes guidance from ELCA social teaching, facts and statistics about immigration, offers prayer, questions for personal reflection, and questions for Nevada’s elected office, and more! As Christians living in a state with a large immigrant population, we are called to be disciples and advocates for all.

Use this nonpartisan resource to explore key immigration facts from ELCA Ammparo and reflect on how Christian values compel us to pursue justice, help the oppressed, promote human dignity and human flourishing, and pray for a government that serves all neighbors. It’s a quick resource at only 8 pages.

The guide includes:

  • Learning from history
  • Leading with faith values
  • ELCA social teaching on immigration
  • Prayers for discernment
  • Facts about immigrant neighbors
  • Questions for reflection

DOWNLOAD ‘SACRED CROSSROADS’ GUIDE

Sign Bread For The World’s ‘Nourish Our Future’ petition to end child hunger

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Sign the Nourish Our Future petition urging our senators and representatives to end child hunger in the U.S. and around the world!

Why is this important?

Millions of children in the U.S. live in households facing food insecurity. Globally, almost 45 million children suffer from severe hunger, and nearly half of all preventable deaths among children under five are attributed to malnutrition. Child hunger is a local and a global problem, but together we can make a difference. 

Sign Bread for the World’s petition TODAY calling on the 119th Congress to Nourish Our Future, and join Bread for the World online for the Nourish Our Future launch on February 4! It is integral that we show U.S. Congress that there is broad and deep support across the country to ensure all children are fed and nourished.

We want to influence, empower, and work with Congress to pass legislation that:

  • fully funds and modernizes the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
  • expands a Child Tax Credit that prioritizes cutting child poverty and ending hunger
  • increases funding for global nutrition programs for children
  • helps reduce food insecurity on college campuses

Below is more detail on why we want Congress to pass legislation that addresses these issues:

Fully funding and modernizing WIC for all eligible participants

WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) provides mothers and young children in the U.S. with nutritious food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, immunization screening, and important health and social services referrals. The program reaches approximately 6.7 million women and young children, including about half of all infants born in the United States.

WIC participation leads to healthier eating, increased birth weights, fewer premature births, and fewer infant deaths. The program helps support proper brain development in young children, contributing to the child’s ability to learn and thrive later in life. WIC also has a significant economic impact due to reduced healthcare costs.

Recognizing these powerful outcomes, Congress has fully funded WIC on a bipartisan basis for decades. In 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act modernized and strengthened the program to reach more eligible families. Unfortunately, due to congressional inaction and polarization, not only have these changes been rolled back, but WIC is in jeopardy of not being fully funded for the first time in 25 years. 

We are urging Congress to: 

  1. Recommit to fully fund WIC now and in the future, so that all who are eligible and apply have access 
  2. Restore reforms that strengthened the program and made it easier for families to sign up.

Expanding a Child Tax Credit that prioritizes cutting child poverty and ending hunger

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) serves as a lifeline for the most vulnerable and a beacon of hope for millions of families in the U.S. The expanded CTC, enacted as a part of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021, significantly reduced child hunger and led to the lowest child poverty rate in our nation’s history. Bread for the World worked hard to pass the Child Tax Credit expansion in 2021. The expansion increased the amount of the credit and made two other critical policy changes, which have now expired 
and which Bread is working to restore. Those changes are:

  1. Full Refundability – This provision meant that even the poorest families who don’t make enough money to pay taxes still receive the full tax credit.
  2. Monthly payments rather than annual lump sum payments after tax filing. Data shows that families used the monthly payments to meet basic living expenses, with food topping the list of such expenses.

The proven, measurable success of the expanded Child Tax Credit and the 45% increase in child poverty since its expiration make clear that the passage of a similar bill would make an immediate and dramatic impact on child poverty and hunger.

Increasing funding for global nutrition programs for children

Programs that help prevent and treat child malnutrition in low-income countries save lives, help families and communities thrive, and build resilience and stability for generations to come. Increasing funding for these programs, a tiny fraction of the U.S. budget, is a compassionate and strategic response to soaring rates of child malnutrition right now and a wise investment in our shared future. 

Priority nutrition programs include: 

  • Treatment of acute malnutrition
  • Education and promotion of breastfeeding
  • Nutrition supplements for children, adolescent girls, and pregnant women
  • Education and promotion of good feeding and hygiene practices for infants and young children
  • Preventive malaria treatment
  • Fortification of staple food crops with nutrients

Developing solutions to college student hunger

Nearly 23% of all college students were food insecure in 2020, and students who were food insecure were less likely to get their bachelor’s degrees than those who were food secure. In addition, there is a substantial “SNAP gap,” meaning students who are eligible for SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or other assistance but do not receive benefits. 

To help close the SNAP gap, Bread for the World has identified three priorities: 

  1. Pass legislation in Congress that addresses this gap, such as The Opportunity to Address College Hunger Act or Closing the College Hunger Gap Act. 
  2. Persuade the Department of Education to inform low-income students matriculating on college or university campuses of their potential eligibility for SNAP, WIC, and other benefits.
  3. Partner with a research institute to study best practices for closing the SNAP gap and to identify which interventions have the potential to be brought to scale and to attract public funding through future advocacy.

How it will be delivered

Bread for the World representatives will deliver these petition signatures to the local and DC offices of Members of Congress.

SIGN THE PETITION!

LEAN Seeks New Director

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Will Advocate For Nevadans at Legislature, Through Congregations

Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada’s Policy Council is currently seeking a part-time Director to replace Bill Ledford, who left in early 2024 to take his first pastoral call in Utah.

In their capacity, the Director will work with the Policy Council to establish policy objectives, register as an official advocate/lobbyist at the Nevada Legislature, and work with ELCA congregations throughout Nevada to establish a grass roots, faith-based network of Christian believers to carry out the church’s ongoing mission to build a more just and fair society for all. As one of dozens of ELCA State Public Policy Offices across the nation, LEAN bases its advocacy and engagement efforts on the guidance of official ELCA Social Statements and Messages.

LEAN and its Director advocate on behalf of Nevada congregations in the Grand Canyon and Sierra Pacific synods. The 83rd Nevada Legislative Session begins Feb. 3, 2025, and runs for a minimum of 120 days.

The position is part-time and offered on a contract-only basis. The full Job Description and Working Agreement is available for viewing and download below.

For more information on the position, please email leanforjustice@gmail.com.

LEAN-Director Job Description-2024Download

LEAN Voter Guide: Nevada Ballot Measures

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Vote Ballot Measures First!

Direct Democracy

Nevada is a ballot initiative state. This means that eligible voters not only elect representatives to make policy decisions during each biennial session held February-May in odd-numbered years. They also sometimes directly vote on public policy.

This direct democracy element of Nevada’s civic structure has a long and rich history, and voters need to know the important decision-making role they play in building and maintaining thriving communities. Data from recent elections shows that many voters don’t vote all the way to the end of the ballot. This incomplete voting creates an obstacle to realizing the equitable policies and thriving communities we desire.

Ballot Measures Matter Too

With so much happening in state and national politics, ballot measures can sometimes become an afterthought. Even so, these ballot measures have an important impact on our state policy landscape.

Making thoughtful and informed decisions about candidates for office is undoubtedly a critical component of your participation in our democracy. It is also important to research the measures at the bottom of your ballot. That’s where we can help! This voter guide is designed to help you understand the issues and learn about our Lutheran perspective on them. You are invited to share this guide with any family, friends and neighbors for whom it may be helpful, too.

Vote Faithfully!

The ELCA is a Public Church

As people of God, we believe in promoting faithful and non-partisan voter participation. All members of ELCA congregations are encouraged to use the rich faith-based resources of the church to guide their voting on measures that affect all people.

We Are the People of God

Scripture reveals God’s presence in all realms of life, including political life. Our church understands government as a means through which God works to preserve creation and build a more peaceful and just social order in a sinful world. The electoral process is one way in which we live out our affirmation of baptism to “serve all people, following the example of our Lord Jesus,” and “to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.”

As people of God, we have been freed to love our neighbor, seek peace and justice, and care for God’s creation. Faith should inform not only our participation but also how we look at public issues and interpret what is happening in political life.

Nevada Ballot Measures

Nevada voters will have seven statewide ballot measures to consider this fall. Three are citizen initiatives; four were referred to the ballot from the state legislature. To pass into law as a state statute, a legislative bill or petition must be passed in one legislative session and two general election cycles. Five of these ballot measures will become state law if pass this cycle, while the other two, if passed, will be placed on the general election ballot in 2026.

LEAN takes positions only on those measures that relate to its policy priorities, as set forth in general in Matthew 25, to love and seek justice for “the least of these,” and ELCA social teaching via its Social Statements and Messages. Positions were adopted by the LEAN Policy Committee on September  25, 2024.

STATE QUESTION NO. 1

Amendment to the Nevada Constitution

Senate Joint Resolution No. 7 of the 81st Session

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended to remove certain provisions governing the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education and its administration of the State University and certain federal land grant funds and to provide additional legislative oversight of public institutions of higher education through regular independent audits, without repealing the current statutory election process or other existing statutory provisions relating to the Board of Regents?

A “Yes” vote would amend the Nevada Constitution by: (1) removing provisions governing theelection and duties of the Board of Regents and its control and management of the affairs and funds of the State University and requiring the Legislature to provide by law for the governance of the State University and for the auditing of public higher education institutions in Nevada; and (2) revising provisions governing the administration of certain funding derived under federal law and dedicated for the benefit of certain departments of the State University.

A “No” vote would retain existing provisions of the Nevada Constitution governing the election and duties of the Board of Regents and its control and management of the affairs and funds of the State University and would not revise existing provisions governing the administration of certain funding derived under federal law and dedicated for the benefit of certain departments of the State University.

LEAN POSITION: NEUTRAL

STATE QUESTION NO. 2

Read the ELCA’s Social Statement on Education

Amendment to the Nevada Constitution

Assembly Joint Resolution No. 1 of the 81st Session

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Shall Section 1 of Article 13 of the Nevada Constitution be amended to: (1) revise the description of the persons who benefit from institutions that the State is required to foster and support;

(2) replace the term “institutions” with “entities”; and (3) add entities for the benefit of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities to the types of entities that the State is required to foster and support?

A “Yes” vote would amend the Nevada Constitution to: (1) revise the description of the persons whobenefit from institutions that the State is required to foster and support;

(2) replace the term “institutions” with “entities”; and (3) add entities for the benefit of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities to the types of entities that the State is required to foster and support.

A “No” vote would retain the existing language in the Nevada Constitution and would not add entities for the benefit of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities to the types of entities that the State is required to foster and support.

LEAN POSITION: YES

Guiding Social Message: “People Living With Disabilities”:

The title of the 2010 ELCA social message, “People Living with Disabilities,” makes a significant point in identifying an emphasis on people who are living with disabilities, rather than categorizing some people as “handicapped” or “disabled.” The message challenges the common mindset that equates self-sufficiency and independence with freedom and humanity, often regarding or treating people living with disabilities as less fully human than others or as objects dependent on charitable care.

STATE QUESTION NO. 3

Amendment to the Nevada Constitution

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended to allow all Nevada voters the right to participate in open primary elections to choose candidates for the general election in which all voters may then rankthe remaining candidates bypreference for the offices of U.S.Senators, U.S. Representatives, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Controller, Attorney General, and State Legislators?

A “Yes” vote would amend Articles 5 & 15 of the Nevada Constitution to allow all Nevada voters the right to participate in open primary elections to choose candidates for the general election in which allvoters may then rank the remaining candidates by preference for the offices of U.S.Senators, U.S. Representatives, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Controller, Attorney General, and State Legislators.

A “No” vote would retain the provisions of Articles 5 & 15 of the Nevada Constitution in their current form.

LEAN POSITION: YES

Guiding Social Message: “Government and Civic Engagement In The United States”:

ELCA social teaching holds that all residents of the United States have a responsibility to make government function well—not to abandon our democracy but to engage it in a spirit of robust civic duty. For Lutherans, this responsibility is lived out as a calling from God, expressed in the discipleship described in our baptismal promises. It is based on our understanding of how God governs human society… U.S. Lutherans have learned that their neighbors are best served by a government in which supreme earthly power is held publicly by the people (a democracy) and they are governed by representatives chosen in fair elections in which each person is assured of their vote (a republic).16 Such consent requires government to allow the neighbors it serves to pursue their lives in a spirit of freedom. 

STATE QUESTION NO. 4

Amendment to the Ordinance of the Nevada Constitution and the Nevada Constitution

Assembly Joint Resolution No. 10 of the 81st Session

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Shall the Ordinance of the Nevada Constitution and the Nevada Constitution be amended to remove language authorizing the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment?

A “Yes” vote would prohibit the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime.

A “No” vote would maintain the current language authorizing the use of slavery or involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime.

LEAN POSITION: YES

Guiding Social Statement: “The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries”:

Drawing from the biblical witness to God’s wondrously rich forms of love and justice, we are compelled by a “holy yearning” to address the need for a change in public mindset and for dramatic reforms in policies and practices. This statement calls upon Christians to strengthen or take up ministries of compassion and justice. Drawing on evidence and data, it affirms some current efforts at improving the system while identifying numerous other reforms that urgently need implementation.

STATE QUESTION NO. 5

Amendment to the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955

Senate Bill 428 of the 82nd Session

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Shall the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955 be amended to provide an exemption from the taxes imposed by this Act on the gross receipts from the sale and the storage, use or other consumption of diapers?

A “Yes” vote would exempt child and adult diapers from the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955, the Local School Support Tax Law and certain analogous sales and use taxes.

A “No” vote would keep the current provisions of the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955, the Local School Support Tax Law and certain analogous sales and use taxes.

STATE QUESTION NO. 6

LEAN POSITION: YES

Guiding Social Statement: “Human Health Care: Our Shared Endeavor”:

Health care is a shared endeavor. Just as each person’s health relies on others, health care depends on our caring for others and ourselves. Broadly speaking, the term “health care” encompasses the wide range of services used to treat symptoms or diseases or to maintain health. Patients and caregivers are more than consumers or providers; they are whole persons working together in healing relationships that depend on and preserve community. Although health care goods and services may be bought and sold, health care is above all an activity of caring that grows out of relationships of mutual responsibility, concern, and trust—and that cannot be reduced to a commodity.

Amendment to the Nevada Constitution

Initiative Petition C-05-2023

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Should the Nevada Constitution be amended to create an individual’s fundamental right to an abortion, without interference by state orlocal governments, whenever the abortion is performed by a qualified healthcare professional until fetal viability or when necessary to protect the health or life of the pregnant individual at any point during the pregnancy?

A “Yes” vote would create a new section of the Nevada Constitution to establish a person’s constitutional right to abortion, so that a person can make decisions about matters relating to abortion and reproductive healthcare, without interference from state or local governments.

A “No” vote would keep the Nevada Constitution in its current form and would not impact the availability of abortion as a statutory right under Nevada law.

LEAN POSITION: NEUTRAL

Read a summary on the ELCA’s Social Statement on Abortion

STATE QUESTION NO. 7

Amendment to theNevada Constitution

Initiative Petition C-02-2023

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Should the Nevada Constitution be amended to require voters to either present photo identification to verify their identity when voting in-person or to provide certain personal information to verify their identity when voting by mail ballot?

A “Yes” vote would amend Article 2 of the Nevada Constitution to require in-person Nevada voterspresent certain identification andmail ballot voters to provide certain information in order to cast a legal ballot.

A “No” vote would keep the NevadaConstitution in its current form.

LEAN POSITION: NO

Guiding Social Message: “Government and Civic Engagement In The United States” (see Question 3 explanation)

Important Dates

REGISTRATION

Tuesday, October 8

Last day to register to vote by mail (postmarked by)

Tuesday, November 5

In person-registration deadline at voting location (close of business)

Online registration deadline

VOTING

Oct. 16-22

Nevada sends ballots to actively registered voters

Oct. 19-Nov. 1

In person early voting at any official poll location

Tuesday, November 5 – Election Day

Vote in person at your precinct poll location

Return ballot by mail (postmarked by)

Return ballot in person (by 7 p.m.)

ELCA Social Statements & Messages

www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society

Check your voter registration status:

www.nvsos.gov