The U.S. – Israeli distribution mechanism for aid in Gaza is further imperiling lives.

Food, medicine, clean water, and hygiene are some of the most basic human rights. The Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) distribution mechanism, which has U.S. and Israeli backing to bypass the UN as the main supplier of aid in Gaza and uses armed American security contractors, was created with the stated intent to provide essential access to food for the people of Gaza, after the population survived over 60 days of starvation. As stated by Doctors Without Borders, the “Israeli-US food distribution scheme in Gaza that was launched one month ago is forcing Palestinians to choose between starvation or risking their lives for minuscule amounts of aid.” Furthermore, Gaza’s population is still denied access to hygiene products, medication, and medical supplies. 

As Christians who not only believe every human is a beloved Child of God, but that the path to peace is not paved with gunfire and bombs, we must insist that this essential aid gets to people in dire need. We encourage work toward peace. “Through [non-governmental actors], people expose serious human rights violations, respond to human need unmet by governments, organize people who are poor and oppressed, keep attention focused on the brutality of wars, and help resolve conflicts” (from the ELCA social statement For Peace in God’s World p. 19). We can use our voices to express support of a sustainable ceasefire with accessible, safe, neutral access to humanitarian aid that is in line with international humanitarian law. 

Please customize this message to your members of Congress with your priorities and convictions on this important matter. Thank you for your advocacy. 

Join us for a Candlelight Prayer Vigil on Wednesday, July 30 at 9:00 pm

What: Evening Candlelight Prayer Vigil
When: Wednesday, July 30 @ 9:00 pm, for approx 30 mins total (following the day’s assembly business)
Where: Peace Park (the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix park on E. Monroe St)
Theme: Recognizing and preserving the human dignity of all God’s people, with special emphasis on migrant, asylee and refugee communities

The occasion is the triennial Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly, in which 850+ Lutherans, including bishops and representatives of all 65 synods across the U.S. will gather in Phoenix to discuss church business, worship, and this year, elect a new presiding bishop. The ELCA has approximately 2.79 million baptized members in 8,498 congregations, and there are 30,000 ELCA Lutherans in Arizona.

The theme for the evening vigil is recognizing and preserving the human dignity of all God’s people, with special emphasis on migrant, asylee and refugee communities. This is a critical time to respond to the needs of our neighbor as we continue to live our faith in action, to care for the most vulnerable among us, those whom Jesus has told us to love and to care for, the poor and the marginalized. The ELCA practices an accompaniment model, which means we work together in solidarity with our global companions, striving to share God’s love and to participate in God’s mission together.

The 30-min program includes remarks from Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA and other faith leaders and legislators, music and prayer.

We anticipate that all Lutherans gathered for Churchwide Assembly will attend the vigil. Judicatory heads from across all faith communities in Arizona are being invited, as well as local congregations.

PLEASE PROMOTE IN YOUR CONGREGATION AND INVITE FRIENDS!

Here is a piece from NPR about St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in West Los Angeles.

Steps toward dismantling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have come amid heavy floods and before the hurricane season. The ability to respond with federal disaster relief could soon no longer be an option.

Walking alongside communities in times of disaster requires compassion, coordination and strong infrastructure, as the experience of those of us active in Lutheran Disaster Response ministry and congregational disaster response can attest. While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is not a perfect system, it is a vital and necessary part of our nation’s disaster response and recovery efforts. 

LDR experience has noted the difference FEMA support makes when paired with the local presence and long-term care that ministries like Lutheran Disaster Response provide. FEMA provides critical support for emergency monitoring, disaster relief and long-term recovery, especially for low-income communities and those hit hardest by catastrophic weather events. These programs are essential for helping communities prepare for disasters and rebuild in their aftermath.  

Although improvements are needed, dismantling FEMA is not reform—it’s abandonment. Proposals to eliminate FEMA or drastically reduce its role would leave communities without the funding, staffing and structure needed to respond effectively to disasters. Without this foundational support, local and state emergency services would face devastating cuts, leaving many communities—especially the most vulnerable—without the resources to respond or recover.