The Farm Bill is now being considered in the Senate, and sharing your experiences and values can help shape a result that meets rural and nutritional needs.

A partisan Farm Bill narrowly passed the House of Representatives on Apr. 30 by a near party line vote. This comes as many governors say the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program could be in jeopardy in their state if Congress does not take any action, and as farmers are facing high production costs, unstable markets and more. As the Farm Bill now faces consideration in the Senate, the input of faith partners will be crucial to advancing a more bipartisan farm bill that supports needs of hungry people, rural communities and farmer families. (More information is available on the ELCA Advocacy Blog.)

At a time when houses of worship, food pantries, farmers, global partners and ELCA World Hunger affiliates are reporting alarming new rates of food requests in our communities, Congress should pass a comprehensive Farm Bill that promotes sustainable livelihoods for all.  Ask your senators to advance provisions that will help boost both rural communities and hungry families in need, including: 

• Rejecting cuts and new state burdens to SNAP scheduled to phase in later this year, and starting a pathway for Puerto Rico to receive full SNAP benefits;
• Reauthorizing international food aid programs, such as Food for Peace, the McGovern-Dole Food for Education and the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust;
• Increasing local and regional procurement of international food aid for emergency relief and development programs;
• Promoting innovative practices for soil health and agroforestry in oversubscribed farm programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP); and
• Expanding and making permanent the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Self-Determination Demonstration Project to eligible tribes.

Public partners in the administration and Congress increasingly respect the critical role houses of worship play in addressing food security – making the feedback of the faith community essential in this conversation. The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry could soon release bill text – so this is a critical time to help share the top priorities of our communities. 

Contact your lawmakers today. Customize your message with your experiences and values.

Find your Member of Congress Here

Senator Catherine Cortez Mastro, 202-224-3542, https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/

Senator Jackie Rosen, 202-224-6244, https://www.rosen.senate.gov/

Rep. Dina Titus, (202)-225-5965, https://titus.house.gov/

Rep. Mark Amodei, (202)-225-6155, https://amodei.house.gov/

Rep. Susie Lee, (202)-225-3252, https://susielee.house.gov/

Rep Steven Horsford, (202)-225-9894, https://horsford.house.gov/

Read the Action Alert in the ELCA Advocacy Action Center

June 17 is the commemoration of the Emanuel Nine, martyrs who died in 2015. Prayers and other resources for worship are available here.

In Nevada, too many of our neighbors struggle to access mental health care, especially in rural communities where providers are limited and waitlists are long.

Mental health is not a personal failure. It is a public health issue.

As people of faith, we are called to break stigma, support compassionate care, and advocate for systems that help people heal and thrive.

No one should suffer alone.

You’re working full time.
You’re doing everything right.
And your rent still goes up.

Now you’re deciding:

Do you pay rent… or groceries?

This is the reality for too many people in Nevada.

The housing crisis isn’t just about numbers. It’s about neighbors being pushed into impossible choices while the cost of everyday life keeps rising around them.

Across Nevada, many families are feeling the strain:
• Rent continues to climb
• Energy bills keep rising
• Gas prices remain unpredictable
• Groceries cost more than they did just a few years ago

For seniors on fixed incomes, working families, young adults starting out, and neighbors already living paycheck to paycheck, even one unexpected expense can become a crisis.

As people of faith, we believe housing is about dignity, stability, and the well-being of our communities. No one should have to choose between keeping a roof over their head and feeding their family.

We can build something better.
But only if we stay engaged, show up, and demand policies that put people before profit and strengthen the common good.

Lutheran Lobby Day 2026 is in the books in California.

Over 120 people worshiped and prayed together on Tuesday evening and met with lawmakers on Wednesday. We advocated for water rate assistance, balcony solar power, public safety, and additions and improvements to the CA Food Assistance Program. We met with 2/3 of the CA legislature in fewer than 5 hours!

Special thanks goes out to Downey Memorial Christian Church for sharing your pastor Rev. Tanya Lopez with us for worship, St. John’s Lutheran Church for being phenomenal hosts, California Lutheran University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary for sending bright eager minds to teach and inspire us, Sierra Pacific Synod – ELCASouthwest California Synod ELCAPacifica Synod ELCA for their mission support and investment, and Kate Parsons, ELCA Ammparo and ELCA Advocacy for prioritizing state-based public policy work in California.