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Isaiah 58:7 NRSV: "Thus says the Lord: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own.”

Throughout the bible, God’s central and thematic concern for people living in poverty and on the margins of society is clearly and frequently expressed. Yet, as the United States proclaims these religious beliefs, we have one of the highest homelessness rates in the industrialized world. Moreover, according to the Homelessness Research Institute at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, new evidence about increased poverty and future economic trends “estimates that in the next three years homelessness in the United States could increase by 5 percent or 74,000 people”. This increase would be in addition to a baseline of 1.6 million people found to be homeless from October 2009 to September 2010; as documented by The 2010 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. Nearly 135,000 veterans are estimated to be among those homeless, including more than 10,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans according to a USA Today article from July 2011.

If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. - Deuteronomy 15:7-9

This month, as the U.S. Congress works tirelessly to address our nation’s pressing financial issues and the United Nations convenes in New York, we recall that the world is now just four years from the completion-point of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to meet the needs of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. These goals, which represent an unprecedented effort by the nations of the world, include aims to end poverty and hunger, provide universal primary education, and halt the spread of HIV/AIDS. The U.S. federal budget has profound impacts on these MDGs and the livelihoods of those living in nations gripped by poverty.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined other religious leaders in a July 8 meeting with key congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. They shared concerns about the federal budget and the current stalemate between Republicans and Democrats over raising the debt ceiling and asked for protection of programs that benefit people living in hunger and poverty.

The Wisconsin State Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance is in its final sprint to finish the state budget for 2011-2013. The state budget determines funding levels for each aspect of our government, and the budget reflects the priorities and values of our state.

This week (May 23-27), the Joint Committee on Finance will review and set funding levels for programs in the following departments:

Department of Natural Resources
Department of Health Services: Consideration of Medicaid and SeniorCare.
Department of Workforce Development
Department of Public Instruction
Wisconsin Technical College System
State and Local Transportation

To watch the Joint Finance Committee in action or follow the proceedings on the Assembly and Senate floors, check out Wisconsin Eye at: www.wiseye.com.

Dear Governor Walker and Members of the Wisconsin State Legislature:

We wrote to you earlier this spring to share our prayers and our concerns over the budget process unfolding in our state government. Now with a better understanding of challenges facing our state, and the budget proposal being considered, we write again to ask that you show compassion for the poor in the work to shape a state budget.

As faith leaders representing 809 congregations within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and their 468,000 members, we serve a rich diversity of people in nearly every community in Wisconsin. We are called to join together and be a voice for the voiceless, the most vulnerable in our state.

More than 400 people participated in the 2nd People of Faith United for Justice Advocacy Day on March 15th in Madison, WI. The successful event featured a keynote address by ELCA Bishop Bruce Burnside of the South Central Synod of Wisconsin and state policy experts who guided participants through the budget. After learning about our state budget, participants met with their Senators and Representatives from their home districts.

To read a copy of Bishop Burnside's keynote address please visit our Alerts page. Watch an excerpt of his address at Bishop's Address

As faith leaders representing 809 congregations with 468,000 members throughout the state of Wisconsin, we wish you to know that we are upholding you in our prayers. It is clear that you face difficult discussions and decisions in the weeks and months ahead. May our good and gracious God grant you the wisdom and strength to face it all with compassion, collegiality and peace.

We pray that the rights of all people will be respected and represented with dignity and opportunity for fair and equal exchanges. We pray that negotiations and debates will be guided by genuine care for all opinions. We pray that partisanship will give way to community-building and shared effort for the public good.

We write to you as constituents and as members of the Greater Milwaukee Synod for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America requesting you use the powers entrusted by the people of Wisconsin to seek reconciliation and compassion in this budget debate.

As people of faith we are deeply concerned the provisions contained within the Budget Adjustment Bill will be devastating to those living in poverty. Scripture continually urges us to love and serve our neighbors in need. Therefore we cannot be silent when proposed policies in the legislation, such as changes to the Medicaid program, will negatively impact the lives of thousands in our state and many in our congregations.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The breathtaking debate taking place in our legislature and throughout the public forum concerning the Governor’s proposal to address budget issues in the State of Wisconsin not only presents major implications for collective bargaining and workers’ rights, it also significantly affects Medical Assistance programs for the most vulnerable individuals and families in the state of Wisconsin. The Church has a voice in this debate.

A Healthier Future for Our Kids
By United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

There are few things that should be more important to America than the health and well-being of our children. Yet an astounding 30 percent of them are overweight or obese, and last year, kids in more than 500,000 American families went without the food they needed. This means that many kids are not learning as well as they should in school because they can’t concentrate or have self-esteem issues. In the long term, it threatens the safety and prosperity of our nation, as fewer 18-year-olds are fit for military service, fewer folks have the skills they need to compete in a global economy, and obese adults strain our health care system.

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) applauded the passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of federal legislation that invests $4.5 billion in child nutrition programs. The legislation was approved Dec. 2 during the lame-duck session this week, as Congress prepares to adjourn for the holiday season.

By The Rev. Mark S. Hanson

The just-completed election campaign should wake us all and stir us to action. Our nation's political climate has been overrun with bitter and divisive commentary. Reckless incivility has overtaken public discourse in our nation, and it is a travesty. Our children have watched and learned from us. Spiteful rhetoric used to stigmatize opponents on subjects such as immigration and gay rights has become a script for young people and children to bully and intimidate their peers.

You have one more week to participate in the ELCA National Advocacy Priorities Survey and voice your opinion on issues that matter most to you.

The ELCA Washington Office works hard to make space in our public debate for people who are not heard. They also work closely with colleagues at the United Nations and in state capitols around the country to improve the lives of people around the world and in our local communities.

Your opinions will help shape the work for the coming year. We hope you will take a few minutes to share what priorities are important to you. You can take the survey at www.elca.org

With only five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus and his disciples fed more than 5,000 people. Through advocacy, we bring daily bread to thousands in Wisconsin and millions around our country. Together with ELCA World Hunger and the East Central Synod of Wisconsin, the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin invites you to participate in this unique advocacy training and learn how we live out our baptismal calling to strive for justice and peace.