~ Lutheran Day 2006 ~

    Over 100 Lutherans gathered in Harrisburg March 28 for Lutheran Day at the Capitol.

     They spoke with legislators and legislative staff representing 44 districts who accepted the invitation to a continental breakfast in the capitol. They heard presentations and attended workshops. They were able to identify persons with whom they could network.

Three Presenters:

     Dr. Larry Rasmussen's presentation highlighted the interaction among the economy, ecology and equity. It presents a sound basis for our advocacy for fair treatment of the creation and the men and women that inhabit it. He is the St. John’s visiting professor at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.

     The Rev. Sandra Strauss presented a look at current issues before the PA General Assembly. She is Director of Public Policy for the Pennsylvania Council of Churches. The seven ELCA synods in PA are members of the Council of Churches.

     Dr. Stephen Herzenberg, pictured at left, is President of the Keystone Research Center, an organization that provides data and analysis to both governmental and non-governmental agencies on subjects that are current to the state of Pennsylvania. He presented graphs related to the impact of a change in the minimum wage. A shortened version of his address with graphs can be found on page 6 of the May issue of InterSections
    

     Workshops:

How do you do Advocacy in a Congregation that thinks it is wrong to do so,

was led by Rev. Sandy Kessinger, Asst to the Bishop, Southwestern PA Synod.

Experience in Civic Engagement in the Dover School Case, was led by Rev. Warren Eshbach, Adjunct Professor of Congregational Ministry at the Gettysburg Seminary. "

Homelessness and its relationship to poverty-and needed public policy changes, was led by Cindy Daley, Director for Public Policy, PA Housing

Coalition, Harrisburg, and Andrew Evenson,

intern at St. Paul’s, Red Hill. (Andy also interned with LAMPa in 2004-05.)

Domestic Abuse and its relationship to poverty-and needed public policy changes.

was led by Beatriz Viera, Executive Director, Lutheran Settlement House, Philadelphia.
 

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            It was a great day in Harrisburg!

                 Please plan to join us next year!