In this episode, Regina Banks speaks with Phoebe Morad, Executive Director of Lutherans Restoring Creation, about the intersection of faith and climate advocacy. They discuss the importance of integrating climate justice into congregational life, the role of young adults in advocacy, and the resources available for faith communities to engage in climate conversations. The conversation highlights the need for intergenerational dialogue and the impact of advocacy on community engagement. Then travel to Capitol Hill where a group of young adults talk with Joey Chin as they use their voices to raise climate awareness with their elected leaders.

Resources: 

Lutherans Restoring Creation

LRC "Actions Speaks Loudly" and World Cafe model resources

Why Lutherans Care for Creation

ELCA Social Statement on Caring for Creation

ELCA Young Adults - Instagram

Join the ELCA Advocacy Network

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy.

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Joey Chin, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

In this episode, our host Regina Banks speaks with Silas Kulkarni, director of strategy and advocacy for ELCA Witness in Society. They discuss how the ELCA has advocated at the federal level around budget reconciliation and rescission bills, as well as the opportunities for advocacy during August Recess, when members of Congress return to their districts and are available for meetings with their constituents. 

We will then hear from Rev. Michael Wilker about how advocacy can start at August Recess and lead to even more opportunities throughout the year to engage on issues that concern you and your community. 

Download ELCA Advocacy's August recess guide here: https://resources.elca.org/advocacy/august-resource-guide/ 

Signup to receive newsletters and action alerts from ELCA Advocacy: https://elca.org/advocacy/signup

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy.

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Joey Chin, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

This conversation explores recent policy changes to FEMA and the evolving role of Lutheran Disaster Response in disaster management, highlighting community resilience efforts and the importance of advocacy. The speakers discuss the challenges faced in disaster response, the significance of local partnerships, and the need for effective preparation and recovery strategies. They also reflect on the moral imperative of supporting those affected by disasters and the role of faith-based organizations in this work.

Featured Guest:

Christine Moffett, ELCA Program Director, Environment & Energy Policy

Special Guests

Maryn Olson, Director, Lutheran Disaster Response

Jayme Beneker, Disaster Response Coordinator, ELCA Indiana-Kentucky Synod

From this Episode

More about Lutheran Disaster Response – https://ELCA.org/LDR 

Congregational Disaster Preparedness Guide - https://resources.elca.org/lutheran-disaster-response/congregational-disaster-preparedness-guide/

ACTION ALERT: Support Robust Federal Disaster Relief  - https://give.elca.org/page/82054/action/1?chain 

and receive

Updates and Action Alerts through the ELCA Advocacy Network – https://ELCA.org/advocacy/signup 

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy.

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Joey Chin, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

In episode 1 of season 2, our host Regina Q. Banks speaks with Tammy Walhof & Jacob Summerville from Lutheran Advocacy - Minnesota about the recent political violence that occurred in their state. 

Following their interview, Regina checks in with The Rev. Amy Reumann to discuss the various resources the ELCA has at its disposal to speak to political violence.

Finally, The Rev. Angela Denker, author and ELCA pastor serving in Minneapolis, shares her own faith reflection on the current moment. 

Episode Credits

Featured Guests

Tammy Walhof, Director of Lutheran advocacy - minnesota

Jacob Summerville, 2024-2025 Hunger Advocacy Fellow with Lutheran Advocacy - Minnesota

Special Guests

The Rev. Amy Reumann, Senior Director of Witness in Society, ELCA

The Rev. Angela Denker, Author and Pastor for Visitation and Public Theology at Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church in Minneapolis

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy.

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Joey Chin, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

In episode 10, our final episode for season one, host Regina Banks speaks with the Rev Amy Reumann, senior director of Witness in Society. They discuss how Witness in Society fits into the rest of the ELCA and alongside other faith-based partners, how the work of advocacy has changed, different forms of activism, and much more. 

After the interview we’ll hear first from hunger advocacy fellow Joey Chin, who will discuss the Lutheran history of ecumenical partnership in the United States and abroad, then from Kathryn Lohre of the ELCA’s ecumenical and inter-religious relations office about the ELCA’s role as a bridge builder in today’s political and social climate. 

Finally, our host Regina Banks returns to share her own faith reflection to cap off this season. 

Thank you for listening to Season 1! If you want to contact us, you can email us over at [email protected], or leave us a voicemail at 866-740-3522. 

Resources:

ELCA Social Statements

ELCA Social Messages

ELCA Social Policy Resolutions

A Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith

Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations

Full Communion Partners

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy.

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Joey Chin, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

In episode 9, host Regina Q. Banks speaks with Sasha Ghosh-Siminoff, program director for Middle East & North Africa (sometimes referred to as MENA) policy with ELCA Witness in Society. 

 This is a wide ranging conversation which discusses many aspects of the ELCA's relationship with local church bodies in the Holy Land and in other parts of the region.

Regina & Sasha also discuss many current events, including the ongoing war in Gaza and its impact on the populations there, as well as the historical elements of how the ELCA engages in the region, including the framework of accompaniment-- which Joey Chin will elaborate on in our history segment. Finally, we'll also hear a story from a Palestinian Christian and ELCJHL young adult.

Take action today via the ELCA Action Center:

Action Alert: Gaza’s Children Need a Permanent Ceasefire

Sign up to receive all our action alerts via email: http://elca.org/advocacy/signup

Further Reading: 

For more information about Sumud, the ELCA's work of "accompaniment, advocacy and awareness-raising with our partners in the Holy Land and in the United States," visit elca.org/sumud.

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy.

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Joey Chin, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

In episode 8, host Regina Q. Banks speaks to Vance Blackfox (Director of Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations for the ELCA), Justice Nichols (Program Coordinator for Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations for the ELCA), and Brenda Blackhawk (Director of Communications at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis).

This conversation delves into the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and the broader context of Indigenous Ministries within the ELCA. MMIW Awareness Day was just observed on May 5th. The speakers discuss the historical roots of MMIW, the intersection with climate justice, the role of media in representing Indigenous issues, and the church's responsibility in advocacy and healing.

Learn more about many aspects of the ELCA's Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations at elca.org/indigenous. Learn about the Truth & Healing Movement at elca.org/truthandhealing

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy.

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Joey Chin, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

In episode 7 of Here I Pod, host Regina Q. Banks speaks to Alesia Frerichs, President and CEO of Lutheran Services in America. They discuss the broad array of services LSA provides and how they plan to respond to the upcoming budget reconciliation process, which is set to start in earnest around May 7th.

 Following the interview, our impact story comes from Hailea James of Lutheran Social Services of Northern California, and illustrates the amount of support provided to individuals in need. The episode concludes with our history segment by Hunger Advocacy fellow Joey Chen.

Action step: ELCA Advocacy wants to share your stories about the moral concerns you have regarding the potential impact to your community of cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, or clean energy programs. We are collecting those stories in via a Google Form (login via Google account is required) found here: https://bit.ly/AdvocacyStoriesMay25

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy.

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Joey Chin, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

In episode 6, our host Regina Banks speaks to Rev. Dr. Lamont Wells, Executive Director of the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (which you will hear referred to by its acronym, NECU) about the challenges facing institutions of higher education. 

In our history segment, Hunger Advocacy Fellow Joey Chin shares about Martin Luther's steadfast support for education. 

In our impact story segment, campus pastor for Wittenberg University Tracy Paschke-Johannes shares about the experiences of students on campus during a period of heightened political tension.

You can take action today to support schools, universities and students by messaging your representatives with this action alert: Support Schools, Universities and Students. 

View all of our current action alerts at the ELCA Action Center. 

Join our mailing list to be alerted of all our action alerts when they're posted: http://elca.org/advocacy/signup

Want to contact us? Send us an email at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 866-740-3522.

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy.

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Joey Chin, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

In episode 5 of Here I Pod, host Regina Q. Banks is joined by the ELCA's Program Director for Migration Policy, Giovana Oaxaca for an extended interview. 

Their conversation explores the work of AMMPARO and the ELCA in supporting migrants and refugees. Oaxaca provides historical contexts for today's current immigration policies, and the church's response to these challenges. It highlights the importance of advocacy, community support, and the impact of sensitive locations policies on vulnerable populations. 

In our other sections, Hunger Advocacy Fellow Joey Chin provides a short history of Global Refuge, and AMMPARO representative Stephen Deal shares a faith reflection as well as stories of how serving migrants is transforming churches in the Americas. 

You can take action today using these action alerts in the ELCA Action Center:

• Oppose Mass Deportations – Lenten Action Series - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
• Help End Pause of U.S. Foreign Assistance - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Resources: 

• The Latest: Know Your Rights Information - AMMPARO » AMMPARO - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
• What Can Congregations Do to Prepare for Immigration Raids? - AMMPARO » AMMPARO - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Special Guests: 

Giovana Oaxaca, Program Director for Migration Policy, ELCA.

Stephen Deal, Regional Representative for AMMPARO.

Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy.

Host: Regina Q. Banks
Production: Blake Chastain, Joey Chin, Karen Krueger
Intro/Outro Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.