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Newsletter OSLC Faith & Justice

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At 9:40 today we have the opportunity to discuss how the the ELCA sees our responsibility as Lutheran Christians in the “political sphere.” Pope Leo has made his view of that responsibility clear this past week. How will WE answer the call?

EVENTS THIS WEEK AND NEXT:

  • TODAY Sunday, April 19:
    • 9:40-10:20 am: in the East meeting room, Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All Introduction and discussion of the newest ELCA social statement, adopted in August, 2025. It speaks powerfully to the current state of affairs in our country and beyond and invites us to reflect upon our responsibilities as persons of faith with regard to civic life, i.e., the life of a citizen within a society. The Bible is political! We live within our society and our culture, and we are involved politically – whether we want to be or not! This discussion is sponsored by the OSLC Faith and Justice Team and will be facilitated by Kay Gillespie.
    • 3:30-6 pm: ISAAC Volunteer Orientation and Safety Monitor Training — Volunteer Orientation at 3:30; Safety Monitor Training, 4:30-6pm in Fort Collins. Safety Monitors are requested by impacted community members or the organizations that serve them to provide a safe presence at events, freeing them to fully engage in events and activities without so much fear. Interested? New OR want to brush up on your skills? please RSVP here and you will get an email with details.
  • Thursday, April 23, 6:30 pm: Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America – *Fort Collins* Member Meeting Fort Collins is under new leadership and has many ways to be involved. For new members, or, if tv you’re familiar with Moms Demand Action, come for an update and to welcome new members to the movement! RSVP Here After RSVP, you will receive meeting location information.
  • Saturday, April 25, 10 am – 3:30 pm: The Future We Choose: Faith in Action for a Thriving Tomorrow Register at National Faith & Climate Forum for a free, live-streamed forum, OR EVEN BETTER join Interfaith Council Environment and Climate Team at Our Saviour’s Lutheran to experience the forum with others.  They are requesting help with arrangements for lunch. If you can help with setup, takedown, or lunch, contact Jim Hardy Jim@HarmonyPres.com, Phone 970-266-1514
  • Wednesday, April 29, 7:30-9:00 am: Interfaith Alliance hosts Breakfast at the Capitol/Session on Civic Engagement Pastor Leta plans to attend. Contact her if interested. More Info and Register  HERE

FUTURE EVENTS:  (mark your calendars)

  • Friday, May 1: May Day Strong! Workers over Billionaires Together we will be flexing our collective muscle in a tremendous day of power – showing our unity through a day of No Work No School No Shopping. Local information: Loveland 12-3  Stay tuned for Fort Collins Info. 
  • Sunday, May 3, 2-5 pm: Non-Violence/De-Escalation Training at Foothills Unitarian Church. De-escalation is simply a method for acting as our most intelligent selves in tense situations; recognizing our own triggers and recognizing and assisting when those around us are triggered. If you missed the training on March 8, this is another opportunity. Registration Form from ISAAC is required to attend.
  • Saturday, May 9, 5-8:30 pm – “Un-Gala” Annual Fundraiser for Homeward Alliance at CSU Lory Center. Info and Tickets
  • Tuesday, May 12, 6:30-8 pm – Faith250: What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 408 Mason Court, Fort Collins. Click HERE to read the text and discussion questions. REGISTER HERE
  • Wednesday, May 13, 11 am:  Sojourners Webinar: Practical Strategies for People of Faith How Faith Communities Can help safeguard democratic values, bridge divides, and counter authoritarian trends, with Dr. Maria J. Stephan, a leading political scientist and globally recognized expert on nonviolent civil resistance and prodemocracy movements. 
  • Tuesday, May 19, 5:30-7 pm – Ready, Set, VOTE, and the Life of Your Ballot, a joint presentation by The League of Women Voters of Larimer County, Tina Harris, Larimer County Clerk & Recorder and Michele Mihulka, Elections Director, Larimer County Administrative Services Building, 1st floor, 200 W. Oak Street, Fort Collins. Free and open to the public. Register to Attend
  • Saturday, May 30, 5:30-8 pm – Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness, free screening and conversation, St. John the Evangelist Church, Loveland. See attached flyer for details. Register at THIS LINK

EDUCATION:

Check it out:  FoCo Environmental News is a stellar local resource for events from now into the summer and education about ways to be more environmentally conscious.

 

ADVOCACY ACTION:

  • From the League of Women Voters: Tell Congress No More ICE and CBP Funding
  • From ELCA and Church World Service: Public comment period remains open until April 24th on Trump plan to severely limit work authorization for asylum applicants. Back in February, DHS published a proposed rule that would halt access to and substantially increase wait times for work permits for people seeking asylum. The rule would stop USCIS from accepting initial employment authorization applications at all until the agency’s average processing time for affirmative asylum applications is down to 180 days (an estimate the same agency says could take over a century!) Go to THIS LINK and scroll down to the bottom to register your objections to this rule change on or before April 24th. 

WORTH SHARING:

  • From Neighbor to Neighbor: Fair Housing Awareness Month is observed each April to recognize the importance of equal access to housing and to raise awareness about housing discrimination. It commemorates the April 1968 passage of the Fair Housing Act, which made it illegal to discriminate in housing based on a person’s race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. This month, we honor a trailblazer whose courage and commitment helped open doors for countless families. Known as the Mother of Fair Housing, Lee Porter believed that where you live shapes every part of your life.   Honoring Lee Porter
  • From Nadia Bolz-Weber: Why I Spent 90 Minutes Steaming an American Flag

Let us  not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9