POLICY AGENDA
LEAMNJ works in community to discern the pressing issues that will be developed into our Biannual Policy Agenda. The LEAMNJ Policy Board begins the process in the fall of every other year on a retreat. After study and while in prayerful reflection, a proposed Policy Agenda is crafted. This is developed prior the start of each new legislative session (January of even years) of the New Jersey legislature. The proposed agenda is reviewed by the NJ Synod Council, the Diocese of New Jersey and the Diocese of Newark, and shared at Assembly or in Convention. It is published in the Bulletin of Reports.
LEAMNJ works solely on public policy issues that the ELCA and the Episcopal Church have identified and spoken about through its Social Statements, Messages, letters, or other authoritative documents from the Bishops. We recognize that many members and congregations will engage in faithful advocacy around other social issues on which the ELCA or the Episcopal Church does not have an official position. LEAMNJ will work with these advocates as a resource to equip them with the skills they need to engage in advocacy.
2017 POLICY BOARD
NEW JERSEY SYNOD, ELCA
The Rev. Tracie Bartholomew, Bishop
Mr. Bert Hartmann
The Rev. Mark David Johnson
Deacon Kathryn Prinz
The Rev. Tina Reyes
Seminarian Serena Rice
The Rev. Dave Stoner
EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NEWARK
The Right Rev. Mark Beckwith, Bishop
The Rev. Michael Allen, Diocese of Newark
Deacon Diane Riley, Diocese of Newark
Ms. Laura Russell, Esq., Diocese of Newark
EPSICOPAL DIOCESE OF NEW JERSEY
The Right Rev. William Stokes, Bishop
Cannon Clara Gregory, Diocese of NJ
Canon Phyllis Jones, Diocese of NJ
Seminarian Daniel E. Somers, Esq., Diocese of NJ
Current Events & Political Climate
LEAMNJ strives to maintain a relevant presence in the policy making community. The bi-annual Policy Agenda is intended to be flexible enough to accommodate responses to emerging legislation or issues that present themselves and that are within the ELCA Social Policy and the Episcopal Church's resolutions.
Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1: 17
