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Justice Mission Groups

Housing Justice

 hosted by Convener Dr. Lamont Rouse

The social message “Homelessness: A Renewal of Commitment” notes that homelessness persists as a reality for hundreds of thousands of people in the United States, despite its immense wealth and resources.

 

The message states that housing is a fundamental right even though policies and practices of government and economic institutions are not adequately responding.

 

It reminds us that in the Bible, God heard the cries of the homeless and that working for justice with and for homeless people is doing God's will and work in the world.

Care and Creation Justice (Environmental Justice)

hosted by Convener Karen Le Morvan

The Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice social statement explains the ELCA’s teachings on ecology and the environment, grounded in a biblical vision of God's intention for the healing and wholeness of creation. 

This statement provides a Christian understanding of the human role to serve in creation, and a hope rooted in God’s faithfulness to the creation from which humans emerge and depend upon for sustaining life.

Racial Justice

hosted by Convener Dr. Dianne Browne

Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture expresses the ELCA’s calling to celebrate culture and ethnicity.  This calling commits the ELCA to confront racism, to engage in public leadership, witness and deliberation on these matters, and to advocate for justice and fairness for all people.

The statement is grounded in the conviction that the church has been gathered together in the joyful freedom of the reign of God as announced by and embodied in Jesus. That reign has not come in its fullness, but the message of God's yes to the world breaks down all dividing walls as we live into that promise.

Prison Justice

hosted by Convener 

Prison Ministry

Food Security Justice

hosted by Conveners Rev. Erich Kussman

and Mr. Spike Enzweiler

Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All conveys ELCA teaching that economic activity is a means through which God's will is served for the thriving and well-being of humankind and the care of the earth.

It recognizes that even though sin distorts human activity, we are called to practice economic activity justly and with special concern for those who live in poverty.

Health Care and Mental Health Justice

hosted by Convener Rev. Peter Hartney

Disability & Mental Health Justice:  Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor expresses ELCA teaching on health and the health care system. Its vision of health as a shared endeavor rests in a biblical view that wholeness is a blessing God intends for all people.

In this vision, a ministry of healing is integral to the life and mission of the Church. This shared endeavor means each person bears some responsibility for his or her own health, but health and health care also depend upon other people and conditions in society and our communities.

Download the Stigma Free congregation document

Visit nami.org/Get-Involved/Pledge-to-Be-StigmaFree

LBGTQIA+ Justice

hosted by Convener Rev. JJ Simpson-Keelan

Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust expresses ELCA teaching on human sexuality. The statement is grounded in the biblical witness to the relationship God establishes with creation as a model for relationships between human beings. 

In light of human sexuality as a gift and a trust, the statement considers the ways social structures and institutions shelter, sustain and protect personal, family and social relationships of love and trustworthiness.

Zoom gathering information:
leamnj.org/justice-groups
 
Justice Groups Staff Coordinator: The Rev. Sara Lilja 

 

Creation | Health  | Housing |Hunger

LGBTQIA | Migration | Racial | Prison

Conveners

​​Creation:         Karen LeMorvan (Abiding Presence, Ewing)            aplcoffice@gmail.com          

Health:            Rev. Peter Hartney (St. Paul, Beachwood)                pastor@stpaul-lutheranchurch.com

Housing:         Dr.  LaMont Rouse (Cross of Glory, Aberdeen)        lrouse111@gmail.com

Hunger:          Spike Enzweiler (St. Matthew Trinity, Hoboken)      spike.enzweiler@gmail.com

                         Rev. Erich Kussman (St. Bartholomew, Trenton)    ekuss1@hotmail.com

LGBTQIA:        Rev. JJ Simpson-Keelan (Living Waters, Ringoes)     pastor@lwlcnj.org

                         Rev. Pam Werner (St. James, Folsom), Synod Council Liaison

Racial:              Dr. Dianne Browne (St. Mark, Oaklyn)                     drbrowne22@gmail.com

Prison:            Rev. Danielle McCleary (St Matthew, Secaucus)       stmattsecpastor@gmail.com

                         John Kroschwitz  (St Mark, Hamilton)                        jfkiimcud1@aol.com

1930 State Highway 33

Hamilton Square, NJ 08690

609-586-6800

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© 2025 New Jersey Synod, ELCA
All rights reserved.

“Our synod office is located on land which is part of the traditional territory of the Lenni-Lenape, called “Lenapehoking.” The Lenape People lived in harmony with one another upon this territory for thousands of years. During the colonial era and early federal period, many were removed west and north, but some also remain among the continuing historical tribal communities of the region: The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation; the Ramapough Lenape Nation; and the Powhatan Renape Nation, The Nanticoke of Millsboro Delaware, and the Lenape of Cheswold Delaware. We acknowledge the Lenni-Lenape as the original people of this land and their continuing relationship with their territory. In our acknowledgment of the continued presence of Lenape people in their homeland, we affirm the aspiration of the great Lenape Chief Tamanend, that there be harmony between the indigenous people of this land and the descendants of the immigrants to this land, “as long as the rivers and creeks flow, and the sun, moon, and stars shine.”

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