A Day at the State Capitol (With 350 Lutheran Friends)

Walking into the sanctuary of Capitol Hill Lutheran in Des Moines, it was standing room only. Over 350 Lutherans (a new record) packed into this sacred space to kick off Lutheran Day on the Hill, the annual advocacy day for Lutheran Services in Iowa.

We began the day with worship, led by the three Iowa bishops. Let me tell you, 350 energized and caffeinated Lutherans can really sing! Knowing that we gathered from all over the state, it was powerful to join our voices in confession, prayer, and song to God.

This year marks 160 years of ministry for Lutheran Services in Iowa. Beginning in 1864, LSI opened a children’s home to care for orphans from the Civil War. Today, LSI provides a wide variety of services in the state. So wide-ranging are these services, it is difficult to summarize them all! Just a few of the ways LSI serves neighbors in Iowa includes mental health services, foster care and adoption services, refugee community service, services for people with disabilities, and other child and youth services.

Speeches by State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott, an ordained ELCA pastor, and LSI President and CEO Renee Hardman grounded us in LSI’s mission and the current challenges LSI faces. As an expression of our faith, Lutherans remain committed to serving our most vulnerable neighbors as a partner with state and federal government. Now it was our task to share this story of both our neighbor’s need and LSI’s ministry with our local legislatures from across this state. But first, lunch.

One of the great joys of the day was connecting with others who attended. Lutheran Day on the Hill was a visual representation of what it means to be church together. Yes, we are members of individual congregations, but together we are a part of the larger church. We together are Christ’s body in the world to serve.

Members of Trinity traveled with members from Galilean Lutheran in Clear Lake, Cross Roads Parish and Our Savior’s Lutheran in Osage, and St. James Lutheran in Mason City. We had the opportunity to meet people from all over the state. Across the table at lunch and in the packed fellowship hall, strangers became neighbors.

After lunch, we walked a few blocks up to the golden domes of the State Capitol. There we took our group picture on the steps and together sang “This Little Light of Mine.” We then had a chance to visit the Iowa House and Senate and asked to speak with our local legislators. Now was the time to gather our collected voices in a new way, advocating for our vulnerable neighbors and LSI’s ministry.

Some were able to speak to their legislators and others left notes. I was able to speak with one legislator. I asked what he already knew about Lutheran Services in Iowa. He replied, “Well, I know Martin Luther.” To be fair, I cannot imagine the amount of information he is asked to process. What was clear was that he didn’t know LSI’s story, and it was our task to speak up for their ministry and for the people they serve.
This was my take-away from the day. Our legislators need to hear from us. They need to hear stories they don’t yet know about our neighbors in North Iowa. This is one way we can serve our neighbors in need. Over its 160 years of history, the story of LSI is one where Lutherans responded to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service. Today, it’s with our voices and our hands and feet that we are a part of that story. – Pastor Daniel Hanson

Earl Kiefer and Ken Zimmerman were two of the many Trinity members who attended this event. Each weighed in on his experience:

Earl Kiefer decided to go to this event “because of all the changes going on in the government these last few months.” He felt the Holy Spirit leading him as this was his first time attending Lutheran Day on the Hill. Overall, he wanted to be there to advocate for LSI. He said, “The feeling of being there with almost 400 Lutherans was just breathtaking.” Kiefer said the event “matched my expectations of standing up for justice and advocating for LSI to help our brothers and sisters in Christ, reaching out in a time of need to help make life better for them.” 

Kiefer advised other Trinity members to attend this event if the chance ever arises. “I felt so moved that day having all three bishops there from Iowa and listening to the amazing speakers. The Holy Spirit called me that day and I’m so glad I went.”

It was Ken Zimmerman’s first time attending this event as well. He said, “The political malice towards LSI, the withholding of funds already owed LSI and legislation to seriously impair LSI’s mission were forefront among my reasons [to go],” and he appreciated doing this in unison with other Lutherans.
Zimmerman said the atmosphere among the crowd was “electric with a shared purpose.” He shared, “We gathered for the service at the Capitol Lutheran Church that set the tone for our presence. We came to support–not to call names.

One of our speakers noted we came as ‘troublemakers.’ Her message was we came to support what was right and needed…the trouble came from what was not right, referencing Martin Luther.”

Overall the event exceeded Zimmerman’s expectations. He thought the event was well-organized and the Lutheran visitors’ time was well-managed. He said, “The fellowship among some nearly 400 Lutherans was inspiring, and my hope is that next year we increase our presence.”

“Standout moments” that he shared included joining the governor as she signed the proclamation of it being LSI day. Zimmerman said, “This was a day of heartfelt Lutheran advocacy that couldn’t have been ignored. We gathered on the Capitol steps together and filled the area with our voices singing ‘This  Little Light of Mine’ as guests, staff members and KCCI TV station reporters observed. It was a very moving moment for me.”†