PHILADELPHIA, PA (May 13, 2003) -- Did you know that affordable housing is just plain out of reach for those who hold dozens of occupations in New Jersey that people depend on? Did you know that child care workers, who look after our youngsters at a pivotal point in their lives, are among society's poorest paid workers?

Some of these facts and advice on advocacy were ingredients for a seminary convocation on the church's social ministry programs. Key presenters were LTSP seminarian Jonathan Suloff, left; and Gettysburg Seminary student, Ellen D. Bruggeman Swam, second from right. With them, from left, are Bruce Davidson, Director of the Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry in New Jersey; Craig Staller of the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Harrisburg, PA (LAMPA); and the Rev. Dr. Charles Leonard, LTSP's Director of Contextual Education.

Swam and Suloff detailed their experiences working in advocacy and offered background on the social ministry network throughout the church. Swam served an internship year working in Harrisburg for LAMPA. Suloff worked with Davidson, an LTSP alum, in New Jersey.

In talking about the dozens of low wage jobs in society, Suloff noted that such individuals not only live in the poorest city neighborhoods but may in fact "be sitting in the pew behind you at church." Swam detailed her experience in leading a Bible study called "Living on the Edge" for many congregations influenced to action by the study experience.