Who We Are
Lutherans Engaging in Advocacy Ministry New Jersey (LEAMNJ) represents the official positions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
While some of our advocacy efforts are focused on the executive and legislative branches of state government, county leaders as well as municipal governments are a foci; our greatest effort is directed toward empowering congregations with the issues that embraces their Baptismal calling to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.
Staff
The Rev. Sara Lilja is our Executive Director. She is assisted by many volunteers; please contact her at slilja@leamnj.org to be a part of this vital advocacy ministry.
Sara has a deep commitment to accompanying God’s people so that our neighbors near and far may flourish. She is a graduate of Wittenberg University and United Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg; upon completion of her studies, she was ordained into the ministry of word and sacrament in the Lutheran tradition in 1987. She has served in a variety of contexts throughout her ministry, as a parish pastor, interim pastor, pastoral counselor, and congregational consultant. Currently she is an Assistant to the Bishop and Executive Director of Lutheran Engaging in Advocacy Ministry.
Since coming to this ministry of advocacy she has helped to grow a statewide Multi-faith Advocacy Initiative and has worked on issues as far ranging as universal health care for all children, Gun Violence prevention, Affordable Housing, Voter registration, and fair funding for public schools.
Sara is the wife of a college librarian, and mother of 2 daughters. She enjoys spending time in the kitchen, garden and hiking the beautiful trails in New Jersey with her dog, Alfie.
Connect
You do not need to be a Lutheran in order to join our advocacy team. Simply subscribe to our weekly newsletter, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram to receive action alerts, faith and advocacy resources, educational material about current policy issues, and other opportunities for change and growth. And if you like what we have to say, share our posts with your friends, family, and colleagues so that others can join our work!