Faithful Advocates Take Action on Ecumenical Advocacy Days

The crowd at Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, DC, from March 23 to 26, 2012. Photo courtesy of the United Church of Christ.

There was an extra air of excitement on Capitol Hill last weekend. That’s because more than 700 passionate faith advocates descended upon Washington, DC, to attend Ecumenical Advocacy Days, from March 23 to 26. Through worship, theological reflection, and education, this annual conference seeks to train and mobilize Christians to be effective advocates for justice. This year, the event brought together faith leaders and citizen advocates of varying Christian denominations to promote a faithful federal budget. Bread for the World was honored to sponsor the conference, which had a theme that echoed Bread’s 2012 Offering of Letters campaign. The four-day event culminated when attendees met with their respective Representatives and Senators to say: “As people of faith, we urge you defend people struggling to live in dignity by funding programs that protect vulnerable populations here and abroad. Enact a faithful federal budget that serves the common good, provides robust funding for people struggling to overcome poverty, and exercises proper care of the earth.”

New York residents meet with Senator Kristen Gillibrand's office for Ecumenical Advocacy Days. Photo by Beth Begley.

The discussions I had and the people I met at Ecumenical Advocacy Days deepened my sense of hope in faith advocacy. I'm encouraged to know that there is such a powerful movement of faith advocates calling on Congress to protect programs essential to those most in need. With this magnitude of faithful citizens supporting such decisions, I believe that we are well on our way to building the political will to end hunger, but we can’t stop now. 

This week, the House of Representatives approved a 2013 budget that makes drastic and disproportionate cuts to programs essential for poor and hungry people.  As the budget talks continue, it is important to make our voices heard loud and clear now, before it is too late.

Act now to oppose the proposed House budget, and find out more about planning an Offering of Letters.

Kelsey Lalman is an organizing intern at Bread for the World.