moving from charity to justice: a workshop in faithful advocacy

Many congregations, religious leaders, and people of faith today engage in social action. Congregations house food pantries and shelters, clergy provide financial aid to individuals and support for social programs, and people of faith volunteer for soup kitchens and food drives.  This is sacred, life-saving work, made even more important as federal, state, and local governments cut funding and safety-net programs. However, while these vital services meet an immediate need, they do nothing to end the systemic problems that perpetuate cycles of poverty and create extreme income inequality. Advocacy in public policy debate, in addition to direct service, is essential if we are to address these systemic issues.

Often clergy and congregations are reluctant to become involved in advocacy. For some, concerns about violating a congregation’s non-profit status prevents them from engaging in public policy. For others, there might be a feeling that public policy advocacy is ‘political’ and therefore not appropriate activities for a faith community. Still others might want to engage, but are unsure how to begin. 
Over Three Sessions this Workshop Will:

Session I
  1. Introduces participants to the challenges and opportunities for congregational engagement in advocacy
  2. Explores the many forms advocacy can take
  3. Dispels myths about whether a non-profit can engage in public policy work
Session II
Trains participants -
  1. In the nuts and bolts of advocacy
  2. How to write effective Letters to the Editor or Op-eds
  3. How to conduct an effective postcard campaign 
Session III
Provides opportunities for role-play in -
  1. Presenting testimony before a school board or a legislative committee hearing
  2. Making a lobby visit to your elected official
From the ancient Israelite prophets crying out on street corners, to modern-day Buddhist monks immolating themselves in protest against tyranny and injustice, religious leaders and people of faith have been inspired and impelled to speak out in the public square.  Social justice is a fundamental concern of the majority of faith traditions, manifested both through service and through activism. 
For more information, and to arrange for a workshop at your congregation, 
contact Rabbi Bonnie Margulis at wifaithvoices4justice@gmail.com