Loving one another means speaking up, showing up, and standing up when it counts most.
Here are a few ways you can do that today.
Today’s Advocacy Actions
Help End Pause of US Foreign Assistance | It is a common practice of new U.S. presidents to review programs at the beginning of their tenure. But the review process need not include freezing programs for which Congress has already appropriated funding. Recent Trump administration action has led to a funding suspension and "stop-work order" on most U.S. foreign assistance programs. Freezing funds causes major disruptions to services and benefits which many in our communities and around the world depend on, especially those on the margins of society. Take action >
Support Lutheran Social Services and Global Refuge (FKA: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services | The new administration falsely accused Lutheran Social Services and Global Refuge (formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services) with money laundering and receiving illegal payments. Further, they have threatened to stop funding, which would be a disaster. Lutheran Social Services serves 1 in 50 Americans, many of whom are the most vulnerable in our society - children, seniors, at risk youth, people with disabilities, low-income households, etc. Global Refuge, founded in 1939, has walked alongside over 800,000 refugees and migrants since their inception - including Advent's own Anne Ellis and her father.
What can we do? Glad you asked! Check out Sun's Up: Lutheran Toolkit to Speak Out & Act UP in Support of LSS and GF
Tools for Advocacy
Visit the ELCA Advocacy Center to see the latest ways you can take action for justice. Get new advocacy actions sent straight to your inbox. Sign up >
Download the app 5Calls (https://5calls.org/)the easiest and most effective way for U.S. constituents to make a political impact.
And for a theological grounding in how we root our advocacy and service as people of faith, we recommend the Forgotten Luther Series: The Forgotten Luther: Reclaiming the Social-Economic Dimensions of the Reformation, The Forgotten Luther II: Reclaiming the Church’s Public Witness and The Forgotten Luther III: Reclaiming a Vision of Global Community
LGBTQIA+ Advocacy
Here are variety of ways to stand with our LGTBQIA+ siblings in Christ, from supporting long-standing organizations to advocating for two key issues right now: transgender rights and family equality.
Transgender rights
Learn about and support the efforts of two organizations fighting for transgender rights: The New York Transgender Advocacy Group and the Human Rights Campaign. The Center in NYC is also doing incredible work, advocating, building community, and creating multilayered supports.
Family Equality
Learn about the support the efforts of Family Equality to advance equality for LGTBQIA+ families. Explore the work of Sage - Advocacy and Services for LGBTQ+ Elders
Support LGBTQIA+ Refugees
Join The Rainbow Initiative and learn how you can advocate for LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers.
Donate
In addition to the organization above, consider giving your resources to organizations leading the ways in LGBTQIA+ equality in society and the church, like GLAAD, Reconciling Works, and Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries. Support the work of Trinity Place Shelter, offering specialized housing care and support for unhoused queer youth.
Racial Justice
Facing such an immense evil as structural racism can feel overwhelming. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. One thing is for sure: we cannot let up now.
Advocate
Through ELCA Advocacy, urge congress to move forward with the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act. Explore the NAACP’s 7-Point Advocacy Model Training.
Learn
Explore these White Homework Lessons from Tori Glass, this list of 75 things white people can do for racial justice, this book list, or read Dear Church—a book addressing systemic racism written directly to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For an incredible dive into Black Liberation Theology - we recommend reading books by The Rev. Dr. James Cone and/or The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas.
Teach
Kids aren’t too young to talk about race. How do we start these conversations? Here is one resource roundup by Katrina Michie and another from EmbraceRace.
Donate
Give your resources to organizations leading the way, like Color of Change, NAACP, and the African Descent Lutheran Association.
Care of Creation
It can feel overwhelming. The planet is in need and there are so many different influences. We do what we are called to do, one faithful step at a time.
Advocate
Join your voice with others, advocating through organizations such as Lutheran’s Restoring Creation or explore one of these 11 organizations listed in the article.
Learn
Explore the work of Lutheran’s Restoring Creation, connect and advocate. Here are 60 suggested actions you can take for the planet from the World Wildlife Federation . Or check out this book list with recommended reads on Environmental Justice.
Teach
Kids are inheriting the world we are creating. How do we start these conversations? Here is a guide from the Natural Resource Defense Council and a list of children’s books about climate change.
Donate
Give your resources to organizations leading the way, like Conservation International, The Environmental Defense Fund, The Rainforest Alliance, or the Coral Reef Alliance. Looking for something close to home, check out the Billion Oyster Project - NYC.
Peacemaking
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” - Jesus (Matthew 5)
Advocate
The devastating loss of life in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories has shaken our church and its members. ELCA Advocacy Action Alerts make it easy to contact your elected officials. Increase policy pressure for an immediate, permanent cease-fire, end military arms transfers to Israel while Israel violates the terms of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and support continued humanitarian aid to Gazans.
Learn
Here is a list of books to read to learn more about peacemaking and conflict management. For thoughts on the theology of nonviolence, read Walter Winks, Theology of the Powers or explore the Lutheran Peace Fellowship.
Teach
Teach Peace offers thoughts, ideas, and support for parents, teachers, and peace educators or look at Child Minds ideas for Teaching Kids How To Deal with Conflict. Here is a resource to support children who witness domestic violence.
Donate
Consider donating to Safe Horizon, and organization working with survivors of violence and abuse, Everytown, working to end gun violence in the United States. Or internationally, The Peace Alliance or Alliance for Peacebuilding.
Get Help
If you are in an unsafe situation visit The Hotline or call 800.799.SAFE (7233) to connect with resources, find help, or create a safety plan. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Hunger Advocacy
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ - Matthew 25:35-40
Advocate
Bread for the World has been a leader in hunger advocacy, both globally and nationally for years. Feeding America also has a strong advocacy presence and is up to date on the most urgent needs. And No Kid Hungry has a strong advocacy and educational focuses on child hunger in the United States.
Learn
Frances Moore-Lappe’s Diet for a Small Planet invites us to think differently about the role we play in global agriculture and hunger disparities. Ending Hunger Now: A Challenge to Persons of Faith gives a bipartisan faith based perspective for feeding our neighbor. Other potential reads: Hunger and Happiness, Exodus from Hunger, The Just Kitchen, For Kids: Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen, One Potato, Two Potato, Last Stop on Market Street, Maddie’s Fridge, Saturday at the Food Pantry & Those Shoes.
Teach
ELCA World Hunger has amazing resources for all ages that cover both local and global realities. They have an accompaniment approach to their work and to the resources they create.
Donate
Again, ELCA World Hunger does amazing work around the globe, connecting with local partners on the ground to make an impact. Closer to home, AdventNYC Hunger Program shows up for our NYC community because we are the community. Another great organization is Heifer International, partnering with smallholder farmers – especially women farmers – to improve their families’ food security and increase their incomes.
Get Help
If you are looking for food pantries in your area, use the Plentiful App for the most up to date information. If you are in NYC, click here for information about AdventNYC’s Hunger Food Distribution. Or explore the pantry/meal options in your area through Feeding America.
This world is a big, broken, beautiful place. There are so many more urgent ways to share God’s love, and yet we each must take it one step at time. We’ll update this page regularly with new actions. Check back soon.
Looking for our original post on Resources to Empower Racial Justice? Find it here.