"The earth is the Lord and all that is in it, the world, and those who dwell in it."  (Psalm 24.:1)

Over the season of Lent, eight congregations in our synod participated in a pilot project that was a joint collaboration between the EcoFaith Network and Lutheran Advocacy-Minnesota.  The goal was to inspire members of their congregations to learn about timely issues that came before our state legislatures, and write letters to their Minnesota representatives during this congressional session, which just happens to match up with the Lenten season.  

Training and resources were provided for each congregation at an initial zoom meeting, so that they would have what they needed to set up a weekly letter writing table anytime during the Lenten season.  Some teams set up their tables on Wednesday afternoons or evenings, some on Sunday mornings.  The tables were set up with information on how to contact your elected official, fact sheets about each topic, sample letters, notecards, envelopes and stamps.  The team was prepped on a new topic each week:



• Ethical Immigration Enforcement

• Electronic Waste

• Data Centers

• Responsible Mining

• SNAP Cuts and food security

As members gathered around the tables, stories were told, and worries were shared.  Folks realized that they were not alone in their fears about what has been happening in the world.  Instead of feeling hopeless, they felt equipped to do something that gave them hope.  They inspired each other and were inspired by each other.  

The goal of the team was to cultivate civic engagement as a shared faith practice, and to support those who felt God calling them to move beyond frustration, fear, and powerlessness to act for care of neighbor and creation.  This pilot project has helped us develop something that we hope will  take root and spread, and the team plans to use what was learned to continue advocacy work with more opportunities for congregations!

For more information about the Advocacy Circles, you can visit the EcoFaith page at Advocacy Circles | EcoFaith.