So it’s been awhile since my last post. Last weekend I was in Washington D.C. participating in Ecumenical Advocacy Days. From their Web site,

“Ecumenical Advocacy Days is a movement of the ecumenical Christian community, and its recognized partners and allies, grounded in biblical witness and our shared traditions of justice, peace and the integrity of creation. Our goal, through worship, theological reflection and opportunities for learning and witness, is to strengthen our Christian voice and to mobilize for advocacy on a wide variety of U.S. domestic and international policy issues.”

The theme this year centered on issues of climate change and poverty. Many of us who went to Nicaragua back in January reunited to give a presentation on what we saw on our visit. I also had the chance to meet with some of the folks from the Advocacy office in D.C. and see how they do their work. They are such valuable partners. While our individual decisions matter (yes, I’m still not eating meat), public policy is a key component to addressing global justice issues. Our Advocacy folks in D.C. and New York (as well as those in Pittsburgh and numerous State Public Policy Offices) are essential allies in our struggle against global and domestic hunger.

On the last day of the conference, I got to meet with the legislative assistant to my congressman (Mark Kirk) and the legislative director to Senator Dick Durbin. I told both of them that climate change is a pressing issue and that we need to start acting now. I expressed that my hope is that whatever legislation is proposed takes into account those who are most vulnerable, both here and abroad. I was told that both the House and the Senate aim to have a bill this year. Here’s hoping!

It was good for me to see how the process works and to better understand my role in advocating on behalf of those who are poor and vulnerable. On Monday I will have more to say on the specific lessons (I think) I learned.

On a totally unrelated note, for those of you who missed me or wish in general that you heard more from me, I am now on Twitter with the user name “hungerbites” (yes, the name is intended to have multiple meanings; three, to be exact). I will be updating my status 2-3 times a day, letting people who are passionate about working against hunger know what I am reading and writing. Feel free to follow!

David Creech

It is easy and effective to be an e-advocate. When it comes to voicing concern for our neighbors in Zimbabwe, e-advocacy is also urgently needed. Visit http://tinyurl.com/ZimbabweAdvocacy to find suggested text to e-mail to your senators and representatives. Don’t know who they are? Don’t worry. All you need to know is your home address!

One Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe pastor told an ELCA colleague “I thought we had hit bottom, so it couldn’t get worse; but it seems a hole can be dug in the bottom.”

Don’t be tempted to put this off. What else can you do in the next five minutes that will be as important? E-advocate for our neighbors in Zimbabwe and urge at least one other to do the same.

Questions? Visit www.elca.org/advocacy , www.elca.org/disaster, or contact Jodi Deike, Director for Grassroots Advocacy and Communication, ELCA Washington Office.

Advocating blessings,
Sue-s

We all know that poverty is inextricably linked to hunger. Amoung other things, people living in poverty have less access to health care and education, both of which affect a person’s ability to get and keep a job. And as we all know, different states – and regions within a state – fare differently on the poverty scale. But did you ever wonder exactly how your state or area fare? Or even you as an individual?

Check out www.measureofamerica.org. Interactive maps let you look at different areas of the United States, and the “Well-O-Meter” will let you plot your own place on the American Human Development Index.

And if you find you aren’t satisfied with the results, consider ways to tell your elected politicians about the changes you’d like to see. One place to start is www.elca.org/advocacy.