The Basics of Faith-Based Public Advocacy - a mini-series
Hosted by the Public Theology Network
Summary of all of the sessions with resources
You are invited to join an upcoming series!
When: Tuesdays in October 2020, 6:00pm ET / 5:00pm CT (Oct. 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th)
Where: Zoom! Register here to attend any or all of the events. They will be recorded for later viewing.
Session I. How to be an Advocate - October 6 - recording and slides
Mr. Alan Yarborough, Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations, will begin our conversation about the role of advocacy in the broader framework of engaging the wider world, carrying our faith out through action. This will include tips for engaging in advocacy and the role of relationship-building between the Church and government officials, as well as civic participation. He will also review the role of the Office of Government Relations and how people can get involved through the Episcopal Public Policy Network.
Biography of Presenter: Mr. Alan Yarborough is the church relations officer with The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations, where he helps manage their grassroots advocacy engagement and develops resources aimed at educating and equipping the church in policy advocacy. Prior to this, he lived and worked in Haiti with the Young Adult Service Corps, working in economic development, communication and project management. He holds a BS in economics from Clemson University in South Carolina and is currently getting his Masters in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University.
Session II. Moses and Jesus as Public Theologians - October 13 - recording
The Rev. Dr. Marcia Ledford, civil rights attorney, explores our call to public advocacy through the Call of Moses and his role in the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and Jesus’s public call to mission on the Road to Emmaus and in the breaking of the bread. Through this lens, we will be grounded in a firm biblical foundation in why we do public advocacy. We will explore what our call is, how Christianity is being abused in the current political climate, and what we can do about that now.
Marcia is the convener of the Province V Public Theology Network and founder of Political Theology Matters.
Biography of Presenter: The Rev. Dr. Marcia Ledford is a civil rights attorney representing society’s most marginalized. An Episcopal priest, she earned her Doctor of Ministry in political theology from Pacific School of Religion. Dr. Ledford founded Political Theology Matters, LLC, to help the faithful develop public theology mission for greater social justice.
Session III. "Can I say that?": Religious Speech, the First Amendment and your 501(c)3 Status - October 20
Join Alan Yarborough (from Session I), Marcia, and Mr. Adonis Flores of Michigan United, a community organizing entity in Detroit, Kalamazoo, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Learn about what the "separation of church and state" means. We'll explore the relationship of religious speech (by churches and individuals4 and the Six protections of the First Amendment. We will touch on the following topics:
1) Church advocacy for social justice;
2) Individual faith-based advocacy in various forms;
3) What is Community organizing? Why is it essential?
4) Using Zoom groups, we will look at IRS case scenarios;
5) the difference between a 501c3 and 510c4 organization.
Biographies of Presenters:
Adonis Flores is a Community Organizer in Detroit. He has organized campaigns that advocate for the just treatment of refugee children fleeing from violence in Central America. Adonis has also been a leader in Michigan for the national campaign for Compassionate Immigration Reform, advocating to stop the deportations that separate families. Currently, he is working on efforts to pass state bills that allow undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses and to prohibit local and state law enforcement from collaborating with ICE. Civic engagement and voter participation are essential activities for these efforts. Adonis Flores is a former undocumented immigrant and DACA recipient who has lived in Detroit since he was 8 years old. Thanks in part to marriage equality he is now a legal permanent resident.
Alan Yarborough's and Marcia Ledford's biographies can be found above.
Session IV. What does the world really think about the U.S.? - October 27
Stories from those who have lived in other countries will be shared. This will lead us into an engaging conversation around racism in the USA.
The Rt. Rev. Douglas Sparks is the Bishop of Northern Indiana
The Rev. Ian Delinger is the Rector of St Stephen's. After working in the Silicon Valley, Fr Ian went to seminary in Cambridge (UK). He was ordained and served in a parish in Manchester, and then as Chaplain of the University of Chester. Fr Ian endeavors to bring the Church into the public arena, supporting the marginalized, and celebrating individuals and community achievements.
Resource Page - getting updated after every session.
Facebook Event
Contact Heather Barta, Province V Coordinator, with any questions.
When: Tuesdays in October 2020, 6:00pm ET / 5:00pm CT (Oct. 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th)
Where: Zoom! Register here to attend any or all of the events. They will be recorded for later viewing.
Session I. How to be an Advocate - October 6 - recording and slides
Mr. Alan Yarborough, Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations, will begin our conversation about the role of advocacy in the broader framework of engaging the wider world, carrying our faith out through action. This will include tips for engaging in advocacy and the role of relationship-building between the Church and government officials, as well as civic participation. He will also review the role of the Office of Government Relations and how people can get involved through the Episcopal Public Policy Network.
Biography of Presenter: Mr. Alan Yarborough is the church relations officer with The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations, where he helps manage their grassroots advocacy engagement and develops resources aimed at educating and equipping the church in policy advocacy. Prior to this, he lived and worked in Haiti with the Young Adult Service Corps, working in economic development, communication and project management. He holds a BS in economics from Clemson University in South Carolina and is currently getting his Masters in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University.
Session II. Moses and Jesus as Public Theologians - October 13 - recording
The Rev. Dr. Marcia Ledford, civil rights attorney, explores our call to public advocacy through the Call of Moses and his role in the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and Jesus’s public call to mission on the Road to Emmaus and in the breaking of the bread. Through this lens, we will be grounded in a firm biblical foundation in why we do public advocacy. We will explore what our call is, how Christianity is being abused in the current political climate, and what we can do about that now.
Marcia is the convener of the Province V Public Theology Network and founder of Political Theology Matters.
Biography of Presenter: The Rev. Dr. Marcia Ledford is a civil rights attorney representing society’s most marginalized. An Episcopal priest, she earned her Doctor of Ministry in political theology from Pacific School of Religion. Dr. Ledford founded Political Theology Matters, LLC, to help the faithful develop public theology mission for greater social justice.
Session III. "Can I say that?": Religious Speech, the First Amendment and your 501(c)3 Status - October 20
Join Alan Yarborough (from Session I), Marcia, and Mr. Adonis Flores of Michigan United, a community organizing entity in Detroit, Kalamazoo, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Learn about what the "separation of church and state" means. We'll explore the relationship of religious speech (by churches and individuals4 and the Six protections of the First Amendment. We will touch on the following topics:
1) Church advocacy for social justice;
2) Individual faith-based advocacy in various forms;
3) What is Community organizing? Why is it essential?
4) Using Zoom groups, we will look at IRS case scenarios;
5) the difference between a 501c3 and 510c4 organization.
Biographies of Presenters:
Adonis Flores is a Community Organizer in Detroit. He has organized campaigns that advocate for the just treatment of refugee children fleeing from violence in Central America. Adonis has also been a leader in Michigan for the national campaign for Compassionate Immigration Reform, advocating to stop the deportations that separate families. Currently, he is working on efforts to pass state bills that allow undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses and to prohibit local and state law enforcement from collaborating with ICE. Civic engagement and voter participation are essential activities for these efforts. Adonis Flores is a former undocumented immigrant and DACA recipient who has lived in Detroit since he was 8 years old. Thanks in part to marriage equality he is now a legal permanent resident.
Alan Yarborough's and Marcia Ledford's biographies can be found above.
Session IV. What does the world really think about the U.S.? - October 27
Stories from those who have lived in other countries will be shared. This will lead us into an engaging conversation around racism in the USA.
The Rt. Rev. Douglas Sparks is the Bishop of Northern Indiana
The Rev. Ian Delinger is the Rector of St Stephen's. After working in the Silicon Valley, Fr Ian went to seminary in Cambridge (UK). He was ordained and served in a parish in Manchester, and then as Chaplain of the University of Chester. Fr Ian endeavors to bring the Church into the public arena, supporting the marginalized, and celebrating individuals and community achievements.
Resource Page - getting updated after every session.
Facebook Event
Contact Heather Barta, Province V Coordinator, with any questions.
Next meeting: October 15, 2020, 2 pm eastern / 1 pm central
Mark your calendar for every third Thursday
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/670383266
Phone: 301 715 8592 (ID: 826 4954 4459)
Network conveners:
The Rev. Marcia Ledford, Michigan, Political Theology Matters
The Rt. Rev. Doug Sparks, Bishop, Diocese of Northern Indiana
Network description:
Political theology involves us speaking our faith in the public square to work for greater social justice. [add return]
“Public square” can mean lots of things. Calling our reps in government to discuss issues is an example of political theology (PT). Writing op-eds in the newspaper is, too. PT can range from a letter-writing campaign to organizing demonstrations and blogging on the internet. The possibilities are limitless with the Holy Spirit.
How do we know what to do when things are so complex? Where do we start? That’s what our Public Theology Network (PTN) is about. It’s a place where we, as progressive Christians, can gather and talk about our issues and opportunities for public mission. We can share stories, ideas, strategies, resources, etc. It’s about being the Body of Christ publicly in a broken world. Join us at the “ground floor” as we develop the PTN into a vital and unique resource for the church to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.
“Jesus didn’t have the First Amendment to protect him, but we do,”
Phone: 301 715 8592 (ID: 826 4954 4459)
Network conveners:
The Rev. Marcia Ledford, Michigan, Political Theology Matters
The Rt. Rev. Doug Sparks, Bishop, Diocese of Northern Indiana
Network description:
Political theology involves us speaking our faith in the public square to work for greater social justice. [add return]
“Public square” can mean lots of things. Calling our reps in government to discuss issues is an example of political theology (PT). Writing op-eds in the newspaper is, too. PT can range from a letter-writing campaign to organizing demonstrations and blogging on the internet. The possibilities are limitless with the Holy Spirit.
How do we know what to do when things are so complex? Where do we start? That’s what our Public Theology Network (PTN) is about. It’s a place where we, as progressive Christians, can gather and talk about our issues and opportunities for public mission. We can share stories, ideas, strategies, resources, etc. It’s about being the Body of Christ publicly in a broken world. Join us at the “ground floor” as we develop the PTN into a vital and unique resource for the church to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.
“Jesus didn’t have the First Amendment to protect him, but we do,”
A working definition of Progressive Christian Beliefs
- God created us, we ordain all people;
- LGBTQ people must be able to marry the person of their choosing in the eyes of the church and under civil law;
- Racism is profoundly sinful and must be eradicated;
- While TEC recognizes that each abortion has a tragic dimension, women must have access to safe reproductive medical care;
- We are called to care for the marginalized;
- God gave us dominion over the earth to care for and enjoy it, and not to exploit and destroy it.
Resources
Responding to Racist Violence
9 actions to take to learn about police violence
Article: How political can clergy get?
ChurchNext course (launched Oct 2020): 'Civil Conversation in Uncivil Times’ with journalist and author Ray Suarez
9 actions to take to learn about police violence
Article: How political can clergy get?
ChurchNext course (launched Oct 2020): 'Civil Conversation in Uncivil Times’ with journalist and author Ray Suarez
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