Social justice and advocacy engagement is the work of Episcopalians to build community networks for justice by connecting and mobilizing people “from the pews to the public square”.
Poor People’s Campaign 2022
The Episcopal Church continues to partner with the Poor People’s Campaign in advocating for truth-telling and social change within the systems of racism, poverty, ecological devastation, and the war economy. Through this important partnership with the Poor People’s Campaign, the Episcopal Church fully embodies the gospel of the Jesus Movement. Resources and registration to become a part of the national call for moral revival here.
Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD)
Asset-Based Community Development allows participants to achieve goals within their ministries through grassroot community engagement. In this time of Church renewal, Called to Transformation’s asset-based approach places the impetus for change and growth within the community itself, rather than solely with church leadership. Visit the Called to Transformation site to enroll in the online training modules, and to find resources and toolkits.
From the Pew to the Public Square
Taking up Presiding Bishop Curry’s charge for Episcopal faith communities to live out our public witness and sacred values, From the Pew to the Public Square provides quick coaching in moral agency, discernment, and decision making for social and community social change.
From the Pew to the Public Square Gatherings and Justice Resources
Throughout 2021, Episcopalians came together to talk about the fight for social, economic, and environmental justice. Inspired by Matthew 25:35-40, each gathering focused on one of these six themes: prisons and criminal justice, water access, food justice, health and healthcare, immigration, and housing. View the gatherings in the video player below!
Justice Resources
Protesting Faithfully. The Episcopal Street-Action Handbook: Grounded in Episcopal social ethics, this handbook is a resource for religious or spiritual leaders who will be involved in protests or are interested in providing spiritual care in the context of nonviolent direct action.
Mental Health First Aid: This resource provides guidance on addressing mental health crises without police presence, and how to notice signs of depression within your community or family.
RIP Medical Debt: Churches can partner with this organization that pays off medical debt or can contact hospital directly and offering to pay for unpaid/past due bills.
National Bail Fund Network: A network of funds that work to end pre-trail detention by posting bail to allow people to defend themselves from a position of freedom.
School-to-Prison Pipeline: The Episcopal Church Public Policy Network’s series on Criminal Justice includes this comprehensive resource on how young people enter the criminal justice system, including through the school-to-prison pipeline.
