The Antidote for Political Overwhelm

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by politics? As Christians, our faith can anchor our hope and reinforce our resilience. If you’re looking for a way to dispel despair and channel your values, the Episcopal Church can light the way.

The Episcopal Church advocates for its public policy priorities to the U.S. government through its Office of Government Relations (OGR) and the Episcopal Public Policy Network. These organizations work in tandem to influence policy and legislation on critical issues and positions based on General Convention and Executive Council resolutions that align with our values as Episcopalians and Christians. 

We engage in advocacy because federal government legislation and policies affect Episcopalians, our brother and sister Anglicans around the world, and the most vulnerable among us. 

Policy areas where the Church advocates include: 

Creation Care – As we are called by God to care for creation, The Episcopal Church supports policies that protect the natural resources that sustain all life on Earth. We advocate for policies that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainable energy and the safe and just use of natural resources, and support communities impacted by a lack of environmental stewardship.

Racial Reconciliation – Racial reconciliation is a core component of our work, guiding and informing advocacy engagement. The Office challenges long-established policies that perpetuate systemic racism and injustice and strives to change legislation that continues to harm communities of color. The Episcopal Church aims to bring a perspective of transformation to public policy in order to heal communities that have been the most marginalized and discriminated against.

Ending Poverty – We advocate for policies that will eliminate poverty and help people live with dignity, both in the U.S. and internationally. We advocate for federal programs that provide development assistance and humanitarian relief, including education and healthcare initiatives, as well as support for social safety net programs, care for veterans, and other U.S.-focused anti-poverty initiatives.

Migration, Refugees & Immigration – As a Church, we are committed to advocating for policies that respect the dignity and worth of every human being- including protecting asylum, advocating for Dreamers & TPS holders, advocating for alternatives to detention, and urging long-term protections through comprehensive immigration reform. We work to protect the human rights and safety of refugees by supporting the refugee resettlement work of Episcopal Migration Ministries and advocating for robust refugee resettlement policies.

Human Rights & Peacebuilding – The Church supports legislation and policies that protect human rights and prevent atrocities, promote gender justice, and build peace. We partner with non-U.S. Episcopal dioceses and provinces throughout the Anglican Communion to work towards justice.

You can advocate for Episcopal values by signing up for Action Alerts, where you’ll get real-time opportunities to easily contact your representatives to advocate for relevant and important legislation.