As a baptized member of the ELCA, Jodi Deike hears God’s call to do God’s work as she directs grass-roots advocacy and communication at the ELCA Washington Office.
“I feel called to be a voice with and for others who are marginalized,” says Jodi. “Every day on my chilly walk to work I see homeless people trying to survive, children without coats, garbage littering the streets. I read in the commuter newspaper about the killing of people in the Middle East and the starving of children around the world.”
All around her, sisters and brothers in Christ are in need of some of the most basic human rights: food, clothes, peace and a welcome smile. For Jodi there is a lot of work that God is asking us to do in this world. She believes that God’s “ask” is an honor and a privilege to answer humbly.
One of the ways we can fulfill God’s work with our hands is through advocacy. In our Affirmation of Baptism rite we publicly profess our intention “to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.” Because of our discipleship we speak out on matters of justice for the sake of the community, and we attempt to reframe the political discussion so that justice and righteousness are possible.
Here are some startling facts:
• Thirty-seven million Americans — one in eight — live below the official poverty line, including nearly 13 million children.
• More than 1 billion people in the world live on less than a dollar a day.
In doing advocacy, the ELCA seeks to be sensitive to the needs of people locally, nationally and internationally. Its advocacy is rooted in Scripture and guided by ELCA social statements.
The advocacy staff works diligently to research, consult and inform others regarding specific legislative interests. Often there is collaboration with other Lutheran partners or ecumenical organizations on issues of common interest within public policy to strengthen the overall effort.
Some of the issues the grass-roots advocacy office addresses on behalf of the ELCA include environment and energy, hunger and poverty, health policy and global disease, peace and conflict, human dignity and human rights. We must continue to be good stewards of God’s creation in all areas.
As she directs grass-roots advocacy and communication, Jodi recognizes that one of her privileges is to provide you with vital advocacy resources to energize and empower you to go out into your community to do God’s work. She communicates with ELCA members frequently through the ELCA e-advocacy network to inform them of key issues and opportunities to contact their elected officials. You can make a difference — and you do make a difference — when you speak with and for others who are hungry, homeless, sick, conflicted or lost.
For example, in Illinois, state budget cuts had already forced Lutheran Social Services of Illinois to cut several programs. The governor refused to sign a senate bill that would keep funding alive for substance-abuse treatment services and a host of other important human services. Through a series of email notices to members of the state public policy e-advocacy network, members were encouraged to call the governor’s office to urge him to sign.
Later, they were asked to call their house representative about an Access to Religious Ministry Act for immigrants.
Thanks to the intervention of individuals throughout the state, both issues were resolved in favor of the people who needed the services.
The e-advocacy network empowers Lutherans to learn about, reflect upon and advocate on behalf of their Christian values. E-advocacy makes it easy for each member of the ELCA to advocate for peace, for care of creation and for people living in poverty and struggling with hunger.
If you sign up for e-advocacy, you’ll receive timely updates from the ELCA on a wide variety of issues, including hunger, poverty and the environment. You can be confident knowing you are being asked to call or email your elected officials only at the moments when your voice will make the most difference.
Advocacy allows you to fulfill God’s work by using your hands to meet legislators and your voice to speak out with and on behalf of the marginalized. Join the ELCA e-advocacy network today, and check out your state’s advocacy office as well.
