Advocacy

As members of the ELCA, we believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. God uses our hands, through our direct service work and our voices, through our advocacy efforts, to restore and reconcile our world. Through faithful advocacy, the ELCA lives out our Lutheran belief that governments can help advance the common good.” ~ ELCA.org

Justice goes hand-in-hand with mercy as we follow God’s call to care for our neighbors. WPLC’s approach to justice involves using our voice to advocate for the most vulnerable.  We want to help connect you with ELCA-based advocacy efforts. Below is a list of organizations we partner with and the link will direct you to their site to sign up for alerts to engage. While we support these ministries, this does not mean that we agree with their every action. You will need to discern how God calls you through the Scriptures and our Lutheran tradition paired with your experiences and faith to respond in each situation.

General advocacy

• ELCA Advocacy – “advocacy alerts” on policies that create opportunities to overcome poverty, promote peace and dignity, and defend God’s creation on state, national, and global levels
  • Click here to see and respond to the most recent “action alerts.”
• The Lutheran World Federation – advocacy updates focused on Lutherans’ global commitment to human rights and human dignity, including climate change, gender justice, refugees, oppressed minorities, economic justice, HIV/AIDS, and religious freedom
• ELCA Votes – engage in ways to pray and engage in efforts to guarantee the right to vote for all citizen.

Ecology

• Friends of the Chicago River – learn how you can get more involved with Friends of the Chicago River
• Faith in Place – web page featuring upcoming actions to help change systems and policies to protect land, air, and water

Refugees and Immigrants

• Refugee One (Chicago-based) – “action alerts” related to safeguarding the legal rights, privileges, and protections of refugees
• Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services – “Stand for Welcome eAlerts” gives opportunities to advocate for systemic change in how the United States treats immigrants and refugees
• Arise Chicago – newsletter detailing work to partner immigrants with faith communities to end workplace abuse
• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) – sign up for updates and opportunities to advocate for immigrants and refugees

Congregation-based Community ORGANIZING

• ELCA-noted Organizing Networks – many ELCA congregations are involved in organizing collaborate with other faith groups to form local affiliates of national or regional organizing networks. Learn more about some in Illinois to get connected with their work.

Others

There are many worthy organizations to support across the globe. We give thanks for their hard work! WPLC, generally, supports Lutheran-affiliated ministries along with local organizations that are aligned with our mission, vision, values, and purpose. If you have an organization that you suggest we include, contact Pastor Jason (pastor@wickerparklutheran.org) with a link and a brief description about their work.