By Christie Latona

As people of faith, we are called to help those who are poor and vulnerable. As advocates for social justice, we consider the causes of poverty and injustice and we work to set things right. As United Methodists, we turn to Scripture and The Social Principles and Social Creed of the United Methodist Church, as we promote passage of laws that help ensure fairness and common good.

United Methodists work in partnership with others, actively lobbying local, state and national legislators, especially on such issues as homelessness, health care, immigration, violence prevention, worker justice, human trafficking, the death penalty and gambling.

Many churches in the Baltimore-Washington Conference have helped improved the plight of the marginalized in their communities through organizing through IAF affliliates like AIM in Montgomery County, BUILD in Baltimore County, PATH in Howard County and WIN in DC. Still others have found more synergy with grassroots organizers in their midst.

Resources:

• Take Action – current Church and Society actions
• Grassroots Communication Toolkit
•  Maryland Interfaith Legislative Committee
•  Advocacy Toolkit – with this comprehensive PDF resource you can learn how to influence legislators, work with the media and build a social justice ministry. Sections include:
  • Introduction, what is advocacy and is it biblical
  • Advocacy planning
  • How to build a coalition
  • How to influence decision-makers
  • How to use media
  • How to build a social justice ministry in your congregation
  • Resources

Voicing Your Faith – Contact your legislators in Maryland, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

To contact a Maryland state legislator:
State House
Annapolis, MD 21401
Senate 410-841-3700
House of Delegates
410-841-3800
www.mlis.state.md.us

To contact a West Virginia state legislator:
Building 1
1900 Kanawha Blvd.
Charleston, W. Va. 25305
888-438 2731
www.legis.state.wv.us/legishp1.html

To contact members of the Washington, D.C. City Council:
Government of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
Citywide call Center : 202-727-1000
www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/contact.html

To contact members of Congress or the federal government:
http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml