wfn.org | [ENS] Congressional action is goal of March 11-14 Ecumenical

["Matthew Davies" <mdavies@mail.epicom.org>]

Daybook, from Episcopal News Service

February 4, 2005 - Friday Forum: Voices on Current Issues

Congressional action is goal of March 11-14 Ecumenical Advocacy Days

[ENS] Seeking "wise and peaceful solutions" to conflicts and the need
for
fair aid, debt and trade policies that will benefit impoverished people
worldwide, the third annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace
with
Justice will meet under the theme "Make All Things New" at the
Doubletree
Hotel Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, March 11-14.

Maureen Shea, director of the Episcopal Church's Washington-based Office
of
Government Relations, described the event as an opportunity for
participants
to discuss a wide variety of issues, "and lobby the 109th Congress on
how we
go about building a more just global community."

More than 30 faith-based groups are sponsoring or supporting this year's
Ecumenical Advocacy Days, which will provide church leaders, laypersons
and
others interested in advocacy with a mix of worship, music, prayer,
issue
briefings, plenary speakers and advocacy training workshops, capped with
visits to U.S. Senators and Representatives or their key staff.

Workshops will examine U.S. policy regarding Africa, the Middle East,
Asia,
Latin America, global economic justice, global security, eco-justice and
U.S. domestic issues. In 2004, more than 600 advocates representing a
wide
range of churches and organizations worldwide gathered for Ecumenical
Advocacy Days. Because of local, national and global crises, organizers
are
expecting an even stronger turnout at this year's event, which will
include
an opportunity for Episcopalians to gather together as well as meet the
Episcopal Church's Government Relations staff.

Bishop Vashti McKenzie, the first woman bishop of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, and Elder Rick Ufford-Chase, moderator of the
Presbyterian
Church (USA), are among the speakers who will address the participants.
Also
speaking will be Dr. Maryann Cusimano Love, a professor at the Catholic
University of America and a U.S. foreign policy and international
affairs
expert.

"We hope many Episcopalians will attend this year's Ecumenical Advocacy
Days," said Shea. "...[It] is another important way in which to fulfill
our
baptismal covenant that we 'will strive for justice.'"

For more information and to register, please visit www.advocacydays.org,
or
email info@advocacydays.org; telephone, 202.544.2350. Episcopalians who
are
interested are encouraged to sign up for the Episcopal Public Policy
Network
at www.episcopalchurch.org/eppn.

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