wfn.org | ELCA Advocacy Director Featured in CBS-TV Religion Special

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

Title: ELCA Advocacy Director Featured in CBS-TV Religion Special
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

>September 22, 2009  

ELCA Advocacy Director Featured in CBS-TV Religion Special
09-202-JB

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Andrew D. Genszler, director for advocacy
for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Washington, D.C.,
will appear in a television special, "Religion, Politics and Advocacy,"
Sept. 27 on CBS Television stations.

The program examines the work of religious advocates -- who they
are, who they represent and how they work with Congress on behalf of
those who may not have a voice, according to a CBS-TV news release.

"Faith groups have always played the role of 'activist' in society. 
Churches, synagogues and mosques run soup kitchens, provide shelter for
the homeless, and run disaster relief operations in the United States and
abroad.  But they also play an important role in shaping legislation,"
the release said.

The Washington Office represents the ELCA by advocating on a variety
of public issues with the federal government.  Among other things, it
works with an e-network of advocates, which currently includes more than
30,000 participants.

Genszler said in the interview he was asked how the church puts
faith into action. "I told them we act on behalf of biblical values --
peacemaking, concern for people in poverty, hospitality to strangers and
care for creation," he said, adding that "Lutherans believe governments
are part of what God gives to us to promote God's purpose for us to live
in peace with each other, with concern for our neighbors and creation."

Genszler was among those who accompanied the ELCA Conference of
Bishops and bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada to the
Middle East earlier this year.  During the interview he recalled an
episode in which some young Palestinian boys threw a shoe -- a sign of
disapproval -- at the bishops' bus as the church leaders arrived at a
site to plant olive trees. After Genszler spoke with the boys, they
helped the bishops plant trees, affecting his own view of the conflict
between Israelis and the Palestinians.

"I think many Lutherans experience this kind of transformation when
they volunteer in Lutheran ministries, community programs and
international mission trips. Advocating is our opportunity as people of
faith to take the issues we confront in our ministry to that next level,"
Genszler said.

"Religion, Politics and Advocacy" follows citizen advocates during
Bread for the World's annual Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. Bread's
mission is to end hunger and poverty throughout the world. Bread's
president, the Rev. David Beckmann, an ELCA pastor, is featured. Lobby
Day included advocates' visits with members of Congress.

The program also explores how a diverse coalition of religious
organizations demanded change in how tobacco products are sold and
marketed to children, the CBS release said.  Their efforts resulted in
the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, signed by
President Barack Obama this summer, the release said.

The special includes Sister Simone Campbell, executive director,
NETWORK, a Catholic social justice organization; Dr. Sayyid Syeed,
director, Islamic Society of North America; Brent Walker, executive
director, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty; and Rabbi David
Saperstein, director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

The special is part of the "CBS Religion and Culture" series.  It
was produced with the cooperation of the National Council of Churches
USA, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Islamic
Society of North America, the Union for Reform Judaism and the New York
Board of Rabbis.  Broadcast times vary by location.

>---

Information about "Religion, Politics and Advocacy" is at
http://www.interfaithbroadcasting.com/rc.aspx on the Web.

For information contact:

John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog