When the Church Shows Up: Mobilizing Christians for Action at the Capitol
Rev. Breanna Illéné, Director of Ecumenical Innovation and Justice Initiatives
I had just taken a quiet moment after my first ever time testifying in a legislative committee hearing on behalf of the WCC in one of three hearings taking place last Wednesday. (Note: it is more typical to have one hearing in a day). After sitting in a hearing room for three and a half hours, I was the very first person called to speak against the bill, following the representatives who had written it and someone who hadbeen flown in from another state. My hands shook as I read our statement and answered questions from members of the committee, but I was strengthened knowing there was an entire row of clergy sitting behind me, ready to also testify. I was not alone.
As I prepared myself to enter into an overflow hearing room, I braced myself for more hard work. As I turned the corner, I was met by the faces of even more clergy and church people sitting on both sides of the room. And as I thought through who I knew was on site, I realized we had mobilized people of faith in every single hearing room of the capitol last Wednesday. (Click here to see some of the clergy testimony compiled by First Baptist Madison.)
Along with having a physical presence in Madison, we also had clergy and Christians from across the state submit their testimony. Fair Wisconsin delivered boxes and boxes of written testimony for addition to the record. Their staff member remarked with thankfulness about how much of that testimony was coming from a faith-based perspective. Our last-minute organizing meeting on a Monday morning had included almost 30 people showing up from all over Wisconsin and many more connecting afterward about how they could take action. When I scrolled my social media channels on Wednesday, I saw many colleagues posting videos and sharing their testimony online to take a stand in their communities against harmful legislation.
The Church showed up and people noticed. I had several organizers from secular organizations tell me that they were stopped by legislative staff and representatives to comment on the large faith-based response. I was told by an organizer that the legislative committees expected the social workers, the medical providers, the teachers, and the advocates to show up. They did not expect the Church.
We were present in hearing rooms, outside the building, online, and in our communities. But along with words, we also showed up with love. We had a church bring snacks and another sending donuts to exhausted organizers next week. We gave hugs when people needed them; just our visible presence spoke volumes.
There are a multitude of issues that our communities are facing and our churches are passionate about. What would it look like if the Church showed up every time marginalized communities were threatened? What if the Church showed up every time to advocate for legislation that brought flourishing into our communities? As I shared on my personal Facebook page, “…the power of the Church is that we’ve got more people in the wings. Some who were there today will have meetings next week…and so those who had meetings today will step up.” We have people passionate about a wide array of topics. The power of the Church is that if we all show up once or twice and take on a small piece of the work, we can have an overwhelming presence and voice. We are powerful together.
The WCC’s Ecumenical Innovation and Advocacy team is ready to mobilize the Church in new ways. We’re here to help you connect with the issues your congregation is passionate about. There will be more calls to action across different topics. We invite you to be praying about what justice issues ignite a fire in your congregation. Reach out to us for a conversation. Help us fund our work. (Find a volunteer who would donate snacks!) Our goal is to equip you to live into the ethic of Jesus & Justice in public.
It’s Your Turn!
- Rooted in our statement on nonviolence, the Wisconsin Council of Churches testified against legislation that would further marginalize trans youth and contribute to an environment in which hate speech and actions are increasing. Read our testimony here. AB 377, AB 378, and AB 465
- Contact your Assembly Reps about AB 377, AB 378, and AB 465 (a floor vote has been scheduled for October 12th) or State Senator and let them know how you feel about the companion bills, SB 378, SB 377, and SB 480
- Tell us what you care about and join us in advocacy! Sign up here and you will receive Calls to Action based on the issues you select.
Are you inspired by this success story? Fuel the work of our Innovation and Justice team so we can connect you to advocacy opportunities that make a difference. Donate here.
