Bishop Sam Rodman, Mike Woodard and the Rev. Jan Lamb met with Senator Woodson Bradley during Advocacy Day 2025. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Jan Lamb
By Meredith Swindell and the Rev. Jan Lamb
On May 14, nine advocates representing the Bishops’ Council of Advice on Public Policy (CAPP) and diocesan ministries gathered at the North Carolina General Assembly to share priorities in person. As in years past, the day represented a great deal of collaboration between ministry leaders, diocesan staff, the planning team and the faithful of the Diocese of North Carolina.
Also as in years past, the goal of the day was about building relationships. In a political atmosphere that has rarely been so polarized, those in attendance understood that while minds were unlikely to be changed in the moment, relationships could begin or be strengthened simply by listening and sharing our own values.
The approach was represented by the gift carried by all to their meetings: seed packets bearing the simple message, “Planting Seeds for the Future, Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina.” The seeds were shared as a symbol of hope and growth.
YOU WERE THERE
The nine advocates were not the only diocesan voices heard on Advocacy Day. In a tradition that began in 2024, hundreds of handwritten postcards from Episcopalians across the diocese were hand delivered to their intended recipients.
The preparation to deliver those postcards began months earlier, as congregations were encouraged to reflect on policy concerns through prayer and conversation, then put pen to paper to share personal messages with elected officials.
The hundreds of postcards arrived at Diocesan House throughout the spring and were carefully sorted. Those addressed to specific legislators were delivered directly to their offices on Advocacy Day. Those not specifically addressed to an individual were still delivered to legislators whose work focused on the topic of the postcard.
Once again, the postcards proved your voice matters. As the Rev. Beth McKee-Huger shared following her meetings on affordable housing, “[The representatives] encouraged us to get faith communities engaged in speaking up for housing with a coordinated voice.”
[Image: Meredith Swindell sorted through the hundreds of postcards people sent for their representatives in preparation for the day. Photo courtesy of Meredith Swindell]
MEETINGS OF THE DAY
We gathered at the Legislative Building on the morning of May 14 and then broke into groups to move from office to office, speaking directly with senators and representatives about the issues of our ministries. Carried to each meeting were the seed packets, postcards and brochures detailing the areas of our faithful witness: affordable housing, creation care, gun violence prevention and helping rebuild communities in Western North Carolina. Bishop Sam Rodman joined these conversations, bringing a pastoral presence that reminded leaders our faith calls us to care for our neighbors and the common good.
Lawmakers and legislative staff members alike expressed appreciation for the handwritten notes. Several times we heard how impactful it was to receive the notes directly from folks in their districts.
Our diocesan presence was not felt only in offices. With a table in the central atrium, passersby stopped to talk and ask about who we are and why we were there that day. It proved once again that advocacy is a form of evangelism, and how showing up can go a long way in letting the world know we care, we live into our values and we are working to build beloved community.
Thank you for every postcard you wrote and every prayer you offered. Our voices were heard, so let’s keep sharing our faithful witness in building relationships with policy makers and continuing to plant seeds for the future.
The Rev. Beth McKee-Huger, Emilie Sigel and Carl Sigel helped to organize the day. Meredith Swindell sorted through the hundreds of postcards people sent for their representatives in preparation for the day. Photo courtesy of Meredith Swindell
ADVOCACY EVERY DAY
In July, the IRS ruling preventing nonprofits, including churches, from campaigning for individuals running for office was rescinded. There will be more to say about what this change may or may not mean this fall, but it does not change the fact that we, as faithful Christians, need to be committed to building relationships and working with our elected officials, regardless of person or party.
This year’s Advocacy Day made it clear that showing up is just one part of our broader work. Building relationships with elected officials is not a once-a-year event, nor can it be done only by advocate teams visiting the General Assembly.
The most effective work in building relationships with elected officials happens in the local districts of those officials. Churches in officials’ home communities have a unique opportunity to invite and welcome them in, to share what matters to you and to learn what drives their work.
There are many ways this can be done, always with a focus not on agenda but on building relationships. A few suggestions for getting started include:
- Invite your local elected leaders to a community meal, ministry events or other outreach efforts. It’s a great way for them to get to know what matters to you.
- Offer to host a community town hall and create an opportunity for leaders and constituents to have a real conversation.
- Invite them to a congregational Q&A that includes what a day in their life looks like. It may surprise those listening to hear about the challenges and obstacles they face in their daily work.
- Invite them to a worship service; it’s an incredible way to show them who you are and the foundation of your faith and ministry.
Above all, remember it’s about building relationships. Start from a place of genuine desire for connection, with an intentional focus on sharing and listening, and know in sharing your welcome, your faith and your voice, you are making a difference.
Meredith Swindell and the Rev. Jan Lamb led the 2025 Advocacy Day planning team. Contact them via the communications department.
Subscribe to the quarterly Disciple magazine (digital or print) for more stories like this.
