Episco-Pols The Episcopal Church

The 2024 U.S. election season is well underway, as is our Episcopal election engagement, yet much remains to be done and much will unfold in the coming months. In our first installment for season 3 of Episco-pols, we set the stage for what it means to vote and vote faithfully. Rebecca and Alan explore aspects of election engagement, emerging concerns for this year, how Episcopalians can get involved, and why it is important to embody healthy, faith-informed civic engagement.

Speakers: Rebecca Linder Blachly, director, Office of Government Relations, and Alan Yarborough, church relations officer, Office of Government Relations 

The Office of Government Relations represents the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy. 
 
Links: 

Election Engagement Resources including the Vote Faithfully toolkit and the Election Activators volunteer application

The Office of Government Relations 

Internship Program

Our guest speaker is Armani Eady, a national organizer from the Voting Rights Project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, where she is a part of the non-partisan coalition, Election Protection. Ms. Eady speaks about Election Protection’s crucial role in the 2024 U.S. election. You will learn how you can collaborate to ensure confidence in the electoral process, including year-round non-partisan voter protection.

The Voting Rights Project features a network of over 400 coalition members and a suite of voter protection hotlines, including 866-OUR-VOTE. From aiding voters in polling places to countering disinformation, Election Protection is dedicated to safeguarding the democratic process. Through our office, The Episcopal Church is a national partner. 

The Office of Government Relations aims to represent the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy. 
 
Links:

Election Engagement Resources, including the Vote Faithfully toolkit and the Election Activators volunteer application

Election Protection


Common Cause 


The Office of Government Relations 

Internship Program

Two years after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, much remains to be done to provide permanent safety and security for our Afghan allies, refugees, and their families both in the United States and abroad. Despite large-scale efforts on behalf of resettlement agencies, faith communities, and others to welcome this community, Afghans in the United States lack a path to permanent residency and Afghans abroad remain at risk of persecution and harm. The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America present this amazing panel about the current status of Afghan resettlement, the situation of those who were left behind, updates on the Afghan Adjustment Act, and how people of faith can continue to support Afghans and advocate for policy to help them.

Speakers include: Dario Lipovac, Refugee Services Director, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston; Campbell Dunsmore, Policy and Advocacy Officer, International Rescue Committee; Lans Rothfusz, Norman Coalition for Refugees; Giovana Oaxaca, Program Director, Migration Policy, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and Lindsey Warburton, Policy Advisor, Office of Government Relations, The Episcopal Church. 

The Office of Government Relations aims to represent the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy. Learn more at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/. 

MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:  


Take Action by Writing Congress on the Afghan Adjustment Act 


Ways to Welcome from Episcopal Migration Ministries 


The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations  


Public Policy Internship Program  

In this first in a series of episodes this season, we are again joined by Lindsey Warburton to talk about the resolutions of The Episcopal Church that pertain to immigration, migration, and refugees. Yes, we are actively engaged in advocating for legislation and policy change in the U.S. government today, but what forms the basis for our positions in that process? Join to learn more about what the church’s governing and legislative bodies have said about immigration over nearly a century of speaking out about immigration reform. We hope this episode is helpful to listeners as the church gears up for its 2024 General Convention in Louisville.
 The Office of Government Relations aims to represent the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy. Learn more at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/.
MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

The Office of Government Relations

Policy for Action

Internship Program

As we mark the Season of Creation and the feast of St. Francis, we sat down for a discussion with Susie Faria, our policy analyst for environmental advocacy. She leads us in a review from the broad to the specific in our engagement to protect the environment at the scale needed to address today’s challenges; our discussion includes the importance of environmental justice that addresses the concerns of the most marginalized, who are often most affected by environmental degradation. 

The Office of Government Relations aims to represent the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy. Learn more at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/. 

MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:  


The Office of Government Relations  


Internship Program  


Environmental Advocacy Resources 


Season of Creation Resources 


Prophetic Voices Podcast 

Did you know The Episcopal Church is part of the third largest Christian body in the world—the Anglican Communion—and that we have a lot of policy positions on foreign policy matters? Join Patricia Kisare, our legislative representative for international policy, in a review from the broad to the regional in our U.S. foreign policy engagement. 

The Office of Government Relations aims to represent the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy. Learn more at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/. 

MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:  


The Office of Government Relations  


Internship Program