As the 20-month For Such a Time as This: A Call to Prayer, Fasting, and Advocacy campaign concludes, Rebecca Linder Blachly, director of the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations and the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Director, Advocacy, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, through a joint video message offer thanks for leaders’ and advocates’ support and a call for continued engagement.

For Such a Time as This: A Call to Prayer, Fasting, and Advocacy called for fasting on the 21st of each month until December 2018, at which time the 115th Congress concludes. We prayed for those who are living in or at the edge of poverty.  We fasted, reminding ourselves of what it feels like to go without. And we acted – calling and writing members of Congress to say that poverty matters to us, that we must not forget the most vulnerable among us.

The 21st of each month was targeted because by that time each month, 90% of SNAP (formerly food stamp) benefits have been used, thereby making the last week of the month the hungry week in America.

We kept up this program in hopes of building up our discipline to advocate for the least of these, to speak out for the rights of all, to really think about the long-term decision making in our government and our need—our obligation—to be involved in that process. For Such a Time is about preparing for the next time.

For the next time is upon us, as the 115th Congress comes to an end, and a new Congress begins in January. Commit to diving deeper in advocacy with us as we approach this new Congressional session, learn about an issue you’re less familiar with, and join us in speaking out with those in poverty, those in need, those facing oppression or living in fear. Approach this advocacy with the long term, strategic mindset explored in the For Such a Time campaign.

As we’re asking this commitment of you, we also want to make a commitment to you to continue raising the standard of our advocacy tools, educational materials, and opportunities for action throughout 2019. We’re excited and ready to engage the 116th Congress, and we hope you join us and introduce a few new friends to the ministry of policy advocacy.

#ForSuchATime