by Lisa Saaf Capozza and Diane Zahn, WCDP Members
An exciting approach to organizing across the aisle has gotten underway in Washtenaw County, leveraging the power of faith based networks. The majority of the 119th Congress has a faith based affiliation; the January 2025 Pew Research Report “Faith on the Hill” provides this information. These faiths value integrity, justice, compassion, and mercy. Faith communities call people to act, to witness respect, truth, duty, rule of law and mercy. To persuade congress people ahead of a vote or action, consider mobilizing their faith network in their district to advocate that they follow the principles of their faith in the matter.
Using this approach involves several steps: look up your targeted congress person’s faith affiliation; use the congressional district maps together with the “find a [church or other place of worship]” tools on your faith’s website; find congregations (or assemblies) to contact; and share your letter or phone script with them. Mobilize them to contact their congressperson.
Last December, Ann Arbor’s Northside Presbyterian Church wrote to 132 Presbyterian congregations nationally to advocate against repressive House rules targeting Rep. Sarah McBride, a Presbyterian elder in her home church.
“We focused on districts represented by Presbyterian Republicans, and on Michigan Republicans, including Wahlberg and James. We asked these congregations to tell their own congress people that no child of God should be considered less than worthy, and to stand against rules and laws that would target a person for their identity or medical history,” said Diane Zahn, a key organizer of the letter campaign. A key win resulted when the More Light Presbyterians network joined the Northside effort, asking the same of their 300+ network congregations.
Northside’s pioneering approach to advocacy opens out in many directions. Consider networks such as unions or professional organizations, or affinity groups such as the Sierra Club. Groups like this cherish values and principles that are expressed in their mission statements and bylaws. In these times of destructive division, wherever you belong, explore the possibilities of mobilizing your network to advocate for unity around solid principles.