August Recess is a congressional tradition that brings heightened opportunities to reach out to your federal lawmakers where you – and they – live. U.S. representatives traditionally return to their home districts in this month to engage with their constituents.

What does this mean for constituents? Town Halls and in-district meetings may be available in this period that create windows to raise your experiences, the experiences of your faith community, and policy concerns locally. It is a time faith voices can highlight ministries of accompaniment and draw attention to communities and concerns whose concerns may be disregarded in political processes.

How do you find out what opportunities are available? Your lawmaker’s Web presence is likely to highlight opportunities. One way to get to that Website is from govtrack.us. Local media and publicity may also share a schedule.

• If a Town Hall is listed, it may be an open forum or a virtual experience. You may need to register to attend and/or raise a question. Virtual experiences may be especially constrained in a question-and-answer format, but any Town Hall can be a meaningful connection point.
• You may request a local meeting in this period – but request this time on your lawmaker’s calendar as early as possible since calendars get filled.
  • Issue-centric meetings can be held in-person or virtually and will be strongest with intentional preparation including by pre-planning partner attendees. Find tips below.
  •  A showcase of your ministry can be an effective relationship builder with your presence in the community. In-person or virtually, a tour and impact illustration can position ongoing connection.
  • A chance for a lawmaker to speak or connect with constituents after a worship service or event can also be a strong relationship building experience, mindful that participation by congregations in such activities must be strictly nonpartisan and abide by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines.

If an ELCA-affiliated State Public Policy office is in your area, these leaders can be very helpful for local education and lawmaker connections.

Here is a ELCA Advocacy blog post with suggestions from our ELCA federal policy staff about issues that intersect with ELCA Federal Policy Priorities for the 119th Congress which are presently on the horizon. Question prompts may help you shape a timely way to use August Recess opportunities.