JULY 28, 2026

Dear church,

From its earliest days, the United States has been shaped by religious diversity. Indigenous peoples sustained diverse spiritual and religious traditions long before the nation’s founding, and successive waves of settlers, including Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and others, brought a variety of beliefs that helped define the nation’s unique and vital religious landscape. 

Throughout the church today, many are struggling with debates regarding the religious identity of our nation. While religious diversity did not begin with the Constitution, the Constitution’s framers recognized an important truth: the future of our nation could not be tied to a single religious identity. By rejecting religious tests for public office, the Founders created space for people of any or no faith tradition to participate in public life together. That commitment continues to be foundational to our nation’s vitality, especially at a time when people are tempted to identify love of the nation, or the government itself, with a single religion. No one faith tradition should rule the United States, just as the framers desired.¹

As the apostle Paul writes, God has given us “the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). Reconciliation involves living in God’s future — including through renewed interreligious relationships.

Religious diversity is the reality of the world we live in. Recognizing this, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America adopted “A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment,” which affirms that mutual understanding with other faith traditions can deepen our own faith. Through encountering neighbors and working side by side in shared commitments to love and compassion and community, our own Christian faith is strengthened. This conviction means that through my call as presiding bishop of the ELCA, our church develops and maintains relationships with Jewish, Muslim and many other faith communities. Like personal friendships we hold, these relationships do not require us to set aside Christian faith. Rather they reaffirm that in a nation as diverse as ours, being a good neighbor across religious differences is not optional. It’s a part of the shared American experience. It is an experience we can support as everyday Lutherans in God’s call to reconciliation.

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“The ELCA will explore and encourage inter-religious friendship, accompaniment, and partnership with all who seek justice, peace, human wholeness, and the well-being of creation (ELCA Constitution, Chapter 4.03.f).” —“A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment,” p. 10

“The ELCA will defend the full participation of all in our religiously diverse society, ‘strengthening public space as a just place for all’ regardless of religion or worldview (‘The Church in the Public Space: A Statement of The Lutheran World Federation,’ 2016).” —“A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment,” p. 11

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The ministry of reconciliation is both local and national. God invites us to love one another across differences. Trusting in God’s grace, we boldly form relationships with neighbors of all faiths who share a commitment to justice, peace and the flourishing of all creation. I encourage you to engage in this essential ministry, which offers a powerful opportunity to heal divisions, deepen respect across differences and strengthen the bonds of our common life. 

In Christ,

The Rev. Yehiel Curry
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  

Yesterday was World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. While the day has passed, the fight continues every day. Urge members of Congress to support human trafficking survivors by passing the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025.

ELCA Action Alert

Why Your Story Matters

As people of faith, we believe every person has a story worth hearing.

Throughout Scripture, God works through the stories of ordinary people. Moses shared his fears. Ruth shared her journey. Mary proclaimed God’s justice. Jesus taught through stories because stories change hearts.

When you meet with an elected official, send an email, testify at a hearing, or attend a town hall, your lived experience is one of the most powerful tools you have.

Facts inform.
Stories inspire.
Together they create change.

The 3-Minute Story Framework

1. Who are you?

Introduce yourself.

Share:

• Your name
• Where you live
• Your congregation
• Your role in your community

Example:

“My name is Sarah, and I’m a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Dayton. I’m also a nurse and the mother of two children.”

2. What happened?

Describe your experience.

Focus on:

• What you experienced
• How it affected you, your family, or your community
• Why it matters

Use specific examples.

Instead of:

Housing is expensive.

Try:

Last year my daughter and her family had to move three times because rent increased faster than their income. My grandchildren changed schools twice.

3. Why does this matter?

Connect your story to the policy.

Explain:

• What change is needed?
• Why should lawmakers care?
• How would this improve people’s lives?

Example:

“Policies that expand affordable housing would help families stay rooted in their communities instead of constantly starting over.”

4. Make the Ask

Always end with a clear request.

Examples:

• Please support this bill.
• Please oppose this proposal.
• Please protect SNAP.
• Please preserve Medicaid.
• Please invest in affordable housing.
• Please protect our public lands.

Connect Your Story to Your Faith

You do not need to quote Scripture, but it is appropriate to explain why your faith calls you to act.

You might say:

• “My Lutheran faith teaches me to love my neighbor.”
• “As Christians, we are called to care for creation.”
• “I believe every person is created in God’s image and deserves dignity.”
• “Our congregation sees these challenges every day.”
• “Serving my neighbors has shown me how important this issue is.”

Helpful Tips

Keep it personal.

Talk about your own experience rather than speaking for everyone.

Be respectful.

You may disagree with an elected official while still treating them with dignity.

Be brief.

Aim for two to three minutes.

Be specific.

Concrete stories are easier to remember than broad statements.

Be hopeful.

Advocacy is about creating solutions, not simply describing problems.

Questions to Help You Reflect

Consider these prompts:

• When have you or someone you love struggled because of a public policy?
• What ministry has changed your understanding of this issue?
• Where have you seen God at work in your community?
• What experience motivates you to advocate?
• Why does this issue matter to your congregation?

Common Advocacy Topics

Your story could focus on:

• Hunger and SNAP
• Affordable housing
• Health care and Medicaid
• Immigration and refugees
• Public lands stewardship
• Climate and creation care
• Democracy and voting
• Mental health
• Child care
• Education
• Poverty
• Disability access
• Aging with dignity

Before You Leave the Meeting

Remember to:

• Thank the legislator or staff member.
• Leave behind a fact sheet.
• Ask how you can stay in touch.
• Follow up with a thank-you email.

Remember

Your story may be the first time a policymaker hears how a decision affects a real person.

Advocacy is not about being an expert. It is about being faithful.

God has already given you the most important qualification:

Your lived experience.

As Lutherans, we believe faith calls us beyond the walls of the church and into the public square. Scripture reminds us to seek the welfare of our communities, care for our neighbors, and speak up for those whose voices are too often overlooked.

Each August, members of Congress return home to their states and districts during the congressional recess. This creates one of the best opportunities of the year for people of faith to meet directly with their elected officials, attend town halls, visit district offices, and share how federal policies affect our congregations and communities.

Whether your passion is ending hunger, protecting health care, welcoming immigrants, strengthening democracy, caring for God’s creation, or expanding affordable housing, August is our moment to ensure our faith is part of the conversation.

Advocacy is not about politics alone, it is about discipleship.

As Lutherans, we affirm that God calls us to seek justice, love our neighbors, and participate faithfully in public life. Every conversation with an elected official is an opportunity to witness to the Gospel through compassion, wisdom, and hope.

This August, let us move faithfully from our pews into the public square—bringing the voices of our congregations into conversations that shape the common good.

August is our moment. Let us use it well to Build a More Just Nevada.

Many people think advocacy requires a large committee, endless meetings, or policy experts. It doesn’t.

It can start with just two or three people in your congregation who care deeply about justice and your community.

Those few people can make a meaningful difference.

They can:

• Share legislative and community updates with the congregation.
• Organize educational events or Bible studies on issues affecting your neighbors.
• Connect members with action alerts when their voices are needed.
• Build relationships with local organizations and elected officials.
• Pray regularly for those impacted by injustice and for those making decisions.

Justice ministry begins by paying attention.

Perhaps your local hospital is discharging patients in the middle of the night to a warming shelter. Sadly, that happens in some communities. Congregations have helped bring healthcare leaders, shelters, and public officials together to improve those practices because faithful people noticed and spoke up.

Or perhaps your neighborhood is facing housing challenges, food insecurity, environmental concerns, or barriers to healthcare. Every community has opportunities to love our neighbors in tangible ways.

Start by asking simple questions:

• Who are our neighbors?
• What challenges do they face?
• Have we walked around our neighborhood recently?
• Who is missing from our conversations?
• Where is God already at work, inviting us to join?

You don’t need twenty people to begin.

You only need three people willing to pray, learn, listen, and act.

Small groups of faithful people have always changed the world.

Maybe it is a Church in Society? or Something Different.

You don’t need a committee of twenty. It could be a couple of people, who are interested in justice. There are a lot of issues like hospitals dropping off patients in the middle of the night at warming shelters. Yes, this happens, and sometimes community ancestry church leaders hold to account the Health care systems to care.

Start with three people who care.

Together they can:
Share legislative updates
Organize educational events
Connect members with action alerts
Pray for the work

Small groups often create big change.