Nebraska Synod ELCA

Class Description:

Advocacy can be a daunting word. What does it mean, how do we do it can anyone really do it? In the four-week class we will use the book “The Everyday Advocate” by Ross Murray as a guide as we break advocacy down and dig into how we can all do it. Each week will involve discussion and “homework” to think about, reflect on and bring back for discussion the following week. You will leave this class equipped with resources and an action plan to be an advocate.

• October 2: What is advocacy? Together, we will dig deep into the word and what it means to be an advocate. Where is advocacy rooted in faith? How do we live out advocacy as “everyday advocates” in daily life? What is the difference between direct service and social change and how do we do both?
• October 9: Where is God and what are we called to do? Taking the book to a personal level, we will begin to answer these questions not just for the church, but for each of us as we dig deep into what each of us feels called to advocate for and what that may look like in the context of our own communities. This session will help us narrow down advocacy from a big world to a practical place of action and as homework we will work on individual advocacy plans
• October 16: Advocacy in action. Come prepared to share your ideas about your advocacy action plan. This will be a week of dreaming, brainstorming, and helping each build advocacy action plans. We work on turning big dreams into achievable actions and what it looks like to “put the rubber to the road”.
• October 23: Now what??? As we wrap up our time together, we will look at ways to know we are not in this alone. We will explore advocacy resources (those ins Ross’s book appendix and others), networks and connections and we will dig into what to do when the going gets tough and how to keep going.

Instructor:
Gretchen Ahrens is the Director for Youth and Justice Ministries for the Nebraska Synod. She works with teams throughout the Synod to advocate for justice in all areas of life and is currently partnering with other synods to develop an Advocacy 101 Manual. She learned about advocacy at an early age from her parents and believes in living out our baptismal promise to strive for justice and peace in all the earth. 

Course Details:
This course has been purposefully planned for Wednesday evenings knowing many congregations have activities at the church on Wednesdays. Add this to your Wednesday night as a learning together opportunity.  All you need is a space big enough for your group, internet connection and a big screen with sound.

Dates:  Wednesdays, October 2, 9, 16 and 23

Time: 7:00-8:30 pm Central 6:00-7:30 pm Mountain

Format: This is an on-line Zoom course. Links will be mailed after the September29 deadline

Materials:  Participants need to purchase their own copy of “The Everyday Advocate: Living Out Your Calling to Social Justice” by Ross Murray.

Continuing Education Credit: Church staff may receive 6 credits for participating in all four sessions. PMAs should follow PMA guidelines for continuing education credit.

Costs: $20/person — Register as an individual or take advantage of this special deal by registering 2 people ($20/person) from the same congregation/ministry site and bring as many as you like to the Everyday Advocacy Course. Email link and additional course information will be sent to those named on the registration who are in turn responsible for sharing with others.

Register two from the same congregation (register at the same time) for $40 and bring as many as you would like to the class.

Registration Deadline: September 29. No refunds after September 29, 2024.