February 4, 2010

WASHINGTON – More than 700 people of faith from across the country are expected to discuss migration issues and visit Capitol Hill for the eighth annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice Conference, March 19-22.

Founded in 2001 by the National Council of Churches USA, Ecumenical Advocacy Days is now supported by 45 communions, religious societies and groups. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a major sponsor of the event.

Policy makers, expert speakers and representatives from global regions will join church leaders and grassroots activists in reflecting on the 2010 Ecumenical Advocacy Days conference theme, "A Place to Call Home: Immigrants, Refugees and Displaced Peoples." The workshops will focus on shaping U.S. immigration and refugee policies and explore the root causes of migration and displacement.

Speakers and preachers include Frank Sharry, founder and executive director of America's Voice; Sister Helen Prejean, anti-death penalty activist and author of "Dead Man Walking"; the Rev. Minerva Carcano, bishop of the Desert Southwest Conference, United Methodist Church; Sister Mary McCauley, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and the Rev. Sharon Watkins, general ministry and president, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

"Debates about immigration may be the lens through which U. S. citizens view the issue of global migration, but the situation here is just part of a global phenomenon of migration within and across borders. Whether due to poverty, war or climate change, the number of (people) migrant and displaced around the world is greater than ever before," said Jesse Marsden, conference coordinator for Ecumenical Advocacy Days.

Participants will meet with their Congressional representatives and staffs on March 22 to discuss ways of addressing these global concerns through legislation or budget priorities.

A registration form can be downloaded at http://advocacydays.org/registration/, on the Web. Student scholarships are available.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days is a movement of the ecumenical Christian community grounded in biblical witness and shared traditions of justice, peace and integrity of creation. Its goal, through worship, theological reflection and opportunities for education and witness, is to strengthen the Christian voice of citizens mobilized for advocacy on a wide variety of U.S. domestic and international policy issues, according to its Web site.

More information about Ecumenical Advocacy Days is at http://advocacydays.org/, on the Web.

ELCA News Service