Bending the Arc

Concerned about the current times?? You’re not alone. But, throughout the country, in both religious and secular sectors, the message is unified - our greatest impact begins at the local level.

It is time we all turn up our engagement efforts and exercise our rights and duties as participants in our democracy. Please review the following actions and consider what step you can take within your own sphere of influence. Whether big or small, every effort matters - what’s most important is that we each take action. 

Advocacy & Activism:

• Respond to action alerts to your legislators. Remember that you are responding as an individual constituent, not on behalf of your congregation.
  • Help those who can’t do the technology to respond.
• Sign the petitions on issues that are important to you.
• Write Letters to the editor of your local paper.
• Use the app “5 Calls" Civil Action App  https://5calls.org/
  5 Calls is an app for your phone (Apple or Android) and works on an iPad. This app makes it easy for you to reach your members of Congress to make your voice heard. They research issues, write scripts that clearly articulate a position, figure out the most influential decision-makers, and collect phone numbers for their offices. All you have to do is call.
• Write positive letters to those who are resisting Project 2025, harmful policies, and spending cuts.
• Speak with one voice…starting point is the Gospel… We are stronger together.

Collaboration & Networking:

• Collaborate with other groups national and local…numbers make a difference.
• Encourage the Bishops and churches to be more vocal. Remind them of the Gospel Values.
• Take the recent CSA or LCWR statements and study them in your groups and circles.
  • A Response from the Sisters of St. Agnes to These Times
  • A Response from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious to These Times
• Talk to everyone, family, friends, even people in the grocery line…let them know what you believe.

Spiritual & Emotional Support

• Energy follows thoughts…what type of energy do we want to put out each day? Support our actions by prayer.
• Work on ourselves so that we don’t become what we are fighting against.
• Encourage people to remember that all of us are human beings and we share a common humanity.

Support for Specific Organizations and Creativity

• Support organizations that are challenging unjust policies through legal means.
• Support artists and musicians. We need their creativity.

What We Can Agree On

One thing most Americans and our congressional representatives do commonly care about is the economy. So it is important we share with our representatives, and others, how actions being taken affect us personally. For example, regarding federal spending cuts and job eliminations, these negatively impact our local economies, and of course, our own families and communities.

It is recommended you call the representatives, whom you want to see change from, with one issue a day. Clearly state your name and your zip code so they know you are a constituent. You do not have to state who you voted for. Simply deliver an honest, heartfelt story regarding issues such as: how your small business is impacted, your family farm is at a loss, your retirement and 401K are tanking, your child’s education is suffering, the agencies you work for or sit on the board for that are helping people out of poverty, addiction and mental illness are having to close, etc. In a day or two, call again regarding a new issue. The key is to call often. It is absolutely crucial that we increase the level of calls we make each week. Consider using the 5 Calls app mentioned earlier to help you know more about the issues and to provide you with helpful scripts.

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