The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church continue our united call to Pray, Fast and Act in support of good policies that provide opportunities for and respect the dignity of people struggling with poverty. As the seasons transition and the days become colder, we answer the call this month by supporting action for people facing homelessness, unaffordable heating utility bills, and extreme housing insecurity.

ON OCTOBER 21, JOIN ELCA ADVOCACY AND PRESIDING BISHOPS OF THE ELCA AND THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH AS, TOGETHER, WE: 

PRAY for our nation’s elected leaders to stand with those who struggle to secure safe and affordable shelter.

FAST to call attention in our own minds and actions human plight that eviction, poverty, and homelessness create.  

ACT by urging our elected leaders to support strong policy solutions that address affordable housing needs and homelessness.

While churches continue to care for so many Americans displaced by natural disasters, too many Americans will wonder if they are going to have a home or will be able to pay their heating bill as winter approaches. Public funding cuts often fall on housing programs first, and many localities have limited resources to help families with low incomes stay in their homes, or cope with cold weather conditions. The growing affordable housing crisis has spread to every corner of the United States, with 8.3 million extremely low-income households spending over half of their income on housing in 2015. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands still struggle with homelessness each night and have few places to turn as housing costs rise and resources dwindle.

Houses of worship and ministries, such as those in the ELCA Homeless and Justice Ministries Network, are among those who offer food, housing assistance, shelter, as well as Word and Sacrament ministry to many people facing homelessness throughout the country. Many churches and social ministry organizations, like Lutheran Services in America, also dedicate resources to offering affordable housing, particularly to low-income seniors. People of faith are uniquely poised to encourage lawmakers to uphold better policies that give security to those of us who need it most.

Our nation’s strategy to address poverty works best when churches, non-profits, businesses and government invest in the challenge together. This month, as Lutherans and Episcopalians, we lift our voices and ask our members of Congress to support policies that prevent people who eviction, unaffordable bills, or homelessness from falling through the cracks.  

Here's how to equip yourself and your congregation to #PrayFastAct on October 21:

1. Read the October advocacy resource to learn how ELCA Advocacy is urging the U.S. government to support low-income households and their critical needs. Share this resource with your congregations!
2. Encourage your community to pray, fast and advocate together by sharing this message on your congregation’s e-news.
3. Visit ELCA.org/PrayFastAct to watch a message from The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, and read the joint call to prayer, fasting and advocacy.
4. Check out how the housing crisis is affecting your state and local community, and connect with local shelter ministries in your local area.
5. Take action and share the #PrayFastAct action alert on Saturday, October 21 and join us as we pray, fast and advocate together. 

For more advocacy opportunities, visit Advocacy.ELCA.org. Thank you for your dedication and leadership on this important issue!

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