AN INTRODUCTION TO FAITH-BASED ADVOCACY

The mission of the Virginia Interfaith Center is to speak for and with the vulnerable and to work for a just and compassionate Commonwealth by uniting and empowering faith communities.

The three actions through which direct our mission are, “Learn. Pray. Act. The Common Wealth Depends On Us.”

LEARN
The Virginia Interfaith Center educates members regarding social issues, the legislative process, and faith based advocacy. We disseminate advocacy information via email action alerts, publish LegisLink and Interact newsletters, and provide educational forums, workshops, and guest speakers across the state.

PRAY
Staff and members of the Virginia Interfaith Center provide a spiritual presence at the legislature. Members are encouraged to pray for elected officials and remind their legislators to utilize their faith when making decisions. During each legislative session, the Virginia Interfaith Center supplies each legislator with a prayer leaflet, which includes sacred texts of the three traditions of the Interfaith Center. The Executive Director also encourages legislators and other governmental officials to reflect their faith in their legislative decisions. On occasion, he has been honored to open the daily legislative session with prayer.

ACT
Beyond learning and praying, Virginia Interfaith Center members advocate by participating in our advocacy day at the legislature in January. We also encourage members to contact their legislators year-round via handwritten notes, letters, emails, phone calls, and personal visits.

Since 1982, the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy has been the most respected interfaith voice bringing people of faith together in effective advocacy for human dignity and social justice. The Center represents Christian, Muslim, and Jewish faith communities. Shared values and public policy consensus bring these diverse faith communities together to provide a common witness around social concerns.

The Virginia Interfaith Center includes 21 member faith groups (Roman Catholic, Jewish, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Disciples of Christ, Friends, Baptist, Brethren, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist), several faith-based organizations (three Jewish federations, two Islamic organizations, the Virginia Council of Churches, the Virginia Poverty Law Center, Voices for Virginia’s Children, CARITAS, and others), engaged congregations, and over 1000 individuals.

What do legislators and faith leaders really think about the Virginia Interfaith Center?

"The Interfaith Center provides a guiding moral beacon in the troubled waters of the legislative process." Senator Edward R. Houck, District 17, Democrat

"We need the Virginia Interfaith Center around to remind us that we all serve the God of Justice." Senator John C. Watkins, District 10, Republican

Center Priorities (.pdf)

Bulletin Inserts
Child Support (.pdf)
Environment (.pdf)
Housing Trust (.pdf)
Indigent Defense (.pdf)
Payday Lending (.pdf)
Minimum Wage (.pdf)

Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Guide (.doc)
Advocacy Portal (link)
Lending Info. (.ppt)
Richmond Map (.pdf)

For Small Groups
Eco-Stewardship (link)
Prayers for Creation (link)
Poverty Diet (link)

Policy Briefs
EITC (.doc)
TANF Child Support (.doc)
Payday Loans (.doc)
Healing Creation (.doc)
Child Ombudsman (.doc)
Affordable Housing (.doc)
Indigent Defense (.doc)
Minimum Wage (.doc)
Wage & EITC (.doc)
VA Tribes (.link)

Actions
Lending Petition (link)
Title Petition (link)
Wage Petition (link)

Reports
Budget Analysis (.pdf)
Food Stamps (.doc)
Lottery Study (link)

FAQ's (link)

Your donation helps the Interfaith Center advocate for a more compassionate Commonwealth. Your gifts support trainings, advocacy, community programs, and briefing development. Get involved and begin to Learn Pray and Act with us. Together we can!