Advocacy as a Ministry: A Call to Action for CHHSM Agencies

At CHHSM, we know that advocacy is not separate from our ministry — it is ministry. It is the living out of our values in the public square. It’s standing in the gap for our neighbors, clients, and communities when policies threaten their well-being and dignity. And right now, that calling is more urgent than ever.

In recent months, we have witnessed a troubling trend at the federal level: proposals to dramatically cut, defund, or altogether eliminate critical social programs. These are the very programs that support the work our CHHSM agencies do every day, programs that serve older adults, children and youth, low-income families, and people with disabilities. Programs like Medicaid and Medicare, HUD-funded housing initiatives, SNAP, and services administered through both the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services are all on the chopping block. These proposed changes don’t just impact our agencies’ operations, they directly endanger the lives of the people we are called to serve.

The truth is, most CHHSM ministries work in precisely these spaces. We house people through affordable housing initiatives supported by HUD. We care for aging adults and those living with chronic illnesses through services funded by Medicare and Medicaid. We support children, youth, and families with wraparound care that is often backed by programs from the Department of Education and HHS. We cannot be silent while these supports are threatened.

That’s why CHHSM continues to prioritize advocacy as a core component of our work. We are proud to stand in partnership with the United Church of Christ’s Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington, D.C., working together to raise our collective voice for justice. The UCC’s advocacy office has been a critical ally — offering resources, action alerts, talking points, and opportunities for public witness that empower our ministries to not only provide services but also shape the systems in which we serve.

This April, that partnership takes on special meaning as we unite for In-District Advocacy Week on Medicaid and SNAP, taking place April 21–25. CHHSM and the UCC’s national offices are mobilizing people of faith to meet with their elected officials in their home districts, urging them to reject harmful cuts to these lifeline programs. You can read more in our CHHSM Action Alert.

Through this coordinated effort, and others like it, we have already pushed back against legislation that would have gutted critical safety nets. But we must remain vigilant. Advocacy is not just for Election Day; it’s a year-round, daily commitment to civic engagement rooted in faith. It’s about showing up, speaking out, and making clear that our ministries and our communities deserve policies that reflect compassion, equity, and justice.

If you’re wondering how to get started or deepen your advocacy, the UCC Office of Public Policy and Advocacy offers a wealth of tools to equip you. From issue briefings and policy updates to how-to guides for contacting legislators, their advocacy resource hub is a powerful tool for CHHSM agencies looking to engage more meaningfully in this work. Whether you’re preparing to meet with a member of Congress, organizing your staff for an action, or simply want to learn more about what’s at stake, these resources are there for you.

Let us remember that advocacy is not about partisanship, it’s about people. It’s about ensuring our voices are heard on behalf of the communities we love and serve. Together, we can push for policies that uplift, not dismantle; that invest in communities, not abandon them; that build a just world for all.

So, I invite you—challenge you—to take the next step. Join us for Advocacy Week. Reach out to your representatives. Use your voice. And know that in doing so, you are living out our shared call to justice.

This is sacred work. Let’s do it together.

A Closing Prayer
God of justice and compassion,
You have called us to love not only in word, but in action.
Strengthen our voices as we speak truth to power.
Embolden our hearts as we stand with those who are marginalized.
Remind us that every call we make, every letter we write, every meeting we attend in pursuit of justice is an act of faith.
May we never grow weary in doing good,
And may our advocacy reflect your boundless love for all people.
In the spirit of hope, we pray. Amen.