Advocacy Day reinvigorated the faith of lay member David Ascher and jumpstarted South Lyon: First UMC’s involvement in justice advocacy, leading them to host their own community event.
JAMES DEATON
Content Editor
“I’m a strong believer in prayer, but as my mother-in-law taught me years ago, it’s prayer with action. And this concept of advocacy really has recharged and energized my faith,” says David Ascher, a lay member of South Lyon: First UMC.
Over the last year and a half, David and members of his congregation have journeyed together to find renewed passion for ministry and living out their Christian faith as United Methodists. The Michigan Conference’s annual Advocacy Day has been a key marker on this journey.
Last March, David and five other members of South Lyon: First spoke up for better mental healthcare access for all Michiganders by meeting with state lawmakers and encouraging them to pass fair and just policies.
Their powerfully moving experience at the State Capitol in Lansing increased their confidence and capacity for justice advocacy. It inspired them to dream up what their congregation could do locally for people in their community. After praying and researching what was most needed in the South Lyon area, they settled on safe, stable, and affordable housing.
In October, over 70 people attended a community event hosted by the church, where members of the congregation joined community members, representatives of the Manufactured Housing Action (MHAction) advocacy group, and two local legislators. Stories were shared, and participants were given action items. Based on MHAction’s statistics, event attendees were responsible for sending hundreds of letters to legislators on this issue.
![Church sanctuary filled with people](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/south_lyon_1-e1737066905435.png)
This local advocacy event was a team effort made possible thanks to a committed group within this United Methodist congregation, but there’s something to say about the power of one.
David Ascher retired from a career in public school education a couple of years ago and found himself getting more involved at church. He and his wife teach an adult Sunday school class at South Lyon: First. During a study on Bible stories for people new to the faith, David wondered aloud to a class member that he wished their class could study contemporary issues and then discuss them without fear of polarization. This class member suggested that David talk to Frank Driscoll, chair of the Greater Detroit District’s Church & Society Committee.
Frank invited David to join their justice-minded committee, even though South Lyon is in the Heritage District, and shared some resources to get him started. This led David to discover the myriad resources available through UMCJustice.org, the website for the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church. This board’s mission is to implement the church’s Social Principles and other statements on Christian social concerns.
A lifelong Methodist, David admits that he didn’t know these resources existed. But his excitement for what he was learning about what the denomination says and believes compelled him to tell others at South Lyon: First. A group of about 15 to 20 people organized, and they began studying the Social Principles, which were recently revised, and learning more about advocacy. Click to learn more about the revised Social Principles.
That was around the time the Michigan Conference announced Advocacy Day, which captured the group’s attention. David and five others had a great experience in Lansing, meeting with lawmakers and advocating for increased mental healthcare access for all. Following Advocacy Day, David was energized and contacted Rev. Alice Fleming Townley, the coordinator for Advocacy Day, to get her thoughts on what South Lyon: First could do locally to build on the momentum.
![Speakers at an event sitting on a stage](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/south_lyon_2-e1737067024392.png)
“When I met with Alice,” explained David, “I asked her what we should do with all this energy and information, all that we had learned. She said, ‘David, you have to follow the energy.’ I have said similar things to younger teachers I’ve mentored in my profession, but it was so impactful to hear that from her because that’s what we did ultimately. To be honest, we didn’t know what we were doing — there was no playbook to follow. We just kept moving forward.”
David and the small group of church members interested in advocacy researched what other churches were doing in their communities. They weren’t having much luck until one member told the group about an affordable housing matter she was working on. “When Marge shared that, fireworks went off,” said David. “And I believe the Holy Spirit stepped in to assure us. We knew we could get behind this issue. Look at all the connections we already have!”
The wheels of progress went into motion, and the community event on affordable housing was a success. During the event, church leaders gave a brief introduction to United Methodism and other faith values that drive their congregation’s witness. David noted, “I was able to share just the tip of the iceberg on what’s available at UMCJustice.org, letting people know that our denomination is connectional, we have a legislative body, and these Social Principles drive who we are.” In many ways, the event spread good news.
As a follow-up, David met with church leadership, encouraging them to honor the positive energy this event created by establishing a Church & Society Committee in their congregation. David believes this will help formalize advocacy and justice ministry as a core part of their church’s vision, similar to South Lyon: First’s long, robust history of doing mission work.
![Man and woman standing](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/south_lyon_3-e1737067086134.png)
David has volunteered to chair this committee. He noted, “We’re going to develop a small team, create a budget, begin to do this sort of work so that in 30 years, we can say, look at the amazing things that the advocacy team is doing, just like we look at what the missions team is doing.”
Participating in Advocacy Day and getting his congregation engaged in justice matters locally has reaffirmed David’s commitment to being United Methodist, knowing that the church he belongs to is standing behind what they believe.
Getting involved in advocacy has taken this congregation to a different level in their faith and understanding. “One of the things that churches do really well,” explained David, “is feeding people if they’re hungry. Whether it’s Thanksgiving or summer lunch programs or doing a monthly collection for our local food pantry. But this concept of advocacy has led us to try to figure out why people are hungry in the first place. What policies can our denomination support to address the root issues?”
David believes that many great things are happening in The United Methodist Church. He sees advocacy as an on-ramp for people to understand their Christian faith better, and he feels events like Advocacy Day can release untapped energy that can fuel the deepening of faith.
“I’ve found a new energy that didn’t always exist,” noted David. “And I think we can help others have the same experience. It’s something that we are called to do. From my experience, when people find out that advocacy is a way to live their faith, there’s energy there. ‘This is fantastic,’ they say, ‘look what I can do!’ It has been exciting to help others invigorate their faith journey.”
![People standing on the steps of the Michigan Capitol](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/south_lyon_4-e1737067282841.png)
David and others from South Lyon: First would love to talk with you personally to answer your questions and to help you think through what the advocacy passion might be for your faith community. It will differ from theirs, but they’d love to brainstorm with you. Email David at dascher1267@gmail.com to begin the conversation.
“It is a fantastic time to be a United Methodist,” said David. “The resources we have, the connections that we have, the leadership that we have, it really is an exciting time. The goal, though, is to take that excitement and do something with it. Advocacy has given us an avenue to put our faith into practice to help others.”
Editor’s note: Advocacy Day 2025 will be held on Wednesday, March 12, in Lansing. This year’s topic focuses on modifications to state auto insurance laws enacted in 2019 that have created a crisis in access to care. Click to learn more and to register.
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Last Updated on January 17, 2025