Two upcoming webinars invite UMs into election-season advocacy: the NCJ Advocacy Network’s Sept. 9 kickoff call and a Sept. 19 conversation with Bishop David Bard on how churches can faithfully engage in civic life and support voting rights.
NCJ Advocacy Network
The NCJ Advocacy Network is a grassroots initiative within the North Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church, formed to support and connect people engaged in state-level advocacy across the jurisdiction.
Rev. Alice Fleming Townley helped launch the network, drawing on her experience coordinating the Michigan Conference’s annual Advocacy Day, alongside Rev. Christina Krost of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference and Rev. Breanna Illéné of the Wisconsin Council of Churches. Their goal: build communication channels among advocates in each conference. As Fleming Townley put it, advocating for people, the planet, and community is a joint effort — justice, she believes, is always collaborative.
Justice advocates here in the Michigan Conference are welcome to join the network’s upcoming election-focused meeting:
Wednesday, September 9, 12 pm ET / 11 am CT
This is the first of a three-part series on the general election and how people of faith can participate faithfully and effectively:
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- September 9: Collaborative brainstorming on what churches and annual conferences can do (register now)
- October 7: Sharing resources and plans (register now)
- November 4: Debriefing election activities, with space to lament and celebrate results (register now)
Register for the September 9 call.
Questions? Reach out to Rev. Alice Fleming Townley at [email protected].
Faithful Civic Engagement
Saturday, September 19, 11 am ET / 10 am CT
How can United Methodists support voting rights? Join Bishop David Bard, Kendal McBroom of the General Board of Church and Society, and the Illinois Great Rivers and Michigan Conference Boards of Church and Society for a conversation on how and why churches should participate in civic engagement.
Last Updated on September 3, 2026