Faith Action Network Programs
Our network of advocating faith communities are committed to advocate for change in the policies and programs that affect the most vulnerable members of society. Our congregational advocates also work toward economic, racial, and environmental justice, sharing their values with legislators and other decision-makers in their communities and across the state. FAN develops an annual legislative agenda, and faithful advocates across the state (whether members of advocating congregations or not) respond and participate, sponsoring issue forums, meeting with and writing to their legislators, and participating in our annual Interfaith Advocacy Day in Olympia. Together, we take action and advocate for a just and sustainable future.
Faith Action Network builds ecumenical and interfaith relationships, learning from the diverse perspectives of our faith traditions and forging a unified voice and public witness for the common good.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
Recent Success
2012 was FAN’s first full calendar year as a newly merged organization from The Washington Association of Churches (WAC) and The Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington (LPPO). FAN far surpassed our advocating congregations goal of 52 by the end of 2012, to welcome over 60 faith communities across Washington into our network, including Jewish synagogues, Quaker meetings, Unitarian congregations, and a Buddhist community.
FAN gathered a record-breaking 400 advocates for our 2013 Interfaith Advocacy Day in Olympia, and scheduled over a hundred meetings with legislators in 43 of the 49 legislative district offices. Governor Jay Inslee spoke at our morning plenary session and there were 10 workshops on issues such as gun violence, economic justice, homelessness, and the environment.
In recent months, FAN helped organize rallies, vigils, marches (900 in attendance at one on gun violence), and press conferences with our faith and community partners, garnering significant major press locally and nationally building public awareness around key issues. We also garnered over 1,500 signatures on our Stop Gun Violence Campaign, with an additional 200 rabbis, priests, and pastors from across Washington State.
Current Need
Faith Action Network is partnering with people of all faiths, launching an organizing effort among interfaith communities across Washington State to advocate on issues of economic justice. Your contributions to FAN can help fund this organizing program, critically important to support FAN in becoming the efficient, effective organization we strive to be.