This week in PCUSA Mission:
Government Relations and
Advocacy Partnerships
Make a Difference Around the World
Catherine Gordon and Ryan Smith
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
Working with decision makers looks different depending on where you are. Convincing your toddler to brush her teeth looks different from convincing your teenager to write a college admissions essay, which is different still from convincing the school board to keep funding the arts program you care so deeply about.
In our ministry in government relations and advocacy, the work looks different too. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) maintains two offices — one in New York (Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations) and one in Washington, D.C. (Office of Public Witness). Both offices advocate on behalf of the policies of the PC(USA) and the needs of our partner churches worldwide.
The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations works with the U.N. system and agencies, as well as ambassadors and other diplomats, to create global change. The voices of our partners give us a strong message to share with global leaders. One saying that we repeat over and over again with U.N. Security Council ambassadors is this: “The church is in a country before conflict begins, the church continues to serve the community while a conflict occurs and, God willing, the church will be in the community to help it rebuild after a conflict ends.” This is more than many nongovernmental and humanitarian organizations can say.
