Justice, Equity, and Love For Older Adults

Contributed by Rev. Angel Luis Rivera-Agosto, NBA’s Community Engagement Senior Coordinator for Justice Initiatives

Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18

Justice issues today are especially urgent for older adults and others who are now even more vulnerable, as well as those in need of protection, accommodation, and honor. We are called as individuals and as congregations to take steps against injustices – to organize, mobilize, cover losses, and advocate for those who seem invisible. Our justice challenge invites your church group to begin by discussing: Where are the connecting points to services in our community? Who are the knowledgeable and caring people in our church and community?

Older Adult Ministries has created a guide for taking next steps in advocating for justice for all in your community called Challenging Churches: A Roadmap for Justice Action, which can be found below. Additionally, check out the resource Addressing Food Insecurity in the U.S., which can be found on the OAM Resources page.

---

Challenging Churches: A Roadmap for Justice Action

Written by Abby Coles-Johnson

1. Choose a topic of upcoming legislation to commit to educating and acting upon. For example, from Protect Our National Forests from Unregulated Logging, https://5calls.org/issue/national-forest-public-land-logging-deforestation/ 5 Calls. (This topic has an intergenerational draw for environmental protection).

Other topics:

• The Medicaid and SNAP funding cuts
• USDA cuts limiting funding and supplies for food banks nationwide
• Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid to fund tax giveaways
• Protect DEI initiatives (combat ageism/ableism)
• VA system changes
• Tariffs and food prices-affecting disproportionately those on fixed incomes
• Museum and library services cut – access to internet to apply for benefits/less free

services that improve quality of life

• Decreased workforce of Social Security Administration

2. Make an action plan.

• For example, speak as one voice by sharing information on the specific topic at the beginning of each month using an information booth or hosting a conversation group
• Invite other community and faith groups to join.
• Create a Call-to-Action page to post on the church website and e-newsletter including:
  • The topic
  • A pertinent Bible verse
  • A prayer for meditation (people may want to join in prayer, but not necessarily make phone calls)

3. Share the monthly justice theme in worship as a Minute for Mission, and ask your pastor to participate by sharing a relevant sermon topic.

• Choose a concrete way to engage in the work (letter writing, phone calls, supporting or joining with a local organization that is addressing the issue), and an action goal or challenge. For example: share how to contact your representatives’ offices and encourage members to make a certain number of calls using a provided script. (5 Calls: has a helpful guide.)