"Striving for a just and peaceful world is our calling as the people of God," said the Rev. Dr. Teresa Mithen Danieley. "It is what we as Christians must do, no matter how many or how few of us there are."
Danieley made that statement as part of her passionate presentation at the 184th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Missouri on Nov. 3, 2023. Danieley serves as the Diocesan Missioner for Public Advocacy. She also works full-time as the statewide Champions Organizer for Missouri Jobs with Justice.
In her convention speech, Danieley outlined her goals for 2024, which included raising $2,400 in donations so that the Diocese can purchase Voter Voice. This advocacy tool would facilitate communications between Episcopalians engaged in public advocacy and Missouri legislators.
Her presentation moved several delegates at the conference to make a financial pledge that same day. At the time of this article's publishing, more than $1,000 has been raised. (Click here to make a donation.)
"Thank you to everyone who has made and will make donations to purchase the Voter Voice tool to organize Episcopalians to advocate for justice in Missouri," Danieley said. "Voter Voice will allow all of the missioners and missioner groups to set up automated letter writing campaigns directly to Missouri legislators and other government officials, in keeping with our mission areas, our Baptismal Covenant and our mission as a church. Then, each missioner will use the information collected by Voter Voice to reach out to Episcopalians who have taken action through an automated letter writing campaign to deepen our Missioner groups and broaden our advocacy as Episcopalians in Missouri."
Danieley also hopes to train volunteers from the Diocese of Missouri how to testify during the Missouri legislature from January through May, so that the voices of faithful Christians would be on the record in all deliberations in Jefferson City.
"Justice ought to be central to our lives as Christians and our common life as a Church," she said.
Public Advocacy issues in Missouri's 2024 legislative session might include:
- Standing with trans kids and their families when they testify for their right to continue to live as themselves in Missouri.
- Joining our voices when victims of the next school shooting plead with legislators to simply pass a common sense red flag law.
- Amplifying the voices of parents and educators asking the state for enough money to keep schools open five days a week (30% of our state schools are only open four days a week).
- Defending the grassroots ballot initiative process on issues like raising the hourly minimum wage to $15 and giving hourly workers access to paid sick time.
Danieley has been advocating for justice issues in the public forum for years and she has hope for the future. "I hope that we Episcopalians in Missouri, because of our hope in Christ, will no longer put up with reality as it is, but begin to contradict it, until the welfare of the people shall be the supreme law and all Missourians can thrive with dignity, respect, justice and peace."
Contact the Rev. Dr. Teresa Mithen Danieley if you would like to learn more and/or get involved: publicadvocacy@diocesemo.org.
Make an online donation to our public advocacy fund or text DIOMO Public Advocacy to 73256 to give using your text messaging (standard text messaging rates may apply).