Everything Is at Stake: Rally!!

This Great Idea provides a process for whole-congregation engagement in upcoming Rise & Repair Rally Day events.

Everything is at stake – so get everyone involved!

Step 1: Invite leaders and all members to develop a relationship with Rise & Repair:

  • learn about Rise & Repair – check out the Rise & Repair website.
  • subscribe to the R&R eNews for ‘calls to action, updates from the capitol, organizing opportunities, trainings and upcoming events’.
  • financially support R&R.
  • consider becoming an aligning organization with Rise & Repair.

Step 2: Invite home-bound folx to be your prayer and communications warriors. At-home participants can have a HUGE impact on events. Without attending a single rally or meeting, they can:

  • pray for people and about issues, events, legislative decisions, etc.
  • make phone calls to invite, remind, encourage, and listen – preparatory to an action and as follow-up.
  • call and write letters and emails to legislators and other officials.

Step 3: Encourage Littles to engage in age-appropriate ways:

[This list is equally applicable with Tweens & Teens.]

  • Pray for people, concerns, issues, legislation, and events regularly in worship, Sunday school, and other Littles spaces.
  • Draw images of Littles’ hopes and dreams for the future:
    • especially as they relate to climate realities;
    • especially as they relate to Indigenous rights (yes, Littles can have insights and opinions about this!)
    • identify expectations of what legislators will do on behalf of their future;
    • draw and/or write out these hopes and expectations;
    • mail pictures and letters to appropriate legislators;
    • share pictures and letters with the congregation –
      • plaster them along hallway walls where they cannot be missed.
      • create bulletin boards in prominent spaces.
      • in worship as bulletin covers, during children’s time, as sermon illustrations (yes, put them on the big screen).
  • Invite Littles to a council or creation care team meeting:
    • talk about their hopes, their anxieties, their dreams for the planet.
    • share their vision of white-bodied peoples’ relationships with Indigenous peoples.

Step 4: Engage everyone from young adults to elders in the March 4 zoom debrief:

  • learn about this year’s Rise & Repair platform.
  • discover areas of mutual interest and action.
  • consider upcoming events and actions that your congregation can support in varied ways.
  • prepare for this year’s Rally & Lobby Day, March 12.
  • home-bound folx – it’s via zoom!
  • host a watch party at church.

Step 5: Art Build for Rise & Repair 2025 Rally Day is a PERFECT young adult and youth ministry event:

  • invite youth and young adults – along with everyone else – to participate; GREAT opportunity for deepening mentorships.
  • 2482 University Ave S, St Paul, 55114 – Studio F5
    • 2nd floor
    • ring bell upon arrival
    • let them know if elevator use is needed).
  • all supplies – and snacks! – are provided.
  • RSVP here so they know how many treats to get.
  • stop in for the full two hours or whatever window is best for your group.

Step 6: Rise & Repair 2025 Rally & Lobby Day!!

  • Wednesday, March 12, 2025 – 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM (or so).
  • Morning at Christ on Capitol Hill
    • 10:00-10:30: Check-in, Coffee & Snacks
    • 10:30-11:45: Advocacy Training & Lobby Visit Prep
    • 11:45-12:25: Wild Rice Lunch & Depart to Capitol
  • Afternoon at Capitol
    • 12:45-1:00 – Group Photo on Front Steps
    • 1:15-2:00 – Rally in Capitol Rotunda
    • 2:00-4:00 –  Constituent Meetings with Legislators
      • Note: lobby visits will happen all day depending on legislator schedules
      • Be sure to RSVP with your address to ensure proper schedule notices.
      • This is a GREAT first-time opportunity; you’ll be supported!
  • if unable to attend the full day, choose whatever timeframe works for you: come learn about loving, join the rotunda rally, only meet with your legislators, whatever works for you.

Step 6: Rally Day Debrief

  • Create an intentional, specific, intergenerational discussion.
  • OR create space in small groups, youth group, confirmation classes, etc.
  • Invite folx to:
    • process their feelings about the day.
    • wonder about future events.
    • consider further engagement with Rise & Repair and/or associated organizations.
  • See The Web for additional organizations with whom your congregation might affiliate.

Step 7: Carry on!!

  • Continue in relationship with Rise & Repair:
    • continue to pray and engage through phone calls, emails, letters.
    • support future events as a congregation.
  • Branch out: what other organizations or actions now feel more possible, more essential, more aligned with your congregation’s vision and mission.
  • Continue to uplift Rise & Repair and related organizations, events, and actions in worship, through prayer, small group, and youth gatherings, and in study.