New Year’s Resolutions: Resolution 5
Resolution 5 - Funding in Politics
View Resolution 5 (PDF)
One hundred years after the Babylonian exile, though never explicitly mentioning God, the book of Esther in the Bible tells the story of God’s activity through the actions of people. Through a series of circumstances, Esther finds herself placed square in the center of Persia’s political power, having been married to the king of Persia. Because Mordechai, Esther’s uncle, refuses to show loyalty to the king’s official, the king was persuaded to enact the destruction of the Jewish people.
Recognizing the role they have to play in reversing this decree, Mordechai and Esther meet the moment. Wondering if her agency will have impact, Mordechai encourages Esther, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14, NRSVUE)
Esther was engaging in faith based advocacy. It took courage and encouragement. Through faith and the spiritual practices of fasting and prayer, Esther confronted the king, leveraging her privilege and circumstances to save her people. In step with other synods, our synod assembly passed a “Resolution to Support a U.S. Constitutional Amendment to Limit Money in Politics.” The resolution underscores the importance of faith-informed advocacy and includes references to key resources from the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW). These tools aim to support ECSW members in addressing societal challenges through civic engagement and Lutheran values.
Resources:
For conversation and reflection…
How do you feel about this resolution?
What has the intersection of faith and politics looked and felt like in your congregation?
What actions have you taken to affirm the “be-it-resolveds” of this resolution?
As we kick off 2025 our hearts and minds swing back and forth. Preparing for annual reports, we look back and consider what has been and the love we were able to share through generosity and organizing in 2024. Planning ahead, we prepare to discern new commitments and callings.
On a personal levels, some of us may make New Year’s resolutions and set goals to create balance, health, or renewal. As the body of Christ in our synod, we make resolutions each year that help us focus our commitment to live into our calling, “to serve all people following the example of Jesus.” That’s our focus this year - the baptismal calling rooted in service after the example of Jesus.
Looking backwards, we’ll review the resolutions we brought before the Synod Assembly in 2024. Looking forward, we’ll prepare for the process of bringing new resolutions before the 2025 Synod Assembly. Between now and February 5th, we’ll take time to focus on each resolution. Be ready to collaborate and submit new resolutions after the window for submission opens, February 12th - March 14th.
