EpiscoPols

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Latest Episodes:

Support the American Dream and Promise Act Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

This ⁠podcast⁠ from the church’s Office of Government Relations aims to help educate, equip, and inspire Episcopalians to weave public policy advocacy into their personal lives and church communities.

In Season 4, Episode 6, policy advisor Troy Collazo talks with host Alan Yarborough about ways to support proposed legislation that offers a pathway to citizenship for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients and “Dreamers.”

Host: Alan Yarborough, Director of Government Relations and Global Partnerships

Speaker: Troy Collazo, Policy Advisor for the Office of Government Relations

New episodes come out each Monday. Subscribe to EpiscoPols on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠.⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Listen to the podcast and find shownotes and resources here,⁠⁠⁠⁠ or watch the video on YouTube ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Next Steps

Take action: https://www.votervoice.net/EPISCOPAL/Campaigns/123317/Respond
Register for the Episcopal Church Immigration Updates - Every Tuesday 1:00-1:30p.m. ET: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMlfu6qqjIpHdav-xm_G83OMLdkNV7YKZas#/registration
Register for the Office of Government Relations Weekly Network Call - Every Thursday 1:00-1:30p.m. ET: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwkcemtrz0jHNMX0okGlkW1lTiNDUIysNLQ#/registration
Learn more: iam.ec/OGR

Resolution Links

2024-C031: Migration with Dignity https://digitalarchives.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2024-C031
2018-D009: Set Forth Christian Principles to Guide Responses to Human Migration https://digitalarchives.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2018-D009
2015-D079: Urge Church-Wide Assistance to Undocumented Persons https://digitalarchives.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2015-D079
2012-D067: Support the DREAM Act https://digitalarchives.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2012-D067
2009-B006: Advocate for Immigration Reform https://digitalarchives.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2009-B006
1985-D113: Request Congress to Reform Immigration Legislation https://digitalarchives.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=1985-D113

Protect the Arctic Refuge Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

In Season 4, Episode 5, policy advisor Susie Faria talks with host Alan Yarborough about the ecological and cultural importance of the Arctic Refuge, how wildlife and Indigenous rights are threatened, and legislation aimed at permanently protecting the region, among other topics.

Host: Alan Yarborough, Director of Government Relations and Global Partnerships

Speaker: Susie Faria, Policy Advisor for the Office of Government Relations

Coming Nov. 3: ‘Support the American Dream and Promise Act’

Partner Organization Links

The Gwich’in Steering Committee: https://gwichinsteering.org/
Alaska Wilderness League: https://alaskawild.org/
National Religious Partnership for the Environment: http://www.nrpe.org/

Resolution Links

2015-C053: Support Subsistence Rights of Indigenous Cultures: https://digitalarchives.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2015-C053
1991-D125: Oppose Oil Development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: https://digitalarchives.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=1991-D125

Support Global Nuclear Disarmament Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

This podcast from the church’s Office of Government Relations aims to help educate, equip, and inspire Episcopalians to weave public policy advocacy into their personal lives and church communities. In Season 4, Episode 4, policy advisor Susie Faria talks with host Alan Yarborough about the human and environmental impacts of nuclear exposure and testing and how the church advocates for disarmament.

Host: Alan Yarborough, Director of Government Relations and Global Partnerships

Speaker: Susie Faria, Policy Advisor for the Office of Government Relations

New episodes come out each Monday. Subscribe to EpiscoPols on Apple Podcasts, Spotify.⁠ Listen to the podcast and find shownotes and resources here,⁠ or watch the video on YouTube ⁠here ⁠.

Coming Oct. 27: 'Protect the Arctic refuge'

Next Steps

Learn more: iam.ec/OGR
Take Action: https://www.votervoice.net/EPISCOPAL/Campaigns/129387/Respond
Register for the Office of Government Relations Weekly Network Call - Every Thursday 1:00-1:30p.m. ET: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwkcemtrz0jHNMX0okGlkW1lTiNDUIysNLQ#/registration
Register for the Episcopal Church Immigration Updates - Every Tuesday 1:00-1:30p.m. ET: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMlfu6qqjIpHdav-xm_G83OMLdkNV7YKZas#/registration

Partner Organization Links

Back from the Brink: https://preventnuclearwar.org/
Episcopal Peace Fellowship - https://www.episcopalpeacefellowship.net/

Resolution Links

2022-C027: Endorse "Back from the Brink: A Call to Prevent Nuclear War” - https://digitalarchives.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2022-C027
2009-D060: Dismantle US Nuclear Weapons and Explore a Nuclear Arms Moratorium - https://digitalarchives.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2009-D060
1997-D022: Support the Goal of Total Nuclear Disarmament - https://digitalarchives.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=1997-D022

Say No to Expanding Immigration Detention Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

This podcast from the church’s Office of Government Relations aims to help educate, equip, and inspire Episcopalians to weave public policy advocacy into their personal lives and church communities. In Season 4, Episode 3, policy advisor Troy Collazo talks with host Alan Yarborough about the current state of immigration detention in the U.S. and how public support has shifted since the 2024 election, among other topics.

New episodes come out each Monday. Subscribe to EpiscoPols on Apple Podcasts, Spotify.

⁠
Listen to the podcast and find shownotes and resources here,⁠ or watch the video on YouTube ⁠here ⁠.

Coming Oct. 20: ‘Support global nuclear disarmament’

Partner Organizations and Community Engagement

The episode highlights collaboration with groups like Church World Service and the National Immigration Law Center, and encourages ecumenical partnerships to support immigrants and refugees at the local level.

Resolution Links

2022-D031: Advocate to End Immigrant Detention and Surveillance: https://digitalarchives.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2022-D031
2018-A178: Denounce Inhumane Immigration Policies and Advocate on Behalf of Migrants: https://digitalarchives.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2018-A178
2018-D029: Condemn Prolonged Solitary Confinement as a Form of Torture: https://digitalarchives.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2018-D029
2009-B006: Advocate for Immigration Reform: https://digitalarchives.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2009-B006

Ending Gun Violence Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

This podcast from The Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations aims to help educate, equip, and inspire Episcopalians to weave public policy advocacy into their personal lives and church communities.

New episodes come out each Monday. Listen to the podcast and find shownotes and resources here, or watch the video on YouTube here.

Relevant Links

Action alert direct link: https://www.votervoice.net/EPISCOPAL/Campaigns/129092/Respond

Partner Organizations Links

Find Your Local Brady Chapter: https://www.bradyunited.org/take-action/join-movement/brady-chapters
Find Your Local Moms Demand Action Chapter: https://momsdemandaction.org/about/chapters/
Find Your Local NAACP Chapter: https://naacp.org/take-action/become-member
Rawtools: https://rawtools.org/swords-to-plowshares/
Be SMART: https://besmartforkids.org/secure-gun-storage/
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
Mental Health First Aid: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/population-focused-modules/adults/

Resolution Links

You can find a link to our listing of resolutions dealing with gun violence here.

How We Can Address Homelessness Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

Join host Alan Yarborough, director of government relations and global partnerships for The Episcopal Church, for Season 4 discussions about recent “action alerts” from the Episcopal Public Policy Network. This episode, featuring policy advisor Lindsey Delks, looks at the rise in homelessness; how housing intersects with health care, food access, and education; what Episcopal parishes are doing to help unhoused people; how you can take action to advocate for better programs; and more. New episodes come out each Monday.

Host: Alan Yarborough, Director of Government Relations and Global Partnerships

Speaker: Lindsey Delks, Policy Advisor for the Office of Government Relations

Relevant links

Action alert direct link: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/action-alerts/

Partner organizations links

Habitat for Humanity: https://www.habitat.org/
National Low Income Housing Coalition https://nlihc.org/

Resolution links

2024-D057: Advocate for Housing Solutions: https://digitalarchives.episcopalarch...
2018-C041: Advocate for Policies Supporting Nutrition, Healthcare, Housing as Human Rights: https://digitalarchives.episcopalarch...

#TrustedInfo2024 - Getting Accurate Information About Elections Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

This episode of Episco-Pols features two guest speakers in conversation about the role of secretaries of state and how voters can get trusted information about the upcoming election. The Rev. Canon C.K. Robertson, canon to the presiding bishop for ministry beyond The Episcopal Church, interviews the current president of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), the Honorable Scott Schwab of Kansas. NASS is the nation's oldest, nonpartisan professional organization for public officials. Their president is elected from within the membership, and each term alternates political party affiliation. How might a secretary of state play an important role in our country’s election? Listen to the episode to find out.

NASS has also continued their “Trusted Info” initiative this year with #TrustedInfo2024 to help voters connect to their local election officials and learn trusted, accurate information about our country’s elections. We hope you will make use of their resources and recommendations this election.

The Office of Government Relations aims to represent the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy.

Links:

Election Engagement Resources including the Vote Faithfully toolkit and the Election Activators volunteer application
National Association of Secretaries of State
#TrustedInfo2024
The Office of Government Relations
Internship Program

Getting Ready to Vote Early! May 21, 2024

Show notes

Getting Ready to Vote Early!

Tune in to hear from Bryce Bennett, executive director of Vote Early Day, about how this organization and the civic holiday it represents can help you in your personal efforts to vote and in boosting your church’s impact on voting in your area. Vote Early Day is October 29th, a moment to celebrate opportunities to cast our votes early, taking advantage where we can of early voting that can minimize the chances of unexpected disruptions preventing us from voting on Election Day.

The Episcopal Church through the Office of Government Relations is an official partner of Vote Early Day once again this year, building upon years of collaboration celebrating democracy and encouraging early voting across the United States.

The Office of Government Relations represents the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and influences policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy.

Links:

Churches as Polling Sites May 07, 2024

Show notes

Episcopal churches can not only motivate people to vote through individual outreach, but they can also play integral roles in the processes that make our election happen. A parish serving as a polling site can be a critical way to help make voting more accessible. Serving as a polling site is also a helpful way to have a visible impact in our communities. While particularities will vary by state and location, the overall process can be surprisingly easy and is centered on forming important relationships around your community.

In this episode, we speak with Antoinette Cheney, parish administrator at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tenn., a parish that has served as a polling site in the past and plans to again in 2024. She will explore the details of how this process impacted the parish and offer inspiration for others considering this action.

Links:

Election Protection in Action Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

Our guest speaker is Armani Eady, a national organizer from the Voting Rights Project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, where she is a part of the non-partisan coalition, Election Protection. Ms. Eady speaks about Election Protection’s crucial role in the 2024 U.S. election. You will learn how you can collaborate to ensure confidence in the electoral process, including year-round non-partisan voter protection.

The Voting Rights Project features a network of over 400 coalition members and a suite of voter protection hotlines, including 866-OUR-VOTE. From aiding voters in polling places to countering disinformation, Election Protection is dedicated to safeguarding the democratic process. Through our office, The Episcopal Church is a national partner.

Links:

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