We are living in a time of deep division. Extreme political polarization is on the rise in the United States, both in Congress and in our local communities. Despair over ineffectiveness and inefficiency in Washington can lead to disengagement with the political process altogether—a dangerous equation for our fragile democracy.
Against this backdrop, the task of healing these divides seems daunting.
FCNL feels called to step more intentionally into the work of strengthening our democracy.
And yet, the urgency of addressing deep political and ideological divides and policy challenges calls us to act now. As an organization with a history of relationship building, deep listening, and finding common ground, FCNL feels called to step more intentionally into the work of strengthening our democracy.
Through deep listening and intentional dialogue, FCNL is building relationships with communities from diverse ideological backgrounds and identifying policy positions that resonate across social and political divides. By empowering local communities to bring these areas of consensus on critical issues to their legislators, we hope to build bipartisan support to strengthen our democracy and show a clear roadmap for principled compromise on the Hill.
Reach out to us if you would like to learn more about this work!
A lot has happened in the world since the last week of June, but I’m still hopeful. From June 27-30, I was able to attend a convention in Wisconsin as a delegate for FCNL, the 2024 Braver Angels National Convention, which renewed my hope for a united America.
In all of these conversations, we heard one clear message: People want members of Congress to work across partisan divides on behalf of their constituents.
FCNL’s nonpartisan approach is a commitment to listening deeply, connecting over shared values, and taking practical steps forward together toward the world we seek. It is a commitment to seeing that of God in everyone, including members of Congress. We believe it is the way to sustain a just and resilient democracy.
FCNL is a force for peace and justice. Our power comes from uplifting our prophetic mission and living into the world we seek. We must ask ourselves how Congress fits into our vision. Seeking an answer to that question, FCNL General Secretary Bridget Moix joined Sarah Freeman-Woolpert and me at the One America Movement Conference in Atlanta, GA, last month.
FCNL’s nonpartisan approach is a commitment to listening deeply, connecting over shared values, and taking practical steps forward together toward the world we seek. It is a commitment to seeing that of God in everyone, including members of Congress. We believe it is the way to sustain a just and resilient democracy.
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