The theme of the fifth annual gathering of social-justice advocates from around the nation is "... and How are the Children?" Nearly 1,300 religious advocates are expected to attend.

The theme, focusing on issues affecting children, will guide and inspire workshops and speakers in eight different areas of concern: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, domestic, jubilee and economic justice, eco-justice, and global security. Experts will train participants on how to do advocacy and inform them of U.S. domestic and international policies that impact all of God's children.

The gathering will conclude with a visit to Capitol Hill where participants will ask their Congressional representatives to make the needs of children the center of the 2007 legislative agenda.

Marian Wright Edelman and the Rev. Dr. Cliff Kirkpatrick are scheduled to preach at the two worship services. Edelman is founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund. Kirkpatrick is the stated clerk (chief ecclesiastical officer) of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

A complete schedule and registration information for Ecumenical Advocacy Days is available here.

"We especially look forward to meeting with Episcopalians at Sunday's denominational lunch," said Molly Keane of the Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations. "It will be a chance for us to discuss the Millennium Development Goals and our ONE Episcopalian campaign, and other issues of particular interest to Episcopalians."

"Ecumenical Advocacy Days is a movement of the ecumenical Christian community, and its recognized partners and allies, grounded in biblical witness and our shared traditions of justice, peace and the integrity of creation," says the Advocacy Days mission statement. "Our goal, through worship, theological reflection and opportunities for learning and witness, is to strengthen our Christian voice and to mobilize for advocacy on a wide variety of U.S. domestic and international policy issues."