Kansas L.E.A.F. is an ecumenical event for people of all faiths hosted by the Great Plains Conference United Women in Faith and Church Women United of Kansas. Kansas Women in Faith actively participates in two legislative days that educate and engage members of the faith community on issues that are being addressed within the state legislatures. The purpose of the legislative days is to provide a forum of education on social justice issues; create a context for how the issues intersect with faith; and prompt ways that the faith community can respond in advocacy. Kansas women are encouraged to use the legislative days as platforms to learn more about issues on the local and state levels and identify ways to add a voice as a faith community. All events are ecumenical and open to all. Ideally, the event is held in person at the First United Methodist Church campus in Topeka, Kansas, on the third Sunday and Monday of February. This promotes a workshop at the Capitol where people can interact with their legislators to discuss issues; on site workshops and a luncheon held in a more personal setting at the church.
The first legislative workshop sponsored by Kansas East Conference United Methodist Women was held March 18, 1975, in the Sweet Building on the Topeka First United Methodist Church campus. Christian Social involvement mission coordinator Doris Pierce organized the event. Kansas West Conference United Methodist Women joined in the planning soon after and co-sponsored the annual event. Since its inception, legislators have been invited to join their constituents for breakfast or a noon meal. In 1999, Kansas Ecumenical Ministries, Kansas Interfaith Impact, Church Women United in Kansas, and United Methodist Women of Kansas East and West Conferences combined their efforts and events by naming the event Legislative Event for Advocacy in Faith (LEAF). In 2014 the Kansas East Conference and Kansas West Conference United Methodist Women united with the Nebraska Conference United Methodist Women to become the Great Plains Conference United Methodist Women. Kansas LEAF is now hosted by Kansas United Women in Faith with Church Women United of Kansas. The 2021-2022-2023 events were held virtually via ZOOM due to the COVID pandemic. In person events resumed February 18-19. 2024. 2025 marked the 50th Anniversary event of Kansas L.E.A.F.
Thank you to the planning committee members who began planning this event early in 2024 around the theme “Better Lives for Women and Children”. The specific goal of the program was to present a learning experience available to all on current Kansas legislation being considered, knowledge on how to present testimony to your Kansas legislators, and workshops with various agencies who provide these services to families. To read about the 50th Anniversary event, please download: 50 Years of Advocacy with Kansas L.E.A.F. In Review
Stay up to date with the latest schedule of Kansas L.E.A.F. events by checking back here regularly. Questions related to this section should be emailed to Contact Chair: Anita Jost, [email protected]
