Welcome to The Ministry Lab's curated list of resources to help congregational leaders encourage congregational engagement in ending voter suppression and encouraging people to vote. Here you'll find opportunities for:
If you don't find a resource to fit your need, don't hesitate to consult with The Ministry Lab's director, Rev. Emily Meyer, who is happy to assist you.
The Downballot: Overthrowing the tyranny of the Electoral College (transcript)
Understanding Christian Nationalism: An invitation to explore the movement shaping American politics
Diana Butler Bass's three-essay exploration of the history, theology, and social movement that has brought us to where we are, today. Read all three. Study with others. Discussion questions are included in this post.
Brian McLaren shared: The Five Electorates in 2020; Clergy - Please Don't Be Silent! (but be non-silent wisely and legally!); and see Three Short Sermons on Politics, Democracy, and Voting.
At brainpickings.org: Maria Popova cites: Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower (public library) and Parable of the Talents (public library).
Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza writes in his 09.14.20 Liberating Word, "If those words from Ms. Butler don't motivate you to pray and get involved in the election, I'm not sure what will."
Peter Wallace's blog post Anger in the Service of Justice: Following Jesus’ Example offers helpful biblical context and grounding.
Stacey Abrams & the History of Voter Suppression in America
Diana Butler Bass offers essential insights in New Old-Time Religion: Shall the Fundamentalists Win This Time?
In Pastoral Is Political: "Pastor, Stay in Your Lane!", Sharon Temple wonders what would happen if clergy doubled-down on the theology of baptism and if we first focus on who we are voting as, before we consider who to vote for.
Straight, White, Christian, Married, Suburban Mom
Hell hath no fury like a suburban mom scorned
Register and Vote! Supporting voters in the US:
Check out Vote411.org to register to vote in your state, check your voter status, and find out what is on your ballot. You can also follow a link to sign up as a poll worker or judge in your county to ensure fair elections.
Concerned about voting rights? Visit And Still I Vote, a project of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, to learn about advocacy efforts to protect and expand voting rights in the United States.
Interfaith Power & Light offers a multi-issue Faithful Voter Reflection Guide
Not sure who to vote for? You can read up on the environmental records of candidates using the League of Conservation Voters scorecards.
Election Protection Resources for Religious Communities
This publicly available toolkit is designed for faith, religious, and spirit-rooted communities that are mobilizing to protect the vote in the 2020 general election.
Please share widely using bit.ly/faithfulelection, and submit additional resources here.
Mobilize America offers a one-stop-shop to help you get out the vote!
Turn Out Sunday / Lawyers and Collars toolkit. Watch two inspiring videos (and share with your congregation!) and learn how you can support voter turnout, safeguard polling areas and ensure that every vote is counted.
Gather your musicians and join the Joy to the Polls Music De-Escalation Plan! A fun way to spread some joy, keep folks in long voting lines feeling good and do some community outreach/PR - all at the same time!
Vote.org and whenweallvote.org, offer non-partisan resources about voter registration and the how-tos of voting.
Voters of color will find Color of Change's resources on votingwhileblack.c
LGBTQ Voters can find resources at The Task Force's Queer the Vote and the Human Rights Campaign's Voting Center.
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#ELCAVotes |
Tools for talking with American citizens eligible to vote who are living with a disability.
And/or see: The Autism Self Advocacy Network's (ASAN) online toolkit, which walks a person through the process of registering, getting a mail-in ballot, and more.
Download the toolkit's chapter, “All About Voting” (PDF) and/or the Easy Read toolkit called Your Vote Counts: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Voting in the U.S.
ASAN and the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law created a plain-language guide to voting rights for people with mental disabilities, including people under guardianship.
The Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) has resources online that walk a person through the process of registering, getting a mail-in ballot, and more. All About Voting and Your Vote Counts: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Voting in the U.S. may be the most helpful.
ASAN and the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law created a plain-language guide to voting rights for people with mental disabilities, including people under guardianship.
Specifically from our faith communities:
Christian Citizen Election Day
Seeking to Be Faithful Together
Commenting on Candidates and Campaigns
offers opportunities to engage in the work of getting out the vote.
UCC and ecumenical faith leaders speak out about voting
Rev. Sheri Prestemon's article: Where Faith and Politics Meet
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Churches see census as part of their mission |
See the UMC's call for Engaging in the Electoral Process.
Election Day community engagement & worship planning resources
from A Sanctified Art; free and downloadable
God of Many Names: A Litany for Loving Well though We Do Not Think Alike
from Upper Room and Chris Broadwell, contributor to Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice
Rev. Elsa Cook offers Pandemic Prayers for Proper 27, including prayers, confession and response music (from The Many).
