Over the summer, members of our church gathered to explore the concept of Public Discipleship. We began our study by looking at the story of Esther, a Jewish woman married to King Ahasuerus. Esther’s life was on the line if she dared to defy the king, but her people, her family, would certainly perish if she did not. Mordecai, her uncle, told her, “Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” So she devised a plan that punished Haman (who was plotting against her and her people) and saved her people.
So, have you wondered what it means to step forward for “such a time as this”? Have you thought, “I want, I need to do something, but I don’t know what I can do.” Together with the members of CUMC from Church and Society, folks in the Public Discipleship Group have devised a plan to help those in our community who are from marginalized or vulnerable communities, who might feel fear about voting, citizens who might not even be registered, and might not have the means to get to the polls. Here are the events that are planned that you can be a part of!
- Come learn about the registration and voting process so that you can help teach others who do not fully understand how to participate in this sacred work we call democracy.
- You will learn how to:
- Determine if someone is already registered
- Help them gather documents and register if they are not
- Help them find their ballot and link to the websites of those on the ballot
- When:
- Tuesday, September 22, 7 PM – in Room 145
- Sunday, September 27, 10- 11 AM in the Fireside Room
- This will equip you to help us with some of the following…
- You will learn how to:
- October 3 and 10
- Registration Drive in the Commons
- For People attending Saturday Noon Meals, Thrift on Fifth and AA
- Also on October 3, people attending the free Dermatology Clinic
- Registration Drive in the Commons
- Some of the care facilities, group homes, and outreach centers may need help registering people, teaching about ballots, etc. This needs to be accomplished by October 13 to prepare people to participate in the next event, riding to the polls on buses we hire. You would have the opportunity to work with their administration to provide a one-time event to make this happen.
- You might even have help in your own home who need this information and support.
- On October 24, CUMC is hiring two buses to get people to the Olmsted County Elections Office for Early Voting. You have the opportunity to:
- Be stationed at one of the pick-up points to ensure that all are registered before they board the buses and to welcome them back when they return.
- Though people can still register at the polls, the Olmsted County Election Office has asked us to make sure people are registered ahead of time so they will not be overwhelmed on October 24.
- Ride the bus in solidarity with folks going to the polls so they feel safe, and walk participants to the doors of the Election Office. (Our Muslim neighbors have expressed deep gratitude for this gesture of solidarity.)
- Pray for the safety of all souls who go to the polls and for a free and fair election
- Be stationed at one of the pick-up points to ensure that all are registered before they board the buses and to welcome them back when they return.