I’m happy to report that after three and a half weeks of sick leave thanks to COVID, I am back “on duty” as of Monday. However, my energy level is still pretty low, so I appreciate the patience many of you have shown with pivoting to online meetings rather than in-person as I ease back into work. I do intend to preach in person this coming Sunday, and hope to see many of you there!
Despite my low energy, this morning my wife Shay and I did get to the early voting location closest to our home to be sure nothing would stop our votes from being received. It was a relief to get it done and to see the ballot processing machine’s message that my vote has been recorded. I voted wearing a t-shirt that reads “When hate is loud, Love must not be silent” and one of my chalice necklaces. (Remember that you will be turned away if you wear clothing or pins that support a particular candidate or party–but you can wear other items that state your own values!)
I have always understood voting to be one of the ways I live my values as a UU, and this year that feels even more true.
Whether you plan to vote early or on Election Day, in person or by mail with an absentee ballot, I do urge all of you who are eligible to exercise the right and responsibility of voting. (Please also encourage others to do so!) Our Unitarian Universalist values uphold our belief in the democratic process, which only works if we all participate in it.
Special thanks to all of you who have been involved in pro-democracy efforts, whether through UUFM or elsewhere. Many of us sent postcards to potential voters. Some also did phone banking or text banking. We proudly hosted Secretary of State Steve Simon’s event on “Preserving Our Democracy” in late September. I know that several of you are serving as Election Judges this year. I am sure there are other activities that I’m not aware of. Extra special thanks to Diane Dobitz, who has been our pro-democracy liaison to MUUSJA (the Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance) and spearheaded both the postcard campaign and the Steve Simon event.
Our democracy will require our support and involvement beyond Election Day–so vote, and then be ready to keep being an engaged citizen, living our UU values in the wider society!
In gratitude,
Rev. Diana