by Rev. Meredith Joubert
One contemporary challenge that many Christians feel is how to reconcile our faith beliefs with our civic engagement. St. Paul’s UMC is a 501c3 non-partisan organization, and we do not take any stances on particular platforms or candidates.
I have heard it said that “mission” is seeing a need in the world and helping to fill that need, while “justice” is seeing a need in the world and helping to eradicate it. St. Paul’s has a long history of being in mission in the world, both in our local community and globally. As the world around us changes, we are becoming more aware of the struggles of our neighbors especially related to housing, immigration status, addiction, poverty, and mental illness. Many in our congregation have felt a deep call to provide donations and support for these issues. God is working through the people of St. Paul’s and lives are being changed.
Our baptismal covenant calls us to work against injustice and oppression in whatever form it presents itself. Injustice and oppression impacts people in our congregation and our neighborhood in many forms, but especially in recent housing price increases, immigration policies, anti LGBTQIA+ legislation, and lack of resources for addiction and mental illness. Voter education and civic participation is an important part of our mission as United Methodists to engage ourselves in ways that help us work against injustice and oppression.
My own faith formation and civic engagement are intricately intertwined. I grew up with a very active and involved United Methodist grandmother who taught me by her example that my faith beliefs must be evident in more than my attendance at church on Sunday mornings. I am also the daughter of an attorney and activist. I grew up in political circles, campaigning, attending environmental activism events with national celebrities, and engaging in heated and personal conversations around the dinner table with my opposing Methodist and Baptist family members. My mother taught me that voting in all elections is my civic duty and privilege. Today, this is a space in which I feel fairly comfortable and educated, and I recognize that many do not have that same level of comfort.
As people of faith, John Wesley encouraged people to confront society’s evils and work for reform. In 1774, Wesley advised eligible voters to vote without hostility and to not allow their spirits to be “sharpened against those who voted on the other side.” Even when we are not united in our beliefs, I encourage us to be kind and grace-filled toward each other.
If you would like to have a conversation to help you discern how your faith beliefs might inform your politics, I welcome it. I am passionate about having conversations about the incongruencies between Jesus’ example and policies in society. So much on both sides is a mess, but my hope is to help us reflect kindness and empathy, and to elevate the humanity of others, in all that we do. That includes the ways we vote and the ways in which we engage with those who vote differently than we do.
On Sunday, Reverend Ron mentioned the United Methodist Social Principles. In upcoming months, I will share information that you might find helpful as you engage civically. If you have no interest, please just skip it.
Important dates!
General Election – Tuesday, November 8
Last day to register to vote – Tuesday October 11. Register to vote HERE https://servicearizona.com/VoterRegistration/selectLanguage
Recommended last day to mail in your ballot – Tuesday November 1