The Power of Our Voice: Voting as a Ministry of Justice

As local elections draw near, I’m reminded that when we step into the voting booth, we’re not just making a political choice, we’re expressing our deepest values of justice, dignity, and compassion. The ballot is not merely political; it’s profoundly prophetic. Through it, we join in shaping the structures that touch the lives of those we serve.

Our ministries are rooted in a faith that affirms the sacred worth of every person. And yet, our capacity to act in that conviction is influenced by public policy; how we fund health care, how we support affordable housing, how we resource social services. When those systems falter, the burdens fall heaviest on the most vulnerable.

So, voting becomes a sacred responsibility: A moral act that’s not about victory by party, but about stewardship of community, about holding fast to compassion in every decision. It’s an act of solidarity with neighbors whose voices are easily drowned out.

In this spirit, the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in Washington D.C. invites all of us to actively participate in this election. The UCC public policy site offers tools and inspiration to help ministries and individuals engage in civic life. I encourage you to explore these offerings and discern how they might fit your context. Each resource is a doorway to conversation, connection, and deeper discipleship.

As we move closer to Election Day, consider these invitations:

• Reflect with your team or congregation on what justice concerns matter most in your community.
• Explore the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in Washington D.C. website to find resources that resonate with your ministry’s mission.
• Host a nonpartisan voter registration event or create space for civil dialogue around issues of justice.
• Support those in your care who may need information, transportation, or encouragement to cast their ballot.
• And above all, hold this season in prayer — for discernment, courage, and unity across all that divides us.

I know how tender and tumultuous this season can be. There will be moments of hope, anxiety, exaltation, and disappointment. But regardless of electoral outcomes, our calling remains: to be signposts of healing, compassion, and justice in a fractured world.

May we approach this time not with resignation or cynicism, but with steady faith, trusting that each voice, each vote, is a sacred gift. Together, let us lean into the possibility that, through our faithful participation, we inch ever closer to a world where all are seen, all are heard, and all communities flourish.

A Prayer for This Season:
Holy One, grant us eyes to see beyond fear, hearts brave enough to act, and spirits grounded in love. May our participation reflect Your desire for justice, our gestures echo Your compassion, and our voice join the chorus of hope. Guide us in unity as we walk together into this season of decision. Amen.