Getting Out the Vote
Nothing worth doing can be accomplished in a lifetime;
therefore, we must be saved by hope.
Nothing true or beautiful or good makes sense
in any immediate context of history;
therefore, we must be saved by faith.
Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone.
Therefore, we are saved by love.
-Reinhold Niebuhr
There was a landmark presidential election the year I turned 18. My birthday, however, was 6 days after the election. You can imagine the incredible disappointment when I found out that despite being quite nearly voting age, I would have to wait another 4 years to cast my ballot at the national level.
Years prior, my local church held a landmark vote as it decided what to do with its historic building after the Nisqually earthquake caused significant damage. I walked into the fellowship hall that day expecting instructions on how to vote, only to find that because I had not yet been confirmed, I was still just a “preparatory member” and did not have full voting rights.
Perhaps partially because of these early experiences, and absolutely because of my commitment to the ‘group project’ that is life in community (including life in a community of faith!), I cherish the privilege to vote. It is just one way that we accomplish great things together, in the hope, faith, and love that Niebuhr speaks.
Whether we are mailing in our ballots, waiting in newsworthy-long lines to get to the ballot box, or even casting a drive-thru ballot during the pandemic, our votes are more than a drop in the bucket: they are an outward and visible sign of our faith in what we can do together.
This newsletter is published too late in the week for me to remind Oregon folks to drop off their school board ballots (though I hope you did). The vote on my mind these days is ecclesial, taking place not only around our country but around the world.
As a result of the actions of the 2020 General Conference held in 2024, there are four constitutional amendments being considered this summer (did you know the United Methodist Church had a constitution and that it can be amended? Read more here). Each amendment has been approved by a 2/3 majority of the General Conference, and to be ratified and become church law each amendment now needs 2/3 majority of the aggregate total vote of the clergy and lay members to Annual Conferences.
In the last 8 years, two constitutional amendments regarding gender equality failed to pass. Out of 47,000 votes cast, one of these amendments failed to reach the 2/3 margin by less than 70 votes.
Every vote truly matters.
Voting isn’t the only thing that happens at conference, though! It is at Annual Conference that we connect with the Connexion that makes Methodism so unique, we are inspired and invigorated for the next year of ministry, we remember those who have died, and we celebrate those who will retire or will take that mantle through commissioning and ordination as Deacons and Elders. We will sing heartily, vote mightily, and connect meaningfully. While certainly not a vacation, Annual Conference is a critical component of our life in the Methodist connexion and to our lives as clergy.
In addition to the clergy who have a relationship with First Church, we also have:
three Lay Members to Annual Conference (Alina Klimecky, Harriet Ottaviano, Bob Wilson)
and two Youth Equalization Members to Annual Conference (Maryn Arenivar and Jenna Arenivar)
With great responsibility and privilege, I will cast my ballot in the week ahead. I look forward to supporting our friends in the Pacific Northwest and Oregon-Idaho Annual Conferences as they cast theirs. In the coming weeks, we’ll share more about the amendments on the table as well as legislation coming before our local Annual Conference.
Please be in prayer for all those acting with faith, hope, and love in support of this wild and messy group project of local, regional, and global community. Together, with our many lifetimes of the inspiration of the Spirit, we may just reach the reign of God yet: one step (and vote) at a time. I look forward to seeing you all again from the pulpit in June!
From the ballot box,
Pastor Karyn