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Navigating Election Day and the weeks that will follow

As leaders in the Greater Northwest Area, we know that election seasons can bring heightened tensions, anxiety, and deep division within our communities. This year is no exception, and the work of fostering understanding, hope, and compassion will not end on Election Day.

To help you guide your congregation through this challenging time, we’ve curated a special resource page. Here, you’ll find insights, practical reflections, and worship resources designed to foster spiritual grounding, encourage civil dialogue, and promote peace amid uncertainty.

Whether you are planning pre-election prayers, navigating post-election conversations, or seeking ways to promote unity in polarized times, we hope these resources will support you and your ministry. Together, we remain committed to being peacemakers and a presence of Christ’s love in the world, no matter the outcome of the election.

Explore the resources and let us journey together—faithful, resilient, and hopeful—beyond Election Day.

Remaining faithful as we approach Election Day

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In a pastoral message to the Greater Northwest Area, Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth addresses a turbulent election season, encouraging people to vote prayerfully and considerately and emphasizing the ripple effects of voting on communities. He highlights the importance of peacekeeping, celebrating differences, caring for the vulnerable and staying true to our church’s mission to make disciples.

Protecting the right to vote

Church & Society: Free and Fair Elections

The United Methodist Church affirms the right to vote for all adult citizens as a basic human right. This page from the General Board of Church and Society details the United Methodist Church’s position of free and fair elections and encourages advocacy to support access to voting.

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Vote For Common Good

Voting is a matter of faith, citizenship and democracy. 

Bishop Julius Trimble, General Secretary for Church & Society, reflects on the importance of voting, challenges to access, and the courage it can take to fully live into our baptismal and membership vows.

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How would John Wesley vote?
With the Nov. 5 Election Day approaching in the U.S., the General Board of Church and Society’s voter toolkit guides members of the denomination on the values they should keep in mind as they decide who gets their vote.
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Download ‘Sacred Votes’ toolkit

Resources for worship and prayer

‘Do Unto Others’ Campaign for Kindness resources
Building on previous efforts in 2020 and 2022, Resurrection, A United Methodist Church in the Kansas City area, has offered a robust set of resources free-to-use by local churches. The campaign is designed to bring people together around the ‘Golden Rule’ and includes worship resources, study guides and branding items.
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Hourly prayer guide for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election Day

In a time as divisive, anxiety-provoking and important as the 2024 U.S. presidential election, prayer is an essential component to our civic engagement. UMC.org shares a list of ways you can pray throughout the day on November 5, rooting us as Christians in something stronger than politics and policies.

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Liturgical resources for election season
Formed in 2020, the Clergy Emergency League includes clergy from a variety of mainline Christian traditions collaborating on prayers, liturgies and hymns. A collection of over 50 items created by members for the election season are free to use with appropriate credit given.
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Where Do We Go from Here? Post-Election Worship Resources

Discipleship Ministries put together a number of resources after a similarly divisive 2020 election that could be helpful in the days and weeks following the 2024 election.The collection includes two services: one for healing and intercession, the second for unity.

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What do you pray for before an election?

What’s a wise thing to pray for before an American election that has so much impact on our everyday lives? 

Faith & Leadership has collected an assortment of prayers from different traditions to inspire.

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Fostering unity in the Purple Church
United Methodist congregations are theologically and politically diverse, thus creating a “purple church” that reflects the denomination’s deep diversity. During a contentious election cycle, the Peace Building Ministries of the Western NC Conference has launched the Purple Church Initiative, which offers tools to build unity and bridge political and theological divides.
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