On Tuesday July 7, faith leaders gathered to announce organized support for voting rights in America. Faith in Us, a national multifaith community organizing initiative, gathered over two thousand signatures to a letter which began, “As faith leaders, we stand for justice and fairness. We believe in protecting the dignity and rights of all people. We work to bring people together across every divide and we know that our democracy is strong when everyone is treated with dignity and when all voices are heard.”
Faith leaders gathered in public witness press conferences in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin. Within Michigan, faith leaders gathered in Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids.
The Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes played a part in bringing this initiative to life in Michigan. An in-person training on community organizing, held June 24-25 in Lansing, was the launching point for Faith in Us in our state. Organizers from Minnesota brought this training to our state in response to the excellent local leadership that created the Palm Sunday Path. Our diocese provided significant capacity building for Palm Sunday Path. The Rev. Canon Nurya Love Parish, our Director for Mission and Community Engagement, was a lead organizer for the Faith in Us public witness press conference in Grand Rapids.
“This past January, I was appalled by the way the federal government treated Minnesotans during Operation Metro Surge. It was clear that their human dignity and their constitutional rights were being violated. As a disciple of Jesus Christ and an American, I needed to step out in faith to take action,” said Canon Parish.
Palm Sunday Path originated in Minnesota, as Christians there began to wonder how they could clearly teach the gospel message. But organizers had to step back from supporting the Michigan initiative to focus on responding to Operation Metro Surge. When they did, our diocese stepped forward. Our Director for Communications and our Director for Mission and Community Engagement helped develop and lead an ecumenical team that brought together almost a thousand people on the steps of the Capitol building on March 29th to witness the teachings of Jesus, who healed the sick, fed the hungry, and welcomed the stranger.
All who gathered were invited to make a “Palm Sunday Promise: “I will pray for healing and justice in my community, in America and the world. I will learn about how today’s issues affect the county where I live. I will act to serve God and my neighbor and to strengthen democracy.”
Organizers in Minnesota took notice. Because of the success of Michigan’s Palm Sunday Promise, they decided to bring in person organizing training to Michigan. That organizing training launched the Faith in Us announcements that drew news coverage across the state (see below). Our Director for Mission and Community Engagement was asked to anchor the Grand Rapids press conference and did so in partnership with West Michigan Clergy Action. Forty-six multifaith leaders gathered at Fountain Street Church to express their commitment to voting rights. In the Diocese of Michigan, the Rev. Bob Alltop spoke at the Detroit press conference on behalf of Bishop Bonnie Perry, who was unable to attend. Over sixty multifaith leaders attended there, and over thirty in Lansing.
The Episcopal Church’s Vote Faithfully initiative teaches us to recognize election engagement as an act of Christian stewardship and a tangible way to love our neighbors. Our mandate to care for God’s world and people compels us, morally and spiritually, to vote—and to help ensure voting access for others.
“Now that the Faith in Us launch in Michigan is complete, I’m in dialogue with organizers about where we go from here,” Canon Parish shared. “The promises we make at baptism include serving Christ in all, and respecting the dignity of every person. I would love to hear from members of our diocese about the ways you are participating in civic engagement as you live your baptismal promise. I’d love to know what you hope for from your diocesan office.”
Email Canon Parish to share your thoughts.
Coverage of the July 7 Faith in Us launch in Michigan may be found below:
- WGVU News: Faith in Us Initiative Promotes Voting Rights
- WoodTV: Michigan Faith Leaders Raise Awareness About Voting Rights
- WILX: Michigan Faith Leaders Across State Discuss Voting Rights
- Michigan Advance: Michigan Faith Leaders Criticize DOJ Election Monitor Plan, Defend Voting Rights
- Michigan Public: Michigan Religious Leaders Speak Against what they say are Voter Intimidation Efforts
- Lansing State Journal: Photos – Faith Leaders Call for Voting Rights and Democracy
- WDET: Faith Communities ask Legislators to pass Michigan Voting Rights Act
