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Dear Friends,
As we are on the verge of a primary ballot on August 4th (early voting is open) I wanted to share a few thoughts. As we are in the hot and busy and traveling time of year, I wanted to remind us to utilize our right to vote. I know for me this is a right I tend to take for granted and want to be careful. I hesitate to bring this up in ways, not wanting to be misunderstood as being biased in any direction, but our convocation celebration discussion over lunch on Saturday helped me. Bishop Deon was asked about what is hard right now during our lunch, and his answer had to do with being willing to talk about hard things. Talking about voting is a hard thing. We (Grace) can do hard things.
On this ballot there are races in District 1, 2, and 3. Additionally there are five statewide Amendments. The current amendments demand a bit of reading up on. You likely received a pamphlet in the mail. There are also unbiased outlines of these amendments online. It is important to be careful with use of sources on the internet. I have found NPR St Louis helpful (stlpr.org). additionally, as you need, here is where to check your polling locations:
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/board-election-commissioners/voter/polling-places/index.cfm
As we consider our vote I am reminded of a wonderful conversation we had during our Lenten series in 2025. We considered lots of history and Christian thought and landed on the questions of what it means to be Christian and what does it mean to be American. These answers are not always the same. This may challenge us and call for reflection.
There is a wonderful simplicity from Jesus’ answer to the expert on the Law in Luke 10: An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.”
The response of the expert in the Law: “and who is my neighbor?”
It is important to reflect on as we use our power in voting. What follows the question in scripture is Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan.
Peace,
Lisa+
Prayer For an Election (edited), Book of Common Prayer, p. 822
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges, guide the people of Missouri in the election of officials and representatives as well as amendment approvals, that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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