2024 Election Season Resources

As we are in the midst of our government's election season, Bishop Russell and staff members of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast have gathered a selection of resources designed to keep us grounded in faith and centered on God and loving our neighbor even when we feel challenged to do so. We hope these resources support you in making prayerful, informed decisions as we walk in faith together.

Project Neighbors: 6 Part Series on Finding One Another Again

"Project Neighbors" is a six-week video reflection series aimed at rediscovering hope, compassion, and connection.

Each week’s session will focus on a key biblical value—hospitality, sacrifice, gratitude, compassion, and peace—guiding us toward healing and understanding. Through personal stories, scripture, and reflection, we’ll explore how these timeless principles can lead us back to each other in love. Whether you join individually or in a group, we invite you to walk with us as we seek to remember what truly matters: loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Visit the learn more link below to view the series' introduction and first two parts. You'll also find the study guides to help you in your own personal or group-based reflections. For further reflection, you can join the online gatherings on Thursdays (details on the website). While "Project Neighbors" is particularly timely during this election season, this series can be used anytime throughout the year.

LEARN MORE​

A Message from Carsten Kennedy

Carsten Kennedy is a member of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast and Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Mobile, Alabama. He is the youngest ambassador for the Office of Government Relations for The Episcopal Church's Episcopal Public Policy Network. Kennedy also recently served as a member of the Episcopal Youth Presence at the 81st General Convention and offers a video message on the importance of voting.

WATCH MESSAGE

Election Day Labyrinths of Prayer

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

On this special day for our nation we welcome you to a time of prayer before, during, and after you place your vote. The labyrinths in our diocese will be open as a place to settle minds and hearts as decisions are made for the good of all in our country and beyond.

We hope you will take time to use walking, either around your neighborhood or on a labyrinth, in our Florida-Alabama diocese, to reflect on God’s gracious gifts of freedom and intellect to all. We pray God will be with you as we quiet our minds and seek a safer, more prosperous future for one another by voting.

What is a labyrinth?

Labyrinths are an ancient form of meditative and physically active prayer. Originally gaining popularity among Christians in the time of the great cathedrals of Europe, labyrinths enjoy a renewed interest in recent decades. Labyrinths can be found in many settings from inside churches, to prison and schoolyards, to rehabilitation centers, and other places of retreat and recreation.

Walking a labyrinth may look like a maze, but it is not.

It is a simple act of following a path, opening yourself to God’s presence. Resting in God’s care when you reach the center, and then returning to the world less burdened, via the path you entered. Labyrinths never allow one to get lost or confused, instead they provide a time of spiritual refreshment and calm.

LIST OF LABYRINTHS AND GUIDE TO WALKING A LABYRINTH

Vote Faithfully Toolkit

Resources from The Episcopal Church

Getting souls to the polls isn’t just about casting our own vote but helping everyone eligible vote faithfully. We can empower every voice in our congregations in this work. There are A LOT of resources, ideas, and ways to act captured on this page. Doing election engagement well does not mean taking on everything there is to do and being overwhelmed. Effective election engagement begins with looking at what your community’s needs are, what resources, skills, and interests you and your church have, and then proceeding based on how that capacity can help meet those needs.

Resources include:

• “Vote Faithfully” toolkit: Instructions and resources for local “get out the vote” strategies
• Church bulletin inserts and graphics
• Episcopal Election Activators: Volunteer program to promote nonpartisan election engagement
• “Episco-pols” podcast
• Resources on addressing political violence
• Civil discourse training
• “Misinformation, Disinformation, Fake News: Why Do We Care?”

VISIT TOOLKIT

Election Night Virtual Prayers

Hosted by The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations

Everyone is invited to join Election Night Virtual Prayers hosted by The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations from 8 to 10 p.m. Nov. 5 ET. Bishop Sean Rowe, who will become presiding bishop on Nov. 1, will offer an opening reflection and prayer. Episcopalians from around the church will hold silence and lead participants in prayers together for peace, the nation, and all people and countries.

Join the event via Zoom by registering here, or watch a livestream on The Episcopal Public Policy Network’s Facebook page. (Note: If you would like simultaneous Spanish interpretation, please register for Zoom.) 

JOIN ON ZOOM

JOIN ON FACEBOOK