This newsletter sent to Churches, Active Clergy, Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, Chancellor, Wardens, Treasurers, Parish Administrators, Jubilee Center and Camp Leadership, Trustees, Summer Chapel Leadership, Diocesan Staff and Convention Delegates |
| | Election season is fast approaching, and as Episcopalians, we believe our faith calls us to civic engagement. To encourage prayerful, productive engagement in the election process, we have assembled a roster of events and resources for clergy, lay leaders, and congregations, including poll chaplain/peacemaker training hosted by Multi-Faith Alliance Maine. We hope these resources will be helpful to you as you help to get out the vote on Nov. 3! | | Resources from The Episcopal Church | | |
"We 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. Election engagement also means we seek to stay informed; critically evaluate information before we share or act on it; and engage in respectful political dialogue even when we disagree. "
The Episcopal Church offers a number of ways individuals and congregations can be engaged in the election process, including:
- Organizing rides to polling locations
- Providing food and water at polling locations (check with your local election bureau to confirm).
- Engaging on social media, using the "VoteFaithfully" hashtag
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‘Vote Faithfully’ networking calls
Thursdays: Oct. 1, and Nov. 5, 1:30–2 p.m., online
On the first Thursday of each month through November, The Episcopal Church's Public Policy and Witness team will host a series of “Vote Faithfully” calls to support voter engagement in ways consistent with Episcopal values. During the calls, hosts will share resources and ideas to help congregations promote voting and civic participation while remaining nonpartisan (avoiding support for specific political parties, candidates, or platforms). Register here.
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ENGAGE WITH CIVIC HOLIDAYS
Civic Holidays are nonpartisan days of action—in September and October—representing and celebrating different phases of the voting experience. Learn about the ways you can join the effort to encourage civic participation here.
- Sept. 15, National Voter Registration Day
- Oct. 5-9, National Voter Education Week
- Oct. 20, Election Hero Day
- Oct. 24, Vote Early Day
These resources are designed to help parishes do more as faithful Episcopalians modeling healthy and constructive civic engagement. Remember that all election engagement work must be non-partisan, and please heed local laws, election details, and Episcopal safe church practices as you promote voting.
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MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF PEACE:
A GUIDE TO CIVIL DISCOURSE
Equip yourself for more constructive political conversations using Make Me an Instrument of Peace: A Guide to Civil Discourse. Help bridge partisan divides, learn from others, and enlarge the sacred space for debate.
Brought to you by the Office of Government Relations and Department of Faith Formation, in partnership with ChurchNext, this interactive, five-part curriculum offers hope that by using the tool of civil discourse, we can find new ways to love our neighbor.
Here are four different ways you can engage with this curriculum:
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Take the interactive course complete with videos and discussion boards on your own: Make Me an Instrument For Individuals
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Take the interactive course as a group–the same material, but set up for facilitators to engage with a group: Make Me an Instrument For Groups
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While the full curriculum experience is available on ChurchNext’s website in the previous links, with discussion forums, quizzes and supplemental material, you can also access just the videos here.
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Download the original PDF to use in your congregation or ministry. Each session includes specific instructions for group or forum leaders, and interactive components including prayers, discussion questions, and activities.
The ChurchNext version of the course is offered free of charge and available on-demand.
| | | Resources from our Multi-Faith Partners | | |
POLL CHAPLAIN/PEACEKEEPER TRAINING
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 5:30 p.m.
OR Wednesday, Oct. 7, 5:30 p.m.
OR Friday, Oct. 9, noon
Poll chaplains and peacekeepers are faith leaders and members of the laity who bring a calming, non-partisan presence to polling locations that are particularly at-risk of being targeted for voter intimidation. Multi-Faith Justice Maine is organizing a poll chaplaincy program that will run across the state on election day. If you are interested in participating in the program, please register for one of the three trainings. Download a flyer to share with your congregation here.
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INTERFAITH ALLIANCE 'THE VOTE IS SACRED' BUS TOUR
Saturday, Oct. 17, all day
Lewiston
The Vote Is Sacred 2026 is Interfaith Alliance's nationwide effort to protect our democracy and empower people of faith to get out the vote in the midterm elections, bringing together a cross-country bus tour launching Oct. 6 and running through Election Day. The Maine Council of Churches is partnering with Multi-Faith Justice Maine to host a stop in Lewiston.
Join the tour's virtual launch, "The Final Stretch: Get Out the Vote," on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.
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What to Do if ICE or Federal Agents Come to the Polls: Vote Safely in 2026
This joint resource was developed by Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ), the Brennan Center for Justice, Fair Integration Reform Movement (FAIR), and UnidosUS with guidance on responding to federal law enforcement activity at polling locations. Download it here.
| | Turnout Sunday Resources for Civic Engagement | | |
Turnout Sunday coordinates civic engagement and public policy information sharing among denominational and independent church leaders facilitated through the Skinner Leadership Institute and the National African American Clergy Network (NAACN). The network brings together clergy (often in sacred collars), and lawyers to provide a moral and legal presence at polling sites of vulnerable voters. Download these materials in the faith-based voter toolkit to empower you as clergy and lay leaders to reach out to your family, friends, colleagues, congregations, and acquaintances to raise awareness and promote activism.
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THE DOS AND DON'TS FOR CHARITIES IN AN ELECTION YEAR
While charities cannot take sides in candidate elections, there is much they can do to promote issues of interest, educate candidates about issues, and both encourage and enable voter participation. Read the blog post here on Tech Soup to refresh your knowledge of ways churches can and cannot be involved during the election year.
From the IRS: (Note that these rules are for churches and religious organizations that qualify for exemption from federal income tax code, whether or not they are registered and file as 501c3s.)
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