Faithful Democracy -- A Message from the Executive Director
Voter Registration and Voting
The New Mexico Conference of Churches is joining with faith and community organizations around the country to encourage citizens to register to vote and to go to the polls and to increase public participation in our democracy.
We need volunteers from congregations to assist in non-partisan voter registration. The time commitment could be a few hours or several days over a period of weeks. Please contact, Julian Phillips at the NMCC Office 255-1509 or julianp@nmchurches.org to indicate your interest in volunteering.
Recent changes to voter registration make the process very simple. There is a very clear form to complete. You must be 18 years old and a U.S. citizen. Citizens in NM can register up to 28 days before an election.
Complete information about registering to vote and early voting can be found on the web site of the NM Secretary of State: www.sos.state.nm.us/index.htm
Monthly Focus During the Election Year
A congregation might study issues each month and sermons might relate to the areas of study. Example:
June: The growth of poverty in our country.
Question: “Which policies represent the common good of society rather than the interest of an elite few?
July: War, Justice and Peace.
Question: “Which policies encourage respect for persons and nations other than our own?
August: Healthcare Equality.
Question: “How have recent tax cuts effected medicare, medicaid, prescription drugs benefits for seniors and children and what are some alternatives?”
September: Environmental Policies.
Question: “Which policies need to be changed to support strong measures to insure ecological responsibility and sustainability?”
October: Election 2004/Voters Rights.
Question: “How do we best involve ourselves in the democratic process and how do we empower others?”
Weekly Actions for Each Focus of the Month
1st Week - Inspire Thought: Think, pray, and meditate
2nd Week - Inspire Dialogue: Share and discuss in groups and in the pews
3rd Week - Inspire Action: Commit to one action that will make a difference
4th Week - Inspire Reflection and Accountability: Share the action that you have taken with a group of individuals in your community
Community Prayer
O God, open our eyes that we may see the needs of others; Open our ears that we may hear their cries; Open our hearts that we may feel their anguish and their joy. Let us not be afraid to defend the oppressed, the poor, the powerless, because of the anger and might of the powerful. Show us where love and hope and faith are needed, and use us to bring them to those places. Open our ears and eyes, our hearts and lives, that we may in these coming days, be able to do some work of justice and peace for you. Amen.
(From the Riverside Church in New York City)
