Campaigning for Kindness

We are now about three months away from our local elections on August 18th and about five and a half months away from our mid-term elections on November 3rd. The deadline to register to vote in our local elections is July 20th. You will find some links and information on how to register to vote below this letter. Along with encouraging you to practice your civic duty to vote, I also offer you some words of wisdom from John Wesley.

In October 1774, John Wesley was preaching in some small English towns near Bristol, where a contentious election for Parliament was underway. The chief candidates were Edmund Burke and Henry Cruger, who differed in their political ideologies, their positions on the American colonies, and their support from religious groups. In his journal, Wesley called it “[one of the most] exciting elections Bristol has ever had.” Sound familiar?

In the days leading up to the election, while in the town of Pill, he met with members of the local Methodist society, and offered this important guidance:

"October 6, 1774. I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them (1) to vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy; (2) to speak no evil of the person they voted against; and (3) to take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side." (The Journal of John Wesley, Oct 6,1774)

That is such good advice! Vote for who you think is most worthy. Don’t speak evil of the other candidate. Show no animosity to those who voted differently. Two hundred and fifty two years later, John Wesley’s advice is as helpful now as it was then. Regardless of how ugly and mean-spirited this or any election season becomes, we can and must model the kind of decency and civility that we expect of those who lead us. 

***(A portion of these preceding paragraphs were adapted from Rev Magrey Devega of Hyde Park UMC - Three Simple Rules for Voting)

The Church of the Resurrection, the largest UMC church in the US, located in Kansas City, started something called Campaign for Kindness about 6 years ago and kicks off during every election cycle. Their website explains it this way...

"This grassroots movement which started by the church in 2020 in the Kansas City area, encourages people to be intentional about following Jesus’ example and teachings as we seek to treat one another with kindness and respect. Jesus’ command to “Love One Another” is not just about words – it requires intentional action. 

We believe love in action can transform our families, our communities, our country and our world. In a time filled with polarization, toxicity, and vitriol, we can be the change that makes our world look more like God’s kingdom on earth – one act of kindness at a time."

This year's Kindness Campaign is called Love One Another. We will be sharing information and resources for this campaign in the weeks ahead. Let's start with these two goals:

1. Follow John Wesley's Advice- Vote for who you think is most worthy. Don’t speak evil of the other candidate. Show no animosity to those who voted differently. (Start by registering to vote)
   
2. Love One Another! - Let's explore together ways we can spread love and kindness across the island and beyond.

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." (John 15:12)

Grace and Peace

-Pastor Madeline