In this week’s newsletter (read the full issue here), Rev. Justin writes:

We are living in a time of incredible upheaval, a time when short sighted and immediate political gains are prioritized over a healthy future and the wellbeing of future generations, a time when our President regularly uses language that disparages, disregards, and insults women and people of color, a time when the media is labeled “An Enemy of the People,” and a time when scientists are clearer than ever that we must act now to avoid the worst of climate change.

We need political leaders who put people first, who engage community members in finding solutions, and who lead with an inclusive vision.

On November 6th, we have the opportunity to take our faith, not our fear, to the polls, to practice hope and possibility, rather than despair and resignation. As people of faith, we have the chance to vote our values, to vote for those candidates who offer a hope-filled vision for the future, who embody values of inclusion, respect, and racial and economic justice into their decision making and politics.
Of course, the race for Governor and Senate matter, but perhaps the most important races are local. As you vote your values of inclusion, of valuing immigrants, of racial and economic justice on November 6, remember to flip the ballot over, paying particular attention to the local races, including Hennepin County Sheriff, Hennepin County Attorney, County Commissioners and the contested seat on the Minnesota Supreme Court. (If interested, the ISAIAH Voter Guide on some of these positions is available here.) The candidates running for these positions have very different visions for the County, from the ways immigrants are treated, to how best to address the racial disparities in the the County’s criminal justice system.

Your vote matters. Your voting the whole ballot matters.

Starting locally, we can strive to build a Minneapolis that reflects our values and moves us toward the world we dream of.

I’ll see you in church,
Justin