As Election Day approaches, we are well aware of our civic duty to vote and encourage other people to vote (you can sign up for our 100% voter participation pledge here), but our responsibility as citizens extends beyond voting, which is why we are inviting you to attend an NVHC experiment, From Fear to Fortitude:  A Pre-election Sacred Space, October 27, 7:30-9:00, register here to receive materials and zoom info.

We created this event because healthy citizenship includes the way we relate to each other, to those with whom we disagree, and to the entire American project.  We cannot reduce citizenship only to voting and then walk away expecting democracy to take care of itself.  The democratic system depends upon people engaging with each other to address the issues, maintaining norms that demand respect, and building local organizations that are the seedbed of citizenship.  NVHC is a place where we can exercise these citizenship muscles and nourish America’s infected politics back to health.  Our democracy depends just as much on how we relate within NVHC as it depends upon the outcome of the election, some might say more.

So we will gather one week before election day with two goals in mind:  to honor the depths of anxiety currently circulating in our community, and to elevate our vision to the long horizon of the American project.    Our gathering will include prayer, song, learning, reflection, storytelling, and a chance for you to voice your feelings and thoughts about the coming weeks.  Rabbi Rachel Schmelkin, NVHC’s former rabbinic intern who currently works for the One America Movement will participate as a scholar/artist-in-residence.

As is our custom, we ask that you participate in the creation of this sacred space by volunteering in advance to offer a short testimonial or story about either (a) a particularly illustrative example of the fears you have experienced or witnessed, or (b) an answer to the question, “What would you like America to look like in 40 years?”   The registration form has a space for you to indicate your willingness to speak.

This program is part of our Rebuilding Democracy Project and focuses internally on the way that our community can cultivate and incubate healthy citizenship.  Therefore, this program focuses on members of the NVHC community only.

If you have any questions or comments, please do contact ShowClick Here to View Contact Information.