From the Rev. Kathy Monson Lutes

In response to concerns of Grace parishioners and others in the lead up to the mid-term primary elections on November 3 2026, a number of Grace members and friends began to meet together. In those early days our purpose was to build community, to be a listening and safe space, and to wonder about our role in the upcoming elections as well as to wonder about what one faith community could accomplish.

About twenty-five Grace participants met together over a three meeting period.

●     We prayed together.

●     We listened to scripture to hear what those who have done the work of courageous public action did before us and to hear our call to action in our present time.

●     We listened to the stories of the Cloud of Witnesses, and to the stories of Civil Rights Activists.

●     We built community by listening to the stories of one another.

●     All the while imagining what the definable public action was that we could accomplish together.

We were astounded at what a relatively small number of people can accomplish. We decided that our group could make a big impact visiting our neighbors and equipping them with voting information. We put together a flyer that informed them that their voting place is Grace Episcopal Church, and that had changed names since the last time they voted, but it was the same building. And we gave them information about how and where to vote early. We encouraged those we spoke with to vote early. Some responded by telling us that indeed, they had already voted!

The East Harriet neighborhood, the neighborhood that Grace is part of, has about 1500-1800 housing units. By our records, we visited about ¾ of those over three days.

●     We left flyers with as many of those households as we could.

●     Over three days - two beautiful fall days, and one cold and rainy fall day - we had more than 100 conversations with our neighbors.

●     Many of those conversations included thank-yous for our efforts.

●     One of the most valuable results of this effort was connecting with our neighbors.

Also, those who didn’t go out flyering and visiting neighbors, addressed and mailed about 125 cards and letters partnering with Signs of Justice and VoteForward40.

We hope to continue meeting to support one another in the aftermath of the election and the seating of newly elected people in January. We hope to find a defined purpose/issue to work on together, as we continue to build community and power.