As election season heats up, United Methodists represent the breadth of political opinions and parties but have always valued learning from each other and engaging in civil and respectful dialogue even in disagreement.
As United Methodists and local churches look for resources to help in these discussions, Bishop Sue, VAUMC Cabinet and conference staff will update this webpage with resources and invite clergy and lay persons to continue to educate themselves and be strong Christian advocates in the upcoming presidential election season.
In October 2024, major resources will be released every week.
Current Resources
Bishop Sue encourages self-education as election season heats up in this Sept. 10 video.
Bishop Sue encourages United Methodists to take advantage of the gift of voting, to recognize their own echo chambers while striving for a balanced view, and to fact check resources before sharing on social media during this political season.
Is The United Methodist Church involved in politics?
The people called Methodists have been actively involved in social and political matters from their founding in 18th century England. Methodists were among the primary advocates for the abolition of slavery across the British Empire, the organization of labor unions to protect workers from dangerous working conditions, the ending of the debtors prison system, and the creation of new systems of care for poor children. Given this heritage, Methodists have continued to advocate for other social or political issues since that time – women’s suffrage, temperance, civil rights, health care and care for the environment, to name a few. Learn more…
Voting While Christian – RISC
Advocacy and justice are central to our life of faith as United Methodist and as Christians whether or not it is an election year. As we continue to prepare for the upcoming election and beyond, VAUMC’s Assistant Director of Missional and Community Engagement, Rev. Jo Ann Batteiger sat down for a conversation with Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook, Co-Executive Director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and Rev. Katie Gooch, Director of the Pace Center Campus Ministry at VCU and co-chair of VAUMC’s Conference Legislative Network to do a deeper dive into the historical role of advocacy through the lens of faith, and consider what the next faithful step that individuals and faith communities can take to fully live into their calling as justice-centered people.
Voting While Christian – RISC
How is it with our soul? A conversation ahead of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election
As the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election draws nearer, the VAUMC will share resources with the conference on topics ranging from how to have hard conversations to the impact on community organizing and advocacy in light of the current social and political climate, a climate that local churches and individuals must navigate as people of faith.
In this conversation, Dr. James C. Howell, Senior Pastor of Myers Park UMC in Charlotte, N.C., talks with Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page, VAUMC DCM for Innovation & Creativity, on the things Christians can be unified on and considering the soul of The United States.
Mountain View District leads “3Practices for Crossing the Difference Divide”
Dr. Sarah Calvert, District Superintendent of the mountain View District, contributed to this article.
This summer, the clergy in the Mountain View District read the 3Practices for Crossing the Difference Divide book. They discussed the lessons learned in this post-disaffiliation, pre-election season of possible conflicts. They invited 12 people from neighboring districts to become trained referees in this process. The newly trained referees modeled the process at a Mountain View clergy meeting, followed by the clergy joining in a circle to experience the process themselves.
It was a very powerful clergy meeting, with several levels of conflict and hurt placed on the table. The process was healing and was immediately useful in many different ways. Mountain View District invites you to learn more about the 3Practices by joining a Zoom meeting this fall. View all of the topics…
Conversation on Conflict Transformation
As the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election draws nearer, the VAUMC will share resources with the conference on topics ranging from how to have hard conversations to the impact on community organizing and advocacy in light of the current social and political climate, a climate that local churches and individuals must navigate as people of faith. More conversations are coming this month.
In this conversation, Rev. Jacob Alan Cook, Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics and Co-Director of The Shalom Collaboratory at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, talks with Madeline White, VAUMC Director of Communications, on conflict transformation.
How would John Wesley vote?
from the General Board of Church & Society
The United Methodist Board of Church and Society isn’t trying to tell you who to vote for, but the folks there definitely want you to think it over carefully, with the help of information they are providing about United Methodist values. Read More
2024 Day After Election Guides
The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities is pleased to share resources for higher education, houses of worship, K-12 schools, and workplaces to support intentional, proactive planning to foster inclusion.
In 2016, the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities was overwhelmed with urgent requests from schools after incidents of bias, bullying, and discrimination. A significant number of these incidents were connected to the 2016 Presidential election cycle: students repeating statements they had heard from politicians, educators and parents not knowing how to respond to major events in the news, and a pressing concern about the decline of civility in public discourse. An important lesson from eight years ago was the importance of intentional, proactive planning. Read More…
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) offers resources, information
Find out important dates related to the election, find out if you are registered to vote, learn how you can volunteer and more. Read More
6 weeks of Clergy Prayer Gathering during Elections
This message is from Rev. Kim Barker-Brugman
Find a safe space to gather and pray as you lead your congregations and other ministry settings during this election season. Join on Zoom – October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5. Grab your candle and your favorite hot beverage and take an hour of Sabbath time. Come when you can. Contact Kim for access…
from the General Board of Church & Society
This comprehensive voter toolkit is designed to equip us with the tools and knowledge necessary to engage in the electoral process faithfully and effectively. Read More
Rev. Andy Stanley addresses Georgia House of Representatives in 2022 on disunity and moving away from the extremes in politics.