"Voting is how a community or a nation decides how the moral values that it holds and shares shape public policy and the lives of people." -Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

I was a teenager when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Before the law was passed, officials at state and local levels created legal barriers that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed under the 15th Amendment. *Not yet permitted to vote because of my age in 1965, I remember how I looked forward to the day when I would be able to have a say in selecting the people who were making decisions that affected my life.

Over the years, I learned how the suffragette movement worked for decades to secure women's right to vote. I remember the fight it took to win the right to vote for 18-year-olds when young men were drafted to serve in the military while simultaneously forbidden to vote. Throughout the 20^th century, many people marched, protested, and lost their lives to ensure that all eligible people could vote. Knowing the price paid to protect this right, I am astonished and saddened when people say, "I am not voting, I cannot be bothered." Or "I don't like the top candidates, so I will just stay home." That is, of course, their right. However, I wonder if they realize that our democracy's health rests on the people's voice as expressed through voting. When we vote, we give voice to what we value and believe to be right. We provide the leaders we elect with information about what is important to us.

As followers of Jesus Christ and as Episcopalians, we share common beliefs and values about caring for one another, ministering to one another, and protecting one another. While we may have differences about how to go about this work, our underlying common ground remains based on Jesus' call to love God and love one another. We are, as Pastor Stephen preached two Sundays ago, stewards of God's creation, and therefore we have responsibilities for the care of all that God created. Those responsibilities include letting elected leaders know what we expect and what we want to be done in our name. While there may be additional ways to convey our expectations, voting carries a different weight, some say a mandate, that captures the attention of leaders who seek to represent us

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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry writes, "It is a Christian obligation to vote, and more than that, it is the church's responsibility to help get souls to the polls….Cast your vote, not on a partisan basis, not based on your biases, but vote your values. Vote the values of human dignity and equality. Vote the values of the rock on which this country was built. Vote."

The Episcopal Church has a Vote Faithfully Election Engagement Toolkit that provides information and strategies that encourage voting. It can be found at https://episcopalchurch.org/files/ogr_vote_faithfully_2020_election_toolkit.pdf.

Also, the State of California provides information about registering to vote, who is eligible to vote, and how to track your vote at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections. The last day to register to vote in the November 3^rd election is October 19.

Our beliefs, values, and desires need to be part of the discourse about how our communities and country are governed. We need to read, mark, and inwardly digest the information we receive about the people and policies that shape our future and then let our voices be heard.

Source: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/voting-rights-act

Rev. Gail Cafferata’s recent sermon drove this message home for me.   

If there’s just one thing the scriptures today teach us, it’s that faith is our journey into new life with Jesus and the communion of saints—past and present. It’s about what we do, how we do it, why we do it, and who we are as ones who “faith” in Jesus Christ. “Faith” is like a verb, not a noun. We “faith” whenever we abandon

Connie Sinclair keeps this on her refrigerator - from The Talmud “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Live mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”

watch it online here. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88079358521; or to dial in,

The fourth and final session will be on Sunday, November 8.

Join Pastor Stephen on Zoom for a time to study and discuss the readings for the upcoming Sunday. 12:00-12:50 p.m. on Tuesdays: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86541597529#success; or to dial in, 669-900-9128, Meeting ID: 865 4159 7529 #.

Join our vestry and Pledge Campaign team for a congregational conversation on how our spirituality shapes our finances, our parish's financial condition during the pandemic, and how we'll build a budget for 2021. This will be a special Zoom coffee hour--just stay on the link we use for Sunday services after the liturgy is over. The Town Hall will be from approximately 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.

Día de Los Muertos has become popular in the United States in recent years. For the last few years at Incarnation we have created an ofrenda, an altar adorned with images and objects that honor the beloved dead. This year our ofrenda moves outdoors, in response to the pandemic, and as an offering to our wider community.

An ofrenda, to be adorned with community-donated images and objects, will be erected in the Jerusalem Courtyard just south of the church entrance at 550 Mendocino Avenue. Bring copies of photos of your relatives or friends, and replicas of objects. Please remember to bring copies, as items will not be returned.

As the pandemic has disproportionately decimated the US Latinx community this year, we draw upon the rejuvenating joy that springs from the Muertos tradition. We also bear witness to racial divides in this country, affirming that Black and Brown Lives Matter. We honor the Latinx customs of communing with the departed in open and friendly delight, urging all in this year of illness and fire to gain solace from fond remembrance.

For a complete schedule of events, including weekday Noon Prayer, outdoor Sunday services for All Saints Day, and a socially distanced Halloween event for all ages, click below:

We will sing two hymns plus a choral anthem, and you're welcome to submit recordings for one, two, or all three pieces. Our own Stephen Shaver and John Nykamp are organizing the project, with Robert Young providing the organ accompaniments. For more information and to participate, visit here.

Our friends at Grace Church in St. Helena are offering an online afternoon of learning more about the ancient spiritual practice of traveling the labyrinth, led by author and labyrinth facilitator the Rev. Lauren Artress. They write: “The labyrinth has been used as a tool for healing, processing grief, and connecting with God for many years, and we hope this offering will be an opportunity for healing in our community after the Glass fire. We'll gather on Zoom from 1-3 pm on Saturday, October 17 for an afternoon of learning and participating in a virtual meditative labyrinth walk, using a finger labyrinth. Grace's labyrinth will be open all weekend for safe, socially distanced walking as well, providing us a way to safely gather, over a period of many hours, as a community to mourn, heal, and center ourselves spiritually.” Register here.

...for members and friends of the parish who are sick, sorrowful, or in any kind of trouble, including Brandon, Francoise, Lance, Leanne, Geoffrey, Gene & Elizabeth, Kristin, Doug & Karin, Rob M., Hugh & Angela, Mary, Robyn, Bruce, Nancy, Lauren W., Amy C., Monique & Kirk, Amanda, and Nancy H.

...for those who have died: Susan, Jerry, Alphonsine, Raimundo Castro, Wallace Look, Marilyn Payne, Gary Lindsey, David Ratner, Frank, John, Hollie, Dan.

...for the victims of the fires: specials prayers for the first responders, and all those who have suffered injury or loss.

...for the victims of COVID-19:  especially we pray for those affected by the COVID-19 virus, and for all who are in danger.

...for our city, county, and community; the city council, the board of supervisors, for those who serve the common good in law enforcement and the courts.

click here for the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer.

click here for the Anglican Cycle of Prayer.

Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2,15-18, Psalm 1, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46

Could you use a prayer or a listening ear? Do you have ideas you'd like to share? Although our offices are closed, Pastor Stephen is available to talk by phone or via Zoom. If you'd like to find a time to talk with Stephen, you can call Alison at 707-579-2604 or email Stephen directly at sshaver@incarnationsantarosa.org.

If you know of anyone, including yourself, who could use a communion visit or a prayer, please call the church office (707-579-2604) or email alison@incarnationsantarosa.org