A collaboration of The Center for Spirituality & Practice
and the Fetzer Institute

December 18, 2019
Practice Alert

Dear Colleagues,

Today the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on whether to impeach President Donald Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. If he is impeached, he will stand trial in the Senate in early 2020.

No matter what your political leanings, we are sure you're aware that this process of impeachment and trial presents profound challenges for U.S. leaders. Those in favor of impeachment proceed because they see it as their constitutional duty, not because they relish the process. Those opposed to impeachment are, of course, gravely concerned about the outcome. Others feel torn as they try to decide which way to vote. All are aware that not only is the viability of the U.S. Constitution at stake, but even the very fabric of the United States' democracy.

In this atmosphere, we encourage you to pray. W e have collected prayers for our leaders in the "Prayers and Mantras" page of the Practicing Democracy Project resources. We hope you find them meaningful and helpful today:


Below you will find links to more new content in the Practicing Democracy Project, including ways to foster dialogue across divides of constituents and representatives, young and old, Democrats and Republicans. If you would like to give us any feedback about how this material serves you, simply reply to this email.

May today's historic vote be guided by wisdom.

Salaam, Shalom, Shanti, Peace,

The Practicing Democracy Project Team
In case you missed the latest in the Practicing Democracy Project:
New Feature Article

Invigorating Communication between Representatives and Constituents : After our intern worked last summer in a congressional office, he began envisioning how spiritual practices can deepen relationships between politicians and those they serve.
New Program Plans :

Student Activist Starter Guide : These self-assessment questions and pointers help those who are starting out on the path of social activism to develop clarity about personal connections with issues and intentions for justice work.

Practicing Democracy Conversation Program Plan : This plan provides detailed ideas for bringing together neighbors to develop and strengthen relationships.

Practicing Democracy in Sports : This program plan explores practices that encourage the strengthening of democratic values and virtues through the activities of athletes, sports leadership (including coaches, parents, and sports administration), and spectators.
New Films about Practicing Democracy :

A Hidden Life : An immersive story of a conscientious objector to the Nazis, his wife who supported him, and the community who didn't.

The Report : A riveting thriller about the Congressional investigation into the CIA use of torture with suspected terrorists.

Dark Waters : A chronicle of how a tenacious lawyer and a community stood up to the government and chemical companies.
New Books about Practicing Democracy :

American Nightmare : A sobering analysis of the challenge of fascism facing the United States.

American Radicals : A highly recommended celebration of marginal heroes in American history.

The Violence of Organized Forgetting : An energetic, in-depth look at the rise of a new authoritarianism in the United States.
Please share this email with others you think might be interested in subscribing to the Practicing Democracy updates .
Discover more at PracticingDemocracy.net