It is less than two decades since I (Tuli) became a U.S. citizen. When sample ballots arrive in the mail, I rush to open mine, study the names, brush up on the different political stances and try to make an informed choice. Our young adult living at home, who has voted in two fewer national elections than I have, does not share the same sense of jubilation - sure he votes, and knows how important it is to do so, but somehow the awe and wonder of being able to vote is not front and center for him. I wonder if someday I too will take it for granted. Perhaps not being able to vote for twenty years, and a demeaning citizenship process, being invisible for so many years, might have left an indelible mark.

As a religion, Unitarian Universalists have been at the forefront of campaigning for equity and justice for all, particularly as they relate to voter rights. We have partnered with others, marched, sung, joined hands and lifted our voices to bring to light this powerful tool to make the invisible visible: I hope and trust that each one of you will be voting on November 2nd.

For many of our youth who have turned 18 this fall, this will be their first election. I hope they are excited as they are finally able to cast a vote for themselves even if they may have pushed a button when they accompanied their parents/guardians while they were growing up. This Sunday, our youth will share their reflections and thoughts as they honor their ancestors. Their presence this Sunday and ours each day is made possible by those who have gone before.

With the cloak and “cloud of our ancestors about our shoulders” (as Rev. Dr. Robin says), we are called to make the invisible, visible.

In faith,

Tuli, Robin, Emilie