#UCMVotes- 2020 Actions

We are putting our Unitarian Universalist values into action in this election season. See below for a list of our continuing civic engagement activities through Election Day and beyond.

If you have not yet voted and plan to do so, you can drop off the ballot that was mailed to you at your town clerk’s office through Election Day. You can also vote in person on Tuesday, November 3. For more information, visit the Vermont Secretary of State’s website.

National Phonebanking

UUtheVote Final Countdown 

Join UUs across the country as we call voters across the states of Wisconsin and Florida in a final effort to UU the Vote.   Register to receive the Zoom links for the group events.

Monday, November 2, 2020

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET- Florida; Click Here to Register

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET- Wisconsin; Click Here to Register

Local Efforts to Get Out the Vote

#UCMVotes Main Street Honk and Waves

Join us as we gather together masked and socially distance with posters on Main Street near the church to inspire the community of Montpelier to #VoteLove and #DefeatHate.  To join in these efforts, sign up for rush hour shifts between Friday, October 30^th and Tuesday, November 3.  Make and bring your own poster and dress warmly!  For more information on this event, contact our ministerial intern, Verdis L. Robinson, at ucm.ministryintern@gmail.com or Click HERE to Sign Up for a shift.  Families are welcomed!!

Local Phonebanking

UCM is partnering with the Vermont Interfaith Action (Just) Vote campaign to reach out to voters in Vermont. VIA is hosting a series of phone banks this week and the evening before the election. Each session runs from 6-7:30PM on the following days: Wednesday, October 28; Thursday, October 29; and Monday, November 2.

Each phone bank will start on Zoom and will begin with a brief training. Volunteers will be provided with log-in information to an online database with voters’ names and phone numbers and the calling script. You can use your own landline or cell phone to make the calls.

Rev. Joan will be joining the phone bank on Wednesday evening and invites you especially to join her then.

Click here to sign up and VIA Organizer, Melissa Battah will follow up with details. You can also contact Melissa with any questions.

Preparation and Training for Post-Election

Friday, October 30, 12-1:30PM, Ready and Resilient: Group Planning and Processing w/ Rev. Ashley Horan (Virtual). This 90-minute session will help you plan how you and your congregation can participate in election defense work. (Pre-work required.)

Sunday, November 1, 11:30AM, Coffee Hour Breakout with Rev. Joan (Virtual). Join Rev. Joan to discuss what kinds of response might be needed from Unitarian Universalists and other people of faith in the days and weeks following Election Day and how UCM members and friends could be involved. Stay on the Zoom meeting after worship or join here.

Virtual and In-Person Vigils and Community Gatherings

It’s been a long and demanding road to the November 3rd Election. We need to both ground ourselves spiritually and to stay ready for action to ensure fair elections results in which every vote is counted. Here are some opportunities to participate in virtual and in-person, socially distanced gatherings in the coming days.

Friday, October 30, 5:30PM; Honor Democracy Vigil at the State House (In person). Come together to see that our democratic institutions continue to work to serve us all and to commit ourselves to free, fair elections where all votes are counted. Please bring a candle, wear a mask, and practice social distancing. Contact Joseph Gainza for more information.

Tuesday, November 3, 10AM-10PM; Spiritual Grounding for Election Day (Virtual). UU Ministers are gathering from around the country to offer a space for respite, positive energy, peace, and spiritual practice on Election Day. You may join us at any time during that day to find a peaceful space for reflection, prayer, meditation and spiritual practice. Different UU ministers will lead every 15 minutes.

Tuesday, November 3, 12-1PM; Election Day Centering Circle (In person). Join Rev. Joan and Verdis on the south lawn at church for a time of centering reflection, prayer, and practice. To maintain social distancing, we will limit participation to 15 people at a time and we will follow the UCM Guidelines for Outdoor Gathering which includes completing this sign-in sheet upon arrival in order to participate. Bring your own chair if you’d like to sit. Stay for a few minutes or longer.

Wednesday, November 4, 5PM; Protect the Results Vigil at the State House (In person). Everyone counts. Every vote counts. And every vote must be counted. Join us in Montpelier on Wednesday, November 4th at 5:00 PM and again on Saturday, November 7th at 12:00 PM to honor the valid results of the 2020 election, ensure that every vote is counted, and demand the peaceful transition of power.

Thursday, November 5, 8PM; UU the Vote Post-Election Vigil & Community Gathering (Virtual). No matter the results of the election this year, we know we will want to gather in community. Please save the date and join the UUA, UU the Vote, Side with Love, and UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray for this event. Hosted on Zoom, Facebook Live, and YouTube.

Friday, November 6, 1:30-2:30PM; UCM Listening Circle (Virtual). Join Rev. Joan and other UCM members and friends for a time of deep sharing and listening. Come as you are. Share or be silent. We will hold a loving and listening space for one another. Register here for Zoom link or call-in details.

Saturday, November 7, 12PM; Protect the Results Rally at the State House (In person). Everyone counts. Every vote counts. And every vote must be counted. Join us in Montpelier on Wednesday, November 4th at 5:00 PM and again on Saturday, November 7th at 12:00 PM to honor the valid results of the 2020 election, ensure that every vote is counted, and demand the peaceful transition of power.

Monday, November 9, 7:30-8:30PM; UCM Listening Circle (Virtual). Join Rev. Joan and other UCM members and friends for a time of deep sharing and listening. Come as you are. Share or be silent. We will hold a loving and listening space for one another. Register here for Zoom link or call-in details.

#UCMVotes Team Meetings:

First and Third Fridays- 5:30-6:30 PM

Please join us for our planning meetings to have an impact on our community.

Click HERE to Register for Link.