Every vote cast & every vote protected is an act of faith: November Update
This is the week our organizing meets the ballot. On Tuesday, November 3rd, millions of people will cast their votes in the midterms, and UUs will be there: knocking doors, driving neighbors to the polls, staffing voting sites, and standing watch as election defenders. What we practiced in training and summits this year becomes real in the next few days.
Image description: Photo is looking through the windshield of a bus. In the foreground is part of a seat as well as the bus dashboard. The top of the windshield has a sign that reads: "I will Vote - Faith, not fear; Hope, not hate; Love, not lies." Through the windshield, a historical marker can be seen. It reads "Greyhound Bus Station". There is smaller text with historical context. A film crew is interviewing one of The Ride's participants while other participants look on.
As we write this, in the original Freedom Rides of 1961, their children and a group of interfaith leaders are crossing into Selma from Montgomery, marking the sacrifice of Viola Luizzo and Rev. James Reeb. Today, they will walk across the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge, where Bloody Sunday marked a turn point in the struggle for voting rights. Today, we are witnessing this same violence, the evil acts of commitment when those that are desperate to hold power see it slipping away. We are at another threshold moment. Not just one where we must turn away from hatred and oppression, but turn towards a new day where our hearts, our democracy, and all of our institutions hold the truth of our inherent dignity and advance the moral demand of our collective liberation.
Beloveds, this election season will not be the end of our struggles, but it can be the beginning of a world we create together.
In the days and weeks after November 3rd, ballots will be counted, results canvassed, and outcomes certified, and each step deserves a community paying attention. Our democracy is protected locally, by people who know their county clerk, show up to public meetings, and refuse to let anyone’s vote be quietly set aside.
Whatever the results bring, our commitments don’t change on Wednesday morning. Immigrant neighbors facing detention, families living with the threat of separation, and people whose TPS status hangs in the balance need us just as much after the election as before it. The same relationships that got out the vote are the ones that will hold us in that work.
Every vote cast and every vote protected is an act of faith that a more just world is possible. Scroll down for upcoming trainings and the latest from our programs.
With love and resolve,
The Side With Love Team
PS: Our Toolkit, Grounded, Resilient, & Responsible: Responding and Organizing in Authoritarian Times, has been updated to address the heightened anxiety about the elections. Download and share with your congregational leadership team!
November 9
The Gathering – Post-Election Roundup
We gather less than a week after election day to reflect on what we know, what we’ve learned, and the road ahead. Regardless of what happens on and after November 3rd, we know that it is our sacred call to shape a multiracial, interdependent democracy where everyone can thrive. Join Side with Love’s Nicole Pressley, UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, musician Glen Thomas Rideout, and other special guests to make strengthen your spirit, make sense of this moment in our democracy, and take meaningful action alongside others!
🗓️ Register to join on 11/9 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT: The Gathering: Declarations of Democracy - Election Round Up
The Gathering is Side With Love's monthly event to strengthen your spirit, make sense of the threats to democracy, and take meaningful action alongside others! Join us live or watch the recording later, every second Monday of the month at 8pm ET / 5pm PT / 4pm AT / 2pm HT. Register at sidewithlove.org/the-gathering.
November 15
Tending SOIL Info Session
Tending SOIL is Side with Love's 6-month leadership program to support congregational justice teams in building their capacity to faithfully and strategically engage in the transformation of the world through liberating Love.
Through SOIL, congregational or regional teams of 3-5 participants will strengthen their Skills, develop their Organizing Plan, practice Interdependence within and beyond their congregation, and deepen their understanding of Collective Liberation (ie, SOIL!)
Team Applications are due November 20th, 2026. The program runs January through August 2027.
🗓️ Register to join our live Info Session on 11/15 at 6pm ET / 3pm PT and/or view our recorded info session at sidewithlove.org/tending-soil.
November 18
Fractal Practices for Faithful Climate Justice
Reimagine Together Again (and again and again...) The Climate Justice revival energy continues with an invitation to Reimagine Together: Fractal Practices for Faithful Climate Justice. Designed to flexibly meet the needs of your congregation or organization, this new curriculum invites us to Begin Together & then proceed in all learning directions, developing and nourishing the skills and connective tissue necessary for participating in the possibilities of a world where all beings may flourish.
The Rev. Deanna Vandiver of Ever Unfolding & a member of the original UU Climate Justice Revival Planning Team will be joining us for the introduction of this encouraging resource.
🗓️ Register to join on 11/18 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT: Fractal Practices for Faithful Climate Justice
Guided by UU values, the Green Sanctuary community nurtures resilient, thriving communities through climate actions that prioritize justice. All are invited to join our monthly community meetings to learn together, support each other, and celebrate progress.
