Empowering Civic Engagement for the 2024 Elections

Devotional

Day 1: Understanding the Election Landscape

The 2024 election year is pivotal, with numerous positions up for re-election at federal, state, and local levels. Being informed about the candidates and their platforms is essential for making impactful voting decisions. This knowledge empowers us to choose leaders who align with our values and can effectively address community issues. Understanding the election landscape helps us to be responsible citizens and stewards of our communities. By staying informed, we can ensure that our votes contribute to the betterment of society and reflect our Christian values of justice, compassion, and integrity.

In a democracy, every vote counts, and being an informed voter is a way to exercise our God-given responsibility to seek the welfare of the city where we live. As Christians, we are called to be salt and light in the world, and part of that calling involves engaging in the political process to promote righteousness and justice. By understanding the election landscape, we can make decisions that honor God and serve the common good. [07:46]

Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV): "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

Reflection: How can you take steps today to become more informed about the candidates and issues in the upcoming 2024 elections?

Day 2: Significance of Primaries

In New York's closed primary system, only registered party members can vote, making these elections highly competitive and crucial. The outcome of primaries often determines the final election results, especially in a predominantly Democratic city. Therefore, registering with a party and participating in primaries is vital for influencing the political landscape. Understanding the significance of primaries helps us to be proactive in shaping the future of our communities. By participating in primaries, we can ensure that the candidates who advance to the general election align with our values and priorities.

Primaries are an opportunity for us to have a direct impact on the political process. As Christians, we are called to be engaged and active participants in our communities, and this includes the political arena. By voting in primaries, we can help to select candidates who will advocate for policies that promote justice, mercy, and the common good. It is important to remember that our involvement in the political process is an extension of our faith and our commitment to loving our neighbors. [12:04]

Proverbs 29:2 (ESV): "When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan."

Reflection: Are you registered with a political party, and are you prepared to vote in the upcoming primaries? What steps can you take to ensure your voice is heard in these crucial elections?

Day 3: Impact of Redistricting

Redistricting, which occurs every ten years, can significantly affect political representation. For example, creating districts with a majority of a specific demographic, such as Asian Americans, can lead to increased representation and advocacy for that community. Understanding and engaging in the redistricting process can help ensure fair and effective representation. Redistricting shapes the political landscape by determining the boundaries of electoral districts, which in turn affects who gets elected and how communities are represented.

As Christians, we are called to seek justice and fairness in all areas of life, including the political process. Engaging in the redistricting process is one way to ensure that all communities have a fair and equal voice in government. By advocating for fair redistricting, we can help to create a political system that reflects the diversity and needs of our society. It is important to stay informed about redistricting efforts and to participate in public hearings and other opportunities to provide input. [16:32]

Amos 5:24 (ESV): "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

Reflection: How can you get involved in the redistricting process to ensure fair representation for your community? What steps can you take to advocate for justice and fairness in this area?

Day 4: Integrating Faith and Civic Engagement

Using one's talents and passions to serve the community is a powerful way to live out Christian values. Whether through legal work, volunteering, or civic participation, integrating faith with civic duties can lead to meaningful change and justice in society. This approach encourages us to be active participants in our communities, addressing issues of injustice and inequality. By combining our faith with civic engagement, we can be agents of change and bring the light of Christ into the public sphere.

Our faith calls us to love our neighbors and to seek the welfare of our communities. Civic engagement is one way to put this love into action. By using our unique gifts and talents to serve others, we can make a positive impact on society and advance the cause of justice. Whether it is through voting, volunteering, or advocating for policy changes, our involvement in civic life is an expression of our commitment to following Jesus and living out His teachings. [29:14]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: How can you use your unique talents and passions to serve your community and promote justice? What specific actions can you take to integrate your faith with your civic duties?

Day 5: Staying Informed and Involved

Keeping up with local issues and elections can be as simple as following elected officials on social media, subscribing to newsletters, and reading local newspapers. These small steps can significantly increase awareness and engagement, enabling us to make informed decisions and contribute to our communities effectively. Staying informed and involved is crucial for being responsible citizens and for making a positive impact on society. By staying engaged, we can ensure that our voices are heard and that we are actively contributing to the common good.

As Christians, we are called to be vigilant and proactive in our communities. Staying informed about local issues and elections helps us to be effective advocates for justice and righteousness. By taking the time to educate ourselves and to stay engaged, we can make a difference in our communities and help to create a society that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God. It is important to remember that our involvement in civic life is an expression of our faith and our commitment to loving our neighbors. [46:15]

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to stay informed about local issues and elections? How can you use this information to make a positive impact in your community?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's discussion, we delved into the significance of the 2024 election year, particularly focusing on New York City and New York State. We explored the various levels of elections, from federal to hyper-local, and emphasized the importance of voter education and participation. The upcoming elections include the re-election of a New York State Senator, all 26 congressional districts, and numerous local positions such as state senators, assembly members, district leaders, county committee members, and judges. Understanding who these candidates are and what they stand for is crucial for making informed decisions that impact our communities.

We highlighted the importance of primaries, especially in New York's closed primary system, where only registered party members can vote. This system often makes the primaries more competitive and significant, particularly in a predominantly Democratic city like New York. We also discussed the impact of redistricting, which can shape the political landscape by determining the representation of various communities, including the rapidly growing Asian American population.

The discussion also touched on the personal journey of integrating faith with civic engagement. By sharing personal experiences, we underscored the importance of using one's talents and passions to serve the community. We encouraged everyone to stay informed and involved by following elected officials on social media, subscribing to newsletters, and participating in local community boards.

###

Key Takeaways

1. election at federal, state, and local levels. Being informed about the candidates and their platforms is essential for making impactful voting decisions. This knowledge empowers us to choose leaders who align with our values and can effectively address community issues. [07:46]
2. Significance of Primaries: In New York's closed primary system, only registered party members can vote, making these elections highly competitive and crucial. The outcome of primaries often determines the final election results, especially in a predominantly Democratic city. Therefore, registering with a party and participating in primaries is vital for influencing the political landscape.

3. Impact of Redistricting: Redistricting, which occurs every ten years, can significantly affect political representation. For example, creating districts with a majority of a specific demographic, such as Asian Americans, can lead to increased representation and advocacy for that community. Understanding and engaging in the redistricting process can help ensure fair and effective representation.

4. Integrating Faith and Civic Engagement: Using one's talents and passions to serve the community is a powerful way to live out Christian values. Whether through legal work, volunteering, or civic participation, integrating faith with civic duties can lead to meaningful change and justice in society. This approach encourages us to be active participants in our communities, addressing issues of injustice and inequality.

5. Staying Informed and Involved: Keeping up with local issues and elections can be as simple as following elected officials on social media, subscribing to newsletters, and reading local newspapers. These small steps can significantly increase awareness and engagement, enabling us to make informed decisions and contribute to our communities effectively.

### [07:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:46] - Overview of 2024 Elections
[09:19] - Local Judges and Their Roles
[10:42] - Special Elections and Their Impact
[12:04] - Importance of Primaries
[13:36] - Democratic Primaries in New York
[15:02] - Redistricting and Its Significance
[16:32] - Growth of the AAPI Community
[17:43] - First Asian American Elected Officials
[18:45] - Importance of Representation
[19:49] - Local Issues and Their Impact
[27:39] - Personal Journey and Faith
[29:14] - Integrating Faith with Civic Engagement
[44:56] - Staying Informed Through Social Media
[46:15] - Engaging with Community Boards
[47:09] - Researching Candidates and Issues

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the different levels of elections mentioned in the sermon, and why is it important to be informed about them? [07:46]
How does New York's closed primary system work, and why is it significant in a predominantly Democratic city? [12:04]
What is the impact of redistricting on political representation, particularly for the Asian American community? [16:32]
How did the speaker integrate their faith with civic engagement, and what personal experiences did they share to illustrate this? [29:14]

Interpretation Questions

How does Romans 13:1-2 relate to the importance of participating in elections and respecting governing authorities?
In what ways can acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8) be reflected in our civic duties and community involvement?
How can being the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:13-16) influence our approach to voter education and participation?
What are the potential consequences of not staying informed and involved in local elections and community issues, as discussed in the sermon? [46:15]

Application Questions

Reflecting on Romans 13:1-2, how can you ensure that your participation in elections aligns with the understanding that authorities are established by God?
Considering Micah 6:8, what specific actions can you take to promote justice and mercy in your community through civic engagement?
How can you let your light shine in the context of voter education and participation, as encouraged in Matthew 5:13-16?
What steps can you take to stay informed about local issues and elections, such as following elected officials on social media or subscribing to newsletters? [46:15]
How can you use your talents and passions to serve your community, as the speaker did through their legal work and civic participation? [29:14]
What are some practical ways you can get involved in the redistricting process to ensure fair representation for your community? [16:32]
How can you encourage others in your church or community to register to vote and participate in primaries, especially in a closed primary system like New York's? [12:04]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for outreach

1. "I want to be like those people. I want to care about my community and serve my community and use my gifts and talents that God has given me to serve my community. And I thought that, okay, I think that I'm really good at... You know, I think I'm good at helping people, like, solve real tangible, like, quality-of-life issues or, like, just resolving issues and coming to a decision." [29:14] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I'm hoping to, yeah, marry those values of service in my faith with what I'm doing. Yeah. I mean, it's hard. I mean, number one, most people are not that interested. It's like a boring talk. You know, people find it boring. I find I love it. But, you know, when I start talking about, like, oh, local community issues, they're like, okay, whatever." [44:56] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I came into faith later in life, you know, initially. I was like, you know, I'm going to be a lawyer. I'm going to kick butt, you know. I started out, you know, I wanted to be cool. So, you know, I started... What? Lawyers are not cool? No. But I started out kind of in financial enforcement. Like, I did white collar crime with the Department of Justice. And I just wanted to be cool. You know, my faith had nothing to do with it, honestly. I just wanted to be cool." [27:39] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "I think just seeing the passion that people had for their community also kind of entrenched in me, like, wow, like, I want to be like those people. I want to care about my community and serve my community and use my gifts and talents that God has given me to serve my community. And I thought that, okay, I think that I'm really good at... You know, I think I'm good at helping people, like, solve real tangible, like, quality-of-life issues or, like, just resolving issues and coming to a decision." [29:14] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I think just my legal journey then slowly kind of catered in that direction where then I got this... I started volunteering more for, like, civic organizations, you know, voting, education, especially in the AAPI community. And I got that opportunity to work for the redistricting commission where we redrew the city council districts. And I was just blown away by how people just really loved their community and, like, really felt for their community." [29:14] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So just as a starting point. What I recommend to people, just very low key, is, like, follow your elected officials on Instagram or social media and sign up for their newsletters. Right? Because they tell you, like, hey, this is what's going on in our community. So, like, each city council member has, like, a, you know, newsletter, e-mail newsletter. Join their e-mail subscribe list." [45:41] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The first step is educating yourself. And then if you do have time commitments, you know, if you want to commit time, there's joining the community board. Like, you know, joining your community board as a member. I think applications, they vary. I think they may have passed already at this point. Yeah. They passed. But it's a two-year term. So look it up. I don't want to go into the whole spiel about community board. But you can definitely look it up. Look up your community board." [48:20] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I mean, and it also gives me the flexibility to do this work because I am passionate about it. So I'm hoping to, yeah, marry those values of service in my faith with what I'm doing. Yeah. I mean, it's hard. I mean, number one, most people are not that interested. It's like a boring talk. You know, people find it boring." [44:56] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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