We have a new president. A Historic President

Either way this election would have made history. If McCain had won we would have had the nation's first woman VP. But Barak Obama won and we have the nation's first African American President! I don't think this is partisan since the election is now over and the people have spoken. No matter who you voted for Obama is now your President. Obama spoke about the 106 year old woman who lived to vote for him. When she was young she could not vote because she was a woman and also more importantly because she was African American. My father was as I have said before a party of Lincoln Republican. When I found out that Obama won I prayed to my father and said I know you would have voted for a Democrat for the first time in your life. I am sure of that! My father was the one who taught me African American history even though I did not believe him because "it was not taught in school". How I wish I had listened to him at the time. He is probably saying "I told you so."
Now that this has happened I think we at Christ Church should have the "Sacred Conversation about Race" http://www.ucc.org/sacred-conversation/ that the UCC has been advocating. Because people might be saying that Obama was/is the exception. We need to look at what we think about race and let the ugly realities come out and face them.
They tell me that reading material would be Obama's books, The Audacity of Hope and others. They tell his life story. Also look at Michelle Obama's life story. They rose from working class parents to this stature. There are a lot of African Americans who can say the same, myself included.
When we had the Neighbor to Neighbor workshop at Christ Church two Sunday's ago they showed a video of children in the slums of Philadelphia. We were asked our reaction to the video and I said I could relate to the video because one child talked about being harassed by children in school for being different. This happened to me in the second grade because I was interested in learning and the kids didn't like that. We must talk!
Jeannette

HomeSharing Article Star Ledger 11/2/08

Above is the article on HomeSharing that was published in the Somerset, Hunterdon County editions of the Star Ledger on Sunday November 2. I am posting this article not because it is about me and my match but because it is a way to provide affordable housing in this time of people losing there homes because of foreclosures. Perhaps a family could avoid foreclosure if they share a room or rooms in their home. The operative word is share not rent because the seeker becomes a part of the family. If a homeowner has a big house then they might have separate quarters for the seeker. Since I am on the Board of Directors of HomeSharing we hear stories of the clients. The providers are not always poor, they may be elderly or empty nesters who want companionship. That is my story. Olinda Young my seeker came to me at the right time in my life. One year ago just before I was to have chemo. It would have been hard for me to live alone during my time of having chemo, especially as I had an adverse reaction the first day and wound up in the ER. I did not know how I was going to get home as I did not have my address list with me. I called Paul Tukey who is on my Lots of Helping Hands website and he called Olinda. All I knew is that Olinda (my angel) showed up to take me home. As a retired social worker and avid church worker, she has those caring aspects.
A full time agency like HomeSharing does not exist in Union County as the article says there is only a part time agency. Since people in Christ Church started the homeless hospitality network, this might be a project for someone to take up.
Jeannette

Our Faith Our Vote Tuesday is the day!

Here is the UCC Election Day Check list.

Election Day Checklist The end is in sight! Election Day is almost here! You've stuck with us this far - join us in our final push to prepare for the elections. Voter registration is way up! Overall, 13 battleground states have already received 3.4 million new voter registrations as of Oct. 14, 2008 compared to 1.8 million new registrations in 2004. This is exciting, but the overwhelming number of people expected to vote on November 4th is going to put a big strain on our electoral system. It is all the more important to watch for incidents of voter disenfranchisement and intimidation. The following are just a few of the disturbing incidents that have been reported so far: Voters in Philadelphia are being told that they will be denied the right to vote if they have unpaid parking tickets. FALSE! In some areas, flyers are being distributed with misinformation about elections, including such false warnings that anyone whose home is in foreclosure cannot vote. UNETHICAL! Some Georgia residents waited 6 to 8 hours to cast an early ballot, in large part due to computer glitches and an overload of the state's computerized voter verification system. DISTURBING! What can you do to insure that your vote and the votes in your community are counted? Prepare yourself! Know where your polling place is located This may seem simple but knowing your polling place will save you time and frustration. You can use this tool to find it right now. (LINK http://www.866ourvote.org/find-polling) You can also help members of your church find their polling places. Set up your computer during coffee hour so anyone can find their polling location or print out directions to local polling stations so everyone knows where to go! Know about your state's voter requirements Does your state require ID at polling places? What kind of identification is acceptable? Make sure you know what to expect in your state. Know your rights No one should be able to deny you your right to vote. Come prepared with the facts in case you encounter unexpected problems at the polling place. The UCC OFOV project has prepared a basic Voter Bill of Rights in English and Spanish for your use. Spread the knowledge with this useful bulletin insert. Include it in your Sunday worship materials so all your friends and neighbors can be prepared. If you encounter any problems call the election protection hotline for immediate assistance from trained legal professionals. 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Consider voting early Massive voter turn out is going to lead to long lines on Election Day. If you know you won't be able to make it to the polls on November 4th consider voting early or requesting an absentee ballot. To find out if your state offers early voting click here. Don't wear buttons, stickers, shirts or carry signs promoting a candidate to a polling location The laws about this vary state-to-state and county-to-county. Because there is a great deal of confusion about this among poll workers, voters and officials it is better NOT to wear campaign gear when you go to vote. Prepare Your Church! Voting can be difficult to fit in your schedule. With jobs, children and pets to care for many people have trouble finding time to cast their ballots. Help the members of your church find time to vote. Car pool Make sure everyone has a ride to the polls. Get some drivers to volunteer and find out who needs a ride. Make a sign-up sheet and divide responsibility so that everyone who needs a ride from home or work can make it to their voting place. Child Care It's hard to make time to stand in line and vote when you have kids to worry about. Open up the church nursery and offer to watch your members' kids while their parents vote. They will appreciate it more than you know! Dog Walking Offer to walk dogs so people are free to vote and free from worrying about their pets waiting in the car or at home. This is a great way to get your youth group involved in the voting process and will be appreciated by pet owners. Encourage everyone in your congregation to vote Sometimes we all just need a little reminder! Thank you for your engagement in this election! ______________________________________________________________ I can't tell you how to vote and who to vote for. All I can say is VOTE. Make sure you're friends and neighbors and even your relatives VOTE! Jeannette