Voting is on the minds of over 50 faith leaders who are part of the new Faith Leaders’ Coalition of Greater Houston. Dozens of leaders and supporters stood outside Houston City Hall on the first day of early voting to urge citizens to vote.
“We are faith leaders of greater Houston, and we urge every citizen to vote. We are speaking out as early voting begins on Oct. 24th because we want the world to know that there are religious leaders in Houston who are willing to challenge Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, racism, misogyny, and violence,” said Rev. Jonathan C. Page, Senior Minister of First Congregational Church of Houston. “We cannot stay silent as leaders promote strategies of intimidation and voter suppression at the polls. Every citizen deserves the right to vote or fear of reprisal.”
“The Faith Leaders Coalition is committed to religious diversity, cultural respect, and advocacy for the people of Greater Houston. Our three core values are interfaith cooperation, justice for all, and civic engagement,” said Rev. Lisa Hunt, Rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. “We come from virtually every religion and are committed to respecting each other’s traditions. We reject discrimination against individuals and/or communities of faith, and we work towards a future where faith communities work in solidarity with one another to provide a better Houston free from violence and division. Our faith traditions call us to compassion and obligation to our neighbor, so every person can live fully in their body without harm or discrimination based on race or gender expression. We defend and guard the rights of citizenship including voting, public education, and restorative justice.”
“This Faith Leaders Coalition brings neighbors together to work for justice in the middle of one of the most bitter election campaigns ever,” said Rev. Troy Treash, the Senior Minister of Resurrection MCC. “It reminds us that faith leaders are so important when the voting is over. We must bring people together to heal and work for a better world where mutual understanding grows.”
The Faith Leaders Coalition realizes that the first day of early voting in Texas coincides with the end of the Jewish festival of Sukkot. Although our Jewish colleagues cannot be with us for our launch event in person because of religious observance, they are with us in spirit.
The Faith Leaders Coalition is committed to religious diversity, cultural respect, and advocacy for the people of Greater Houston. Our three core values: interfaith cooperation, justice for all, and civic engagement.
Faith Leaders’ Coalition of Greater Houston NEW Houston Faith Leaders’ Coalition Launches on Early Voting Day Leaders from diverse religions affirm civic spirit in Houston
Media Contacts: Rev. Jonathan Page, President of Faith Leaders’ Coalition, jon@fcc-houston.org; Ann Craig, Communications Consultant, 917-280-2968 craignewyork@gmail.com
WHAT: Witness and launch of a justice oriented Faith Leaders’ Coalition of Greater Houston on the steps of Houston City Hall to support early voting and civil society.
WHY: “We are faith leaders of greater Houston, and we urge every citizen to vote. We are speaking out as early voting begins on Oct. 24th because we want the world to know that there are religious leaders in Houston who are willing to challenge islamophobia, anti-Semitism, racism, misogyny, and violence,” said Rev. Jonathan C. Page, Senior Minister of First Congregational Church of Houston and President of the Faith Leaders Coalition of Greater Houston. “We cannot stay silent as leaders promote strategies of intimidation and voter suppression at the polls. Every citizen deserves the right to vote without fear of reprisal.”
WHO:
Rev. Jonathan C. Page, Senior Minister, First Congregational Church of Houston, President of the Faith Leaders Coalition of Greater Houston
Rev. Lisa Hunt, Rector, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Vice President of the Faith Leaders Coalition of Greater Houston
Rev. W. Jeffrey Campbell, The Nehemiah Movement, Board Member of the Faith Leaders Coalition of Greater Houston
WHEN: 9am Monday, October 24, 2016
WHERE: Houston City Hall, 901 Bagby Street, Houston, TX 77002
The Faith Leaders Coalition is committed to religious diversity, cultural respect, and advocacy for the people of Greater Houston. Our three core values: interfaith cooperation, justice for all, and civic engagement.