AMENIA — Continuing momentum fueled by the recent Democratic National Convention, the Amenia Democratic Committee held a kick-off event on Sunday, Aug. 25, at the Indian Rock Schoolhouse pavilion, gearing up and organizing for the upcoming campaign push to the November elections.
While the group of nearly 50 volunteers gathered, music was provided by folk guitarist Joseph Sobol, who had written a piece called “The Timothy Waltz,” set to the tune of “The Tennessee Waltz.” He said it was a piece that just had to be written.
Town Supervisor Leo Blackman rallied support and the spirit of volunteerism to get the vote out, while observing that in his position as a town official, his approach to leadership is importantly non-partisan. He did admit to be “jazzed” by the national convention.
Town Board member Rosanna Hamm reported that at last year’s election, of the 864 registered Democrats, only 401 cast ballots.
“We need to get out and vote,” Hamm said, encouraging everyone to talk with their neighbors, an example of something that can be done.
Candidate for Dutchess County Comptroller, Dan Aymar-Blair of Beacon, spoke of positive energy he was finding during his canvassing door-to-door. And, he noted that at 5’11”, he is the tallest person running for Comptroller.
“We need financial oversight in Dutchess County,” Aymar-Blair said, noting that the county has a $600 million budget, but a debt of more than $1 billion. He added that residents need his experience (20 years in public finance) and his independence in the office.
Representing candidate Michelle Hinchey in her bid for state Senate District 41, Eddie Monroy, her deputy campaign manager, described her as “an advocate for communities in rural New York.”
“To reflect our values, we have to be engaged and committed to voting this year,” Monroy said. He noted that over the past three years of service, Hinchey had endorsed 74 bills.
“I work really hard and I show up for other people,” said Town Board candidate Charlie Miller, who reviewed his work with a variety of town committees, including Housing and Wastewater. Miller is running for a one-year term to fill the Town Board seat vacated by Leo Blackman when he was elected Town Supervisor.
“I’m a fiscally responsible person,” Miller said, describing his commitment to research to understand fully issues facing the town.
Energized by the event, attendees stepped up to volunteer to canvass door-to-door, make phone calls, mail postcards, and most carried away a stack of lawn signs.
Lent: Time to consider social gospel movement
We are entering the annual Christian season of Lent this week.With its 40 days of contemplation and “little Easter” Sundays, it is a time to remember the healing ministry and the sacrifice of Jesus.During this season, we are invited to think deeply about our role as agents of grace and love in our hurting world.
There is a long history of making sacrifices and commitments for Lent, modeling our discipleship and hopes for a more heavenly world. It is through this lens that I invite you to join us in considering what gifts and services the community needs that we can commit to bringing forth in the weeks leading up to Easter.While many lean into solitary introspection during Lent, it may be particularly advantageous to use our meditations and sacrifices for the greater good this year.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, advised his followers centuries ago that “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. Faith working by love is the length and depth and breadth and height of Christian perfection.”These words are connected to the firm belief of Wesley that a Methodist was fundamentally one who loved God with all their heart, mind, strength, and soul, along with loving one’s neighbor as oneself.He believed that being in love with God naturally also required loving other people, as every person was a beloved soul coming from the same source of life that we are.
Consequently, Wesley stood against slavery long before it was a popular view, prioritized caring for those who were poor and imprisoned, and made a point to do good to as many as he could for as long as he was physically able.
Indeed, the Methodists are not the only Christians who believe such things.These thoughts are primary messages of the Christian faith.In more recent history, we can note that during the time of the Golden Age, at the end of the late 19th century, the Christians mobilized to counteract the abject poverty, child labor, dangerous working conditions, and lack of education of the time.Famous theologians such as Washington Gladden, Walter Rauschenbusch, and W.E.B. DuBois began the Social Gospel movement, enacting with new verve the passion of Christ that empowers the community toward building the Kingdom of God.As Christians, they believed in uplifting the downtrodden and creating a community where all had a chance to thrive.Child labor laws were enacted, better working conditions were secured, Sunday School helped provide education, settlement houses were created, and the Salvation Army was born.
The social gospel movement continued in another wave of reforms and empowerment through the Civil Rights era.Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his intellect, energy, and life to help secure the reforms that enabled persons of color to vote, go to non-segregated schools, and have the right to share public spaces without discrimination.Like Christ, he paid the ultimate price for his prophetic vision.However, his impact on our society was formidable, lasting far beyond his short lifetime.
As Christians, it is very clear what to do in times of hardship, crisis, or challenge.Throughout the centuries, our call has been to help heal the world, doing whatever we can to uplift and transform loneliness into community, reminding each one how precious they are and how important it is to unite for the sake of the whole.Individually, the challenges can be overwhelming, even too much to bear.Collectively, we can do all things through the One who strengthens us.As they say, “We have the receipts!” We can do it again.
This Lent, let us give up our pessimism and fear, replacing it with a commitment to community and hope.Yes, things can seem dreadful, but our souls are not served by allowing ourselves to descend into the dark.We are keepers of the light.Let us do all within our power to create brightness so that its warmth may strengthen all as we live into the Social Gospel movement for our time.Chin up, friends, we can do this.We simply must be willing to get serious about doing it together.
Rev. Dr. Anna Crews Camphouse is pastor of Canaan, Lakeville, Millerton, and Sharon United Methodist Churches
Lead Pastor of the Northwestern Hills Cooperative
Parish UMC