Tapestry of Faith: Toolbox of Faith: A Program That Helps Children Discover the Uses of Faith

Faith In Action: Ideas

Description of Activity

One idea that has caught on is a "Take Your Child to Vote" Day. If you are near an election time, consider the words of Dayton, Ohio, Daily News reporter Scott Eliot, published on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 (Election Day).

There's two things I hope you'll do today. The first thing is I hope you vote. The second is I hope you'll take your children with you to the polls, let them watch while you vote and talk to them about who you're voting for and why.

That's my plan this morning. Think of it as a one-on-one civics lesson. It's really our best hope for intelligent, engaged citizens in the future, that they learn from adults around them that political participation is an important duty, a thoughtful exercise and that it actually can be exciting and fun.

If this session takes place near the time of a congregational meeting, consider arranging for participants to help collect ballots or count hands in a vote, or to sit in on a decision-making discussion.