Article Summary –
At St. Joseph African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Harris-Walz campaign’s surrogates emphasized voting’s importance in North Carolina. Justice Hill used Bartimaeus’s story to urge civic action, contrasting Harris’s inclusive vision with Trump’s. The church’s event stressed North Carolina’s pivotal electoral role.
St. Joseph African Methodist Episcopal Church Hosts Harris-Walz Campaign Surrogates, Highlights Election Stakes
On the final Sunday of early voting in North Carolina, Justice Hill, young adult minister at St. Joseph African Methodist Episcopal Church in Durham, narrated the story of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar who called out to Jesus near Jericho. The crowd shunned Bartimaeus, blind to his plight. But Jesus called him over, saying, “Your faith has made you see again.” Hill urged the congregation to not let others silence them, especially in the voting booth.
Church pastors and guests highlighted the 2024 election as pivotal, drawing a stark contrast between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s visions for the future. Hill stressed the need for voters to find their voice, just as Bartimaeus did.
“How can I stay quiet when discrimination is normalized and candidates spew hate?” Hill asked. “How can I remain silent when women’s rights and Harris’s worthiness as president are questioned? God has given us something to say.”
‘That is the contrast at hand.’
The event doubled as a Souls to the Polls gathering, featuring Harris-Walz campaign surrogates like NC Sen. Natalie Murdock. Harris was depicted as aligning with the church’s long-standing fight for civil rights. “The Kamala Harris campaign includes everyone,” said Tenn. Rep. Karen Camper. “Find yourself in her policies.” While Trump’s name wasn’t mentioned, the differences were clear.
“Can our future be one we are proud of?” asked US Rep. Gabe Amo of Rhode Island. “That is the contrast at hand,” he added.
‘It will come down to our state’
Early voting continues until Nov. 2, but this was the last Sunday opportunity. Souls to the Polls, a Democratic movement, aims to help voters reach the polls. Murdock emphasized North Carolina’s crucial role: “It will come down to our state. We can decide this election.” Amo urged residents to bring others to vote. “Our lives depend on it,” he said, emphasizing the seriousness yet expressing hope.
‘We can’t stay silent’
Post-service, Hill explained the connection between Bartimaeus’s story and today’s election. These are stories of now and the future. “We can’t stay silent,” he noted. “Think about your future, the generations to come. Your voice matters, your votes matter,” he concluded, adding, “And God is good.”
—
Read More North Carolina News
