Behind the Ballot Box: A Night of Civic Engagement and Voter Education

Cynthia Rives (in pink) and friends

Last night, the Behind the Ballot Box event was a huge success, drawing a crowd of around 70 enthusiastic participants. The room was filled with a diverse group of folks eager to learn about the election process and enhance their civic engagement, including members of our larger community who haven’t been connected with our church before.

Participants gathered around tables in Miller Center

The event, organized by the Church & Society Committee of FUMC Denton, began with a warm welcome and a delightful dinner served by our Cynthia Rives and FUMC Denton’s United Women in Faith (UWF). This initial gathering allowed attendees to mingle, share their thoughts on civic participation, and set the tone for the informative session that followed.

Christie Wood presenting on the voting process

After dinner, Christie Wood, an accomplished artist and dedicated civic leader, brought a wealth of knowledge and passion to her presentation. She provided an enlightening behind-the-scenes look at the election process and skillfully demystified the complexities of voting, emphasizing the importance of informed participation. Even running slightly over time, not a single person left early. Instead, several attendees stayed afterward to continue the conversation, eager to discuss the topics further and seek Christie's insights.

The success of the Behind the Ballot Box event was a testament to the community’s commitment to fostering civic engagement and voter education. The Church & Society Committee of FUMC Denton is grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to making the evening memorable. We look forward to hosting more events that inspire and inform our community about the vital role of voting and civic involvement as we live out our Methodist call toward social holiness.