CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

We want to act out our faith by mobilizing the church to engage
at the local and state levels in a variety of ways. Join us in
bringing salt and light to the civic arena!

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ARTICLES 

Engaging the Enemy – A Panel Discussion

Written By Mike Boettge   The Civic Engagement team at Grace Church needs you. Yes, you. It doesn't matter what you're good at or how little time you have. If you can send a text message, take few minutes to research on the internet, attend one county council or...

Real Men Getting in the Game

Written By Lou L. What does it mean to be a real man of God? It means courage, faith, and a willingness to do what needs to be done. Real men save lives, protect the weak, and sacrifice themselves in so many ways to make our society stronger, safer, and freer. And...

Missouri Legislative Wrap-Up: Contending With a Modern Day Pharaoh

Written By Peggy Welker  For many of us the beginning of the Missouri 2023 legislative session was promising. Conservatives had won a record number of Senate seats, (five in total) maintaining Republican super majorities in the state House and Senate. Bills were filed...

God’s Gift of Freedom and Equality in Christ at Grace Church

Written By Lou L. The Emancipation Proclamation, Juneteenth, and Grace Church’s Civic Engagement ministry. What is the common thread that binds them together, and how do they reflect the increasing revelation of God’s truth? To answer that question, let's go back to...

From Passover to Prince of Peace

Written By Olivia Payne Christians today are becoming more curious about Jewish holidays and the relevancy they may have within our faith. One of these holidays is the Feast of Unleavened Bread, more commonly known as Passover. Passover is a seven-day long festival...

Saving Women’s Sports

Written By Marci Imagine training for years as a student to participate in your sport of choice. Your parents invest money in uniforms, equipment, and tournament expenses, while you invest your time and energy relentlessly practicing to win.  Imagine how it would feel...

The Abolition of Abortion in Missouri

Written By Lou Lesinski  Contrary to popular belief, objections regarding the cruelty of abortion are not a new thing. Missouri has a long legislative history concerning this issue. As far back as the early 1800’s social movements have worked to end the practice,...

Israel Tour 2023

Written By Kim St.Onge   Preaching from a boat on the Sea of Galilee and worshipping Jesus in Old Jerusalem are two highlights Pastor Wes Martin recalls from his first experience leading a trip to Israel in 2019. Joel Richardson, a New York Times bestselling...

Feeding St. Louis

Written By Mike Boettge & Kim St.Onge   As concern grows over a possible worldwide food shortage and inflation continues, Grace Church is working to bridge the gap and help families put food on the table. On the second and fourth Monday of each month, Grace...

Building Up Reynosa

Written By Mike Boettge   Reynosa is a border city in the northern state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. It is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande, directly across from Hidalgo and McAllen, Texas, about 75 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico. Approximately one...

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT NEWSLETTER 

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RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS

Since more and more employers and schools are mandating Covid vaccinations and many of our members object to the vaccines, we want to make some resources available to help if you wish to file for a religious exemption. Here are three resources for you. Click the “+” sign to the right to see more info. 

 

The applicable law that protects your religious freedom in the workplace
In accordance with the Missouri State Constitution  Article I Section 5.  Religious freedom — liberty of conscience and belief — limitations — right to pray — academic religious freedoms and prayer. — “That all men and women have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; that no human authority can control or interfere with the rights of conscience”,

and in accordance to The Civil Rights Act of 1964, “SEC. 2000e-2. [Section 703]

(a) Employer practices

It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer –

(1) to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; or

(2) to limit, segregate, or classify his employees or applicants for employment in any way which would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his status as an employee, because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

How to apply for religious exemptions
Ask your employer if they have a specific form for you to fill out or if they want you to submit a written request on your own. This PDF from Informed Health Choice Missouri has some excellent information and suggestions about how to apply for religious exemptions. In addition to their suggestions, we would also point out that some companies/schools are rejecting religious exemption applications that say one objects based on moral or conscience reasons. They separate moral and conscience from faith. So just specify that your objections are religious rather than assuming that they will understand that your morals and your conscience are inextricable from your religious beliefs.

Click here:

Religious exemption letter tips for HC workers 

Letter from the church supporting religious exemptions to Covid vaccines
If your employer or school asks you to provide a letter from your church to substantiate your religious objections, you can print and present this pdf file of a letter written by one of our pastors. We do not recommend that you give this letter to them unsolicited, but have a copy of it ready if you are filing a religious exemption form. Then if they request it, you will be prepared. You can also use this letter as a resource to help you identify your own personal religious objections. But please do not copy and paste it. If you must give them a written explanation of your objections, write it in your own words so that they know you are honestly presenting your own objections.

Click here:

Signed Covid Letter

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