by Yvette McDonnell, M.Ed., MASC
Congregational Life Coordinator
Ministerial Intern
Every year during my college days, I would receive a pocket-sized version of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence in September on Constitution Day. I never really took the time to look at the guide in depth and I didn’t have the heart to throw them away. It seemed wrong, almost sacrilegious. So, I carried them from state to state, with each move, always placing them carefully on my bookshelf, holding onto the hope that one day I would read them, page by page.
Recently, I decided to pass down this cherished pocket guide to my daughter, who was taking an Advanced Placement US Government History class. She mentioned they would be studying the Declaration of Independence and preparing for a test on the amendments. It felt like the perfect moment to share a piece of my history with her—it felt like a rite of passage.
Inspired by this experience, the political chaos, and the urgent need for everyone to be aware of their rights, I want to ensure that members of MLUC and our wider community have access to these pocket guides. They are not just pages filled with words; they are invaluable documents that can help preserve our democracy if more people understand their contents.
The guides will be handed out by the end of July (hopefully).