Dear Friends,

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2023 was a year of being challenged to live out God’s highest command to not only love God but to love those who do not think, look, vote, or believe like us at a time of escalating wars, violence, and racial tensions. Yet, our Skinner Leadership Institute team responded to God’s command by demonstrating love in some difficult places.  

Skinner Leadership Institute spent much of this year evaluating how well we demonstrated God’s love in our nonpartisan Faiths United to Save Democracy (FUSD) voter protection program and preparing for the 2024 election. In multiple meetings with diverse faith partners, we asked how well we protected senior citizens, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable people at polling sites. How well did we respond to those who threatened violence at the polls, using our de-escalation training and treating them with the same kindness we wanted them to show? By God’s grace, we will launch our 2024 voter protection campaign on January 15th, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. It will signal that God’s love will continue to guide our mission to protect the sacred right to vote for every vulnerable American.

Equipping millennial and Generation Z leaders to show up as God’s love in all they do was the essence of our hybrid 2023 Masters Series for Distinguished Leaders (MSDL) program. Through MSDL, talented younger leaders learned that true success means opening doors of opportunity for as many others as possible to enter. 

The 2023 Masters Series for Distinguished Clergy (MSDC) program prepared intergenerational faith leaders to voice their biblically rooted moral convictions while showing compassion for those with whom they disagree. We also continue to send scriptures daily to Members of Congress in both parties, reminding them to practice God’s love in the sacred position they have been blessed to hold.  

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We also reached low-income rural citizens who lack the high-speed internet connection needed for virtual doctor visits, church services, school assignments, family contacts, and online voter registration. Through our "Get Connected" Rural Broadband program, we conducted "Train-the-Trainer" sessions in Alabama, Florida, and North Carolina that equipped local clergy to help their church members sign up to receive internet service.

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We can stand in the gap as peacemakers, bridge builders, and models of God’s love for all people through the caring and sacrificial giving and prayers of friends like you. For a year-end gift of $100.00 or more, we will send you, postage paid, a beautiful and inspirational reminder of our gratitude for your generosity that keeps us going. May you stay strong in the mighty power of God’s love now and in the New Year!

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Be blessed and stay safe!

Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner,
Co-Founder and President​