November Update from Pastor Mark
It is no secret that we live in a divided country, community, and church. If you have been paying any attention to the polls leading up to election day on November 5, you know that not only the presidential race but also many races for seats in the US House of Representatives and in the Senate are toss-ups; many are within what pollsters refer to as the “margin of error.” In our own community, driving around town we tend to see a fairly balanced number of signs for candidates of both political parties. One front yard full of Republican signs is neighbor to a yard with Democratic signs. Come election day, things can go either way. And no one knows for certain how long after we have cast our votes that election results will be known.
We are deeply divided along party lines; and as the draft of our ELCA social statement on Civic Life and Faith observes, “hyper-partisan polarization is rampant in the United States, harming both individuals and the social fabric.” We know this from television ads, news stories on the radio, social media posts, and even from conversations within our own families and friendship groups. Some have distanced themselves from media – you’ve turned off the television, you’ve quit Facebook (or “unfriended” people) and other social media platforms; some no longer talk with certain family members or friends. Everyone is feeling stressed and anxious and many are sad.
And did you know that even the ELCA is divided? This may come as a surprise to some folks – outside the ELCA especially, there are many who think of us as just a group of “liberals.” But that is false. Some of you have heard me share data from a Pew Research Center study, according to which 43% of ELCA members are Republicans or lean Republican while 47% are Democrats or lean Democratic. (The last 10% is somewhere in the middle, leaning neither Red nor Blue.)
As “purple” as the ELCA is (and as “purple” as I know Our Redeemer to be), we have a witness to give to the rest of our country in the coming days and weeks and months. As we have in the last years, we will continue to gather each week under the cross of Christ as disciples of Jesus and beloved siblings of one another. This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here. Together, let us demonstrate to a culture at war with itself, hellbent on keeping us divided from one another, that the union we share with one another by virtue of our common baptism into Jesus’ death and resurrection is stronger than any bond of blood; or race; or ethnicity; or economic or immigrant status; or party affiliation. This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here. And a place for them. A place where together we strive to live in obedience to Jesus’ command that we “love one another.”
In our new worship resource, All Creation Sings (is it coincidence that it is purplish in color [periwinkle, in fact, is what we call it!]?) you can find this prayer for “faithful living in society.” As we strive to participate both as people of faith and as thoughtful, well-engaged citizens in this country, won’t you join me in prayer?
Sovereign God, your Son Jesus lived within the structures of society even as he spoke truth to those in power and challenged systems of oppression. Empower us to be courageous disciples and responsible citizens. Grant that our life in the public realm be grounded in love for our neighbors, care for the most vulnerable in our midst, and respect for the common life we share, following the example of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
+ Pastor Mark