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The Rev. Barbara Ballenger

Rector’s Note: Activating our faith as the election nears-10.24.24

There was a time when the two topics that were off the table in polite conversation were religion and politics, mainly because they would lead to an argument or worse. It’s tempting to return to that genteel standard now, given the animosity in the air, on social media platforms, and just about everywhere.


Except there is too much at stake.


The upcoming elections, from school board members to the president of the United States, are not just about who will represent us or lead us, but are also referenda on essential issues of dignity, mercy justice and peace – which is why faith and politics should always go together. 


This period is also an the occasion for speech that is often frightening in its threat, its hatred, its prejudice and its fear.  Which means that these are tough times to be a follower of Christ. And they are times when people need the love, understanding, mercy and clarity of Christ to orient and guide them. So, our work as disciples is cut out for us.


As we approach the Nov. 5 election as people of faith, and live into its aftermath, we can be intentional about what we bring to the dialogue, to the environments that we are in, to our own management of our hopes and worries. Episcopalians have long relied on Scripture, tradition and reason to put three authoritative and stabilizing legs under our daily lives. And they can help us now, if we acknowledge how interrelated and interconnected they are to one another, how they orient and shape our thinking and help us to take actions that are loving and just. They are not three opposing ideas, but together create a foundation marked by love, curiosity, understanding, courage and prayerful reliance on the wisdom and grace of God to lead and sustain us.


Given that, here are some suggestions that I have for navigating these remaining days leading up to the election in a spirit of hope, courage, and faith.


Start with prayer

I am finding that one way that I can ease my own election-related anxiety is to share my fears and concerns with God, and ask God to hold them for me. I have to remind myself that I don’t have to beg God for just and loving outcomes, because God desired those long before I came on the scene. Instead, I’m finding it helpful to lean into God’s desire for a loving world, and to offer myself in service to it. While much rides on this election, no matter the outcome, the work of advocacy for policies that are loving, just and that promote peace is ongoing.


I am using a set of prayers that Rick Pearce put together from the Book of Common Prayer to pray for our country and for just and peaceful outcomes in this election. We’ve been posting a daily prayer from this collection on St.  Peter’s Facebook page, and we will also make copies available for people to use on election day if they would like to stop in the church to pray.


On election night, the Episcopal Office of Government Relations is offering online Virtual Prayers on Zoom from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. eastern time. Episcopalians from around the country will lead periods of silence and spoken prayers for peace, the nation, and all people and countries.  Register here.


Understand where the Episcopal church stands on issues

In its annual and general gatherings, the lay people and clergy of the church have long weighed in on issues that are front and center to our political discourse right now, such as  women’s rights to make decisions about their own bodies, the protection of the health and dignity of LGBTQ+ people, the protection of immigrants and undocumented workers, creating environments where people can rise from poverty, the call to combat climate catastrophe, and the imperative to uphold racial justice and repair.  

 

You can learn more about where the church has stood on all sorts of issues by visiting the “Acts of Convention” page of the national church website and searching specific issues. Here you will find resolutions and statements that reflect the intertwining of our collective Scriptural, traditional and reasoned understanding of the world we are active in. I find these resources helpful in clarifying my own thinking on issues and developing my own talking and praying points.


Make a plan to vote and help get out the vote

Debbie Panebianco has created a voter resources page on St. Peter’s website, which provides a lot of local and national voting information, and how to help people get to the polls.  Additionally the Episcopal Church’s Office of the Government Relations has compiled a vast amount of materials and resources to Vote Faithfully this election. 

St. Peter’s, like many churches and schools, is a polling place (Abington 13-3). Our own parishioner Melissa Olson serves as a judge of election.  On Nov. 5, the smell of baking pies will make the experience even more inviting as our Pies at the Polls Bakesale offers a way for people to take home dinner and dessert that day. You can sign up to contribute to that effort here.


And the church will open to all for prayer throughout the day.

While who and what we vote for is both personal and private, the act of voting is collective and essential to our democracy.  The gifts of our faith help support a society that is civil, peaceful and just. And as we remind ourselves in our Baptismal promises, in this we always can count on God’s help.

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