A Post-Election Reflection
The results of the 2016 general election are in, and after a rancorous campaign, a new president has been elected. Some of us are celebrating with a measure of surprise, while others of us are shell-shocked.
For the second time in less than twenty years, one party won the popular vote and another party secured the electoral college vote. The wildly inaccurate election day polls added to the sense of drama and disorientation.
Among the people of Trinity Church, there are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. What unites us as a "welcoming community of compassion and faith" is not our political affiliation or presidential choices but rather our shared love for God and our neighbor through Jesus Christ.
I want to acknowledge the disbelief and anxiety that some of you have expressed to me. Julie Beck's essay for The Atlantic describes "collective trauma" and how to cope with stress in light of the election. She promotes the typical self-care strategies like breathing, meditating, walking, eating well, and adequate sleep. Beck also underscores the importance of strengthening connections with families, communities, and organizations.1
As a congregation, our engagement with one another can be a source of healing and wholeness. How we treat each other matters. To that end, I would commend Wesley's "three simple rules."
(1) Do no harm.
(2) Do good.
(3) Love God.
Now as ever, I hope that we will seek a spirit of love and respect for each other, avoiding personal insults, name-calling, and unkind generalizations. I expect that we will embrace our core values and persevere in our vital mission "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." I pray that we will use the means of grace that help us to grow in God's love, including weekly worship, the Lord's Supper, daily prayer, and Christ-like conversation.
Last Sunday, during a pre-Advent event, we sang a few verses from O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, including the seventh verse:
"O come, Desire of nations bind
all peoples in one heart and mind.
From dust thou brought us forth to life;
deliver us from earthly strife.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel."
These words seem like a fitting prayer for this moment in our national life. The poet reminds us that God our Creator is the hope of all people and all nations. In the midst of our personal and national struggles, we look to the One who made us to redeem us. Even as presidents come and go, our bond is in Jesus Emmanuel, the God who is with us.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Brian
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1 Julie Beck. “How to Cope With Post-Election Stress.” The Atlantic. Last modified November 10, 2016. Accessed November 11, 2016. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/11/how-to-cope-with-post-election-stress/507296/.
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