On this Election week, I am writing to share a prayer and a hope for us, the people of First United Methodist Church of Winter Park. As I said on Sunday, I know there is anxiety and fear and I hope you feel this is a church and a faith community where you are safe and loved, just as you are. As we come together on Sunday, we know that some of us will be celebrating the election, and others will be upset and nervous. I invite us to commit to gather with tenderness and look at each other with the eyes of Jesus. I also want to invite you to come and pray with your brothers and sisters tonight, November 6th in the Marcy Chapel for a Peace and Unity Prayer Vigil at 6:00pm. All are welcome!
One of the reasons I love our Wesleyan tradition is John Wesley’s words and advice on voting. By the time you read this on Wednesday, you will have already cast your vote either in person or through the mail. I hope your voting experience was positive and that you felt a sense of pride for the process and gratitude for the opportunity to let your voice be heard. Here in America, we really do have so much to be thankful for.
John Wesley, our founder was not afraid to “talk politics” to the early Methodists in England. In those days, there were more than 2 major parties to choose from for Parliament and he spoke to the leaders in the movement about how best to be guided. The story goes like this: In October 1774, John Wesley was preaching in some small English towns near Bristol, where a contentious election for Parliament was underway. The chief candidates differed in their political ideologies, their positions on the American colonies, and their support from religious groups. In the days leading up to the election, while in the town of Pill, he met with members of the local Methodist society, and offered this important guidance:
These are John Wesley’s words and I think they resonate with us today too.
October 6, 1774.
I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them (1) to vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy; (2) to speak no evil of the person they voted against; and (3) to take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.
Three important rules for voting and so grace-filled in its approach. And while your voting is over, I am willing to bet that your feelings about the election are not. And so I invite us as a body to think about and work to embody the last two rules well.
Can we try to speak no evil about the “other candidate”? I know it is hard…I have caught myself several times this week struggling to find tactful things to say about “the other.” And when all is said and done, and the yard signs come down and the dust has settled, can we do all we can to treat each other with tenderness and to believe the best in each other. The truth is, I don’t want to be in a church where everyone thinks alike; that would be boring. I want to be in a faith community where there is diversity of thought, but unity in Spirit. I want to be challenged to learn more and to rethink things I have always believed to be true. I want to grow and mature and plant deep roots when it comes to my faith. But I can’t do that, if my spirit is sharpened against those that voted on the other side. And so I will do all I can to remove my feelings of malice, anger, bitterness and distrust of “the other side” not because I don’t care about the election but because people matter more to me than politicians. Part of this restraint is out of respect for the belovedness in others and the other is to care for my own soul. When our spirit is sharpened towards others, there is a lack of peace and charity too. And so I choose, or continue to do my best to choose, the more excellent way; the way of Jesus.
Romans 12: 17-21 says:
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
I invite you to end with this prayer written in the Book of Worship:
Creator of us all,
you are the source of every blessing,
the judge of every nation
and the hope of earth and heaven:We call to mind the best that is within us:
That we live under God,
that we are indivisible,
that liberty and justice extend to all.
We acknowledge the sin that runs through our history as a nation:
The displacement of native peoples, racial injustice,
economic inequity, regional separation.
And we profess a deep and abiding gratitude
for the goodness of ordinary people who have made sacrifices,
who have sought opportunities,
who have journeyed to this land as immigrants
and strengthened its promise in successive generations,
who have found freedom on these shores,
and defended this freedom at tremendous cost.
Be with us in the days that are near.
Remind us that your ways are not our ways,
that your power and might transcend
the plans of every nation,
that you are not mocked.
Let those who follow your Son Jesus Christ be a peaceable people
in the midst of division.
Send your Spirit of peace, justice and freedom upon us,
break down the walls of political partisanship,
and make us one.
Give us wisdom to walk in your ways,
courage to speak in your name,
and humility to trust in your providence.
Amen.