A Pastoral Message from our Senior Minister – After Election Day

Dear friends,

“All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.”
— Julian of Norwich

We all awoke this morning to the news that Donald Trump had been elected the 47th President of the United States of America. We also awoke to the realization that we live in what seems to be a deeply divided nation, with often competing and opposing values and senses of identity. Since late last night I have received many messages, e-mails and texts from members of our congregation expressing a wide variety of emotions. There are those who are ecstatic and thrilled at the outcome of the election. There are others who are not happy with the outcome of the election, but understand that elections happen and though the outcome may not be what they wanted, they will make the best of it. There are still others who are angry, grieving and frightened at the thought of what the result of the election means for them, those they love and for the country as a whole. I know that not all friends and members of Central Union Church vote the same way, nor should we. However, as a result, the wide diversity of emotion and feeling ranging from anxiety, fear and trauma to joy and celebration is to be expected and is understandable.

I wanted to write to you today, because I wanted to acknowledge and name the wide range of feelings and emotions that are present today in everyone we will encounter as we go about our daily lives and to share some words of faith, hope and love as we navigate the next few days and weeks.

In our beautiful sanctuary are inscribed the words, “Love Never Faileth”. Those 3 simple words are at the core of what I believe and at the core of who we are as a Christian community. It is a reminder to us that no matter what happens, it is love that defines us and holds us together. It is a reminder to us that we are held in the loving and steadfast hands of God. In times of change and uncertainty, it is natural to feel a range of emotions, but I want to encourage us all to find comfort and hope in the extravagant, unconditional nature of God’s love.

I also wanted to remind us all that in the midst of all this, community is probably our greatest blessing. It is a reminder to us that we are not alone. We exist in community. It is our community that gives us strength and sustenance in moments like this. It is community that gives us hope and inspiration to move into the future unafraid to share God’s love and responding to our call to be bridge-builders. Our core mission as Church, and as followers of Christ, has not changed. We are still called to love God and love our neighbor.

Psalm 46:1-2 reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” Remember that no matter what happens in the world around us, we are never alone. God is our constant refuge and strength.

Let us continue to pray for our leaders, our nation, our community and for one another. Let us also remember to extend compassion, grace, kindness, love and a listening ear to those who may feel differently than we do. Our unity in Christ is far greater than any earthly division.