A Pastoral Letter to our Congregation After the Election

Dear Cedar Cross Community,

In the past months I have begun to know you as a community deeply committed to values of justice, inclusion, compassion, and integrity, all rooted in Christ. In the past weeks, I have heard many of you voice a collective concern that a second Trump presidency would move our nation further away from these values. On this day, we wake to this reality. For those who share this concern we wake to grief, betrayal, anger, fear, disbelief, perhaps determination and a renewed commitment to make hope real in the world. 

However you find yourself in these coming days, I pray that you will take time to be there. Feel your feelings. Listen to your body: our bodies may react before our minds can make sense of the world. Be gentle with yourself and with others. Tender-hearted to allow others to be where they are, too. Do good where you can. 

Breathe the life-breath of God and offer yourself into Spirit’s mercy and grace. Come and worship together: sing, pray, hear the word of God, share Communion, be the Body of Christ together.  

Beloved, let us take the time we need to be re-oriented to God’s Kingdom/kin-dom vision and be ready for the work that remains. For so long as the world’s empires rule (no matter who is elected to them), there will always be work for us to do to make the liberating love of Christ real in our communities. I know we will continue that work together. 

On the Way with you,

Pastor Janelle