My Election Day Sermon

I don’t know how I could have possibly gotten through seminary without learning about the colonial New England custom of the Election Day sermon. It’s a fascinating bit of our history. Sermons back in those days were preached at all significant public events—anniversaries, thanksgiving days, fast days and election days. Most colonial ministers did not mix religion and politics on Sundays. However, when they were asked to preach an "Election Day sermon," it was very different.

Election Day sermons followed a typical pattern (which generally lasted over two hours!). First, they asserted that civil government is founded on an agreement between God and citizens to establish political systems that promote the common good. Scripture states that government is necessary, but theologically we know that no human-led system is perfect. Second, the people were encouraged to promise to follow those they had elected, and those who were elected were to promise to act for the good of all. As long as elected officials acted "in their proper character," citizens were to obey. On the other hand, if rulers acted against the terms of the agreement, people were “duty bound” to resist.

In all civic actions, voters and officials were charged to promote virtue, suppress vice and support people of "proven wisdom, integrity, justice, and holiness." As we approach Election Day 2012, we might still do well to measure our actions by these criteria.

One way we might do that is by refusing to bear false witness against our neighbor who might be making a different choice that we do in the ballot box. These are difficult and challenging times for our local communities, our country, and the world.  Divisive and heated rhetoric dominate the public dialogue, and the power of money is shutting out the voice of the average voter.  More and more people are withdrawing from engagement in the political process out of a growing sense of cynicism and mistrust.

In an age of partisan politics, what we need are more bridge-builders and conversation-engagers. As people of faith, we can play a unique role in this election cycle by encouraging civil, respectful dialogue that builds community and offers a hope-filled vision of the future for all people. May it be so, friends, and may it be soon.

The Loom of Democracy (Chapter 4)

You might know where my head is at by my admission that the first time I read the title I thought of the usage of loom as a verb, as in "to appear to the mind in a magnified and threatening form". Perhaps that is because everywhere we turn it seems that someone is trying to make me more anxious and something than I need to be in that moment. As I continued to read, however, I became more convinced that Parker was in fact using the noun form, as in, the machine that weavers use to weave fabric out of threads. This, of course, makes much more sense.

Democracy is designed to hold tension and dissent so that divergent problems can be addressed creatively. Some of us may feel that creativity slipping away. I'd really like someone who is involved with politics more than I am to weigh in on this. Is this creative tension a good thing? Can you tell us a story of reaching across the aisle to enact positive change?

The Heart of Politics (Chapter 3)

What does it mean to be a "living democracy"? Palmer suggests that after September 11, 2001 many of our nation's leaders promoted consumerism to promote our democracy rather than citizenship to restore our democracy. Do you agree? Why or why not?

As Americans, Palmer suggests that we are often lead by our hearts when making decisions about how to govern ourselves. When we disassociate our intellect (minds) from our heart (feelings) we are prone to making serious mistakes, (the Alan Greenspan example was a perfect illustration of this!). We also do a great job of shutting down communication and finding creative solutions for our problems when we fail to see the bigger picture. We enter either a dangerous game of being unaware of real human need or wallow in excessive emotional manipulation and mistruth.

I was not surprised to learn that Americans are first among the nations in per capita giving to charitable organizations, and I might just use that Farmer's Heart illustration in an upcoming sermon - reminds me of Mark 10:16-31.

Heartbreak... was there every a more intense motivator and game-changer than heartbreak? Palmer's question about what we do with out heartbreak is an important one to ask. May we have our hearts break open, not apart. Democracy is a delicate balancing act between individual freedom and collective responsibility (not unlike the local church!).

Confessions of an Accidental Citizen (Chapter 2)

Hello online study participants!

Chapter Two opens with an admission of sorts from Parker Palmer. As a privileged, white American male since birth he admits that citizenship was an automatic kind of thing for him. He also questions what most of us see as citizenship, and wonders if we boil own our citizenship to partisan political activities that many (if not most) American citizens find unsavory, instead of considering our citizenship every day in our normal activities. He thinks that many of us believe "what's good for me and mine comes first" before we begin contributing to the community. Do you agree?

In the section, Faith and Doubt in politics, Parker states that he believes in three things: Democracy, American Political Institutions and the Human Heart. Do you?

Parker eloquently describes his visit to Americus, Georgia where he attends a church Bible study with three congregation members. What struck you the most about his story? Have you ever been in a situation when you have dramatically underestimated the dignity of "the other"? What happened?

Parker claims that at their core, Christianity, Islam and Judaism have compassion and hospitality as founding principals. Why do you think we have so many problems living in a religiously pluralistic democracy here in the U.S.?

Parker claims that we are a people that are inherently pulled between individualism on one side, and interdependence on the other. Do you agree? Where, in society, do you see this played out?

It is true that we are interconnected, and there are so many places where we can do more for the good of society than we can do alone: healthcare, education, roads, social reform. Yet, we are also separate individuals with different gifts and abilities. We group ourselves in tribes with others who are kinda like us. Often our first and best efforts go towards the "like us" group rather than the "other". It's a constant juggling act to balance needs of wider community with self, something I struggle with all the time. How about you?

With humility and chutzpah,
Pastor Jenn

Welcome to the online study!

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a book written by one of my favorite modern theologians, Parker J. Palmer called "Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit".  Finally (I thought), a resource to help me navigate the waters of the next three months - you know, the ones leading up to the presidential election.

My job as a Christian minister is to stand before a couple of hundred people each week and say a little something about the Gospel, about following Jesus, listening to the Holy Spirit and watching for signs of God 's love in the world. And sometimes, those themes skate pretty close to being political speech (or, at least that's what some people tell me).

I find it funny that the two things my mom told me was impolite to discuss at a dinner party - religion and politics - can be so related to each other, and so very polarizing. It makes me sad that we cannot seem to have civil conversations about either without jumping to conclusions, many of them misguided and erroneous. What are some of the conclusions that people have made about you, when you have been brave enough to share your views in a public space?

In the Prelude and First Chapter of this book I was struck by the story about Lincoln and his depression. I found hope in the way that he refrained from labeling and polarizing the South at the close of the Civil War. His ability to pay them respect, despite their clear and deep disagreements, was what some historians believe kept the country together, at a time when we were deeply broken as a nation. And George Carlin is a genius. What did you think about his treatment of shell shock on through to PTSD?

I hope that you take the time to read the prelude and first chapter and leave a post here. Tell us what impressed you, what you struggled with, what you will remember as we continue reading together.

What DO I Believe?

You wouldn't think that is a question that someone would ask me at this point in my life. And it's not something I can boil down into one 1500 word sermon, or probably even a book. Although I would like to try that someday. As a professional clergy person it's only fair that I share with you my spiritual perspective before I ask you to share yours. So here goes.

As a child, I was clueless. Many, many hours playing under the pews as my parents were in this or that board meeting made me resent the building at times. However, I knew the people loved me like a little sister.  I felt like I was closest to God at Silver Lake, our church's camp. When I was a young adult and turned away from that ministry for a time, it hurt and I felt spiritually alone. I "found" God again when my kids were little, because I wanted them to have a place to become formed as people of faith. God called me through the voice of a woman preacher looking for a substitute so she could take a well deserved vacation. But that will confuse many of you, and it's a story for another time.

One question that I am often asked is how do I connect with God. The answer, every time, is nearly the same. When I am writing or studying scripture or in direct conversation with someone I am ministry with, I connect with God. When I am paying attention to the people who are crossing my path, I know that God is present. Something moves in me and through me. Maybe that's compassion, or empathy or something else. I call it Spirit. And I feel transformed. Because of this I am quite certain that I will never be done speaking or teaching or caring for another in whatever way that I can because I really do believe that is God's call on my life. And I mess up ALL the time. We all do. That's the thing about being a broken vessel.

Garden Party

One of my favorite summer pleasures is a really simple one. On some afternoons, I like to sit next to our garden and watch the vegetables grow. No, it’s not possible to stare and see them actually change before my eyes (although that would be really cool!). But I do notice, each day that I spend time there, that the plants have gone through changes.  

This year, our tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs thrived but our zucchini and beans withered and failed. Our eggplants, beets, corn and carrots will hopefully be ready to harvest soon. But the strangest results in the entire garden came from our peppers this year. We grew very tall, leafy and strong plants with maybe one or two small peppers. Hardly a worthwhile harvest for the time and attention invested in the plants.

I was talking about my pepper plant conundrum with the adult son of one of our older members as we visited together in a nursing home facility. I remarked to him how strange it was that we got such different results from different vegetables since the soil and sunlight in the garden is so remarkably similar. He told me that peppers are a kind of plant that produces flowers ONLY when under duress.  With ample water, sunlight and nutrients the plant will thrive, but it won’t feel a need to reproduce itself unless it feels like it could die soon.

We are so much like a pepper plant! We might feel like we have it all – wealth, health, steady faith, intelligence, a fulfilling job, a vacation, great relationships with those we love, a home. Maybe those are the times when it’s easy to forget to reach out, to be thankful, to bring some of what we have to other people.

Most of us will struggle at some time in our life, just like a pepper plant in need. We go through unemployment, health scares, break-ups, loss and grief. It has been my experience that these are the moments when reaching out to someone else can be the most healing. Having a cup of coffee with a friend who is also going through something, volunteering your time in a food pantry or soup kitchen, giving your fervent prayers to God - all of these opportunities can turn our hearts outward and help us feel hope. Sometimes we grow the most when we come through difficult times then turn to help a neighbor do the same.