Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People of God in Southern Ohio, on Wednesday morning, we will walk together into a future that is yet unknown: the beginning results of the election of the 47th President of the United States. What we can be sure of is that no matter who is elected on November 5, on November 6, there will still be division, still questions unresolved, still the work of healing to do.
Our faith calls us to continue Jesus’ ministry of connection and repair, in confidence that healing and reconciliation are always possible with God’s help. This is what we do as Episcopalians: we break bread with one another, we hand down the learning that’s been given to us, we take our prayers and translate them into the way we show our love in the world. We have done this before, we will do it on November 5, and we will do it on November 6 and beyond.
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
I spent time earlier this week reflecting with people on the pastoral needs of the diocese in this complicated moment. One priest wisely reminded me, in the words of Star Trek Deep Space 9, “it’s easy to be a saint in paradise.”
Beloved, doing justice, seeking mercy, and walking humbly are counter-cultural in a world under the weight of fear and anger and hatred. We know we are not in paradise, but I believe that we get glimpses, even now. When the weight we bear is heavy, how brave it is to answer God’s call instead to seek joy and hope, and to extend grace.
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
Every time someone is baptized and marked as Christ’s own forever, we stand together as a body. With one voice, in common prayer, we remember our promises to God. We recall our commitment to live out our faith in action.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
These promises are consistent: to love and serve God is also to love and serve one another. We commit to love and service beyond fear and anger, beyond hatred and bigotry, beyond selfishness and greed. If we stand authentically in the promises of our baptismal covenant, this love and service will reflect our choices as we complete our ballots. These promises will guide our witness and action over the coming days and weeks and months as our country walks forward into the unknown.
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
And so, Beloved of God: go forth into the world in peace, even into so much that we do not yet know. Be of good courage. Hold fast to all that is good. Render to no one evil for evil. Strengthen those who are discouraged. Support the weak. Help the afflicted. Show love to everybody. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. And trust that the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, will remain with you always. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Kristin Uffelman White
Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Ohio