The public discourse (and discord) over tomorrow’s election results has reached a fever pitch. I have heard anxiety about what may or may not happen in most conversations over the past week. Even as I’ve been door-knocking and advocating for candidates in my personal capacity, I’m also feeling on tenterhooks about the future. Is anyone else finding it hard to plan for much of anything else beyond November 5th??

My friend and UCC colleague Rev. Dr. Elena Larssen has written about the vital importance of doing the work of compassionate, transformational service in times of political instability. She describes how a recent book by the sociologist Robert Putnam and Shaylyn Romney Garrett highlights the pendulum swifts from individualism to community ethics over the last century. Faith-based movements like the Social Gospel a century ago have helped Christians participate in public movements for justice and service. “Remember that people are lonely,” she writes. “Service heals.”

Such service is what we are about in so many churches, including Morningside Hills UCC: restoring spirits, growing faith, and acting for justice. None of those are partisan acts, and by leaning fully into them, we can model a healing community that—by divine grace—will endure beyond any election results. Bring your anxieties (if you have them) to one of the many vigils happening this week, or light a candle to feel and see warmth in darkness. But also, sign up for service opportunities when they cross your path, that in the days to follow Tuesday’s election, we might continue extending grace, hope, compassion, and justice. To quote Elena again, we know that “a great community can bless your life with friendship, meaning, and even heal division. Let’s be sure to share the blessing of community this year – widely, selflessly, and with hope for the future.”