Hello –

On Saturday night I made a last minute decision to host conversations about the election after both the 8am and the 10am service. I invited people to gather in the conversation area of St. Paul’s to talk about their thoughts and feelings. This was no small thing as we are not in the custom of talking politics together at St. Paul’s.

I made the invitation to talk politics because I was finding that almost every group I was in, whether it was a bible study, St. Anne’s, or some other gathering, was drawn in that direction anyway. It felt like people needed to process. With encouragement and consideration from Chloe, I then made the invitation. Over 30 people came to the two conversations.

There were two things that I made clear as I hosted the conversations. The first was the importance of everyone using “I” statements. This wasn’t a political analysis as much as a sharing of perspectives and feelings. The second was to share my belief that, as Anglican Christians, we have in our culture a very powerful ability to be civilized, which I understand in a specific way. I believe to be civilized is to be capable of standing in the sometimes uncomfortable tension between truth and reconciliation. We claim and give voice to our truth and at the same time listen to the truths of others and strive to be in reconciled relationship with them.

Both conversations were deep, honest and respectful. As I anticipated, there were Democrats, Republicans and Independents, and a wide range of views and experiences that were expressed. There were times that felt tense, but always in a healthy, potentially creative way. In short, I was proud of us.

I hope that this is the beginning of something new. Our world needs civilized voices, respectfully advocating different points of view, and staying in strong relationship. I believe these are among the fruits of the Spirit at St. Paul’s.

Both conversations
Blessings,

Christopher
p: (415) 456-4842