Reminders of Unity
I seldom watch cable news, but this past Wednesday, I had no choice. I was stuck for way too long in a waiting room where the TV was tuned to one of the channels offering a mix of partisan political commentary and reports from correspondents in different locations. This happened to be a particularly big and difficult news day. President Trump had refused to guarantee a peaceful transfer of power, and a Kentucky grand jury declined to charge any of the officers for the death of Breonna Taylor, the young woman who, during a police raid, was shot five times and killed while she slept in her apartment. (One officer was charged with “wanton endangerment” for endangering a neighbor with his gunfire.) Over the hour or so I was waiting, I became painfully aware of the repetition – the same images, the same music, the same talking points – over and over, again and again. I could feel my anxiety rising. And I found myself thinking that our country is so very broken, more disunited than ever.
Eventually, I was mercifully sprung from the waiting room. My anxiety slowly dropped back down to a manageable level, and I began to think more clearly. I remembered that, while we are most definitely in very real trouble, we are actually not as divided as some in the media and politics claim, or, perhaps, would like.
We hear lots of talk about red states and blue states, but, in fact, each state is some shade of purple – containing people with a mix of conservative and progressive views. Contrary to what we may see on TV or hear from some politicians, I am convinced that most people want pretty much the same things: decent housing, good jobs, safe communities, affordable and quality health care, and a better life for their children. Most people are at least troubled (and many are heartbroken and infuriated) that the police killed Breonna Taylor and have abused and killed so many other Black people and other people of color. Most people know that, at long last, we need to face and root out the persistent racism that poisons the hearts of so many white people – the racism that infects our society, the racism that causes untold suffering. At the same time, most people support good police officers – those who honor their heavy responsibilities, treat everyone with respect, and would risk their lives to save any of us.
Over the years, I have shared my firm belief that our beautifully diverse church – St. Paul and Incarnation – has a particular vocation. We have been given the gift and privilege of showing our little corner of the world that it really is possible for a group of people, from many different walks of life and all sorts of backgrounds, to come together and not only get along but to truly love one another. Even – especially - during these long months of separation, we have stuck together, caring for each other, in ways even deeper than before. By God’s grace, we are a symbol of unity, doing our best to be an answer to Jesus’ prayer that we be one, just as he and the Father are one.
And, this Sunday, we will receive a powerful reminder that our unity extends far beyond our congregation. It will be a joy to welcome the Rt. Rev. Carlye Hughes as she makes her first official visitation to our congregation. Bishop Hughes will preside and preach at our 10:00 AM service (on Zoom), and will lead a conversation during a virtual “coffee hour.” Later, she will meet with the wardens, vestry, and me. Of course, we all would have preferred an in-person celebration, with Bishop Hughes seated in the chair that always symbolizes her leadership and our unity. There would have been lots of gorgeous music and the tables in Carr Hall would have sagged under the weight of so much delicious food! But, our ability to adapt and still move forward reveals the faithfulness and resilience of our community. Sunday will still be a glorious celebration – and a timely reminder that not only are we one with our fellow parishioners, but we are also united with our Bishop, our diocese, the Episcopal Church – united with all people of goodwill who faithfully and stubbornly resist the many cynical and destructive attempts to divide us.
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