Dear Friends,
Like many Americans I was drawn to the Presidential debate on Monday night. I am, by inclination, a political animal. I think a lot about public policy, I follow the goings on in Washington and Sacramento and in the buildings that surround Frank Ogawa Plaza downtown.
I have opinions–some of them are strong, some of them misguided– but I like to think most of my ideas are at least as reasonable as those espoused by the next voter in line. I also work in a profession in which I’m expected, on most matters, to provide an opinion. However, I am somewhat constrained in what I can say, at least in an official capacity.
And it’s not just me. As a congregation we are required to remain silent on political matters that are partisan in nature and for some of us that is a difficult silence to keep.
In June a group of us got together to talk about the silence imposed on churches by the US tax code. We discussed the pros and the cons of having limits placed on the political speech of churches, and we didn’t come to an agreement around whether or not churches should speak out on political matters. We did, however, come pretty close to agreeing that those folks who want to talk about the intersection of faith and politics in ways that might run afoul of the limits placed on churches by US tax code, should gather to talk outside of official church organizational structure.
After sharing various ideas about how to get the conversation started, a few of our church folks have started an email group in which to discuss faith and politics. This email group is open to everyone inside and outside our congregation and will, in no way, be controlled or influenced by our congregation’s session or its pastors. If you are interested in joining, please send an email to Art Paull. ajp4h2o@gmail.com . It should be an interesting ongoing conversation.
*****
On an unrelated matter: this Sunday is World Communion Sunday, when we remember and celebrate the fact that as Christians we are part of something much bigger than the group of lovely souls who gather for worship and work along the banks of Temescal Creek. Christianity is a global family made up of a widely (and wildly) diverse gathering of people from every country, every language and people group, and every cultural category.
This Sunday, I invite you to celebrate this reality by wearing clothes from other countries. I’ll be wearing a kilt.
Blessings,
Ben