Dear ones,

We knew this would be a momentous Election Day regardless of the outcome. Some of you may have approached Election Day with trepidation and fear, others with hope and optimism, or perhaps with a desire for it to just be over with. We now have a clearer picture of what the terrain of our public life will be in the days and months ahead, though we do not and cannot yet know all that will unfold.

Whatever anger, fear, confusion, heartbreak, or grief you might be feeling right now, know that you are not alone. If you are someone who is feeling especially vulnerable right now, my heart is with you and this community is here for you.

Where I am finding any bit of solace today is in the guiding light of our faith community and in Unitarian Universalism. As the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt put it in her message to UUs today:

“What I do know, beyond any reasonable doubt, is that we are a sanctuary people. We can make that claim. From the powerful efforts of our elders in the middle of the twentieth century through to our congregations and communities offering shelter to migrants today. Whether harbor or pink haven, our homes, sanctuaries, and even our national headquarters model what it means to offer solidarity, shelter, and asylum in the face of what many of us cannot begin to imagine…We draw our purpose from the call to honor and uphold the non-negotiable sacredness of each and every person, of Earth, and of all beings, bound up together in an abiding love that rests in the call to justice.”

In the days to come, it will be important to ground ourselves in our purpose – those commitments and values that can serve as a North Star. For now, let your heart be broken. Honor your grief. Find ways to be kind to yourself and to others.

As you adjust to the reality of the outcome of the presidential election, there are a number of ways to lean into community.

Tonight at 8:00 PM, Side with Love will offer a virtual gathering “After the Election” for spiritual grounding, community resilience, and understanding the political landscape. I encourage you to join from home or to come to the church for a watch party. I will open up the space at 7:30 PM for connection time before joining the call. (Side with Love will host two other calls for anchoring in community this month. You can learn more and sign-up here.)

Tomorrow, I will host a drop-in Zoom call from 12:00 – 1:00 PM. I will open the hour with a brief centering time. This will be a chance to connect with me and with others to share how you are doing and what is on your heart and mind.

Also, you can consider joining a Post-Election Mass Call tomorrow night from 8:00 – 9:00 PM to discuss how to build the movement that will fight for each other over the next four years.

After the service on Sunday beginning at 11:45 AM, I will host a gathering in the vestry to strengthen community spirit for what’s ahead, give voice to our emotions in these times, and share plans on what we want to offer each other going forward.

Beloveds, let us hold one another and all that is sacred tenderly and continue building a community that survives and thrives together.

Love,