Dear Ones:

It seems almost pointless for us to predict what will happen on election day and in the days and weeks beyond it. But we would also be naïve not to expect, in the very least, confusion and turmoil across the nation, especially in the swing states where the election is expected to be very close. And I think it is reasonable for us to anticipate feeling a range of difficult emotions in response to that confusion and turmoil. It’s going to be rocky. It’s going to be anxiety-producing. It’s going to be triggering. It will likely be frightening. My hope is that democracy prevails in this election and endures in the future. My hope is that those who support a turn towards authoritarianism and Christian Nationalism will loss soundly. But as I write these words in late October, there’s no way to know. During those rocky days and weeks following the election, let’s be there for each other. Let’s hold each other, because we’re going to need holding. Let’s be kind to each other, because we’re going to need kindness. Let’s love each other, because we’re going to need the support of a loving community. Whatever happens, let’s not go through it alone. Let’s go through it together.

I’m planning to preach about the election on the first Sunday in November. Right now I’m not sure what I want to say, though I anticipate speaking to what’s at stake when we go the polls on November 5th. After the election, during the confusion and turmoil, I expect to find times when we can come together as a community—to light candles, to pray, to sing, to name our concerns and fears, to read poetry, to share meals. On the Sunday after Election Day, I’ll preach in response to whatever is known at that time. And if not much is known, I’ll speak about that. And I’ll keep looking for times for us to come together. Whatever happens, let’s not go through it alone. Let’s go through it together.

You have important spiritual resources available to you. The twentieth-century Unitarian theologian, James Luther Adams, once described theology as the attempt to name that in which one places one’s confidence. As the election approaches, and once we’re on the other side of it, I encourage you to do some theologizing. Name to yourself and others that in which you place your confidence and why. You might have many answers: a spouse, a parent, a child, a friend, a mentor, a teacher, a pet, your neighborhood, our UUSE community, your garden, the natural world, the earths, the sun and stars, a passage from scripture, a song, love, justice, freedom, God, Goddess, spirit, life, mystery, the universe. Whatever it is, keep naming it. Make it your mantra for these difficult days. Let it ground you through this time of turmoil and confusion. Let it be your anchor. Let it be your plumb line. Let it be your north star. Let it keep you from sinking into the depths of fear and despair. Let it keep you strong, resilient and hopeful. In what do you place your confidence?

Given that it’s going to be a difficult post-election period; given that we’re likely to experience that range of difficult feelings, I am more than willing to connect with UUSE members and friends to listen, to process, to vent and rage, to cry, and to look forward to a better future. Do not hesitate to reach out to me if you’d like to talk. And please watch for opportunities for us to come together as a community. Let’s not go through it alone. Let’s go through it together.

With love and care,

Rev. Josh Pawelek

#NovemberNewsletter