Bishop Schwerin sent this letter on Nov. 5 to guide our responses to the national elections.

Siblings in Christ, 

Greetings in the hope we have in Jesus Christ. 

Hear these words of scripture: "Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing" (1 Peter 3:8-9, MSG).

As the polls close and the nation watches for election results, I write to call us to meditate and pray on this scripture. This word was written for a Christian community that faced fear with steadfast love. Siblings in Christ, may we remain on nonviolent high ground, and more, may we demonstrate our kinship in Christ. Insofar as the power and love we know as Christ is in us all, we are one in Christ. Our kinship is not in our opinions but in the power and love we know as Christ. Our kinship is not in othering against the stranger and sojourner; our kinship is in the power and love we know as Christ. I ask you to live out our kinship and to live in solidarity with our neighbors. Be mindful and prayerful for the most vulnerable: children and adults of color, those who may be undocumented and their families, women, persons who identify as LGBTQIA+, and members of the Jewish and Muslim communities, who are also children of Abraham.

I would ask you to turn to your faith communities, to our means of grace: worship, prayer, communion, Bible study, fasting, works of mercy, and Christian conversation and seek God’s face and a nonviolent response to this election.

Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people." We must be people of nonviolence, doing what we can not to intimidate others, and offering support to the most vulnerable. Check on persons of color—clergy and laity—who may be most vulnerable. Seek the welfare of the whole.

Let us be in a time of prayer:

God of grace,

We thank you that you loved the whole world, and that your Spirit still hovers across creation to make for newness of life. Grant that we would breathe in your Holy Spirt and breathe out peace; breathe in love and breathe out faith. Protect those who may be most vulnerable. Help us demonstrate love for our neighbors and increase our bonds of neighborliness. Make us allies for those who may suffer abuse and harm and give us to know the Spirit of Jesus in prayer and boldness as we follow you through these hours, in the power and love we know as Christ we pray.

Amen.