In this election, religion has sometimes played a divisive role. But on election night, churches throughout the Northwest — and the country — will try to use their pulpits to ease the rancor of politics.
Electoral politics don’t always have the nicest soundtrack. You’ve heard the ominous music in the ads.
“Good for them — bad for us,” says one spot.
“Doesn’t America deserve better?” says another.
But at more than 700 churches this election day, pastors are trying to make things a little more harmonious. Jason Veach is a pastor at Portland’s First Church of the Nazarene.
“I saw the divisiveness of our culture around election season, and I was seeing people of faith buy into that. And it’s just not consistent with the message of Jesus,” says Veach.
On Tuesday, he’s joining congregations in all 50 states — from Mennonite to Baptist to Episcopalian — in offering Election Day Communion. Churches hope the ritual can help people move past electoral divisions, and connect with what’s really important.
“We are one, at one table with the Lord. And when we remember that God’s been gracious to us, it’s empowering us to be gracious to one another,” Veach says.
And after this election season, these pastors feel we all could use a little grace.
Copyright 2012 Northwest News Network