Dear Northwest Family,
“We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.” These words from our denominational mission statement keep running through my mind today, in these days following an incredibly divisive Presidential election. The fragmentation in our country is undeniable. It was clearly present before the election, during the campaign, and remains after the votes are counted. As I look at the map of our region and see the counties painted red or blue, it confirms what I already knew. We are a diverse people. Within our congregations are Trump supporters and Hillary supporters and “none of the above” supporters. Some rejoice at the results of the election while others grieve. I have long known that we have differences of opinion, philosophy and theology. My own family is divided and I confess I wonder what Thanksgiving will be like this year.
To those who are grieving, I encourage you to find space to do so.
To those who rejoice, I encourage you to do so with sensitivity and grace, recognizing that when one part of the Body hurts, we all hurt.
Before I claimed a political party affiliation, God claimed me. Before we were Republicans or Democrats, we were and are beloved children of God; more specifically we are followers of Christ. As such, we are called to be Christ’s witness in the world, Christ’s hands and hearts and voice. That has not changed. We are called to “preach good news to the poor,” (Luke 4) and to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and care for the least of these. (Matthew 25). We are called to be a people of welcome and grace for all of God’s children regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, ability or politics. We are called to stand with those who are afraid and uncertain about what the future may hold and stand against language and actions that injure and divide. We are called to love one another as Christ has loved us. As the story of the Good Samaritan reminds us, we are called to be the neighbors who cross the road to bind up the wounds of the outsider, to protect the injured, and to walk alongside the dispossessed. (Luke 10)
Before we knew the outcome of the election I posted a prayer on my Facebook page, and I continue to pray that prayer today: For wisdom, humility, compassion and vision for our next President, for a spirit of collaboration and a commitment to work together for the common good for our elected officials, and for healing and hope for our nation.  May we as people of faith be God’s instruments of that healing and that hope.
Your sister in Christ,
Sandy Messick, Regional Minister
​The Northwest Regional Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

from General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. Ps 3:5 (NRSV)

As we awake to this day after the election, some things have not changed. Whether we are rejoicing or we are feeling stunned and disappointed, the Gospel still calls us to love God first of all with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. It calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves. In the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), where the hero is the racial, religious minority, Jesus reminds us that our neighbor is the one, next door or around the world, who shows mercy. Jesus calls us to show mercy and to receive mercy. Jesus calls us to "love one another." (John 13:34) 

The Gospel does not change with an election; what the Gospel requires of us does not change. Jesus' first inaugural address began with these words, "the Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor..." (Luke 4:18) God, now and always, is on the side of the poor, and we who follow Jesus must be also. No matter who is in charge of our governments, we are charged with loving God and loving neighbor, even in costly, self-sacrificial ways. We are called to be loyal to the reign of God. 

American Disciples, as part of a movement for wholeness, will no doubt struggle to regain our footing with each other in these immediate days. This was a bitter, divisive campaign. The echoes will continue to reverberate for a while. To those who are rejoicing, we recall "... but (if I) have not love, I gain nothing." (I Cor. 13:3.) To those who are fearful this day: "Perfect love drives out fear." (I John 4:18) 

On this day, our job as disciples of Christ, is still the same as it was yesterday, as it will be tomorrow - to proclaim by what we say and what we do that God is a God of love, and we are people of love - for all God's children. Our call is to work together for the common good, to welcome all to the table, people of all races, ages, gender identities, abilities, religions, and yes, politics, and to find ways to work together to extend to each other - across the whole human family - the abundance of a generous God. 

No matter who won the election, today we Disciples were still going to be, and still are, a pro-reconciling/anti-racist church. We are still a church that works tirelessly, led by Disciples women (clergy and lay), to end human trafficking. We are still a church that welcomes more refugees and immigrants than almost any other compared to our size. We are still a church seeking to offer grace and welcome to LGBTQ brothers and sisters. We are still a church that learns from and shares with Christian and interfaith partners around the globe. We are still a church that seeks to walk lightly on this earth, knowing that "all of creation waits for revealing of the children of God." (Rom. 8:19). Today we are still a movement for wholeness, seeking a community where nothing is broken and no one is missing, seeking to receive God's gift of oneness already given to us in the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. We are still a church seeking to be diverse but not divided in Christ, striving to be one in our love of God and our visible love for each other.

We are still a church that will gather together at the Lord's Table this Sunday celebrating our unity in Christ. And we are still a church, no matter what political affiliations we have, that will pray together each week, "Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven." And we will join our hands and hearts to make it so.

This also appears on Sharon's Blog if you would like to share the link: http://disciples.org/sharon_blog/word-u-s-elections/ 

Let us be a people at prayer in these days of waiting:

We pray for our president elect, that they will lead our country with strength and compassion; that they may represent the very best of the United States around the globe; that they may be committed to justice and peace, and bringing our nation together to address our challenges.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for our governors and legislators, that they will be responsive to their whole constituency and enact laws that ensure the wellbeing of all the people they represent.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for all others elected to public office, that their service to their people would be just and beyond reproach; that where ever they serve in local government, schools, or law enforcement, they would treat all people with dignity and serve the common good.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for our nation, our cities, and our neighborhoods, that together we can create a place where all people are respected and safe, where difference of opinion does not lead to violence, and where our combined creativity heals brokenness of all kinds.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray also that regardless of the outcome of this Election Day, we would remember that we are called by Christ to care for our neighbor, pursue peace and work for justice in our communities.  Inspire us to work together, across divisions and difference, to create beloved community where ever we can.
Lord, hear our prayer.

From the Council on Christian Unity 
written by The Rev. Kara Markell, Pastor
Lake Washington Christian Church
Kirkland, Washington