Election Day Communion, a national movement of Christian Churches to reaffirm their unity in light of a bitterly contested presidential campaign, is coming to Buffalo at the Loretto Ministry Center, next Tuesday, election day.
What started with a single church service four years ago has grown into a grassroots movement of churches from nearly every state. So far, more than 425 congregations have chosen to participate in Election Day Communion, with more being added every day.
"Election Day Communion is an opportunity for Christians from all political backgrounds to reaffirm their first allegiance to Christ," says pastor and co-organizer Mark Schloneger. On Election Day four years ago, Schloneger hosted a communion service at his own church, which sparked the idea of a organizing a nationwide event for this year's election.
"During the day on November 6, we'll make different choices for different reasons," said Schloneger. "But that night, thousands of us will make the same choice together. We'll gather as one body to remember that our chief passion belongs not to any party or candidate but to God."
"Election Day Communion is one of the most desperately needed ideas I've seen in a long time," says Greg Boyd, pastor of Woodland Hills and author of The Myth of a Christian Nation (Zondervan, 2007). "At a time when the church in America has been coopted by power-brokers, I can't imagine a more powerful way to remind ourselves that our call is to follow in the footsteps of a King who laid down his life for his enemies."Churches are continuing to sign up in the final two weeks before the election. Over 20 denominations are represented, suggesting that Election Day Communion's appeal transcends theological boundaries.
"The political
issues that divide us aren't insignificant," says Kevin Gasser, another
co-organizer and pastor of Staunton Mennonite Church (Virginia). "But there's
something more important than presidential elections. There's something that
matters more than our political differences."
Though this movement won't heal all divides (I am keenly aware that many if not most of the readers of this blog are not Christian), I plan on joining this event after I cast my vote next Tuesday. For me, it is about remembering that no matter what candidate wins, I have a loyalty that not only transcends party, but also country. Elections are very important, but sometimes we allow our political excitement get in the way of our core convictions.
If communion isn't your thing, I would encourage you to find your own way to touch something greater. Give yourself in service, eat dinner with friends and family, or simply take time to look at the night sky. Either way, somebody is going to win next week, and about half of us are going to be angry. I see this (and other similar events) as one way to re-connect increasingly divided people.
Since some churches, particularly the catholic, seem to be Republican cheerleaders, I certainly welcome this breath of fresh air.
They are not republican cheerleaders but they support the candidate that most closly share their beliefs . I am not catholic but I commend them for that.
But as an organization that is exempt from paying taxes, that IS illegal for them to be throwing support for one candidate. But of course, that's just hush hush and pushed under the rug.
Good for this organization, though, for trying to keep it apolitical. We need to stop being so divided on our issues in this country...
And the government is supposed to stay out of religion.
but Obama brought his election in the Black Baptist and Evangelical Churches to get their votes.
This is bringing election politics right into the church
but Obamacare passed a healthcare law to require christian hospitals to perform abortions and give out birth control and other services which are against their beliefs.
This is also bringing the government into the churches.
OBAMA the non-US citizen has been waging a socialist, atheist anti-religous war for his entire term in office...and your going to blame churches for being political...you liberal atheist hypocrit.
Bless your heart.
I guess we have a difference of opinion on whether the GOP's platform is closely aligned with the teachings of Jesus.
Catholic's voted 54% for Obama in 2008. If they're cheering, the congregation's not listening.