By REV. DR. JACQUI LEWIS
Hi, loves.
I am so heartbroken about the outcome of the election. I am sitting with that feeling of grief. At the same time, I’m also overwhelmed by the hard work of so many people in this election season. At Middle Church, our Voters Reform Group wrote more than 23,000 postcards. Folks canvassed and made phone calls. My staff hustled so hard to share issues and inform folks about what was at stake in this moment. I am sad, and grateful — so grateful. Thank you all for your hard work. I am praying for you as you feel your feelings, whoever you are and whatever they are. I am praying you know you are loved, and you take good care of you.
On Wednesday, Nov. 6, some of the folks with whom I’ve been organizing for 20 years decided we needed to connect. We created a “pop-up” Interfaith Gathering — A Prayer Vigil in Washington Square Park. I’m not sure why we didn’t have it planned so we could connect no matter the results of the election. But we didn’t. We’ve all been distracted, working so hard on the election and on the work of running our lives.
For me, if I am totally honest, even though I knew the election would be close, I expected a Harris win, I expected a Democratic party win, and I planned to celebrate that win with a couple of friends over dinner.
Well, that did not happen. It was not a close election; there was a mandate for Donald J. Trump, for Republican leadership in Congress, and with that, permission for the policies and practices in the Republican platform.
I am not sure how you voted, friend, and it is not my business, but I am worried about what these next four years will be like. I am worried about Project 2025, and I am worried about the promises Trump made to increase presidential powers and reduce the freedoms afforded to you and me by the Constitution.
I am worried; we are worried, so our team at Middle Church put calls out to our colleagues late morning and early afternoon on Wednesday. By 6:00 p.m., Middle Church, Judson Memorial Church, Lab/Shul, and the Muslim Community Network were hosting our communities in the park and in digital spaces. Gays against Guns came, trans leaders like Raquel Willis and Tiq Milan came. Students and professors came. Parents brought children; some press came. A multiethnic, multi-faith, many-gendered group of folks came to be in solidarity with each other.
We heard (as well as poor sound quality in a park would allow) some important speeches and prayers; we sang; we held hands. We screamed a primal scream that put our heartbeats on the same rhythm.
Although I am worried, I was reminded that I am not alone. I have people, a community, a diverse posse whom I’ve known for 20 years. We’ve organized against sexual violence, against racial/ethnic bigotry, against gun violence, against police violence, against dishonest politicians and politics. We’ve organized for Mother Earth, for climate justice, for marriage equality, for a living wage, and for the value of Black lives. We’ve welcomed new New Yorkers, we’ve hosted 12-step fellowships, we’ve fed people and set up COVID testing and inoculations. We’ve been to the border and repaired broken places after horrific storms.
We’ve sheltered each other.
We’ve sheltered each other not because we are alike and fully aligned; in fact, we are so incredibly different. What we have in common is wanting a just society in which all are welcome, and everyone has enough.
Friends, no matter our politics or religion; no matter our racial/ethnic or gender/sexuality identity; no matter our age or social location — we know a storm is raging. We are polarized and unsure of who we want to be.
In this difficult time, I pray you find your people — the people who will shelter you, who will love on you. The people you will call, and they will come.
If you want to build a more just society, if you want to work to create safe and brave spaces for all to flourish, for our children to grow and thrive; if you are looking for a place to connect and to call “home” in this moment: Middle Church and I would love to be your people! You can find us on social media @middlechurch.org or @RevJacquiLewis.
We’re going to need each other to heal our nation. We need to find our people, and build relationships. Even in my sorrow, even in my grief, I’m game to stay connected. I’m rev’d up to be in community. How about you?
In fierce love,
Jacqui
Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis is senior minister and public theologian at Middle Church in New York. She champions racial, economic, and gender/sexuality justice and is the author of several books, including “Fierce Love” and the “Just Love Story Bible.” Her work has been featured on NBC, CBS, PBS, MSNBC, NPR, and in the New York Times, Washington Post, and Ebony and Essence magazines.