It’s now the Sunday before Thanksgiving and my life is returning. Part of that return comes as I recover a little more each day from an election reality that I didn’t want and wasn’t expecting. But the other part is a simple unexpected gift that I’m glad to get: the results seem to have given me back some of my life. They forced me to stop paying attention to the media. These last two weeks, I first couldn’t bring myself, and then didn’t, read any paper or check any news. I did much the same thing last April after Villanova beat UNC on a last second shot in the final game of the men’s basketball NCAA tournament. My grief broke my addiction. Now, I am able to more intentionally limit myself to what I can affect and take care of. I have cooked more and practiced the guitar. I even read a book. There is wholeness in the midst of my brokenness. I smile, and get back to it.
This month’s Soul Matters theme is “Presence: What does it mean to be a community of presence?” (I recommend the packet of materials to you in your search for Holiday spirit and soul.) I was given the gift of presence. I began to regroup and move forward from and with more of what is solid and real, good and alive.
Of course, I have to ease my way back from my media retreat and rehab. This morning as I ventured into the paper for the first time, I ducked into a light article titled “How Van Jones Became a Star of the 2016 Campaign.” It was the only thing I read. I first heard Jones when he was the Ware Lecturer, which is the keynote speaker, at the 2008 UU General Assembly in Ft. Lauderdale. He was an eco-justice advocate and founder and director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights back then. In his address, it felt like he really spoke to us. He encouraged and rallied the assembly to “reconnect with love and enthusiasm,” and put our faith into action. Now, he is a commentator on CNN who is known for his interesting and more nuanced remarks. He seems able to listen, empathize and connect with people from their different life experiences and perspectives. In the article, he seemed to be speaking to me again eight years later.
In an election, people only have two choices, and it’s important to remember that everyone makes the choice that has integrity from their own complex mix of reasons. Only one team wins, but communities and friends go on living together. Mr. Jones wanted to be clear that because he speaks up about the racism in the country and in the campaign, that doesn’t mean he thinks “all of President-elect Trump’s supporters are bigots.” “At the same time, he [thinks it] essential not to brush aside the role of racism in Mr. Trump’s ascent.
“If you only focus on the toxic crap, you’re not being fair to the Trump voters,” Mr. Jones said. “But if you deny all the toxic crap, you’re not being fair to the rest of Americans.” Or I would say to my religious and religiously inclusive world view.
So, I peek out of retreat, only to be called forward to bring new life and renewed energy to the challenges. This election has not been easy for any of us, but it is my hope that each of us, whichever team we rooted for, will be able to do what we need to do to recover, pull our life back together, renew our strength, begin to create wholeness in the midst of brokenness, reconnect with love and enthusiasm, so that together we might put our faith into action for justice and fairness and the beloved community made real for all. It’s almost time to smile and get back to it—with a little more strength and a little more clarity of purpose.
My holiday wish is the gift of presence and more of what is solid and good, real and alive for you and everyone. Yes, there is joy in these holidays.
— Rev. Jim McKinley, Minister