One United People
One United People
On Wednesday of this past week I, like you, watched with sadness and dismay the assault on the United States Capitol Building. Bearing the authority of the Church as one of its ordained priests, I offer that as Christians we are called always to be agents of peace. As a fellow American who believes in the ideals on which our nation was founded second only (but second always) to my Christian commitments, I offer that we are a nation safeguarded by our Constitution. Both our peacableness and our Constitution were offended last Wednesday in a manner unprecedented in our nation’s history.
We can never know what tomorrow will bring, and we surely cannot predict what will transpire in our nation between now and January 20. In that meantime, we may wonder what we are called to do.
I take great care here, because, as I hope you know, as dean of our Cathedral I intend never to say anything partisan. The Gospel is not partisan, and God does not endorse any political party. However, the Gospel — as God’s proclamation of the advent of God’s kingdom into this tangible and present world — is political in the sense that it bears upon pivotal moments in the community, the nation, or in Greek, the polis, which is where the very word “politics” comes from.
So, what is our calling? As an American, I can speak only for myself. I offer unequivocally that I will support any and all people of good will, of any political party or none at all, who shepherd and preserve the Constitution of the United States over personal commitment, interest, or gain.
As Christians, we pray for our country: that reconciliation and grace will prevail, and that the United States be always safeguarded against those who would supplant democracy with cynical power. Last Sunday and next, we will include in the Prayers of the People the Book of Common Prayer’s prayer for the nation. That beautiful and holy prayer asks God to preserve us from “violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.” It further asks that God fashion us into “one united people” marked by the “spirit of wisdom.” I invite and encourage you to pray this prayer, or one of your own, individually and as a household as well, remembering God’s promise that, even when our own words fail us, “the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness; for [when] we do not know how to pray as we ought … that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26)
We will also host a livestreamed prayer service from the Cathedral next Tuesday, January 19, at 5:30 p.m. That service, too, will, of course, be non-partisan. We will pray for peace, reconciliation, and the fidelity of our nation to its founding ideals on the eve of the inauguration. The service will be available for viewing on the Cathedral website and Facebook.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are people of hope. That hope rests in the God of love who is before, behind, and incarnate in all things. May God embrace, redeem, and bless us in these days. And may we always be faithful.
Grace and peace,
The Very Reverend Barkley Thompson
Dean
Every Member Canvass
There is still time to make your pledge for 2021! The Every Member Canvass is our annual opportunity to pledge financial support to Christ Church Cathedral for the coming calendar year, a true investment in future mission and ministry. As we live in a time unlike any other, the need is great, and we hope that all will make their pledge through trust in God who casts out our fear, and out of the joy we know when we meet God in this place.
Ways to make your pledge:
- Pledging online is easy.
- Return the pledge card you received by mail to 1117 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002.
- Make a pledge over the phone at 713-590-3338 or by email by contacting Karen Kraycirik, minister for stewardship.
Ways to pay your pledge:
- Go online to make an electronic payment via credit or debit card. You can also set up recurring payments via this form.
- Donate using PayPal via the Cathedral’s website: christchurchcathedral.org/give/
- Text the word “Give” to 888-998-1634
- Send a check to the Cathedral address: 1117 Texas Street, Houston, TX, 77002.
- Make a gift of stock or securities, using our stock donation instructions.
Learn more about this year’s EMC at: christchurchcathedral.org/emc
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