Washington National Cathedral in the United States’ capital hosted an online “Service of Healing, Unity and Hope After an Election” on Nov. 4.
As Americans woke on Nov. 4 with the outcome of the presidential election far from decided, Episcopal leaders called for prayer and patience as the process unfolds over the coming days and weeks.
The incoming results from several key battleground states still could tip the Nov. 3 election either toward President Donald Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden, especially as election officials work to finish counting the large volume of absentee and mail-in ballots, driven to record levels by the coronavirus pandemic.
The remaining uncertainty adds to an already tense political climate. Washington National Cathedral, which on Nov. 1 hosted a pre-election online interfaith service featuring Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, followed up the day after the election with a noon-hour “Service of Healing, Unity and Hope After an Election.”
“The campaigning is done. The votes have been cast. And now we wait for our democratic process to fulfill itself; and during that time, as people of faith, we gather to pray,” the Very Rev. Randy Hollerith, dean of the cathedral, said at the beginning of the service. Hundreds of people watched the livestream on YouTube, and video of the service is available on replay.
“Regardless of who wins, we have so much to do to bring us together as a nation, to better understand one another, to honor one another as the children of God that we are,” Hollerith said. “So today we come together, praying for unity, healing and hope, in expectation, waiting patiently and faithfully, knowing that God’s grace is doing greater things than we can ask or imagine.”
In the lead-up to and through the election, The Episcopal Church mobilized in various ways.
TryTank chaplains prayed with callers in English and Spanish through Election Day. The Episcopal Public Policy Network organized a nonpartisan Election Night Prayer Vigil – a livestream on Facebook that lasted from election night into the early hours of Nov. 4. It featured a simple visual arrangement of candles and Christian icons, as well as occasional musical performances.
“We will hold space for prayer and reflection throughout the night and into the morning,” EPPN’s post said. The livestream and video replay have topped 25,000 partial views, with nearly 600 comments.
Some Episcopal churches served as polling places during the election. Others, such as All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California, opened their doors to people looking for a few moments of spiritual peace amid the anxiety of the election. And some Episcopal clergy spent election day serving as poll chaplains as part of a faith-based coalition promoting peaceful exercise of Americans’ democratic rights.
“For many people voting is a spiritual matter,” the Rev. Liz Edman told the
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