Minister's Musing

Rev. Mark Ward
Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville

November 2008

Being a former journalist it’s hard for me not to get caught up in the excitement around the current election season. I can’t remember ever when the stakes for this country seemed higher, and, even more, when the possibility for a real turn in the most profound ways seemed so nearly possible. But, honoring the separation of church and state as I do, I’m going to leave my commentary on the election at that, except to exhort you not to let this one pass you by. It is one of the most extraordinary of privileges to have a voice in who will govern this nation. So, exercise it, and urge everyone you know to do the same!

But the truth is that whoever wins this election, there remains work to do in which neither presidential candidate has much of a role to play, and that’s the work in our own individual communities. The shooting at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, Tenn., last summer illustrated the lengths to which the bitterly divisive atmosphere in this nation has taken us. We see it in the campaigns as well, angry people threatening terrible violence. We have reached the point where we can no longer say, “Oh, well, that’s politics.” We should be voices for changing the terms of discourse.

I hope that the public forum to be convened at our church from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, October 27 will be the start of that campaign here. The Asheville-Buncombe Community Relations Council is convening the discussion. Joining me on a panel will be Rabbi Batsheva Meiri, the new rabbi at Congregation Beth Ha Tephila, the Rev. Phyllis Martin of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, the Rev. Steve Runholt of Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Austin Rios of La Capilla de Maria Episcopal Church, UNC-A Sociology Professor Keith Bramlett and Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan. The evening is entitled, “Starting a New Conversation, Because Our Words Can Lead to Violence.”

Each of the panelists will address the topic briefly and them the moderator will invite questions and comments from the audience. I’m thrilled to have our church play a central role in this critical discussion in our community. Please get out the word. It would be great to see our sanctuary full for this event.