October 2024 e:News: From Bishop Monnot

There are two big events coming in the next couple of weeks. One of them is designed to bring us together, to help make connections and build relationships, to make important decisions, and to unify us as we go into the future together. Of course, I’m talking about our Diocesan Convention. The other is the General Election on November 5.

At this point in our nation's election cycle, it seems that no matter what the outcome of the General Election, our country will move further and further down the road of division and discord. There are even legitimate reasons to be concerned about the possibility of post-election violence. We don’t know what the outcome of the election will be or what precisely will happen afterward, but many if not most of us are feeling a lot of anxiety about it all. How are we supposed to manage our anxiety and worry before the election, and then whatever comes afterward?

When things get hard, that’s the cue for us as Christians to dig more deeply into the faith that sustains us. I’m not talking about false optimism, or some kind of pollyanna idea that everything will work out fine, the election will go smoothly, our candidate will win, and there will be unity across the nation as a result. None of that is helpful, and only serves to help us ignore the truth and reality that is around us.

Instead, we need to take this moment, and moments in the days and weeks and months to come, to ground ourselves in the essentials of who we are. We are each beautifully and uniquely made in the image of God, who loves us—individually and collectively—more than we can imagine. Take a deep breath, right now, and remind yourself of that truth. I’ll wait.

Notice whether that simple action and reminder made you feel different. (If not, try a few more deep breaths!) We know that nothing has changed in the outside world just because we have reminded ourselves of who we are, deep down at our core. But this tiny little practice can help us to reframe our own relationship to the world around us and remind us that we are part of a broader, deeper reality that holds us and heals us.

Of course, there are many other Christian practices that can also be helpful. Whatever you can do to connect more deeply to God and to others around you will be essential in managing the time that we live in. One way to be connected with others around us is to carefully consider the ways that our neighbors will be affected by the votes that we cast in this election. As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. As we weigh our choices in this election, we need to keep in mind the Christian values that we hold, and choose candidates that promote those values: justice, peace, dignity for all people, and love of our neighbors both near and far.

If you are coming to Diocesan Convention, I invite you to think of it as part of your Christian practice that will help to sustain you in the times that we live in. If you aren’t coming to Diocesan Convention, I hope that there are other ways that your involvement in the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa (even if it is just reading this article!) helps to support your Christian journey, to connect you more deeply with God and with others, and to ground you in the Christian hope that is the knowledge of God’s deep and abiding love for you and for the whole world. If you have been blessed by being part of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, I invite you to spread that blessing through a donation to the diocesan Blessing Fund.

Yours in the abundant life of Christ,
+Betsey

The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa