A pre-Election Day message from Bishop Julia Whitworth

Nov. 4, 2024

Greetings, Beloved in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.

You are receiving this the day before our nation's national election, but I'm recording it a few weeks before, so God knows what has unfolded. But what I know to be true is this: We're probably all feeling pretty anxious about the ways that deep divisions have taken hold of our country, of our national discourse. We might be feeling anxious about tomorrow's outcome or about what may follow tomorrow's outcome.

So I wanted to take a moment and just share some words from my heart. What I know to be true is this: We are called to follow the one who is the Prince of Peace. We are called to be proclaimers of justice but also to be reconciling forces in our world. We are called to be members one of another and members of Jesus Christ, a mystical Body who surpasses all powers and principalities.

So I ask you to pray. I ask you to vote. And I ask you to pray, for our country, for those in our country who are most vulnerable, for those who hold hatred in their heart and desire to destabilize the social and civic order, for those who feel differently than you about the future of our country. Let us be a people of prayer, a people of peace, and a people of action for justice, and let us rest in the blessed assurance that in Jesus Christ all will be well. God bless you.
 

Election gatherings and resources (Updated 11/04/2024 at 10:45 a.m.)

• The Cathedral Church of St. Paul and Old North Church in Boston are co-hosting a Pre-Election Vigil on Zoom on Monday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. All are welcome to join for a time of prayer for a safe, peaceful and just election and for our nation and Commonwealth. Register for the Zoom link here. In addition, the cathedral church will be open for prayer from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of election week.

• The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations will host Election Night Virtual Prayers on Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 8 to 10 p.m. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe will offer an opening reflection and prayer. Episcopalians from around the church will hold silence and lead participants in prayers together for peace, the nation and all people and countries. Register for the Zoom link here.

• The brothers of the Society of St. John the Evangelist invite others to join them in an Election Night Vigil, Tuesday, Nov. 5, beginning at 7 p.m., following the Holy Eucharist, in the St. John's Chapel at the SSJE monastery (980 Memorial Drive) in Cambridge. The vigil continues until the final polls close at 1 a.m. Others are welcome to join at any point in person, or online at ssje.org/livestream. Videos from the SSJE "Pilgrimage to the Presidency" are available here.

• Trinity Church in Boston is offering a worship schedule of "Prayers for an Election" Nov. 4-6, to which all are welcome. Find the schedule here.

• Grace Church in New Bedford and St. Peter’s Church in Dartmouth are collaborating to invite their wider communities to join them for public prayer and times for silent prayer and reflection on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. All are welcome. Find the schedule here.

• The Parish of the Good Shepherd in Waban, in conjunction with the parishes of the Charles River Deanery, is hosting an Election Day Choral Holy Eucharist on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. All are welcome.

• Forward Movement’s Season of Prayer for an Election

• Episcopal Church "Vote Faithfully" Resources

• Poor People's Campaign Election Resources