In the days leading up to and following the inauguration of Donald Trump, many in our church share a combination of concern, disbelief, anxiety, and fear.  

This is because so much of what the new administration stands for is in opposition to the faith and goals of the United Church of Christ and our local church as well.  To say that this is a time of transition is an understatement and there is certainly a sense of foreboding for many.  In light of this, please know that I am available for pastoral counseling.

That said, it is important for folks to know that while we at FCC acknowledge the many blows to our understanding of social progress and we will endeavor to put unfolding events into our faith context, the day-to-day, week-to-week political life of our country will not be our primary focus.

A couple of reasons for this.  First, inflammatory things are likely to be said often and responding to each statement would occupy too much of our focus.  Placing our emphasis on the headlines will keep us in a reactive posture rather than an active one.  We do not want the mission of the church to fall by the wayside as we look at the political landscape of our country with an astonishment that is renewed every day.

Secondly, and most importantly, we belong to a bigger picture than what is coming out of Washington.  We are, first and foremost, a faith-based community.  To be sure, our faith should feed our social activism but our starting point should always be fostering our relationship with God through Christ.  When we explore the nature of God and God’s role in our lives, we find assurance, healing, motivation and joy for the living of these days.

As I mentioned in worship recently, our church witnessed the inauguration of President Zachary Taylor after he defeated President James Polk in 1848.  From then until now, our country has risen and fallen and risen again in many different ways.  

The constant has been God’s companionship and the faith-formation that is at the heart of this church.  Those two things will never change and will remain at the core of who we are now and in the days ahead.

See you in church,

–Rev. Dominic