We the people of this country and the world looked on with horror and sadness at the assault on the seat of our democracy on Jan. 6. How can this happen in the United States, a country which so often has been looked up to as an example of how a democratic republic can function?
We the people of New Hampshire are looking for guidance from our leaders as to how we, through their actions, will respond. How do we weigh holding those responsible for the attack accountable for their actions against reconciliation and forgiveness?
We the people of the First Congregational Church in Wilmot, U.C.C., a small congregation, located in a small town, in a small state, have focused this year on the biblical injunction to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God ” – however your spiritual community defines “God.” How do we do justice, love kindness, when it’s more natural to feel anger and dismay and get caught up in the great divide that separates those who would destroy and those who would build up?
We the people have to recognize that our democracy is not something we can take for granted. We must not stay silent, no matter how small our voice. We must look deep into our hearts and make known to our elected leaders our desire that truth and justice be their guide as the rule of law is invoked in the coming months. We must speak with kindness to those who don’t look like us, or vote like us, or worship as we do, or love as we do. We pray. And finally, we must use our ballot box to hold our leaders accountable for preserving our democracy.
The Rev. SARA MAREAN, PAUL FENTON Jr., and JANET HOWE
Wilmot
(The writers are leaders of the First Congregational Church in Wilmot and members of the Parish Committee.)