PC(USA) mid council leaders in Nebraska sign a letter calling for the ‘civil discourse of a mature democratic republic’ as Nov. 5 draws near

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LOUISVILLE — Leaders of the three presbyteries in Nebraska are among ecumenical notables from across the state calling on residents of that state to “treat one another with kindness, respect and human dignity” as Election Day draws near.

The Sept. 24 letter, which can be seen in its entirety below, was signed by the Rev. Polly Deppen-Williams, Executive Presbyter and Stated Clerk of the

Presbytery of Central Nebraska; the Rev. Nancy Ross-Hullinger, Interim Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Missouri River Valley; and the Rev. Erica Nelson, Stated Clerk of Homestead Presbytery. Leaders from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), United Church of Christ, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Episcopal, Roman Catholic and United Methodist Church from throughout the Cornhusker State also signed the letter.

“We have struggled, and we will continue to struggle, to walk the way of dignity and respect in the midst of our disagreements and divisions,” the faith leaders state in the letter. “Even so, we choose to recommit ourselves to that way, and we invite others to do the same.”

Here’s the letter

Earlier this summer, there was a tragic shooting at a presidential campaign rally in Pennsylvania. We still do not know the motive, but we do know that it was an example of our country’s political unrest. Recent events have shown that the level of anxiety and fear continues to increase. Violence is a language of despair which has no place in the civil discourse of a mature democratic republic.

There are six weeks remaining in this election season. As leaders of faith communities across the state of Nebraska, we believe in the transformative power of a commitment to treat one another with kindness, respect, and human dignity. We do not stand together today to align ourselves with a particular political party or viewpoint. We stand together today because we want to speak in the language of hope and peace.

We acknowledge that we, as people of various churches and worldviews, are not immune to division or disagreement. We confess that our histories are scarred with political, religious, and societal violence — acts of omission, commission, compliance and collaboration. We have struggled, and we will continue to struggle, to walk the way of dignity and respect in the midst of our disagreements and divisions. Even so, we choose to recommit ourselves to that way, and we invite others to do the same.

Today, we commit ourselves again to dialogue over division. We commit ourselves to speak with a hope that is faithful to our traditions, recognizing that peace is an active pursuit, one that requires courage and resilience.

Today, we call on our civic leaders to exercise responsibility in their rhetoric. We call on our civic leaders to reject the rhetoric of fear, envy, despair, and violence; to forge a brighter vision of what is possible rather than nightmarish warnings about an opponent’s envisioned future.

Today, we call on followers of our faith traditions to join us in seeking understanding over assumption. We call on one another to reach out to those with whom we disagree, to sit down together, to listen with an open heart and mind. We call on each other to prioritize compassion over vindication.

Most importantly, knowing the very real and sometimes deadly harm that comes from spreading falsehoods, we call on all citizens of Nebraska to be honest and trustworthy in all that we say and share in our public and private discourse.

Today, we encourage our fellow Nebraskans to choose hope over hate, to build bridges of understanding that reach toward reconciliation, to work together to create communities of peace where all can thrive. We come from different places and different traditions, but we stand together in hope — today, tomorrow, and always.

The Right Rev. J. Scott Barker, Bishop

Diocese of Nebraska

The Episcopal Church-USA

The Rev. Robin Blakemore, Regional Minister

Christian Church in Nebraska

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

The Most Rev. James D. Conley, Bishop

Diocese of Lincoln

Roman Catholic Church

The Rev. Polly Deppen-Williams, Executive Presbyter and Stated Clerk

Presbytery of Central Nebraska

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

The Rev. Philip Hart, Interim Conference Minister

Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Conferences

United Church of Christ

The Rev. Nancy Ross-Hullinger, Interim Stated Clerk

Missouri River Valley Presbytery

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

The Rev. Scott Alan Johnson, Bishop

Nebraska Synod

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Most Rev. George J. Lucas, Archbishop

Archdiocese of Omaha

Roman Catholic Church

The Rev. Erica Nelson, Stated Clerk

Homestead Presbytery

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

The Rev. Dr. Nancy Tomlinson, District Superintendent

Southeast Nebraska District – Great Plains Conference

United Methodist Church