Rev. Dana
Dear Ones,
Though I was only 16, I remember well the impeachment hearings that led to President Nixon’s resignation in 1974. My mother, a born and bred and devoted Republican, was glued to the television and radio. She was utterly appalled at the testimony she heard and the serious abuses of power of the Nixon administration – appalled, disappointed, and in favor of impeaching a president she had voted for.
Our congregational theme this month is Integrity – a word that makes me think of both my mother and father who were living examples of it.
My mother communicated very clearly that this was an historic moment in American history, and that our nation is built on the rule of law and on high ideals. Ideals we don’t always reach, though ideals that should not be so blatantly and brazenly violated.
So, I find myself so disappointed that I can barely listen to the Senate impeachment proceedings. I flipped the radio right off when it started on Tuesday morning, and I’ve only been able to dip in and out over the last few days. The violations of our ideals, principles, and laws by the current administration are horrifying to me. And I find the language all are using to talk about it too painful to listen to.
Yet this is another historic time in our history, and I wish I could follow it more closely.
I tell you all of this, to simply say that you should all take care of yourselves through this process. If you are following every twist and turn and argument, thank you. And if you can’t bear a word of it, that is just fine, too.
These are hard times to be a people of conscience and integrity. Do whatever works best for you; whatever keeps you sane and relatively happy and kind to your family and friends. Take care of your big hearts, thoughtful souls, and discerning minds.
I do believe our greatest hope still lies in local action, working for positive change in our community, helping the people in need who are right in front of us. Events on the national stage are beyond our control, so let us stay in the mix in the ways we can make a difference.
And whatever happens, we’re in this together.
With love,
Rev. Dana