Election Extremism: Lessons For Leading With Healing, Hope & Bravery
In a year when political extremism is compounded by concurrent pandemics we spoke with faith leaders and experts about how they are uniquely positioned to help heal and convene healthy dialogue. Many faith leaders face difficult choices about how to provide leadership and care amidst severe political polarization, often within their own communities. Faith communities may be among the few public spaces where Americans of diverse political and cultural viewpoints can meaningfully dialogue and be in relationship. On October 15, 2020 the Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime, Director of Religion and Civic Engagement at Odyssey Impact led a panel of faith leaders and chaplains who shared their candid experiences and diverse perspectives on how to provide hope and healing amidst vitriol and even violence. The “Election Extremism” Healing the Healers Town Hall on October 15th was “Part One” of a two-part series. We will convene the second Town Hall later on in November.
Resources to help lead congregations, communities and classroom discussions on healing and convening healthy dialogue amidst severe political polarization.
To help you in your work, please review the video excerpts of the intimate conversation, curated by Rev. Dr. Jill Snodgrass, Loyola University, along with brief expert reflections, discussion questions and suggested additional resources.
Standing Against Violence
Curated Video Clip #1
Duration [5:30-8:48]
Living and Listening Together
Curated Video Clip #2
Duration [30:43-33:56]
Making Moral Judgments that
Respect the “Other”
Curated Video Clip #3
Duration [38:55-43:37]
Expert Reflection and Discussion Guide
We hope that the accompanying written resources will support you in your work while leading your congregations and in educational settings during this time. We have heard from our wider network that these “bite-sized” resources are ideal for clergy cohort groups, deacon/congregational care teams, seminary education modules, and general faith leader edification and support.
Rev. Dr. Jill Snodgrass
For these curated video clips and written resources, we are grateful to Rev. Dr. Jill Snodgrass of Loyola University, a pastoral counselor and ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.
Panel Moderator:
Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime
Director of Religion and Civic Engagement
Odyssey Impact
Panelists:
Rev. Dr. Jan Fuller
University Chaplain
Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life
Elon University
Elon, NC
Dr. Danjuma Gibson
Professor of Pastoral Care
Calvin Theological Seminary
Grand Rapids, MI
Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz
Senior Rabbi
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun
Short Hills, NJ
Rev. Dr. Gabriel Salguero
Pastor
Calvario City Church
President
NALEC
Orlando, FL
The information contained on this website is drawn from a variety of sources about mental illness; however it is not a comprehensive study and the information is not intended to be used as a diagnostic tool. While through this website you are able to link to other websites, each website is independently operated and is responsible for the information contained on their site. We encourage anyone who thinks they may have a mental illness problem to seek out a qualified professional.
