A Moment of Silence in the Middle of Celebration

Monday, November 9, 2026

Happy Monday, my friends! In 2007, when a majority of delegates to the convention of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin voted to disaffiliate from The Episcopal Church, then-Bishop John-David Schofield asked for a moment of silence amidst the celebration “reminding the gathering that he ‘knows what it feels like to be a minority.’”[1] Schofield’s invitation stuck with me because it offered grace to those who disagree with us. On Tuesday I was reminded of that statement when a conservative friend of mine posted on Instagram that November 3, 2026, would be remembered as the “day democracy died.” Yes, that’s a dramatic reading of the blue wave that swept across the country, but whereas conservatives and reactionaries bullied and cast the left as “snowflakes” during their victories in 2016 and 2024, we have the capacity to act with grace.

In competitions, particularly sports, we teach children to shake hands with their opponents and be both gracious winners and gracious losers. So too should we do in politics and elections. We can sit with friends who really do fear the outcome of Tuesday’s elections and acknowledge the legitimacy of their concerns even while we press our progressive, liberal, and liberal-leaning elected officials to begin the reforms they promised. We can continue to heed Michelle Obama’s call to go high even while we begin to dismantle attacks on LGBTQIA+ people, immigrants, BIPOC communities, women, and others. We can build the more perfect union and the Kin-dom of God even while we halt and dismantle the mass deportation campaign.

But before we get to those actions, there’s another reason we need to pause. Unfortunately, far too many liberal and progressive candidates, both here in Ohio and beyond, ran campaigns based on the systematic exclusion of the Trans community and a reluctance to call the current administration to task on its disastrous and inhuman immigration policies and actions. Among the historic victories and firsts for various states and for Congress, voters in several states approved anti-Trans measures and some anti-Trans, pro-mass deportation candidates were elected for the first time or returned to Congress. There is still significant work to do.

We celebrate and we pause. Many people are already back to work. If you’re reading this and you aren’t back to the work, consider this Monday Moment your invitation.

Have you been celebrating? How have you been reflecting?

In lieu of a prayer this week, I encourage you to pause for a few moments. Pray for our elected leaders or the people who are scared right now. Perhaps just sit quietly. Amen.

Blessings on your weeks, my friends! Please let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.

Faithfully,

Ben

^[1] Pat McCaughan, Episcopal News Service, “San Joaquin votes to leave Episcopal Church, realign with Southern Cone.” December 8, 2007.