Story and photos from Rev. Kevin Kloster, Dakotas Conference, with excerpts from the Christian Science Monitor Online
 
On November 8, election day, the clergy of the United Methodist churches in Rapid City and Piedmont, SD served communion in downtown Rapid City.  Set up in Main Street Square, the central point of downtown, pastors served communion to passersby who were shopping, working, living there or homeless.  As communion was served, pastors offered a prayer for the person and our country. The United States has gone through a very divisive time leading up to the election and these pastors wanted people to know that no matter how we vote we are one in Christ. A modern day Galatians 3:28 might read, “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; there is no longer Republican or Democrat, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”  Communion was served from 11:00am-1:00pm and again from 4:30pm-6:00pm. Photo: Two women pause to speak with Rev. Deann Eidem at the communion table.

“I think the anger has resided a bit from the election, and people are just tired and worn out,” said Pastor Holly Sortland, pastor of discipleship at Canyon Lake UMC, who recently preached a sermon on the power of reconciling through communion. “That’s what we do as Christians, and that rises above any kind of partisan politics.” Photo: Rev. Deann Eidem offers communion to a passerby on election day.

The group had posted a Facebook event with a simple invitation: “On Tuesday, November 8th, we invite you-- regardless of party or political affiliation, to share in Holy Communion. It’s the bread, the cup, and the body of believers gathered in the presence of Christ and each other.” Sortland helped organize Tuesday’s prayer area, where voters could take a moment before or after voting. The local United Methodist churches led a communion service, open to all in our Wesleyan tradition, over the busy lunch hour and as the sun began to set and polling places closed.

Photo: Revs. John McKnight and Holly Sortland lead a group gathered in prayer.

Pastor Shar McCaskell of Knollwood Heights UMC said, “It was such a neat experience, especially on a day when so many were unsettled. We got a lot of 'looks', wondering what was going on. It reminded me of what I'm so proud of every time I serve communion - the fact that we truly are a church of openness, demonstrated by our open communion table.”
Photo: The setting sun provided a dramatic backdrop to the elements of a truly open communion table in Rapid City. “I was surprised by the number of people who did come, just to pray and be a part of healing,” Pastor Sortland said. “Amazed at how nonpartisan it was – I didn’t hear anyone say who they voted for or discuss politics.”
Christian Science Monitor Story
KOTA-TV story
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