As voters head to the polls Tuesday, several churches are opening their doors to those seeking guidance from a higher power or simply a place to pray.
First United Methodist Church in downtown Little Rock will have a service of Holy Communion at noon in the chapel. The church is at 723 Center St. The Rev. David Freeman said all are welcome.
Freeman said the service offers members of the congregation and the community time to step away from the often contentious atmosphere of this year's races and set aside their political differences to come together in Christ.
"It's a way for us to claim a united voice of something beyond politics, camp and party and to unite us together in our faith," Freeman said.
The 30-minute service will include prayers, Scripture readings, hymns and Communion.
"Our United Methodist tradition is an open table, meaning you don't have to be a United Methodist to participate [in Communion]," Freeman said.
Freeman said one of the Scripture readings will be from the book of Ephesians that stresses the need for unity.
"In a time of divisiveness in these elections we are seeking to be unified in Christ," he said. "My hope is that people will be able to see a unity that is beyond politics -- that our true unity is in our creator and from a Christian perspective the incarnation of that is Jesus Christ. That is really the one we seek as our leader even beyond who is president or senator or what policies are held in our communities."
St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 20900 Chenal Parkway in Little Rock, will have an Election Eve Communion service at 7 p.m. Monday. The Arkansas House of Prayer, which is at the church, will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday for an interfaith prayer vigil. All are welcome.
"With the presidential election people's anxieties are very high," said the Rev. Mary Vano, rector of the church. "Elections have consequences in our society and are certainly worthy of our prayers and the effort of us to remember who it is who ultimately unites us. As Christians we believe it's Christ. Politicians can only do so much."
Vano said the heart of Monday's service will be the act of receiving Eucharist together.
"In that powerful act we'll remember we are united by God. Although we might vote differently, we're called to love one another," she said. "We hope what we're achieving is helping people to cope with what may happen the next day ... some people will be happy and some totally dejected. If we remember who we are and to whom we belong and that we also belong to one another that will go a long way to help us."
While the service at St. Margaret's is a Christian one, the prayer vigil at the Arkansas House of Prayer is interfaith. The house of prayer is a place for silent prayer used by Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists,
Hindus, Bahai's and those of other faiths, as well as those without a faith background.
"They will pray in the way that is meaningful to them, and for some that will mean simply sitting in the quiet for a few minutes without checking Facebook or the news," Vano said.
Vano said the silence offers the opportunity to seek a sense of peace.
"At the same time, prayer is active and meaningful," she said. "It changes us."
Christ Episcopal Church, 509 Scott St., in downtown Little Rock, also will host an Election Day Holy Eucharist service at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday. The Rev. Scott Walters said all are welcome to participate.
"There's always been a deep sense that prayers for the broader community are part of the work we are to do," said Walters, adding that the service will include prayers for the nation, the world and the local community.
Walters said the service will include prayers from the Book of Common Prayer, which includes a specific prayer for elections. The prayer for an election is: "Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privilege: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Walters said incorporating the act of worship, prayer and Eucharist into Election Day is important.
"I think when things get so contentious and people are so polarized there's a real temptation to just back away all together, not only from each other but to back away and separate our Christian lives from the life of the broader community because it's so fraught to get out there," Walters said. "But I still think it's important to pray for our country."
AT A GLANCE
Election Day
Several Northwest Arkansas churches are open for prayer and meditation Tuesday.
Bella Vista Community Church: 75 E. Lancashire Blvd., holds a prayer service from 11:00 a.m. to noon every Wednesday to pray for unity in the country, for first responders and for leaders. Information: 855-1126, bvcc.org.
Central United Methodist Church in Rogers: 2535 W. New Hope Road, opens its chapel for prayer on Election Day from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. A prayer guide and prayer candles to light will be available. A brief prayer service is planned for noon in the chapel. Information: 636-1630, cumcrogers.com.
SpringCreek Fellowship in Springdale: 2120 W. Emma Ave., offers a prayer meeting for the nation at 7 p.m. Monday. Information: 751-2154, springcreekfellowship.com.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville: 224 N. East Ave., offers election day prayers Tuesday, with the church open all day. The Rev. Lowell Grisham leads morning prayer at 7 a.m. Samanatha Haycock leads prayers at noon. Mary Miller officiates evening prayer at 5:30 p.m. The Rev. Suzanne Stoner leads Compline at 8 p.m. The Labryrinth will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Parish Hall for walking and meditation. Information: 442-7373, stpaulsfay.org.
Religion on 11/05/2016