by Ariel Miller
“Listening to people really helps. When a person experiences empathy, it literally changes their brain chemistry.” Fortified with this knowledge, the Rev. Jason Emerson, rector of St. Patrick’s, Dublin, will be serving as a “peacekeeper” during early voting and on Election Day. Wearing his clerical collar, equipped with water, snacks, and a pastor’s skills, he will provide welcome and a reassuring presence as voters wait to cast their ballots.
“This is one of the ways to be active during this election without being partisan,” he adds. “It can be challenging for a parish priest: there’s a small needle to thread so that I can remain available to people with different partisan views. I told the vestry that I am doing this, and it’s been welcomed. The parish is supportive.”
Responding to an invitation sent to clergy and social workers to help ensure that voters could exercise their franchise in safety, Emerson completed election peacekeeper training, but he’s drawing vital guidance from his faith.
“The Biblical story running through my mind is Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42),” he says. “Jesus shows radical empathy: listening to what she says, and to what she doesn’t say.”
“It’s the middle of the day: not the time when people living in hot climates would ordinarily come to the well. The disciples have gone into town. Jesus strikes up a conversation. A rabbi and an unaccompanied woman: that’s odd, right there! ‘Where is your husband?’ he asks. Empathy begins.”
This woman who has lived with a succession of lovers “probably came at noon so she wouldn’t have to be there when the other women are there: so she wouldn’t have to experience their derision. She has either been ostracized or she has withdrawn herself from her community. But she is transformed by her conversation with Jesus: she is emboldened. She starts out separated, and then goes back to her village as a leader,” bringing them vital news of the Messiah. And they take her seriously.
Emerson will also draw on his trust in fellow citizens. “The 2024 election is raising a lot of anxiety for folks. I don’t want to downplay what we’ve heard about election interference and intimidation, but I think in the vast majority of situations it’s going to be calm: people are going to show up and vote. Because there’s the potential for trouble does not negate the potential for peace. There are things to be concerned about, but the scale of conflict is probably going to be small, given the vast number of polling places and voters.
“We can temper our fear, so we are responsive, not reactive,” he adds. “‘Be not afraid’ is the most repeated command in scripture. That suggests it’s the one we find hardest to obey. When I am reacting out of fear, I can project a lot of problems, but that isn’t necessarily accurate.” Emerson is ready to engage people who are agitated, or insert himself between voters and someone intimidating them, to defuse the threat.
In addition to his clerical collar, he’ll be wearing a yellow vest and a yellow hat “like the Man in Curious George!” he laughs. “Yellow is not a partisan color. I’ll be walking up and down greeting everyone. It’s Benedictine ministry, welcoming everyone as you would welcome Christ. If people are comfortable and feel respected, that will help.”
Emerson went on to share that when people in his congregation ask him his thoughts on the election, he says, “I won’t tell you who to vote for, but I do have expectations:
- If you are 18 or older, I expect you to register to vote, and to vote.
- I expect you, when you are voting, to treat the other people – especially poll workers, with respect and dignity. Some of our parishioners are poll workers.
- I expect you to pray Psalm 72 as you vote. This psalm was prayed at the coronation of ancient Israel’s Kings. It expresses the hopes of the people for the King’s rule. Verse 4 summarizes the biblical standard of leadership: ‘He shall defend the needy among the people; he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.’ Protect the poor, defend the afflicted, stop the bullies.”
Emerson encourages us all to “pray for a safe and secure election,” fortified with hope: “We can do this. We have a lot of practice as a country with voting. Remember your baptismal vows as you go to your polling place, and GO VOTE!”
