Prayer rebuked by Christian Republicans

Rep. Joni Jenkins

March 1, 2016
Along with other elected officials, I have reflected much on the
intersection of faith and politics. As a person of faith, I cannot totally
divorce that part of myself when I walk into the governmental/political
arena.
While my Christianity influences every personal and political decision
I make, I have been hesitant to publicly reference my faith in performing my
governmental duties.
As an adult, I joined the United Church of Christ, a denomination
noted for its many firsts the first to ordain women, persons of color and
persons of diverse sexual orientation - and because it spoke to my beliefs
of social justice and Gods abundant love.
The UCC is just one of the many mainstream protestant Christian
churches that share these doctrines.
In my 22 years serving as State Representative for the 44th House
District, I have witnessed an increasing trend of legislators referencing their
religious beliefs in discussions on the floor of the House. Those beliefs
tend to be nearly always couched as "Christian" and arc predominately
conservative.
After much soul searching, it became important to me to give voice to
other Christian stances of equality, not to lay claim to being more correct
but to share another world view with my colleagues.
One of my dearest friends, who happens to be Jewish, sums it up
beautifully: There are many paths to righteousness.
Last week, I invited my pastor, the Reverend Lauren Jones Mayfield
of Lynnhurst United Church of Christ in Louisville, to open the House of
Representatives day with prayer.

I found her prayer to be beautiful in its call to put aside our political
differences and work on the issues that affect all Kentuckians,
understanding that it was not a traditional prayer encountered in many of
the state representatives' places of worship.
And yes, Rev Mayfield mentioned those issues that differ among our
diverse Christian traditions:
May these legislators work toward preserving the dignity of women
in the quest for reproductive justice; may they honor the needs of those
who are wrongly imprisoned. May they demand equality for all Kentucky
residents regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. May they
believe that black lives matter. May our work be for those who are unable to
be here to lobby and speak for themselves.
I was grateful to so many colleagues, staff and guests in attendance
who expressed their appreciation for the prayer.
But I was shocked at the response of a number of my colleagues,
who walked out mid prayer and one in particular who emailed Rev. Mayfield
a disrespectful and ugly message which included you are an
embarrassment to my Christ."
To make matters worse, the entire House Minority Caucus boycotted
the next days prayer in protest.
Beyond their rudeness to my pastor, I am very concerned about the
message the House Republicans are sending to all Kentuckians which
translates to "we believe in religious freedom, as long as it is constant with
our religious beliefs."
I am saddened by the apparent double standard the Republicans
constantly employ, especially as they purport to be fierce defenders of the
United States Constitution which guarantees freedom from religious
oppression.
Every person, regardless of their religion, should be welcomed to the
House chamber and shown dignity and respect.

I will continue to treat all chamber guests in this manner in spite of

my wonderful pastor's boorish reception and ill-mannered actions of the
Christian House Republicans.

Rev. Lauren Jones Mayfield

Prayer delivered to the Kentucky General Assembly
February, 23, 2016
Come and dwell among us, holy source of vision. We confess that
we need you now as much as we have ever needed a stabilizing presence
of compassion, empathy, thoughtfulness, and rational discourse.
Into this session of legislative activity, I pray for these elected officials
as they continue their deliberations. May the business that they conduct,
the policies they support, and the notions they follow take steps in the
direction of broadening your transformative and inclusive spirit.
Let them not be held hostage by the conventions of Republican or
Democrat, but may your spirit of collaboration and gentleness bring them to
new understandings of themselves as one body called to protect the
vulnerable and uplift the downtrodden.
Come and dwell among us source of peace. When we are afraid or
anxious we narrow our definition of your character and claim your presence
as our own. Empower these law makers to rise above fear and retaliation.
Help all of us to forego the easy road of blame and self-preservation,
so that together we can unearth unity. The simplicity of viewing you and
Jesus and other prophets sitting on lofty thrones in the heavens, looking
down with contempt or joy, wrongly exemplifies the miracle of grace.
Instead, you call us to take seriously your engagement with your
beloved children...in the streets of our cities and across the farmlands of
our counties. You are living and active, as close as our breath. May these
leaders breathe in your love and exhale your expansive and radical
presence of generosity and inclusivity.

May these legislators work toward preserving the dignity of women in

the quest for reproductive justice; may they honor the needs of those who
are wrongly imprisoned.
May they demand equality for all Kentucky residents regardless of
sexual orientation and gender identity. May they believe that black lives
matter. May our work be for those who are unable to be here to lobby and
speak for themselves.
Come and dwell among us source of justice so that the democratic
activity of today will bring liberation tomorrow. Inspire us to embody
courage, wisdom, and empathy.
These are qualities that you teach and long to return to us favorably.
Amen.