Whether you tend to lean Republican, Democrat, Independent or any other direction, there’s one thing about election season we ALL notice: people passionate about elections and positions and candidates sometimes forget to be KIND. Politicians from all parties point their fingers, accusing others of being “un-American” or “hating America” because they hold different opinions and perspectives. Our neighbors’ yard signs are defaced and banners torn down.
Relationships are strained and sometimes even broken. Social media has nothing nice to say about anybody. Friends, we can all do better.
Jesus told his followers, “Do unto others as you would have done unto you” (Matthew 7:12). So did Moses. And Mohammed.
Bahá'u'lláh Buddha, Confucious — nearly every religion has this “Golden Rule” as part of its foundation. Even in an election season, we should act like we believe it. This year, the United Methodists in town (all six churches and our Illinois State University campus ministry), together with friends (First Christian and others), are running a different kind of campaign: a Campaign for Kindness.
From Sept. 8 through the Nov 5 election, we’re going to be pointing out a different set of values: kindness, compassion, love, humility and respect. Several local churches are leading a Campaign for Kindness this fall.
You’ll see yard signs and T-shirts (if you want one, let me know, or drop by our table at the Sept. 7 Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market). You may be handed a sticker reminding you to “Do Unto Others” with kindness.
You are invited to engage in random acts of kindness around our community, to remind yourself and everyone else about the kind of community we want to live in: a community of kindness. Pay it forward. Leave a big tip.
Offer a compliment. Do a favor. Help a neighbor.
Whether you lean left or right this season, isn’t that the kind of world we want for everyone? For more information, go to campaignforkindness.com . Sarah Fletcher talks about the new Classical Christian school called White Horse Academy Holy Trinity Catholic Church is shown in this photo dated Oct.
24, 1935. This photo from the Pantagraph Negatives Collection has been preserved and digitized by the McLean County Museum of History as a part of the Museum's ongoing digitization efforts to save our history. Please visit mchistory.
org/participate/saving-history to learn more. The Holy Trinity Choir is shown in this photo dated Feb. 8, 1938.
This photo from the Pantagraph Negatives Collection has been preserved and digitized by the McLean County Museum of History as a part of the Museum's ongoing digitization efforts to save our history. Please visit mchistory.org/participate/saving-history to learn more.
Renovations are underway at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 704 N. Main St., in this photo from Nov.
4, 1953. The painting, redecorating, installation of a new speaking system and other repairs were expected to cost about $30,000, according to Pantagraph archives. This photo from the Pantagraph Negatives Collection has been preserved and digitized by the McLean County Museum of History as a part of the Museum's ongoing digitization efforts to save our history.
Please visit mchistory.org/participate/saving-history to learn more. Renovations are underway at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 704 N.
Main St., in this photo from Nov. 4, 1953.
The painting, redecorating, installation of a new speaking system and other repairs were expected to cost about $30,000, according to Pantagraph archives. In this photo, iron scaffolding covers most of the auditorium. This photo from the Pantagraph Negatives Collection has been preserved and digitized by the McLean County Museum of History as a part of the Museum's ongoing digitization efforts to save our history.
Please visit mchistory.org/participate/saving-history to learn more. Renovations are underway at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 704 N.
Main St., in this photo from Nov. 4, 1953.
The painting, redecorating, installation of a new speaking system and other repairs were expected to cost about $30,000, according to Pantagraph archives. This photo from the Pantagraph Negatives Collection has been preserved and digitized by the McLean County Museum of History as a part of the Museum's ongoing digitization efforts to save our history. Please visit mchistory.
org/participate/saving-history to learn more. Renovations are underway at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 704 N. Main St.
, in this photo from Nov. 4, 1953. The painting, redecorating, installation of a new speaking system and other repairs were expected to cost about $30,000, according to Pantagraph archives.
This photo from the Pantagraph Negatives Collection has been preserved and digitized by the McLean County Museum of History as a part of the Museum's ongoing digitization efforts to save our history. Please visit mchistory.org/participate/saving-history to learn more.
Renovations are underway at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 704 N. Main St., in this photo from Nov.
4, 1953. The painting, redecorating, installation of a new speaking system and other repairs were expected to cost about $30,000, according to Pantagraph archives. This photo from the Pantagraph Negatives Collection has been preserved and digitized by the McLean County Museum of History as a part of the Museum's ongoing digitization efforts to save our history.
Please visit mchistory.org/participate/saving-history to learn more. Rev.
Sara Isbell is Senior Pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church in Bloomington. You can contact her (or order a T-shirt!) at [email protected] .
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