Leonard Harrison was just one of many across the nation who was “totally shocked” by the results of this year’s presidential election.
But after having the night to reflect, Harrison said he “recognized the need to understand differences and find common ground.”
“My sense is there’s more divide in this country than I thought there was,” said Harrison of Cuyahoga Falls.
In a step toward healing that divide, Harrison was one of about 100 people who gathered Wednesday night at Christ Church Episcopal in Hudson for its postelection Community Service of Hope, Peace and Unity.
Donald Trump’s election as president took much of the country by surprise Tuesday, but Christ Church Episcopal planned the service far before election results rolled in. Regardless of results, the day after seemed a perfect time to begin recovery from a divisive campaign, said the Rev. Charlotte Collins Reed.
“Tonight, we come together as one human family to begin the process of moving forward,” Reed said in her opening remarks.
In a half-hour service free of partisanship, religious from various faiths led prayers, readings and songs about joining together in tumultuous times and finding peace among despair. They called for unity across barriers dividing people of different races, ages and cultures.
Members of the Western Reserve Academy Choir encircled the pews to sing a song about beauty in the world, and the rest of the attendees soon joined them. One by one, people were invited to light a candle and join the choir in the circle around the room.
With flickering candles and lights dimmed low, the service ended with America the Beautiful sung in unison and one last prayer for peace.
“It felt good after all the tension to just reflect,” said Courtney Bixby, the youth leader at the church. “This wasn’t about who won or lost. It was about the community.”
“I thought everything was so wonderful and so peaceful,” said Shirley Eells with the church’s connections ministry. “It’s all about humility and realizing we don’t all agree.”
“And that’s OK,” Bixby added.
Theresa Cottom can be reached at 330-996-3216 or tcottom@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @Theresa_Cottom .