Valley pastors plan to talk about the election

Friday, Nov. 07, 2008

Many central San Joaquin Valley pastors say they don't want to pass up the opportunity Sunday to talk about the significance of electing the first black president.

"Usually, we don't talk about it so much in the public place, but this was a very special election that we had," said the Rev. Nobuo Miyaji, minister at Fresno Buddhist Church near downtown Fresno.

"Personally, I'm very happy to see this," he said. "We're looking forward to the new direction we will go. I expect change very, very much."

Just days after Barack Obama won the White House, clergy members said they were scrambling to write fresh sermons or take scissors to old ones so they could expound on racial barriers coming down with this election. The clergy members, representing various religions, said their messages would focus on change for the nation under Obama.

"It's evident that things are going to be changing for our country -- and it's a matter of being ready for that," said the Rev. Dave Schlicher, pastor of College Community Congregational Church in northeast Fresno.

"Most of the congregation will be looking forward to that kind of change, but probably not all of them," he said. "I will try to speak in ways to those who are not thrilled about the election results so they also will hear the message."

The Rev. Ed Lee was working through the lunch hour Wednesday to write a new Sunday sermon at Mount Olive Baptist Church in west-central Fresno.

"I grew up -- and came up -- with total segregation," said Lee, a black man who was raised in Kenbridge, Va. "We all had a profound trust in Jesus -- and that faith kept us going when things got really tough."

Lee said he sees too many young blacks who are discouraged and don't believe there are opportunities for them: "Many are doing wonderful things, but there's a huge group floundering."

Lee said Obama's election is a signal of hope for people. Lee said his sermon will be based on Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

"We may not agree with all of Obama's agenda and belief system," he said, "but one thing we can agree on: Those of us who are born-again, there are no excuses, especially in the African-American community."

At Memorial United Methodist Church in Clovis, the Rev. Denice Leslie said she would still focus her sermon on the scheduled lectionary, Matthew 25:1-13, "The Parable of the Ten Virgins." But she would also talk about Obama because of the historical significance.

"It's always important that we maintain some perspective as Christians so we can comment on whatever we're involved in from the perspective of faith," she said, adding she tries to be sensitive to congregants with different political views.

"I hope my people understand," she said. "I want them to understand how God has been working. God is a god of history. God has been involved to bring about a remarkable inclusiveness. It's really amazing to me that in such a short historical time span for our country -- 150 years -- that so many attitudes can be changed."

The Rev. Janette Freeman of The Oneness Center, a New Thought congregation in northeast Fresno, said she will continue a sermon series on Hindu teachings on divine promises for those on paths of "evolution, spiritual growth and awakening." She also plans to weave Obama into her sermon.

"A lot of us see this election as a real signal that America wants change, wants to grow into a more diplomatic country and wants to be compassionate."