Two courageous members of the Episcopalian clergy deserve credit for saying what many of us who claim to follow Jesus didn’t dare say, or at least chose not to say.

In the Inauguration Prayer Service at Washington, D.C.’s, National Cathedral, The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde addressed newly elected President Trump:

"Millions have put their trust in you. As you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are transgender children in both Republican and Democratic families who fear for their lives.  

"And the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings; who labor in our poultry farms and meat-packing plants; who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shift in hospitals — they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes, and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches, mosques and synagogues, gurdwara, and temples.    

"Have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away. Help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were once strangers in this land. 

The president, who boasts support from many conservative Christian groups responded:

"She brought her church into the world of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart. She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our country and killed people. Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA. Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owes the public an apology!”

Bringing the subject much closer to home, a couple of years ago, a far-right conservative group gained control of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners. These commissioners adopted a resolution declaring 2023 to be the Year of the Bible, recognizing a "national need to study and apply the teachings of the Holy Scriptures."

On the very first meeting of the county board following their election and led by Ottawa Impact founder Joe Moss, they fired the county administrator, demoted its health officer, changed the county slogan and dismantled the diversity department.

The Bible-quoting, flag-waving group then went on to determine who could and would offer invocations to start board meetings. Some pastors considered progressive or liberal were not included.

After filing suit over this matter, the Rev. Fr. Jared Cramer, SCP, Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven, was granted permission to offer an opening prayer.

"I pray for those who have been [and] continue to be impacted by decisions of this board. I pray for families and households that are struggling because of reduced resources from the health department, especially those who will be more food insecure. Those who will struggle to get the mental health support they need.

"God, I pray for queer kids who have been told that they're broken and whose attempts to understand who they are have been maligned. I pray for queer adults who increasingly don't feel safe, much less welcome, walking on the street with their beloved." 

As Rev. Cramer delivered his two-minute prayer, we’re told that OI members did not close their eyes in respect. Instead, there were eyerolls, smirks, and even some chatter.

And, that wasn’t all.

As Rev. Cramer prayed, directly in front of him Commissioner Roger Belknap displayed a large sign on his computer to the audience. It read, "THE WAR ON CHILDREN.COM," an ad for a far-right film that claims to expose “the ongoing battle for control of the next generation and their minds.” This disturbing act was also seen online and on local TV newscasts.

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Adding to the insult, OI board members then asked someone of their persuasion to offer a second invocation! During that prayer, attendees reported, there was attentive silence and eyes were closed. We heard of no reports that Rev. Cramer or any of his supporters disrespectfully rolled eyes, neither did they keep on speaking, nor did they hold up any protest signs. 

I have always contended that my commentaries and editorials were never intended to sway listeners and readers to my opinions. These words are meant to stimulate your thoughts on these matters.

I suggest that all of us, conservatives and liberals, Republicans and Democrats, take a deep breath, and consider these words from St. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

— Doug Tjapkes is an award-winning broadcast journalist who resides in Ferrysburg.