Below is my column in today's issue of the Grand Haven Tribune.
Nick knows that I share his concern with the behavior of a small segment of our community’s population when it comes to COVID-19 restrictions. Simple disagreement is no longer enough for some people who have chosen the path of vitriol, shouted threats, and violent language and behavior. This is all the more distressing for me as a priest, because so many of the people engaged in this sort of behavior call themselves Christians.
The cost of this behavior to the Christian witness is serious and cause for concern and frustration among all those who claim to follow the prince of peace. But there has been another cost: those on the receiving end of abuse and harassment.
In our own community, we’ve seen the president of the Grand Haven school board, John Siemion, resign after 22 years of faithful service upon advice from his doctor, for his own mental and physical well-being.
Shortly after Siemion’s announcement, our school superintendent, Andrew Ingall, announced his retirement. While he did not address the controversy of COVID-19 precautions as clearly as Siemion, Ingall did make it clear that “it is high time for me to attend to the physical and mental wellness of myself and my family.”
Our school board members have been subjected to some of the worst treatment imaginable through emails and phone calls.
In Ottawa County, our Board of Commissioners meetings have been overrun by crowds of people who bully any who disagree with them, threaten violence against public servants, and do all this while singing hymns and praying prayers. In Kent County, the health director had someone try to literally run him off the road on the interstate. Someone else told him that they hoped someone abused his children and make him watch.
And then there is our Department of Public Health. These are medical professionals who have given their lives to public service and the common good. They are not partisan hacks or part of a conspiracy to steal anyone’s rights. They are using science and medical knowledge to make decisions that will best protect their community in an ongoing pandemic. And the way they are being treated, the way all of these public servants are being treated, is contrary to the core teachings of Jesus Christ.
Which brings me back to Nick Brock. He reached out because he wanted to find a way to bring a little light into the dark world of public servants. And so, our parish campus is holding an outdoor event on Sunday, Oct. 10, at 4 p.m. The event will be on our church grounds (524 Washington Ave., here in Grand Haven) and have the purpose of showing public support for the Ottawa County Department of Public Health and emphasizing the importance of civility and nonviolence in community activism.
If you’d like to come, you are invited to bring “thank you” cards that will be distributed to health department employees. Attendees will also be invited to sign up to “stand in solidarity” with one of the 150 employees of the health department who are working so very hard to protect our community.
I’ll be one of the speakers at the event, but I’m particularly glad to know that a new nonpartisan political action committee, Ottawa Integrity, will be there speaking as well. As they say in the letter of introduction on their website, “Ottawa Integrity is driven by a desire to protect, promote and uphold integrity for the people in our community.” I hope this organization can provide a channeling force for the many residents of our area who want to counter the hate, vitriol and misinformation that continues to persist. You can find out more about Ottawa Integrity at ottawaintegrity.org.
Christians must make it clear that the behavior of some people in our community, the way public servants and officials have been treated, is not in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ. And we must work to bring healing to the wounds that have been inflicted, so that those who serve our community can know they are appreciated, respected and supported.
About the writer: The Rev. Dr. Jared C. Cramer, Tribune community columnist, serves as rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven. Information about his parish can be found at www.sjegh.com.
