During a recent Sunday service, Layman Knox asked congregants to pray for Kamala Harris and Donald Trump and pay attention to their words. Wearing a scarf in the rainbow colors of the LGBTQ+ flag, she said:

Perhaps one of the most volatile states, the Pennsylvania Capitol could be a pivotal venue if the upcoming election leads to worsening political divisions.

This is where some of the first protests in support of Donald Trump’s stolen election lies broke out in 2020. The series of demonstrations eventually escalated into the Jan. 6 insurrection, in which Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a deadly riot.

In recent weeks, Evangelical leader Sean Feucht, an outspoken Christian Nationalist, organized a pro-Trump demonstration in front of the historic building in the capital Pennsylvania, saying “the enemy cannot own this state.”

“We’re protecting our communities,” said the Rev. Erin Jones, who works for the state advocacy arm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which organized the peace rally. It also sparked a petition asking Pennsylvanians to respect each other as they head to the polls.

The petition signed by more than 300 faith leaders said, “The choices we make there will be a statement about how we want to live together, here and now, and what kind of tomorrow we want to leave to our children.”

Americans fear a new round of violent protests

“I’m afraid there will be violence and I’m hoping there can be unity,” said Carly Wolf, 23, a Grace Church member and a senior in college majoring in justice studies. He was outraged when he recently learned that a group carrying swastika flags had marched in front of his church on their way to the Pennsylvania Capitol.

“Regardless of the election results, protests in the capital must be peaceful,” he said.

While he prays it won’t be necessary, he said he would be willing to join in opposing peaceful protests to protect the Capitol and the Harrisburg community.

“I’m willing to put myself on the line,” Wolf said. “We must not allow such hate speech to occur. “We saw what happened on January 6, it is important to protect the sanctity of our capital.”

Grace Church hosts state legislature after devastating fire

Grace United Methodist Church is known as the church that saved Harrisburg from losing its status as the capital of Pennsylvania.

There had been efforts to return the capital to Philadelphia since the early 19th century and throughout the Civil War. The pressure increased after a fire destroyed the Capitol building in 1897.

Since Harrisburg did not have space large enough to accommodate the legislature, the church opened its doors to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. In just a few days, “all religious items and furniture were removed and tables, chairs and spittoons were installed,” the church’s website says.

Lawmakers worked in the church sanctuary and Sunday school rooms for two years until the Capitol was rebuilt.

“There is a historically deep connection between what it means to be a church and what it means to be an advocate and to be politically involved in the community,” Layman Knox said.

He said Grace Church takes this principle seriously. “Being political is not about being partisan. “It’s about ensuring the well-being of everyone and living that way.”

“Even now it serves as a sacred space where people from different denominations and interfaith gatherings can gather, pray, and organize for advocacy efforts taking place at the Capitol,” Layman Knox said.

Scott Bassett, a Pennsylvania-born retired teacher who lives in California, reflected on the work of faith leaders after touring the Capitol building last Sunday.

“I hope they will get along well enough to be able to get this message across to all the citizens here,” he said on the Capitol steps overlooking the towering tower of Grace and other churches in downtown Harrisburg.

“I can appreciate what he has done for this country and the state of Pennsylvania.”

__