This comment was made by the Rev. Devon Thomas, pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in South Burlington.

First, I must encourage everyone to accept the results of the 2024 election. The people have spoken, and although many in Vermont fought this election, we have a responsibility as citizens of this nation to respect the integrity of our elections. This doesn’t change the fact that I feel a lot of anxiety about the election.

Priest Dr. King famously said that the moral arc of the universe bends towards justice. It’s hard for me to believe that today. Still I have to try to believe.

For the first time in American history, the people of our country elected a man who was convicted of 34 felonies and tried to overturn a legitimate election. Donald Trump will be the 47th president of the United States. No matter how much I disagree with his beliefs and stances, I must accept the vote of the American people and if I want to see change, I must look at the future discourse within the framework of our nation’s laws.

As a Vermont church pastor, this election showed me that my values ​​of love are not shared by most Americans. There are deep divisions in our understanding of human rights, civil freedom, public morality and religious truth.

As a Christian, when I say that God gave us a savior, I am talking about a man who preached that we should feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and heal the sick; teaches that we honor the poor and oppressed when we lift them up (Matthew 36:46). I must now admit that my understanding of the savior is very different from many Christians today because they elected their saviors on a platform that excluded the oppressed and ignored their suffering.

It’s comforting to know that I’m not the only one feeling this extreme anxiety. After seeing the state election results, I am deeply proud of Vermonters because although we may disagree on policy, our vote for the U.S. Senate from my home state of Georgia shows that we share similar values ​​of ethics and moral love. Vermont is still a community that believes neighbors should love their neighbors, and as far as I’m concerned, knowing my neighbor loves me means everything. This place of love is where justice is reborn in the universe.

I ask everyone who shares my concern to channel that frustration into loving action. Unfortunately, I fear that we will see many injustices in the future. The future administration has promised mass deportations and military action against American citizens. We hope this is just political rhetoric. The American people have decided our nation’s path, and it is up to Vermonters to decide our state’s path within the nation.

Please help our state stand as a moral example to America in times to come. Take your anxieties and fears and transform them into loving action. Heal the poor, the sick, the hungry and the oppressed where we can.

There’s a lot of good work to be done in Vermont. We’re fighting the housing and homelessness crisis, and you can give what you can to housing foundations and organizations like CVOEO, United Way, JUMP, and COTS that serve poor and homeless people. As you fight for social justice, consider helping groups like the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance and Pride Center, which work to bring inclusivity and equality to all Vermonters.

Please help keep the light of neighborly love alive and strong in Vermont. Love is the defining fabric of our Vermont community, and I predict our love will be an example to the rest of the world.