Geneva Methodist church offers Election Day Holy Communion

The United Methodist Church of Geneva is reminding Christians that no matter who they vote for to run the government, real power does not rest in political parties or presidents.

For Christians, “real power in this world ultimately rests ... in the life, the death and resurrection of Jesus,” the church said, in a prepared statement for Election Day Communion.

It is urging Christians to put aside differences and focus on spiritual matters, at services featuring the sacrament of Holy Communion Tuesday. In the Methodist tradition, the bread and wine they receive in Holy Communion represent the living presence of Christ among believers, while reminding them of his sacrificial death to atone for their sins.

“It’s an effort to come together on a day that is kind of going to be divisive for our community and state,” said Jami Johnson, director of lay ministries at the church. “For those of us who tune in to television or are on social media, it is evident there are lots of opinions on both sides.”

People within the Geneva congregation have vastly different political stances. “People I value and respect in how they live their lives, some are on one side and some are on the other side,” Johnson said; how does one reconcile and respect that?

There will be a time to confess ways in which partisan politics have separated them from one another and from God.

Services are at 6:30 a.m., noon and 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary, 211 Hamilton St. The services will last 20 to 30 minutes.

The effort is part of a nationwide campaign, electiondaycommunion.org.

Twenty-eight churches in Illinois are among the 739 churches, schools and groups participating nationwide.

Other local congregations are First United Methodist Church in Bensenville; Gloria Dei Lutheran and St. Giles Episcopal in a joint service, Northbrook; Lutheran Church of the Atonement, Barrington; Sojourner Covenant Church, Evanston; St. Peter Episcopal, Sycamore; Winnetka Covenant Church, Winnetka; and St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Naperville.