If one has been driving around St. Charles Parish recently, one no doubt has seen signs in the yards of many fellow residents with regards to the upcoming election.
You may have seen a few others as well. New Life Community Church in Luling launched a “Do Unto Others” campaign this month, encouraging locals to share a little kindness to their neighbors and to society in general. A number of church parishioners have put signs in their yards adorned with a message of kindness.
The signs are purple – the mix of the red and blue that can represent polarization with the opposite ends of the political spectrum. Church representatives say New Life is seeking to live in the “purple space,” cultivating compassion, humility, respect and love for one another.
“Do Unto Others” is a grassroots movement originally launched by Resurrection, a United Methodist Church in the Kansas City area, to encourage people to be intentional about treating one another with kindness. Other United Methodist congregations have followed suit, including New Life.
New Life church member Sandy Matthews Swindler is leading up the initiative at New Life and has been encouraged by the results she has seen so far.
“People have been really excited about the campaign and finding new ways to show kindness to one another. Some people are getting more involved in missions, some are writing notes and cards, others have shared how something as simple as a kind word made a difference in their day. It’s really encouraging and I know this will have a ripple effect as kindness spreads through St. Charles Parish,” Swindler said.
Tensions can rise during this time of an election year.
“In campaign season, people have very strong feelings and tend to say things they maybe should not – hurtful things,” Swindler said. “It is just to remember we need to bring kindness and respect each other. We have families, people we love dearly, who might not have the same opinions that you do. It’s often a house divided.”
Swindler said the important thing is to remember the Golden Rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
“We’ve also been using our website and our Facebook to spread messages of kindness – what can you do today to make someone else smile, to make them feel good?” Swindler said. New Life Pastor Alice Boutte said that this is a time where it’s more important than ever to remember the importance of loving one’s neighbor.
“In this time of deep political division in our country, it is essential that we learn to show kindness, respect, and love to all,” Boutte said. “We can and should be able to have respectful conversations with one another and seek to understand not only our differences but also what brings us together as we intentionally treat one another with kindness, even those with whom we disagree.”
The church began the month by giving its congregation a list of 30 good things one could do for another.
“It could be giving a thank you note, or saying something nice to someone,” Swindler said. “Or even going a whole day without complaining.”
The church has also launched a website filled with ideas to help people intentionally cultivate kindness (newlifeluling.com/do-unto-oth
“We all want what’s best for our country, but maybe we can just make sure we respect one another’s feelings and just be kind. That’s what it’s all about,” Swindler said.
