08613
August 26, 2008

A ‘peaceful presence’ in the midst of ‘chaos’

St. Paul church offers sanctuary during Republican Convention

by Dennis Sanders
IT/Communications Specialist
Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area

ST. PAUL, MN — Central Presbyterian Church in Downtown St. Paul, MN is in a unique situation.

It lies only a stone’s throw from the Xcel Center, site of the 2008 Republican National Convention (RNC).  It’s also located on the protest route allowed by the St. Paul police department.

Being in the middle of what will be media madness during the first week of September, you would think the church might decide to close its doors during the week of the convention and take an extended Labor Day break.

You might think that, but you would be wrong.

Instead, when the Republican National Convention comes to the Twin Cities Sept. 1-4 to formally nominate Arizona Senator John McCain for President, Central church will throw open its doors to be a “peaceful presence” offering  several activities during the convention as a sign of hospitality.

According to the Rev. David Colby, Central’s pastor, the church will open its sanctuary each day as a place for prayer and meditation. Additionally, the congregation’s long standing Wednesday Community Meal will be expanded to every day during the convention. 

Colby notes the Wednesday meal has long been a tradition in downtown St. Paul, bringing people from all walks of life — from office workers, downtown residents and church members to the homeless — to Central where they are served healthy food at a reasonable cost. 

Colby says offering this affordable meal is a good way to “show the hospitality of Jesus.

"Meals were important to Jesus,” Colby says.

The idea of extending hospitality to convention goers surfaced in the congregation shortly after the decision was made that the Twin Cities would host the event. With the RNC taking place only blocks away, church members began thinking how they could be a witness to the visiting crowds.  “We’ve been having conversations about how the church can more fully be the church,” Colby says.

Partnering with the nonprofit Ignatian Associates, a Twin Cities-based lay Catholic group, Central’s sanctuary will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the four days of the convention for prayer and meditation. A short worship service will take place at the beginning and end of each day. Water will also be provided.   

Colby says Ignatian Associates had been in conversation with the St. Paul Police Chaplains office and the Department of Homeland Security to provide a place for prayer and meditation for police officers and other security workers who will be on duty during the convention, which could be stressful for them as numerous protestors are expected.  

The congregation will also allow Central’s space to be used by outside groups.  The Republican delegations from Texas and Louisiana, among others, will be using Central as a place for worship. 

Central has developed a slogan that is found on their website and newsletters: “In the City for Good.”  Asked about how they are living up to their motto, especially during the first week in September, Colby notes that they can offer a sanctuary in the truest sense of the word.

“There will be chaos,” Colby says of the convention, adding that being the church in the city means being welcoming. “We can offer a place not removed from the chaos, but offers a place of contemplation and quiet … between chaos and daily life,” he says.