As one who has lived in Iowa since 2010, this is the first time I will attend a caucus where there is a contest for the nominee of the Democratic party. While the Republican circus contest has gotten a lot of attention, especially in my northwest corner of Iowa (I work in Sioux County, the most red and conservative of the red and conservative counties, not only in Iowa, but in much of the country), the contest among the Democratic contenders is also important. So I am glad the impending snowstorm will hold off until late Monday night/Tuesday morning so that the first real indication of how actual voters might choose can be determined, spun, discussed, dismissed, and puzzled over. Then on to New Hampshire! (And please take all of your ads, phone calls, and junk mail with you. I could wallpaper a not-so-small room with all of the flyers that have filled my post office box in the past month.)
I am glad that I do not live in the same community that the congregations I serve are in. Being that public about my party registration is not something I am really comfortable with, and especially in this year with so much polarization around personalities and politics. As it is, I consulted my husband (also a pastor) and asked if attending the caucus in the community where the congregation he serves is located would cause any difficulties. He just laughed and said that he expected that most of the others I would see in the Democratic caucus room would be members of his congregation. He even told me I could say "Hi" from him!
And if you are so inclined, please include in your prayers some for the political process in our country, in Iowa and elsewhere. I can't cite it off the top of my head, but I remember that Luther included good government as one of the blessings from God. For all the jokes, the Iowa caucuses are local democracy in action, and a precious freedom to speak, agree and disagree, and express a preference for the one who may become the President of this nation. I'm glad I get to experience it.
