During a special session of the Tennessee State Legislature on May 7, 2026, state representatives approved new boundaries for some of Tennessee’s congressional districts. The redrawn map will divide Tennessee’s 9th congressional district into three districts. Two of these districts will encompass large geographic areas stretching from the City of Memphis in Shelby County to Williamson County outside of Nashville.
The accelerated approval process minimized opportunities for community input. Although the State of Tennessee includes voters from across the political spectrum, commentators from both major parties acknowledge that the redrawn map is designed to eliminate Tennessee’s sole Democratic congressional seat.
We are currently in the season of Easter, the 50 day period between Jesus’ resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the feast of Pentecost. God commissioned the Holy Spirit to serve as our advocate in Jesus’ absence, empowering us to pursue the work God has given us to do. In last Sunday’s lesson from Jesus’ farewell discourse in the Gospel of John, Jesus boldly predicted that his disciples would perform even greater works than he accomplished.
Jesus’ ministry included turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana; healing the son of a royal official, a paralyzed man in Bethesda, and a man born blind; feeding 5,000 people with two fish and five barley loaves; and raising Lazarus from the dead. These actions focus on strengthening community and reconciling humanity to God. People were fed and healed. Loving relationships were celebrated. The dead received a new lease on life and were welcomed back into their families. Souls were saved.
The actions of our elected representatives confront us with the question of whether fidelity to partisan politics promotes God’s mission on earth. Does our adherence to partisanship take precedence over the promises contained in our baptismal covenant to strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being? As disciples of Jesus, we are called to transcend partisan politics as we seek to embrace God’s vision for our common life. To creatively imagine what might be possible if prioritizing political advantage was secondary to seeking and serving Christ in all persons. This is the work God invites us to do.
O God, the fountain of wisdom, whose will is good and gracious, and whose law is truth: We beseech you so to guide and bless our Senators and Representatives in the Legislature of the State of Tennessee, that they may enact such laws as shall please you, to the glory of your Name and welfare of this people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for a State Legislature, Book of Common Prayer, page 821
