By james art 
NORFOLK, Va. – This election season has created division and anxiety for many. Now a group in Norfolk is hoping to bring people together.
Inside a church on Lesner Ave. in Norfolk, community leaders from our seven cities gathered on Sunday. They are of different origins and different denominations. Their voices rose, praying for peace in our communities, our cities and our country.
“The elections are coming up on Tuesday. So we must be serious about what is happening in our city as well as in our country,” said Bro. Pastor Kaya Stefan. “I grew up in a time when your grandmother used to say that prayer changes things.”
The group said there is a lot at stake both locally and for the nation.
“I think I am one with many others who say that things are wrong in the city of Norfolk, and I think that different [cities] whether it’s Virginia Beach, Chesapeake. . . you will find the same problems,” said Brother Pastor Stevens.
“This country is called the United States of America. I spent 20 years in the Navy and to see disunity in a country that I fought for to have unity is heartbreaking,” added Bishop Joe Chase Jr., Church of God in Christ, Bishop of the Greater Jamaica Jurisdiction.
We’ve seen division, insults and violence this year on local and national stages. Voters are on edge. One example of the chaos is the burning ballot boxes in Oregon and Washington. Tension bleeds into our lives. A survey by the American Psychological Association shows that 69 percent of the country is stressed by the election.
But the group gathered at the church wants you to feel empowered as you vote.
“I may not agree with your choice and you may not agree with my choice, but we have a responsibility as citizens to vote. And to not vote is to vote,” Bishop Chase Jr. said.
“There should be a serious look at the candidates. We don’t believe you should just be passionate about voting, you should research why you are voting,” added Pastor Steven.
Regardless of the outcome, there is also a message:
“I pray that we can come together as a community and stop washing our dirty laundry in public and come to the table and talk like they did at Big Mama’s table,” Bishop Chase Jr. said.
And after the election, the group hopes we will hold our elected officials and ourselves accountable.