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(Each Saturday, a faith leader offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com)

Tomorrow, the Sunderland Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, will conduct its Annual Congregational Meeting following its morning worship. This combination is intentional. The church at worship inspires the church at work. Spiritually nourished by Word and Communion, the members are prepared for the sacred responsibility of church governance, which entails everything from mundane financial matters to how best to preach and live the gospel in the church and in the world.

Every member of the congregation contributes to the leadership of the church. Each members opinions and expectations, and the consensus that emerges from them in dialogue, are judged to be the most trustworthy expression of the Spirits intent.

This Congregational Church Model is and has been thoroughly democratic since it arrived on these shores with the Pilgrims. Each members conscience is respected. Each congregations autonomy is protected. What holds this together is a respect for covenant, a solemn and sacred agreement to value the opinions of others and to expect the same in return. Covenant requires mutual trust and a humble willingness to compromise.

Gathering as a community is valued and entered into freely. I have heard it said, only somewhat jokingly, that Congregationalism at its most forceful will strongly encourage. This recognizes the value of teaching and informed discussion. Congregationalism employs a collaborative leadership and is an outright rejection of the power of the privileged few. This heritage of democracy influenced the political formation of our nation and has long been respected as its fundamental tenet. In a nation not defined by a common faith, origin, race or ethnicity, it is democracy that is our keystone.

The birthdays of Lincoln and Washington fall later this month. When I was in school and waiting for winter vacation, it was the birthdays of these two American icons that were celebrated on Presidents Day. Washington surprised the world when he relinquished command of the Continental Army at the end of the Revolutionary War. Abigail Adams wrote that if Washington were not one of the best-intentioned men in the world, then he might be one of the most dangerous. Washington respected the nascent American democracy. His example of walking away from the autocratic power that was almost expected of him at the end of the war and of his second term set an example for future Presidents.

Lincoln was called upon to reassemble the nation Washington had helped form, and to begin in earnest to advance a more complete understanding of the ideal: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal He was the President whom fate would have confront Americas peculiar institution of slavery. The enlightenment of Americas words could no longer tolerate the barbarity of its actions. Lincoln is quoted as saying, No man is good enough to govern another man without the others consent. He led us through the cataclysm of Civil War to advance the scope and thus the legitimacy of our democracy.

Lincolns February birthday, along with that of Frederick Douglas, is also the reason why February is African American History Month. Some three weeks ago, we celebrated the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He stood on the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial and delivered his famous I have a dream speech. He called out America for not fulfilling its promise to continue advancing democracy among all its people. That struggle remains ours still today.

Democracys continuing work is a noble endeavor and one that depends on our higher selves. It battles the baser instincts of pride, power and greed. It challenges us to respect each other as equals and also the covenants that hold us together as one people, one people who are actually stronger because of our differences. In our church tomorrow, we will treat democracy as a sacred gift. I hope we as a nation can do the same.

The First Congregational Church of Sunderland, United Church of Christ, has ministered to the people of the local communities since 1717. Worship services on Sundays begin at 11 a.m. The churchs website and Facebook page are found under First Congregational Church of Sunderland. The churchs phone number is 413-665-7987. If you would like to reach Rev. Randy Calvo, please email him at randyc1897@gmail.com. We offer religious education for the youth and Bible study for adults. We have a wonderful music program under the direction of Anthony Tracia, and a bell choir. All are welcome and we mean it.

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Faith Matters: The sacred gift of democracy - The Recorder