As we approach the local and national elections, we might consider how we engage in public dialogue with our fellow citizens.

The members of the Mercer Island Clergy Association would like to urge our friends and neighbors to participate in public discourse in a respectful and thoughtful manner.

Recently, many in the community have expressed concerns that the tenor of public meetings and letters have, at times, not reflected the appropriate measure of civility that we desire to foster in our close-knit Island community.

Vigorous debate on the issues of importance to our community and nation are appropriate and necessary, and can be conducted with respect and consideration for other viewpoints.

We believe that the whole community benefits from the contributions of each of its members, and so we recommend having the intention of listening to one another as well as speaking.

We hope that Mercer Island residents will express their opinions on the issues, whether national or local, in an agreeable manner, thus contributing to a healthy and productive community forum.

Mercer Island Clergy Association

Susan Price, Baha’i Faith; Ken Tracy, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Mark Travis, Congregational Church on Mercer Island; Marlowe Shoop, Covenant Shores; Hunt Priest, Emmanuel Episcopal Church; Kristin Jamerson, First Church Christ; Jay Rosenbaum, Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation; Deanna Wildermuth and Sue Wanwig, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church; Julie Steel, Mercer Island Covenant Church; Paul Barrett and Sherri Edwards Dalton, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church; John Chae, Mercer Island United Methodist Church; Gene Baade, Redeemer Lutheran Church; Fr. Patrick Freitag, St. Monica Catholic Church