In a recent Facebook post, former United Church Moderator Richard Bott

perceptively summarizes how President Donald Trump is working “to
consolidate the authority and power of their three branches of government
into the Executive branch – and into the person of himself.” He’s doing so in
many ways, including:

• Granting special favours to media outlets and personalities who support his policies
• Pardoning his supporters who illegally stormed the Capital building early in
  2021
• Requiring public servant to pledge their loyalty to him rather than to the
  U.S. constitution
• Deciding that two of his country’s closest economic partners and allies,
  Canada and Mexico, are now America’s enemies.
  In these and other ways, President Trump is working “to inflame U.S.
  citizens, to make them believe that they are under attack, and that any pain
  they have to endure will only be short-term, and will ‘Make America Great
  Again.’”
  Because of these and other recent initiatives, Richard admits that “I am
  afraid.” He asks: “How long until the American flag flies on Canadian
  territory, not as a salute to our neighbourly connection, but as obedience
  and obeisance to empire?” He also wonders: “With all of the destructive
  power that is held in that one man’s hands, what will the world look like by
  the time he leaves this mortal coil?” I don’t know about you, but I too have
  these questions. I too fear for our future.
  Of course, fear isn’t new. Indeed, one of Jesus’ most frequent messages to
  his friends and followers was: “be not afraid.” And the lectionary reading
  for this coming Sunday describes a time when Jesus shared these
  important words with a fisherman named Simon. So this week we’ll talk
  about the relationship between fear and faith, and explore how the
  guidance that Jesus offered Simon can also give us courage, wisdom and
  hope. It’s a powerful and pertinent story, so I hope you’ll join us in worship
  on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. I look forward to seeing you then.