The Rev. Joe Alsay poses for a photo inside St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church last week in Oklahoma City. [Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman]

Late on a recent Sunday afternoon, the Rev. Joseph Alsay stood before his congregation and assorted guests in bright vestments over a pinstriped suit and cufflinks, his backdrop the strewn hay of a Bethlehem manger.

“In our country, we are divided, we are surrounded by a vitriolic spirit,” he said. “There is so much divisiveness around us. Indeed, we step on each other's feet. We've stubbed our own toes in the darkness. But tonight, we dare to light a candle to disperse — to dispel — that darkness.”

As he looked out over the congregation, he undoubtedly saw two of the city's most prominent politicians, one so lanky that his face hovered higher than the rest, and the other in a bright red dress.

Alsay watched and prayed this year as David Holt was elected mayor and Kendra Horn was elected the city's congresswoman, quickly elevating two of his parishioners at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church to the upper echelons of local political power.