For [Jesus] himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Ephesians 2:14-18 NIV

In this Advent season, we are called to follow Jesus as the Prince of Peace by actively removing walls of hostility in our lives. These barriers—whether political, cultural, or personal—perpetuate division and conflict, preventing us from upholding the ‘ministry of reconciliation’ (2 Cor 5:18). Through Jesus’ work on the cross, walls of hostility can be broken down, creating a new humanity of reconciliation, peace, and love, so together we can bear witness to the Way of Jesus.

On December 8, UniteBoston’s Executive Director Rev. Kelly was honored to be invited by UB Board Member Pastor Kat Hampson to preach at Riverwalk Church! Click below to watch the sermon or read some of the notes!

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The Problem of Hostility

The polarization in our society today mirrors the animosity between Jews and Gentiles in Ephesians 2:11-22, with divisions physically, relationally, and attitudinally. Research shows that Americans increasingly view those with opposing views as threats, with 80% of people believing that the other party “poses a threat that if not stopped will destroy America as we know it” (NBC News). Unfortunately, we see this hostility present even among Christians called to the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18). This divisive posture contradicts our calling as peacemakers (Mt 5:9) and repairers of the breach (Is 58:12).

Jesus: Transforming Hostility into Enemy-Embracing Love

As Prince of Peace (Is 9:6), Jesus inaugurated a new way; he redefined who and how we associate with others. Ephesians 2 reveals that Jesus broke down the dividing walls of hostility, reconciling people both to God (vertical peace) and to one another (horizontal peace). His purpose was to create one new humanity, transforming enmity into fellowship. This is exemplified in His life: dining with outcasts, forgiving enemies, and welcoming diversity among His disciples.

The type of peace we have in Christ breaks down societal barriers rather than building them, a peace where love banishes all fear, and a peace that breaks down walls of hate and hostility by upholding belovedness as all made in God’s image. This posture is summed up in Jesus’ statement that we are not just to love those who are most like us but to love our enemies (Mt 5:43).

Early Christians embodied this boundary-crossing nature of the faith, and people took note. Historians believe that it was in Antioch that they were called Christians because they saw early Christ followers crossing ethnic walls to worship with one another. Historian Harvey Conn writes that, “Into a world where class, power and ancestry divided rich from poor, free from slave, men from women, came a society that welcomed all who bore the name Jesus.”

Our Call as Followers of the Prince of Peace

Following Jesus as Prince of Peace is counter-cultural and vitally important. To embody Jesus’ boundary-breaking love, Rev. Kelly offers four steps:

1. Find Your Wall of Hostility
   Reflect on the groups or individuals you feel animosity toward. Here are some questions we can ask to help us identify who this may be:
   • Which groups do you avoid or feel threatened by? Who makes you uncomfortable?
   • Is there a particular group that you cringe at the thought of praising them; that you don’t even want to be exposed to the ideas or ways, much less earnestly listen to them? Who do you believe that the world would be better off if there were less of “those people” around?
   • Howard Thurman said – “Often the degree to which we oppose a thing marks the degree to which we do not understand it. Sometimes we use our opposition to an idea to cover up our own ignorance.” Have you met the person on the ‘other side,’ and heard their story?
2. Remember the Belovedness of the ‘Other’
   Every person is made in God’s image and is beloved by Him (Gen 1:27). Commit to seeing this inherent worth in everyone you meet, especially those on the ‘other side’ of a particular background or ideology.
3. Go with Curiosity
   “You can’t hate someone whose story you know.” Our assumptions and conclusions are often built on what have heard, rather than face-to-face conversations. With the rise of siloed media and social media platforms, we have become so accustomed today to talking about one another rather than with them. One of the biggest tools we have as peacemakers is curiosity: when someone shares a strong or ‘loaded’ statement, we can ask, “Is there a story behind that?” Engage others’ stories with humility, seeking to understand their longings, hopes and fears.
4. Reflect and Discern
   Opening yourself up to new experiences and ideas is often uncomfortable. Yet, it is also a sign of maturing in our faith (Eph 4:15). Prayerfully reflect on what you have heard using frameworks like the Wesleyan Quadrilateral (Scripture, Reason, Tradition, Experience) to evaluate your theological conclusions. Growth requires embracing discomfort and balancing openness with a firm foundation in Jesus Christ.

One caveat: When we talk about getting beyond a wall of hostility, a situation of abuse or trauma does not apply. There are some ‘walls’ that are necessary for self-protection, health, and safety. We must differentiate between a wall of hostility and a wall of protection as there are times when you need to be with “your people” to say the things you need to say, for healing and restoration.

Why This Matters

Our unity is both the fruit and the witness of the gospel. As we remove hostility, we demonstrate the reconciling power of Christ and live into His mission. The early church modeled this radical love by breaking barriers in a divided world, and we are called to do the same today.

Invitation

Will you follow Jesus, the Prince of Peace, by removing your walls of hostility? As John Howard Yoder said, “This new Christian community in which the walls are broken down not by human idealism or democratic legalism but by the work of Christ, is not only a vehicle of the gospel or only a fruit of the gospel; it is the good news. It is not merely the agent of mission or the constituency of a mission agency. This is the mission.“

Reflection Questions:

• 1. What walls of hostility exist in your heart? Consider which groups do you avoid or feel threatened by? Who makes you uncomfortable?
  • With this group in mind, what assumptions do you hold? What conclusions are you making? What do you fear? Be on the lookout for these biases
• 2. How can you actively uphold the belovedness of all of God’s children, even those who believe differently than you?
• 3. Who can you listen to with curiosity this week or month? Holiday gatherings are opportune spaces where we can listen, learn, and have tough conversations with people of differing perspectives and convictions.
  • Make a plan. Consider what type of structure will allow you to have the conversation you need to have. What do you fear? What do you wonder? Here are two conversation guides from Essential Partners that we recommend.
    • Partisan Conversation Guide
    • Political Conversation for Trust & Understanding
• 4. How might God be calling you to grow in your understanding on a particular divisive issue? Consider how your perspective is informed by Scripture, Reason, Tradition, and Experience.

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We’d love to hear from you if you take some of these steps to follow Jesus as the Prince of Peace! Rev. Kelly can be reached at kelly@uniteboston.com Be blessed friends!

Today, we are featuring a guest blogger, Bil Mooney-McCoy, who shares the importance of holding firm convictions while still embodying Christ’s love toward those who see things differently, especially across the political aisle. Bil is a member of Neighborhood Church of Dorchester and Director of Worship and Lecturer at Gordon College. Read below to hear his wise, practical advice in how we might choose unity over division and treat one another well in this post-election season, along with some thoughts from our colleague Rev. Dr. Gregg Detwiler.

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Last Sunday, in church, we sang a song that summarized what is known as the Apostles’ Creed. When it got to the line “I believe…in Your holy church”, I began to cry. Looking at all the rhetoric and vitriol that has been part of this election cycle, I have been distressed by how divided we’ve become as a nation.

But specifically, my sorrow, my grief was prompted by how we Christians have handled the political landscape. We have villainized each other, questioned the validity of each others’ faith journeys. I’ve seen misinformation knowingly promoted by Christians, insults hurled at fellow believers, and in some cases heard of relationships within the body of Christ severed. I am sure that there have been times when my words and actions have contributed to this division. That’s not OK. This is not Christ’s vision for His church.

We are called to unity. But not to uniformity. We have different experiences, priorities, values, and perspectives; therefore, our opinions and beliefs on issues like abortion, gay rights, immigration, and gun ownership will vary. And it is appropriate for one to hold firm stances on these issues and to strongly disagree with those who hold contrary viewpoints. But these convictions should never lead to opportunities to tear each other down.

As I cried out to God today, I felt a prompting. I asked my God what I should do to promote unity amidst the political discord. Could I stay engaged and firm in my beliefs and convictions while working to diffuse the hostility and intolerance that is so rampant? How do I act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before my God in a time like this? Particularly now, in the election’s aftermath. And how do I channel God’s compassion and peace, knowing that last Tuesday’s outcome filled many with joy and hope but others with deep disappointment and dread?

The answers came quickly. Here’s what I believe God would have me commit to:

• I will cry with our Lord over the disunity and even hatred within our faith community.
• I will not speak ill of those who disagree with my political views, publicly or privately.
• I will pray for courage to engage in respectful, honest connection with those who disagree with me. I confess that I’m not there yet.
• I will recognize that in the outcome of every major political contest or legislative action, there will be many who will grieve; knowing that, I will not gloat nor condone others’ gloating.
• I will do all I can to comfort those who mourn, who are afraid, who feel ignored. I will listen to those who are angry.
• I will remind myself that being loving is more important than being right.
• I will do due diligence to confirm the veracity of any story I wish to repeat, verbally or online, refusing to spread incorrect or unconfirmable narratives, regardless of which agenda they promote.
• I will stand firm in my beliefs, taking strong positions based on my understanding of scripture and the character of Christ. But I will do so knowing that I don’t have all the answers. I will strive to discover my blind spots and accept new information and insights that may challenge my perspectives.
• I will (when appropriate) call out fellow believers whose words and actions are divisive, hurtful, and insulting even when their position aligns with my own.
• I will stand in the truth that my well-being and the well-being of those I love is not contingent on the election or defeat of a presidential candidate, the Senate and House majority, the make-up of the Supreme Court, or any earthly construct. My hope is in the loving care of my Father in Heaven.
• I will be grateful that, despite the flaws in our electoral system, I get to vote.
• I will pray for this nation and for its leaders.

I acknowledge that I do not have the character and morality to walk in these principles; I must rely on the work of the Holy Spirit within me to carry this out and will need to quickly acknowledge when I fall short.

The church’s one foundation is not a set of party platforms, a stance on societal issues, or adherence to a deeply-held political ideology. Her one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord.

Father, forgive me when I forget this.

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Our friend and colleague Rev. Dr. Gregg Detwiler, consultant in the Intercultural Ministries and Leadership Development at the Emmanuel Gospel Center also shared the following sentiment as this week came to a close:

“While we all continue to sort out the results of the election and attempt to make meaning and find faithful responses to it, curious things can happen. Many of my friends are grieving and concerned; others are happy with the outcome (a subset of those are gloating); others are conflicted, filled with a mixture of emotions and thoughts (find me here). This election has taxed all the various muscle groups of my being – my intercultural ministry skills within the Church and society, my emotional intelligence, my mental health, and my spiritual foundation.

I made a decision this week to not push against the tide of the political upheaval but to try to flow with it. That meant spending probably 90% of my time engaging in reflective journaling, prayer, reading, posting a few transparent but measured comments on FB, and doing my level-best to have grace-filled truth-seeking conversations. I was amazed that at how many fruitful conversations I was able to have across the political spectrum after the election. Not all of them went well but a lot of them did, many more than I ever would have expected. And I have a docket of follow-up conversations scheduled over the next few weeks. So while this is painful and perplexing I find myself in this odd space filled with some unexpected turns along the way.  

One those unexpected turns came when one of my Facebook posts – My 3a.m. Election Day Confession – was anonymously quoted in a UK-based org article that seeks to promote political renewal through thoughtful Christian civic engagement. Here is the link to the article if you are interested in taking a look. I totally get it if things are still too raw for you to go there.

May the Lord help us all as we decompress from this week, find our moorings, and continue the work of seeking shalom in our communities, nation, and world.

P.S. BTW, if you are curious why I voted the way I did I go deeper into that in my FB post – Answering Two Questions of my Political Critics.

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P.S. In case you missed it, UniteBoston also hosted an influential “Church and Civic Engagement” gathering of 75 leaders with ten other sponsoring organizations. Many of these leaders made a public commitment to Keep in Step with the Holy Spirit. We invite you also to consider upholding this same commitment in the days preceding and following the election.

Today, we are offering some good news amidst such a polarizing, divisive election season. Read below to hear the story behind an influential gathering of 75 diverse Christian leaders convened by UniteBoston and ten other sponsoring organizations in October. Many of these leaders made a public commitment to Keep in Step with the Holy Spirit. This initiative was also picked up by Religion News Service!

We invite you also to consider upholding this same commitment in these days following the election by commenting on the post at the bottom as we seek to bear witness to the Way of Jesus together.

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As Christians, in a world marked by division and strife, we are called to embody the reconciling work of Jesus Christ. But what does this look like? The Apostle Paul reminds us that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). These are not just ideals, but a charge for daily living, transforming us and our communities from the inside out. If we live by the Spirit, we are called to keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

We praise God that on Tuesday October 7, 2024, 75 Christian leaders from very different ethnic, theological, political, and generational backgrounds joined together for a conversation on their hopes and concerns as Christian leaders in this election year. We shared a meal together, joined together in worship, and gathered in small groups to listen and share our experience as Christian leaders in this election year, allowing God to spiritually form us through actively practicing the Fruit of the Spirit. We sought to offer a proactive alternative to the “us versus them” mentality and to be a public witness to our churches and our city that the way of Jesus is to love our neighbors through intentional, curious, respectful conversation.

The impetus for this gathering came in the late summer, as UniteBoston staff Rev. Kelly Fassett and Rev. Devlin Scott were concerned by how they saw some Christians conveying hatred, rage, and discord toward one another, which Scripture defines as the “acts of the flesh” (Galatians 5:20). In particular, there were five LGBTQ+ affirming churches in the area that were desecrated in a coordinated attack in August, with notes indicating that those committing these acts were doing so in the name of Jesus Christ. UniteBoston’s leadership released a public statement stating, “While there is much diversity on the perspectives of marriage and sexuality, how we hold our beliefs and treat one another matters. Our savior Jesus Christ calls us to be one and violence is never the answer to resolving our differences. We are called to love our neighbor as ourself (Mk 12:31) and Jesus implores us to hold a love even for one’s enemy (Mt 5:44).”

They sensed an invitation from God to convene the body of Christ, and reached out to a few colleagues to discern what type of gathering would be valuable. One of these individuals was local Spiritual Director and Dialogue Consultant Shelton Oakley Hersey. She, too, had been burdened by the nature of engagement: “We knew we must try to mend the breaches between us, only perpetuated by our culture and politics. We decided to host a gathering as a small step in faith, courage, and hope. We knew it wouldn’t change the world, but we hoped to offer a humble beginning of a different way of engagement.” A small planning team then began by finding ten co-sponsors representing a variety of local diverse Christian traditions, including the Massachusetts Council of Churches, the New England District Church of the Nazarene, Bethel AME Church, the Fellowship of Haitian Pastors of New England, and the Greek Orthodox seminary Holy Cross Hellenic College, who all extended invitations to a handful of local pastoral leaders.

Rev. Kelly shares, “It’s hard to host an event that people will come to, and even harder to host an event centering conversations on politics. We knew that the gathering wouldn’t be successful unless there was strong participation among Christians of many different backgrounds and political persuasions. I believe that having a diversity of sponsors contributed to trust and safety for Christians from many places to courageously say “yes” to coming. While our planning team was hoping there would be 30 attendees, we were pleasantly surprised to have 82 leaders RSVP for the conversation, desiring to respectfully engage with one another and embody Christ’s call to ‘love thy neighbor’ across typical lines of difference.”

When Executive Director of Greater Grove Hall Main Streets Ed Gaskin walked in the room, he was pleasantly surprised at who he saw: “Most of the gatherings I attend have the ‘same old leaders,’ which lends towards the same types of conversations. But I walked in the room and said, ‘Who are these people?’ The careful curation of the people in the room elicited a different type of conversation, so we could actually talk with the people on the ‘other side’ that we might not normally get to meet personally.”

While conversations on politics can often lead to heated debates and an entrenchment of positions, the gathering utilized a time-tested model of reflective structured dialogue. This structure incorporates a cadence of reflecting, listening, and sharing, which is designed to foster more fruitful, reflective, and curious conversations. Many participants expressed how the structure enabled them to actively practice the fruits of the Spirit such as patience, kindness, and self control. Jeanette Yep, pastor at Grace Chapel, shares that, “People want to be heard and listened to. This format allows us to respectfully listen and express care while listening. The times of quiet reflection and contemplation allows us to ‘digest’ what we heard from one another. Our group was caring in our listening, and that was the gift we gave one another.” Local peace educator and dialogue practitioner Julene Tegerstrand adds, “We are called to love our neighbors, but in today’s emotionally charged political climate—where our nervous systems are often on high alert—we need safe spaces and skillful practices that allow us to truly see one another. At this gathering, we were nourished by the fruits present in the room, as people with differing political views showed each other kindness through empathy and patience in their listening.”

After an introduction question, the first go-round asked participants to share a story or experience from their lives that would help others understand what’s important or feels at stake for them in the upcoming election, considering how their unique background and identities shape how they are navigating this time. Rev. Devlin Scott, UniteBoston’s Managing Director shared that, “Being able to begin the conversation by sharing my personal experience as a Black man was really influential for me. When we begin with stories rather than positions, it opens up a different kind of conversation.” Rev. Gina Cordy, pastor of Lynn First Church of the Nazarene, adds, “I was transformed by the experience. The Holy Spirit moved me and I became even more Christlike through the honest conversations we had, as my peers shared information that I didn’t know, or had forgotten about. I began to see people I had considered as ‘other’ or with resources they ‘didn’t deserve’ as worthy, and left feeling great freedom, peace and love for all!”

The evening closed with an invitation to sign a daily charge to keep in step with the Holy Spirit and embody the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives. We sought to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who calls us to love unconditionally and values every person as created in God’s image, even in the face of disagreement or division. We praise God for the 67 leaders who signed indicating their commitment to Keep in Step with the Holy Spirit. We invite you to also consider upholding this same commitment in these days leading to the election and the days following the election.

In participants’ reflections about the gathering, the word “love” was the most frequently mentioned, which is a grace-filled miracle, considering many of these pastoral leaders had met one another just hours before the gathering. Rev. Dr. Moreen Hughes, Pastor of Concord Baptist Church, came away saying, “There is a great need for spiritual leaders in the city and state to come together and live out the mandates of Jesus to love one another. We have more in common than we think.” Rev. Corey Sanderson, pastor of Second Church in Newton adds, “The Christian faith doesn’t insist that we all think or even vote alike, but it does impel us to love and serve alike.”

And that’s how Jesus says sums up his message – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself (Mk 12:30-31, Mt 22:37-40, Lk 10:27). Jesus centered right relationship with God and all of our neighbors, especially anyone you might consider to be your “enemy” (Mt 5:43-44). “When we see a civic promotion of fear, hate and violence as the trajectory of our politics, we need a civic faith of love, healing and hope to defeat it. And that must involve all of us – religious or not. Loving our neighbor, and learning to practice the politics of love, will be central to the future of democracy in America” (Jim Wallis, The False White Gospel, 15).

In a world where polarization is high and divisions can seem intractable, we praise God for the fruit born through individuals taking even one step closer in relationship with one another. Spiritual Director and UB Dialogue Consultant Shelton Oakley Hersey concludes, “Loving across divides requires humility and curiosity, a willingness to admit you need that other person in your life to see more clearly. Our overarching hope is that these types of conversations become mainstream and an example to the world of what loving disagreement and conversation might look like.” While the days following the election are looming with uncertainty, we celebrate all who are making the commitment to not only ‘talk the talk’ but ‘walk the walk,’ so together we might bear witness to Christ’s reconciling work and be a sign of the gospel.

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A Daily Charge to Keep In Step With the Holy Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. […] If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-23, 25

As we go forth, we desire to live inspired by the example of Jesus Christ, who calls us to love unconditionally (Matt 22:37), and values every person as created in God’s image (Gen 1:27), even in the face of disagreement or division.

We seek to embody the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives, giving honor to all parts of the Body of Christ (Gal 5, 1 Cor 12):

WITH LOVE, we seek to bridge divides, stay curious, and pursue understanding.

WITH JOY, we seek to uplift one another and celebrate our shared faith.

WITH PEACE, we seek to become peacemakers in a world often filled with conflict.

WITH PATIENCE, we seek to listen deeply and respond with grace.

WITH KINDNESS, we seek to embody actions that reflect the compassion of Christ.

WITH GOODNESS, we seek to stand firm in our convictions while respecting others.

WITH FAITHFULNESS, we seek to remain committed to God and to one another.

WITH GENTLENESS, we seek to speak words that heal and build up rather than harm.

WITH SELF-CONTROL, we seek to temper our responses with wisdom and love.

As God’s people, we remember the call to do justice, love  mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). We go from here, as ambassadors of Christ’s love, empowered to be peacemakers in our communities (Matt 5:9). May the Holy Spirit guide you, strengthen you, give you endless grace, and fill you with hope as it is only together that we bear witness to Christ’s reconciling work and shalom in the world (Rev 7).

Prayerfully Crafted by Shelton Oakley Hersey and the Unite Boston Team

Original Signatories:

• Benjamin Pierce, Cru City Neighborsd
• Rev. Carlos DePina, Pastor of Ebenezer Church of the Nazarene
• Chris Lawson, Cru
• Carolina De Jesus, Executive Director of the Boston HERC
• Rev. Corey Sanderson, Pastor of Second Church in Dorchester
• Rev. David Searles, Pastor of Central Community Church
• Rev. David W. Hill, Pastor of City Church Boston
• Rev. Devlin Scott, UniteBoston Managing Director and Pastor of NewCity Church
• Rev. Dieufort J Fleurissaint, Pastor and Executive Director of Total Health Christian Ministries Inc.
• Doug Cogswell, Grace Chapel
• Rev. Emmanuel J. Correa Vázquez, Pastor of House of Prayer Lutheran Church
• Rev. George Woodruff, Pastor of Columbus Avenue AME Zion Church
• Rev. Gina Cordy, Pastor of Lynn First Church of the Nazarene
• Rev. Dr. Gloria White-Hammond, Pastor at Bethel AME Church
• Rev. Dr. Gregg Detwiler, Intercultural Ministries and Leadership Development, Emmanuel Gospel Center
• Ed Gaskin, Executive Director of Greater Grove Hall Main Streets
• Rev. Hady Hanna, Pastor of Arabic Evangelical Baptist Church of Boston
• Rev. Jeanette Yep, Pastor of Missional Partnerships and Multicultural Ministry, Grace Chapel
• Rev. Dr. Jeremy Scott, Assistant District Superintendent for Church & Mission Engagement at New England District Church of the Nazarene
• Rev. Joseph Ardayfio, Pastor of Mars Hill Fellowship
• Rev. Jua Robinson, Executive Director of Boston Collaborative
• Rev. Dr. Julene Tegerstrand, Spiritual Director, Dialogue Practitioner and Peace Educator at Heart to Heart
• Rev. Kat Hampson, Pastor of Riverwalk Covenant Church in Brookline
• Katelyn Hannan, Development Director, Emmanuel Gospel Center
• Rev. Dr. Kazimiera Fraley, Pastor of First Church of the Nazarene of Cambridge
• Rev. Kenneth Young, Associate Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches & Director of the Black Ecumenical Council
• Kim Cogswell, Grace Chapel
• Rev. Kelly Fassett, Executive Director of UniteBoston
• Rev. Laura Everett, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches
• Lexi Carver
• Rev. Marcella Charles, Pastor of Dorchester Immanuel Church of the Nazarene
• Rev. Monica Paige, Associate Pastor at Morning Star Baptist Church
• Rev. Pamela Werntz, Pastor of Emmanuel Church Boston
• Rev. Philomena Hare, Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Wareham
• Rev. Rocklyn E. Clarke, Pastor of Life Church Boston
• Scott Walker, Life/Work Direction, Inc.
• Rev. Sean Richmond, Pastor of Antioch New England
• Shelton Oakley Hersey, Spiritual Director and UniteBoston Dialogue Consultant
• Rev. Sophia Kim, Youth Pastor at the First Korean Church in Cambridge
• Rev. Rick Picariello, Pastor of Mount Hope Christian Center
• Susie Richardson, Senior Writer at Cru
• Rev. Tim Ghali, Pastor of Discipleship, Grace Chapel
• Rev. Valerie Copeland, Pastor of Neighborhood Church of Dorchester
• Rev. Dr. Varnel Antoine, Fellowship of Haitian Evangelical Pastors of NE

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Join Us to Walk in Step with the Holy Spirit

We invite you to comment on the post below to publicly commit to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. By signing this pledge, you commit to living daily in step with the Holy Spirit, embodying the Fruit of the Spirit in your life and relationships, with God’s help. You are invited to print the charge and place it on a visible wall to remind yourself of this commitment.

You can also use this daily charge as a responsive liturgy within your community, with the leader reading the regular text and the congregation reading the capitalized text.

Let’s move forward in faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit, as peacemakers in our world. Join us today and sign this pledge to keep in step with the Spirit!

~ May Jesus, the Prince of Peace, lead the way ~

#KeepInStepWithTheSpirit #HolySpiritCharge #FaithInAction

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UniteBoston is thrilled to announce the launch of the United Gospel Experience Tour, a groundbreaking project that builds on the success of our previous partnerships with Dr. Craig Ramsey and the God’s Chosen Gospel Choir from Gordon College. The United Gospel Experience Tour represents a bold step forward in UniteBoston’s mission to convene the Church to foster unity, spiritual growth, and collaborative mission. This tour takes it a step farther by integrating young adults in gospel choirs across New England.

A Vision for Unity and Worship

From fall 2024 to spring 2025, the United Gospel Experience Tour will bring together college students from various campuses for a transformative experience that blends worship, education, discipleship, and spiritual formation. A new united gospel choir has been created with students from four campuses that will travel to four key locations—Boston, North of Boston, Hartford, and Providence—offering an opportunity for students to worship together and share the Gospel through music.

Dr. Craig Ramsey, founder and advisor for God’s Chosen Gospel Choir, is spearheading this initiative. In 2022, God’s Chosen Gospel Choir was invited to support in UniteBoston’s  “Together Again” concert, backing up local artists. Craig saw this as an opportunity to expose students to what Christian faith in the city looks like. The following year, they were invited back again with the “Again I Say Rejoice” concert, not only to support but also to lead in worship.

After last year’s concert, Dr. Ramsey spoke with Rev. Kelly about a vision he had to unite the various gospel choirs in the region for a tour, including Gordon College, UMass Lowell, Trinity College, University of Hartford, and University of Providence. UniteBoston’s leadership felt led to get behind Dr. Ramsey’s vision and applied for a grant through the Boston Baptist Social Union for the equipment, transportation, supplies and hospitality funds to make this tour possible. Rev. Kelly shares, “UniteBoston has hosted a number of public worship concerts over the years, and we look forward to taking this to a new level by partnering with Dr. Craig Ramsey to offer four concerts which will empower and engage the next generation in their devotion to Jesus Christ.” 

The Power of Gospel Music

Gospel music has a rich history and a unique power to bring people together. It is more than just a genre of music; it is a form of worship that has been a source of strength, hope, and liberation for countless individuals throughout history. For Dr. Ramsey, it’s not just about singing music; being part of this initiative is an opportunity to educate students on the cultural and spiritual significance of gospel music. 

Graduating with his Doctorate in Education in Leadership and Administration from Liberty University in 2023, by day, Dr. Craig is an educator. He is now serving in the Boston Public School as an elementary music teacher where he educates pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. During rehearsals and performances, students will have the opportunity to learn about the historical roots of gospel music and its role in the African American church and beyond. 

Dr. Ramsey will also facilitate discussions on the importance of gospel music in today’s worship settings, challenging the notion that gospel is simply “the other form of worship.” Instead, students will come to understand gospel music as a vital and liberating expression of faith that continues to resonate in a world in need of the healing and redemption accomplished through Jesus Christ.

Building Cross-Cultural Friendships, Discipleship, and Leadership Skills

Another one of the unique aspects of the united gospel experience tour is its emphasis on cross-cultural engagement. The choir will encompass students from a variety of ethnic and denominational backgrounds, offering them a chance to build friendships across cultural divides. This diversity will not only enhance the choir’s performances but also provide students with invaluable experiences in navigating and celebrating cultural differences.

Attendees at the “Together Again” Concert

The tour focus will be grounded in the theme “Be The One: All In,” where Jesus tells his followers to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength” (Mt 22:34-40). For Dr. Ramsey, this tour will be centered on the understanding that we “need to give Jesus ‘all’ as we understand the nature of His ‘all.’ The question we will all examine is, ‘Are you affiliated, or are you committed?’”

Through their participation in the tour, students will also develop leadership skills that will prepare them for life beyond college. Dr. Ramsey and other choir advisors will mentor students in leading worship, facilitating prayer and devotion, and engaging in meaningful discipleship. These skills are not just important for those involved in ministry; they are essential for anyone seeking to make a positive impact in a diverse and interconnected world.

A Movement That Transcends College

While this gospel experience tour is a new initiative, it is our hope that it will spark a movement of college students and alumni uniting around the worship of Jesus Christ and the sharing of the Gospel through music.  While the size of the individual campus gospel choirs may be small, there is something about being part of a large choir that is incredibly attractive and invigorating. Dyna Louis from New Purpose Gospel Choir at UMass Lowell shares that, “It’s awesome to be able to say your choir is going on tour! It’s exciting to get to meet new people and know you’re a part of something bigger. The tour increases our campus visibility and is a great way to get students to join the campus choir and non members to attend our concert.” 

The choir will not only strengthen the individual campus gospel choirs that participate, but it will also create a sense of belonging and community that transcends the college experience through incorporating others in the community in a community choir. 

Alumni of participating choirs will be invited to return in future years, with the understanding that “there’s always a place for you here.” This ongoing connection will help ease the sometimes challenging transition from college to adulthood, providing a space where former students can continue to grow in their faith and relationships. The United Gospel Experience tour will create a platform where students can grow in their faith, build lasting relationships, and develop leadership skills that will serve them well beyond their college years.

Dr. Ramsey with some of the students in the “God’s Chosen” choir

Join Us on This Journey

As we prepare for the launch of the United Gospel Experience Tour this fall, we invite you and your church to join us in supporting this exciting new venture. Whether you are a student interested in participating, a church or community member eager to attend one of our concerts, or a supporter who wants to contribute to our mission, there are many ways to get involved.

UGET represents more than just a series of concerts; it is an opportunity to experience the unity and diversity within the body of Christ in a profound and life-changing way. We believe that through this initiative, students will not only encounter the transformative power of worship but will also be equipped to carry the message of the Gospel into their communities and the world. Anthony Williams from Trinity College Gospel Choir describes, “The Bible states that, ‘Where two or three are gathered together in Jesus name, I am there in the midst of them. I am excited to see what miracles God will do when not only two but 300+ people are together, with like minds and hearts ready to worship Jesus Christ.”

Stay tuned for more updates on the United Gospel Experience Tour through UniteBoston’s weekly e-newsletter and social media, and join us as we embark on this journey of faith, music, and unity. Together, let’s make this a year of powerful worship and lasting impact, to the glory of God and the good of the city!

In the blog below, UniteBoston’s Executive Director Rev. Kelly Fassett shares a transparent reflection on her heart posture in recent events, including the near assassination of former President Trump, and what this revealed within her.

In our polarized climate, violence in thought and action can show up in surprising places – It is vital that we pastor the instincts in our own hearts in order to follow Jesus as the Prince of Peace. Rev. Kelly calls followers of Jesus to do the hard work of uncovering what lies beneath to discover where we might be holding enmity and offers a spiritual practice to do just this. 

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What was your first reaction to hearing about the near assassination of former President Trump?

I have to admit, my initial reaction isn’t one that I am proud of. 

I was on a brunch date with my husband and we were talking about this situation, and out of my mouth came the statement, “I almost wish that the bullet hadn’t missed.”

Friends, even writing this today, I feel a little vulnerable about being so public about my sins. I am registered an Independent voter and find myself in the middle of many social issues. Plus, I had a lot of reasons for justifying my beliefs: I am a person that highly values integrity in leadership and for me, how President Trump seems to see himself as being above the law rubs me the wrong way. I also have been disturbed by how he treats other people, such as the language that he uses to disparage minority groups, and how he seems to exercise power in an authoritarian manner that demands unquestioning obedience.

When I said that I almost wished the bullet hadn’t missed, it surprised me. There are a lot of Republicans in my life that I have a lot of respect for and love dearly, yet I realized that this came from an underlying belief that at some level that if President Trump wasn’t around, life in America might be a bit better for everyone. My husband responded, “I think you have a little soul searching to do.” And he was right.

I can believe all of these things, yet willing the destruction of another person is never OK, especially for those who are following Jesus. Here’s why.

We must distinguish whether our innermost posture is an opponent to disagree with or an enemy to be destroyed. If our instantaneous reaction is anger, rage, or destruction, we must examine where that is coming from. I’ve found that anger is often protecting something that is dear to us, driven by a sense of justice to fight for what is right and good and true. Jesus himself was angry at times (Mt 21:12-13), but wanting the worst for another person is not of God. Even if I disagree with former President Trump on many aspects of his leadership and treatment of others, he is still a child of God, made in God’s image, and beloved. This has to be the beginning and end of how I treat him, in posture and action

Our cohorts are currently unpacking the biggest barriers hindering Christian unity, and one of them we have identified is “righteous hubris.” Righteous hubris is identity by hostility – we know who we are because we know who we are against. Often we know that we are holding righteous hubris when we have a sense of vengeful glee inside ourselves at the sight of an “enemy” failing or being defeated, or we make plans to destroy the “other side” and undermine their credibility. While I myself would not be the one to inflict violence on former President Trump, I was OK with someone else doing it. 

And yet, Jesus calls us to a higher place: we are not just called to love those most like us, but to love our enemies (Mt 5:44). Jesus describes, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” (Mt 5:46-47). Jesus is calling his followers to embody an unlikely love: a love for those on the “other side.” This is a supernatural love, as social science points to the reality that being with people who are different than you is cognitively taxing. Yet at a time when so many are carrying enmity and pointing fingers rather than looking at our darkness within, I believe that Christians who are carrying Christ’s humble, authentic, enemy-embracing love can shine brightly. 

Here is a working diagram on the spectrum of disunity that Devlin and I have been drafting this week as we’ve been thinking about this. It moves from:

• Diversity, which is to be understood, honored, celebrated, and valued
• To Disagreement, which are areas we grieve where followers of Jesus who are earnestly seeking to follow Jesus land in different places
• To Division, which is an inward posture of hostility, contempt, and vengeance against those on the other side
• To Destruction, which are violent actions taken to undermine someone’s credibility, such as slander, or hate crimes. 

As you do this inward examination, are you above the line, with a soft heart that sees and honors the inherent imago dei, or are you below the line, holding inward postures of enmity, hate or even destruction? We know we have crossed the line from living in the way of Jesus when we sense the visceral reactions “below the line” within us. 

There are a lot of people who are acting in the name of Jesus, and this doesn’t make everything right and good and true. I’ve found it important to distinguish ideologies from the people who hold those ideologies. Our “struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). We can call out the evil in systems and structures that value some over others; and simultaneously love people, seeking the best for everyone we meet, “clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12-13).

I shared this story in our Christian unity working group, and it opened up an incredible time of confession where others shared moments where they also had held ill will or sought destruction of others in various ways. And if we are honest, this is true about all of us at some times. For you, maybe it’s not former President Trump you feel such ill will towards – maybe Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, or some other political figure. Or a neighbor, colleague, or even family member you have a strained relationship with over politics.

I want to invite you: When a situation occurs and you have a visceral emotional reaction, pause and consider:

• Get curious about yourself: Where is this feeling coming from? Why am I feeling threatened? What does it bring up for me? 
• Get curious about the other person: Put yourself in the other person’s world and understand where they might be coming from. What is God’s truth for this person and situation? How might I need to shift my perspective and heart posture to see this person as beloved and made in God’s image? 
• What changes might I need to make in my own life to ensure I can see the world and all of God’s children rightly? Where might repair be needed, within me or within the broken system that this situation reveals?

We must do the hard work of pastoring the underlying postures of righteous hubris, of enmity and hostility that show up in our hearts, so that it doesn’t evolve into destruction or violence, the fourth component of this diagram. I grieve the situation that occured a few weeks ago where five LGBTQ+ affirming churches in the area were desecrated. Unfortunately, those that committed these acts left signs that they were Christians doing this in the name of Jesus Christ.

The UniteBoston Board and staff released a statement standing with the Massachusetts Council of Churches condemning this desecration: “While there is much diversity on the perspectives of marriage and sexuality, how we hold our beliefs and treat one another matters. Our savior Jesus Christ calls us to be one and violence is never the answer to resolving our differences. We are called to love our neighbor as ourself (Mk 12:31) and Jesus implores us to hold a love even for one’s enemy (Mt 5:44). We pray that Christians in our area would be known for upholding love and respecting the imago dei of all of our neighbors across typical lines of division, as a public witness to the reconciling love of Jesus.”

So, dear friends, when we see the darkness in our hearts, join me in doing the hard work of uncovering what lies beneath. In a world that is characterized by so much dissension, enmity, and finger-pointing, may we do the inner work so we can be a different kind of people: following the Prince of Peace to transform our “acts of the flesh,” including hatred, discord, rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, and factions, to the “fruit of the Spirit”: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:19-21). This type of transformation needed so we can humbly and authentically witness to the way of Jesus, for the glory of God and the good of the city. 

– Rev. Kelly

P.S. The views mentioned are Rev. Kelly’s personal thoughts and opinions, not the views of UniteBoston. UniteBoston’s community encompasses Christians of many different backgrounds, convictions, and opinions and we encourage individuals to have honest, courageous conversations of listening, learning and story-sharing with those they may disagree with to grow in our embodiment of Christian unity. Feel free to reach out to me with any thoughts that this article brought up for you – I’d love to hear from you!

P.P.S. The UniteBoston board and staff believe this is a kairos moment for the Church. In the coming UniteBoston newsletters, we will be featuring resources on how Christians can engage well civically in this political climate, including a featured series with various articles, curriculums and spiritual practices. UniteBoston will also be hosting an event this fall for Christian pastors and leaders to experience a space of deep listening and connection about living and leading throughout this election year and to be a public witness to our churches and our city that the way of Jesus is to reconcile divides and to love our neighbor through intentional, curious, respectful conversation. If this is something you’d like to be part of please reach out to us. 

Further Resources:

• REFLECT: On how we are to imitate the role of Jesus as a peacemaker with these resources from Common Ground USA.
• REFLECT: Dr. Alison Cook has a powerful model for pastoring our instincts with her tool “Taking A You-Turn.”
• READ: How to Have an Enemy: Righteous Anger and the Work of Peace by Melissa Florer-Bixler. This is a fabulous book describing what the Bible says about enemies, sharing “a theology that allows us to name our enemies as a form of truth-telling about ourselves, our communities, and the histories in which our lives are embedded.” 
• LEARN: ​The After Party – This is a “free six-part video course designed to provide churches, small groups, and individuals with an on-the-ground, biblically based approach to navigating today’s challenging political environment.” The study can be used for individuals or as a small group curriculum, offering participants opportunities to examine their own political identities, consider the “how vs. the “what” of politics, and explore what the Bible has to say about it all.
• LISTEN: Kingdom of Jesus by The Porter’s Gate, Jon Guerra, and Sandra McCracken. I’ve been listening nonstop to this song; it reminds me of the humble, upside-down ways of Jesus, our Prince of Peace: “His Kingdom is not one of slander or rage but one that is ruled by the Lamb who was slain, And is worthy of wisdom and honor and glory and strength…Oh say can’t you see, we have one allegiance. It’s to the Kingdom of Jesus.”