UniteBoston

Bridging Divides Across Christians for the Flourishing of the City

Highlights from the 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

From January 18 to 25, Christians worldwide gathered for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a time to reflect on Jesus’ prayer “that they may be one” (John 17:21) through fellowship, worship, and shared faith. This year’s theme marks the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, celebrating the Nicene Creed as a foundation of Christian unity while acknowledging the divisions that still exist today. Read highlights and testimonies below from this year’s inspiring prayer gatherings in Greater Boston!

Click above to watch a reflection on the significance of the Nicene Creed from Dr. Elizabeth M. Woodard, Catholic theologian, musician, author, speaker, spiritual director, and ecumenist. She is a member of our Christian unity cohort and considers her vocation as bringing people to God and to each other. 

Our week began with a pre-inauguration vigil hosted by the Cathedral Church of St Paul. Dozens of people and leaders from a variety of Christian traditions gathered to pray for our county and its leaders preceding the inauguration. We recommitted to uphold our baptismal vows to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves” and heard testimonies of tangible actions by leaders committing to do just this including Jimmy Lim from the Crossing Congregation, Rev. Arrington Chambliss from Episcopal City Mission, Sandra Soto from St. Mark’s Dorchester, and Rev. Canon Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa from Immigration and Multicultural Ministries. There was a time of sharing stones of our burdens and also a passing of the light.

Rev. Devlin Scott (NewCity Church & UniteBoston), Rev. Kelly Fassett (UniteBoston), Fr. Tom Ryan (The Paulist Center), and Very Rev. Amy McCreath (Cathedral Church of St Paul) at the pre-inauguration vigil.

On Tuesday, a variety of clergy from many Christian traditions were invited to join for a prayer service by Archbishop Henning. Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Methodios presided over the gathering, a testimony of the value that the Archbishop places on ecumenical relations. Archbishop Henning described, “I hope and pray that, in gathering together, we will all be strengthened in that same power of Gospel, in the midst of a world that is too often about violence, hatred, and taking, to give that witness of solidarity, of compassion, and faith in God.”

Lutheran Bishop Nathan Pipho preached the homily, sharing that, “Our unity in Christ, in the faith, is our proclamation of faith to a world, as the archbishop said, who needs to see people who can get along, who can love one another, who can unite with one another, who can persist with one another, who can be in relationship with one another.” Read more in the Article in the Catholic Pilot.

On Tuesday, a small group also gathered at Tremont Temple for a powerful noontime prayer service, led by Craig Parker from the Navigators. We were grateful to offer their regular Tuesday noontime prayer gathering as part of our Week of Prayer events.

On Thursday evening, Rev. Devlin hosted a moving prayer service at NewCity Church, joined by members of the Boston Catholic Focolare Community.

“Thank you again for a beautiful evening together in prayer at your church. You could see that none of us wanted to leave! The incredible reflections, song and movement created a Well of Faith to drink from that was wonderful to share and deeply edifying. I wanted to share personally that last night’s time with all of you renewed a deep sense of hope that I was lacking and needed; and that it really has me digging deeper with the question that Jesus asks Martha at the tomb. Do I really believe this (no, I mean, really, really)?…believe that our Savior has got this. Got it all…So thank you all for being that catalyst for me. It is a precious gift to journey and grow in faith together.” – Janis Pochini, Focolare Community

The week closed out with a neighborhood dinner hosted by Cleo Muhammad. We were blessed to be in the company with a few long-time Dorchester Christian pastors. Through a nourishing meal, conversation and prayer, we celebrated our common faith and prayed into the areas of discipleship and common mission for the coming days.

“Personally, I experienced it as a very rich and meaningful time, and I’ve heard similar sentiments from some of you. Seeing us come together representing different generations, churches, and racial backgrounds was beautiful. I especially enjoyed hearing from those I affectionately call the “seasoned saints” (those who’ve been walking with the Lord for a long time). Your continued commitment to the gospel and to running your race and helping others run their race is truly inspiring and extremely refreshing! As the year progresses, I pray we continue to wrestle with, pray about, speak on, and take action regarding the themes that came up in our time together: unity, discipleship, our response in these times, and the challenge to believe in Jesus’ revelation of Himself. To this last theme, may we give a wholehearted and emphatic “Yes Lord, I STILL believe!” – Cleo Muhammad

“It was a real blessing to be able to have Pastors Rocklyn and Eva, Mark and Jay attend; each of you are a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. I echo Cleo’s prayer for unity, justice and reconciliation, at this pivotal time in our country and city.  I wholeheartedly agree—it was such a meaningful evening of encounter and receiving one another’s faith, passions, and life experiences! While ‘Christian unity’ can seem like a far-off ideal, Friday night makes it feel a little more tangible, leaving me feeling more hopeful.” – Rev. Kelly Fassett

“In addition to all the powerful stories of love & prayer greater than division from around the Boston area, I was deeply encouraged by similar encounters across difference taking place that week all around the country – from Connecticut to Chicago to St. Louis to Tuscon to Los Angeles.” – Scott Brill, The Initiative

We also offer this video where Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde share a homily on the foundation of unity at the Inauguration Service. She describes the need to pray for unity as a people and a nation — not for agreement, political or otherwise — but for the kind of unity that fosters community across diversity and division and the need to respect the honor and dignity of every human being.

In today’s new era in our national life, let us heed this prayer by Rev. Dr Martin Luther King,

“Most gracious and all wise God, before whose face the generations rise and fall; You in whom we live, and move, and have our being. We come before you painfully aware of our inadequacies and shortcomings. We realize that we stand surrounded with the mountains of love and we deliberately dwell in the valley of hate. We stand amid the forces of truth and deliberately lie. We are forever offered the high road and yet we choose to travel the low road. For these sins, O God, forgive. Break the spell of that which blinds our minds. Purify our hearts that we may see you. O God, in these turbulent days when fear and doubt are mounting high give us broad visions, penetrating eyes, and power of endurance. Help us to work with renewed vigor for a warless world, for a better distribution of wealth and for a fellowship that transcends race or color. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen.”

Boston’s Churches Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. King

This week, as we honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we reflect on how his Christian faith was the driving force behind his commitment to racial equality, justice, and nonviolent resistance. Rooted in biblical principles of love, equality, and the inherent dignity of every person, Dr. King’s faith shaped his vision of the “Beloved Community”—a society defined by justice, reconciliation, and peace. His unwavering trust in God gave him courage in the face of danger, hope amidst adversity, and a moral vision that continues to inspire movements for justice today.

Below are four powerful quotes from Dr. King and ways churches in Boston are living out his transformative legacy.

1. Ten Demandments to Boston’s White Churches

“In the midst of blatant injustices inflicted upon the Negro, I have watched white churchmen stand on the sideline and mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities. In the midst of a mighty struggle to rid our nation of racial and economic injustice, I have heard many ministers say: “Those are social issues, with which the gospel has no real concern.” – Dr. King, in Letter from a Birmingham Jail, 1963

On January 15, 2025, the Boston People’s Reparation Commission marked Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 96th birthday by gathering white church leaders to confront the enduring legacy of anti-Black racism. They introduced ten “demandments” for reparatory justice, calling for financial restitution, land forfeiture, and policy reform to address the deep injustices rooted in colonialism and systemic racism in Boston.

Historic white churches are urged to take bold action, embracing their God-given responsibility to participate in the city’s racial repair journey. Let us rise to this call for justice and not let this moment pass us by!

Rev Dr Jay Williams of Union Combined Parish
Dr. Angela Davis, keynote speaker

2. 55th annual Boston MLK Breakfast, co-hosted by Union Combined Parish and St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church.

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.’ – Dr. King, Draft of Chapter X, “Shattered Dreams”, July 1, 1962 to March 31, 1963

For 55 years, St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church and Union United Methodist Church have collaborated to present a memorial breakfast in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  It was the Black women of the parishes s who began holding services together, even before the federal holiday was established. The partnership is an incorporated nonprofit organization, which includes members from both churches. There was a strong ecumenical showing at the gathering, including Rev. Laura Everett of Massachusetts Council of Churches, Bishop Julia Whitworth of Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, and Governor Maura Healey and Bishop Thomas Bickerton of New England UMC.

Listen to Dr. Angela Davis’ keynote speech here on the struggle for liberation and the need to hold onto King’s vision of infinite hope.

3. Christians in Newton Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. King.

“Only when its is dark enough can you see the stars.” – Dr. King, I’ve been to the Mountaintop, April 3, 1968 Memphis, Tennessee.

We were proud to see our very own Managing Director, Rev. Devlin Scott, serve as the master of ceremonies for Newton’s 57th Annual Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day! The event was filled with powerful voices, including students, Newton’s school superintendent, the Mayor of Newton, and a diverse group of clergy members. The keynote address was delivered by Rev. Dr. Brandon Crowley, Pastor of The Historic Myrtle Baptist Church in Newton, who challenged the audience with his message of unity and justice. “Dr. King’s dream was for black people, not white people. We need our white brothers and sisters not to dream, but to wake up and get to work,” said Crowley.

Crowley’s powerful words are a reminder that the work of justice and unity often falls on the shoulders of the marginalized. The best way to be a co-conspirator for justice is to share one another’s burdens for the shalom of the city.

Watch the Newton’s 57th Annual Celebration of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Here.

4. Featured This Month in Smithsonian Magazine: The Call to Rename Faneuil Hall

“We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
Dr. King at the Washington National Cathedral, March 31, 1968.

Reverend Kevin Peterson, a Boston-born public theologian and Baptist minister has initiated a public campaign in 2018 to rename Faneuil Hall, highlighting its namesake’s involvement in the slave trade. This campaign and call to change was featured in this month’s Smithsonian Magazine. Dr. King’s public life was characterized by civil disobedience and grassroots organizing, and two strategies have also characterized Rev. Peterson’s ministry and call to change.

The Nicene Creed: Why It Matters Today

This year’s theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is “Do you believe?” (John 11:26). In 2025, Christians mark the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, where key doctrinal disputes about the Trinity and the nature of Christ were resolved, resulting in the Nicene Creed—a foundational statement of Christian faith and unity. The Nicene Creed is the Christian “symbol” of agreed doctrine and also the statement of faith for UniteBoston.

But why does the Nicene Creed matter? Read below to learn about the historical basis of the Nicene Creed and insights from local leaders and notable theologians on its significance for today.

Click above to watch a reflection on the significance of the Nicene Creed from Dr. Elizabeth M. Woodard, Catholic theologian, musician, author, speaker, spiritual director, and ecumenist. She is a member of our Christian unity cohort and pastoral associate a Sacred Hearts Parish. She considers her vocation as bringing people to God and to each other.

“The Nicene Creed stands as a centuries-old treasure linking current Christians to the earliest ones. It is through symbols like the Creed that we can truly claim to be apostolic, that is, the Church handed to the apostles and handed down from them through generations of Christians. The Creed acts as a barrier against our human temptation to remake God in our own image, and leads us to open ourselves to the wisdom of God’s self revelation, distilled in these precious words throughout our history. Diverse though Christians are in our various traditions, we find a precious unity in our acceptance of the essentials spoken in the Creed.” – Dr. Elizabeth M. Woodard

“Within the Empire, particularly between the great apostolic patriarchies of Alexandria and Antioch, disparities in Christology were leading to excommunications and divisions, especially in the rivalry between St. Athanasius and Arius. The common doctrine achieved was a significant milestone in Christian unity. It is only appropriate then, in remembering this event of common confession, that Christians today may celebrate that which unites them. Spiritual ecumenism, according to Vatican II, is the “soul” of the ecumenical movement. It is our common faith in the Risen Christ that brings us together for prayer. In turn, the prayer itself is effective in nourishing and confirming our unity.” – James Loughran, SA, in his reflection on this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity theme

“The celebration of any anniversary is, beyond a mere commemoration of an historical event, a motivation to learn from the past in order to live more fully in the present. As Christians united in our faith in a God who assumed flesh and dwelt among us, we have also confessed with one voice the same creed formulated 1700 years ago at the Council of Nicaea. Through the centuries, we may have differed in our interpretations and manifestations of that original statement of faith. Nevertheless, we have endured in our appreciation of and devotion to that earliest of professions and convictions that “we believe in one God, maker of heaven and earth; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, who was incarnate for our salvation. Our unity in this doctrine should inspire us to imagine and illustrate the same faith in language that addresses the challenges of our age and our world. That’s why Orthodox Christians refer to the creed as a ‘symbol of faith.’ Our vocation as Christians is to unravel and unveil, to define and defend the same pristine principles in a way that embraces and heals every human being without discrimination and every aspect of God’s creation without exception.” – Fr. John Chryssavgis, Executive Director of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute 

“The use of the phrase “We believe” in the Nicene Creed is so significant. In an area of skepticism and fragmentation, it affirms a shared faith and belonging that faith is not just a private affair, or something that we created today, but is rooted in historical reality of the person of Jesus Christ. It helps to bridge the past to the present and the local Boston Church to the global, reminding us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves.” – Rev. Kelly Fassett, Executive Director of UniteBoston

“When we recite the Nicene Creed, we are stepping into the stream of a centuries-long conversation about who God is and what God has done. It anchors us in a living tradition of shared understanding and worship.” – Rowan Williams, Former Archbishop of Canterbury

“The Creed expresses what the Church believes, teaches, and confesses in unison. It is the foundation of our unity, the treasure we hold in common, and the proclamation of the hope we have in Christ.” – Pope Benedict XVI

“The Nicene Creed is a confession of the inexhaustible mystery of God’s love. It invites us into the drama of salvation, where the Church stands as a witness to the world of the truth of Christ.” – Hans Urs von Balthasar

““In the Nicene Creed, we encounter the Church’s faithful testimony to the mystery of Christ. It is a gift handed down to us that holds together the Gospel’s integrity and unity.” T.F. Torrance

Learn about the Council of Nicaea

For centuries, the Nicene Creed was sung as part of the Latin Roman Catholic liturgy. Along with many other parts of the Mass “ordinary,” it was set to music by composers throughout the centuries and regularly sung each week. Here, please enjoy an early version set in Gregorian Chant. While most Catholics since the 1960s speak many of the ordinary parts of the Mass, including the Creed, its sung version is a beautiful way to reflect on the words, if you happen to speak Latin!” above to listen to a beautiful singing of the Nicene creed chanted in Latin.

Franciscan Friar Casey Cole walks through the theology of the Nicene Creed

“This theme, by offering a way to see that faith is not just a static set of beliefs, but an active means of receiving grace, is most appropriate for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2025. If faith can raise the dead and conquer all fear, surely faith will bring us the miracle of unity as Christians. Remembering that division, separation and rejection are symptoms of sin, the healing of the Church comes about in the power of the Holy Spirit. We pray knowing to whom it is we pray, as one community. God wills us to reconcile. God wills us to love one another. God will give those who profess the faith of Martha, of Nicaea and of all the holy ones who have gone before us, the precious gift of unity.” – James Loughran, SA, in his reflection on this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity theme

UniteBoston’s Top Twelve Photos of 2024

From launching the United Gospel Experience Tour and convening the Boston Flourish conference, to hosting two cohorts with emerging leaders, and hiring our first full time staff person, this was an incredible year for UniteBoston! Check out our year in review for 2024 – Glory to God!

#12: UniteBoston Fundraising Party at PKL – In January, the UniteBoston community raised $12,010 to support the mission of UniteBoston and also had some fun playing shuffleball and cornhole!

#11: Boston Unity Walk – 80 faith leaders, community members, the Boston Police Department, and city officials came together for a prayer walk in Dorchester hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Faith-Based Initiatives. The goal was to foster meaningful relationships between faith communities, law enforcement, and city leadership and UniteBoston served as a key convener for the gathering.

#10: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – During this week, UB hosted seven opportunities to pray for the unity of all Christians and put “love thy neighbor” into practice in a variety of ways. The above photo is from a prayer gathering at the Paulist Center with clergy representing Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, and Episcopal traditions where we enjoyed beautiful music, heard the call to care for creation by Dean Amy McCreath, and prayed for the needs of one another.

#9: UniteBoston Board and Staff Retreat – In August, the UB Board of Directors and staff met for our annual retreat! We gained insights into the unique role that UB is playing in the city and talked through some of our initiatives for the coming program year.

#8: UB’s Sankofa Cohort – This cohort is experiencing history firsthand by seeing the sights in Boston pointing towards the legacy of slavery, the black freedom movement, and where racial healing and repair is taking place with a special focus on Christian churches and congregations. We recognize that we must understand and confess the mistakes of our past – of the sin of racism and its impacts – in order to pave the way forward towards racial healing and shalom. Here we are visiting the Embrace Memorial, remembering the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, and many other leaders who contributed to the Civil Rights Movement in Boston.

#7 – Collaborative Migrant Care Efforts – This year, UniteBoston catalyzed congregations and leaders to care for and accompany our new immigrant and refugee neighbors through launching a “Sanctuary for Strangers” campaign with Migrant Sunday resources in four languages. We also hosted a breakout session at Boston Flourish where 32 people committed to taking a variety of tangible action steps to support and accompany our new immigrant and refugee neighbors. UB Board Member and local pastor Melinda Priest (on right) is now leading a team to create a Boston Immigrant Dashboard to better connect the needs of our new neighbors and service providers.

#6: Legacy of Slavery at Harvard University Tour. In November, 35 church leaders and community members engaged in a walking tour on the Landscape of Slavery at Harvard University. While Boston is known for its world-class colleges and universities, not many are aware how these institutions have deep historical ties to the exploitation of enslaved people. This photo shows the burial ground that holds the oldest known gravestone of a Black person in the Americas, serving as a tangible reminder that slavery was not just an abstract concept at Harvard—it was a reality woven into daily life. Louis Agassiz also founded the theory of polygenesis at Harvard, seeking to prove genetically that Black people were inferior to White people. Christianity was grievously often used to justify the enslavement and exploitation of African people, many whose legacies are still unknown.

#5: UniteBoston Island Retreat – In July, we hosted our third annual “Circle of Restoration” Island Retreat for BIPOC leaders to get away for self-care and connection in community. Individuals enjoyed a boat ride out to the island, beach games, music, massages, and a catered lunch.

#5: Christian Unity Cohorts: Above – our original Christian unity cohort who is “building bridges and breaking walls” (pictured with hammers) has transitioned to a curriculum development cohort that we launched in May. This new cohort of leaders is meeting monthly to learn about nurturing “Christian unity” in their own contexts by being ambassadors of reconciliation and repair (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). We are building the components of our curriculum of the knowledge, skills, habits, motivation/attitude, and environment for walking in the way of Jesus towards Christian unity. We look forward to piloting this curriculum in 2025!

#4: Hiring Our First Full-Time Employee – This year, UniteBoston was able to hire our first full time employee, Rev. Devlin Scott, who is doing an incredible job as UniteBoston’s managing director. He is leading UniteBoston’s communications, social media, strategic planning, and various programs, and has really taken UniteBoston’s mission and ministry to a new level!

#3: Launch of the United Gospel Experience Tour – Dozens of college students from six campuses across the region have united this year for a United Gospel Experience Tour, beginning with Morning Star Baptist Church and Providence College. There is something about being led in worship by 70+ young adults from diverse backgrounds, all part of a mass gospel choir that has strengthened each individual campus as well. Save the date for the next concert at March 1 at UMass Lowell or April 12 in Wenham!

#2: Boston Flourish. In November, UniteBoston worked with other organizations to convene a conference where 266 leaders gathered across sectors to collaborate around essential issues facing our city: housing justice, migrant care and solidarity, youth and family trauma, and innovative church building use. By uniting our efforts and sharing ideas, we’re creating pathways for real change, so all who call Boston home can truly flourish ????

#1: Church & Civic Engagement gathering – UniteBoston and ten other organizations convened 75 diverse Christian leaders to share their hopes and concerns as Christian leaders in this election year. While conversations on politics can often lead to an entrenchment of positions, the structured dialogue enabled many to grow in understanding in the stories and values behind our differing perspectives, allowing God to spiritually form us through actively practicing the fruit of the Spirit. We celebrate the relationships among pastoral leaders that were inspired or birthed, as we seek to be a public witness to our churches and our city that the way of Jesus is to love all our neighbors through intentional, curious, respectful conversation. This gathering was even featured on Religion News Service! ????

It’s been a great year! Thanks for joining with us – your prayers, participation, and finances have made this ministry happen! We look forward to seeing what God has in store for us in 2025!

Breathe Life!

In this week’s UB Newsletter, we are featuring a devotional entitled “Breathe Life,” inspired by artist Rob ProBlak Gibbs’ wall mural in Roxbury. He describes that, “More than just a title, ‘Breathe Life’ is a philosophy, meant to share energy, and lift-up images that reflect the community back to itself, to greater flourishing.” This message aligns closely with Jesus’ mission as described in John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

This devotional is an excerpt from Reservoir Church’s Advent Devotional. As we enter 2025, we invite you to prayerfully use the images and reflection questions below to reflect on what God has done in your life this past year and where you are seeking places for God to “breathe life” in the coming year.


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