Blog – Page 5 – UniteBoston

Oct 23 2024

A Commitment to Peace: Embodying the Fruit of the Spirit in an Election Year

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.

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.

UniteBoston Planning Team: Rev. Devlin Scott, Rev. Kelly Fassett, Julene Tegerstrand, and Shelton Oakley Hersey

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

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

Sep 06 2024

UniteBoston Launches United Gospel Experience Tour!

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!

Aug 15 2024

Examining What Lies Beneath

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.

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.”

Aug 01 2024

Disability Justice and the Church Sometimes I ‘Just’ Need a Ride

Jesus told us that when we have a banquet, we should invite the poor, crippled, the lame and the blind (Luke 14:13-23), yet would these neighbors feel welcomed and desired in our churches today?

We are honored to have Maggie Austen as our guest blogger this week, in the wake of July’s Disability Pride Month. Last month, Maggie called a group of leaders together to have a conversation on Ableism, Racism and the Church with Dr. Lamar Hardwick. Maggie is a member of Reality Boston and describes herself as a “daughter, sister, friend, neighbor, and attorney.”

Below, Maggie takes us into a real-life scenario that she faces and invites us to consider how we might show God’s welcome to those in our community that society has failed, ignored, excluded, or abandoned.

(ID: Rainy city sidewalk, left foreground includes a silhouetted person crouched on the sidewalk and center midground includes shoppers on the curb with some parcels.)

One steamy morning this July, I stood red faced, with two full bags of groceries in my cart, on the curb in front of a local grocery store. I am legally blind, born (in September 1990) with underdeveloped optic nerves, severely impacting my visual acuity and depth perception. Importantly, I do not drive. You might ask, like many youngsters in grocery store check out lines, “how are you going to get your groceries home?” Most days I harness my guide dog, walk the mile to the store, purchase only the amount I can carry, and walk the mile (uphill) back home.

This sticky July morning, my trip to the store was a bit more unexpected. So I was a little further from home, it was a lot hotter than I realized, and I had purchased more than I could carry. So I pulled out my phone and requested an Uber, the cost of which would be subsidized by the MBTA’s Ride Pilot program. When the driver arrived, he took one look at my red vested, German shepherd service dog and said NO, he would not take the dog (which means he wasn’t taking me either). You thought my face was red before.

I tried to argue, tried to explain that the law and Uber’s policies required him to take me and my service dog (a scenario I do generally try to avoid for just this reason). Another shopper stopped and tried to explain it to him too. Despite my best legal arguments (Did I mention I am an attorney by trade?), the driver just wasn’t going to take me home.

I eventually made it home. A friend had come shopping with me so thankfully she was able to take me, my service dog, and my bags of groceries home. For me, this was allyship in action, that felt akin to the friends in Mark 2 lowering the paralyzed man down through the thatched roof to be healed by Jesus.

(ID: Maggie and guide dog O’Bella, both dressed in Juris Doctorate graduation regalia, cross the stage.)

I wish I could say being excluded because of my abilities was rare, that it didn’t happen that often. Yet in 2022, JetBlue wouldn’t let my service dog and I on a flight home because I hadn’t submitted the proper paperwork in time (a symptom of the new ACAA regulations – thank you emotional support peacocks). I fought to get the accommodations I needed to take the Bar Exam, and enter a profession I had studied for years to achieve. I stayed unemployed for months after graduating law school and passing the bar, while my classmates and colleagues all started meaningful work in our field.

I hope it does not seem like I am complaining, I am simply telling it as it is. Oftentimes the people who need something the most (like a simple ride home from the grocery store), are the one’s denied or excluded.

What does this have to do with church unity?

I think, like me, Jesus was disabled. Jesus was fully God, and fully man (Luke 4:1–13). Yet Jesus chose a physical existence that likely limited, or disabled, some of his holy abilities. Jesus was beaten and crucified, and when he rose from the grave, his resurrected body bore the marks of his injuries (John 20:27-29). (For more theology on a disabled Jesus, and disability liberation, see Nancy L Eiesland’s The Disabled God or Chapter 6, p. 101, of Dr. Lamar Hardwick’s How Ableism Fuels Racism).

Somehow when I am standing there, red faced and frustrated, not sure how I am going to get home with my groceries, it is a disabled Jesus that meets me there. A Jesus who lived in a society where the laws allowed him to be betrayed, beaten, abandoned, and sentenced to death, just for being who God created him to be. A society where Jesus healed the blind, the lame, the deaf, and the sick – because otherwise they were usually ignored, excluded, abandoned, and ostracized.

But Jesus’ disabled body is also his resurrected body. A body marked by the brutality of an exclusive, inaccessible, and opportunistic society and yet capable of more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Today, the Church in Boston has the opportunity to BE the resurrected body of Jesus in our city; the opportunity to do whatever it takes (like making a hole in someone’s roof, Mark 2:4, or dealing with some left behind dog hair in your Uber) and help our disabled friends and neighbors meet Jesus.

Consider who in your community has society failed, ignored, excluded, or abandoned. Who is standing on a curb in our city, with their baggage and their anger, and their disabilities on display for all to see – and just needs a ride home?

What could you and your Church do?

Besides the obvious, coordinating rides to church for elders or other participants that do not drive a car, there are many other ways your community can BE the resurrected Jesus and DO disability justice (Micah 6:8).

Create Social Stories, ‘Know Before You Go,’ or ‘What to Expect’ content for your website and events. Using easy read / plain language, pictures (w/ alt text), and/or videos to help people with disabilities know what to expect before attending your service or event could be an incredibly inclusive addition to your marketing strategy.
Provide Sensory Bags that families can check out during your services or events or provide fidget toys to allow participants with sensory processing disabilities a way to stay engaged.
Design sensory friendly spaces at your services and events, areas where guests know they will not be hugged or touched, or areas where overstimulated brains can rest and re-engage.
Involve your congregation and community. 1 in 4 Americans have a disability, they are already going to your church and in your community. Invite them to be a part of an inclusive advisory counsel that has real change-making authority.
Celebrate Disability Justice landmarks as a community, i.e. April is Autism Awareness Month (4/2 is light it up blue), July is Disability Pride Month (7/26 is the ADA’s Birthday), October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and many more.
Do your research, then do the work. My suggestions end here, because now it is your turn. Get on google, find some reputable resources, ask your community, and stop leaving us on the curb.

Disclaimer: The links provided on this blog are for informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure that the content of external websites linked to is accurate and relevant, we cannot guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of these external sites. The inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement of the linked website or its content by us.

Jul 18 2024

UB’s Third Annual BIPOC Spectacle Island Retreat

During the July 4 weekend, 28 of us gathered for our third UB Island BIPOC Retreat Day, an unforgettable experience filled with joy, reflection, and community. Thank you to everyone who joined us on Spectacle Island in the Boston Harbor. It was a blessing to spend the day with friends new and old as each of us left feeling rejuvenated and inspired in the presence of God and one another.

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

From the moment we set sail on the boat, the energy was palpable. Rev. Devlin kicked off the day with a heartfelt devotional focused on laying our burdens down. This time of reflection set a peaceful tone, reminding us of the importance of rest and renewal amidst our busy lives.

One of the highlights was our collaboration with Ani Inoyo, local Christian entreprenuer and founder of Ani Design House. Ani Inoyo provided the beautiful gifts that added a touch of elegance to our gathering. Be sure to check out Ani Design House and explore her incredible range of products. Share your purchases and tag them on social media: @AniDesignHouse

Our day was also filled with fun and relaxation. Stiggity Stackz once again brought their freestyle dance battles, infusing the retreat with vibrant energy and creative expression. We enjoyed beach games, massages, and a delicious catered lunch that allowed us to connect and savor the company of friends old and new.

The retreat was not just about relaxation but also about coming together as a circle of restoration. The work of reconciliation can be exhausting, and this intentional space was created for BIPOC leaders involved with UniteBoston to focus on self-care and foster deeper connections. Participants shared how enriched and refreshed they felt after this day-long retreat.

What did the attendees think of the retreat?

This retreat was wonderful and it’s exactly what I needed. My time of rest incorporated spending time at the beach and then watching and listened to the dancers. It was wonderful to connect with other creatives since my community of artist has gotten much smaller. – Joyce Fombah

“I am moved by the love that goes into planning a day of respite for dozens of relative strangers, and I am grateful to have attended this year’s retreat. The generosity of those who gave up their Saturday to serve and care for relative strangers blessed my soul. I enjoyed meeting so many amazing folks and seeing whole families come out for a day of recreation. The gift from Ani Design House was a pleasant surprise. Thank you, Ani! And thank you, UniteBoston and your wonderful team of volunteers!” – Pastor Valerie Copeland, Pastor of Neighborhood Church – Dorchester.