UniteBoston

Bridging Divides Across Christians for the Flourishing of the City

A Night to Remember: Celebrating Bridge-Building and Beloved Community

We are beyond grateful for everyone who joined us at the UniteBoston’s Fundraising Party & Community Gathering on April 11, 2025! Over 100 people gathered together for an incredible evening where we enjoyed a delicious Caribbean BBQ meal, gained wisdom from a keynote talk by Rev. Michelle Sanchez, and heard a live music performance by Rev. Devlin Scott.

A HUGE thank you to those who generously donated and pledged throughout the evening. Your support helped us raise an incredible $5,000 in just one night! This brings us to a total of $32,000 raised toward our $40,000 goal for the season – Praise God! Your generous gifts enable us to host all of our programs, including:

  • Our cohorts, which are building a “beloved community lab” for people to be formed as peacemakers and bridge-builders—agents of unity in a fractured world
  • Our newsletter, which connects hundreds of churches across historic divides and is read by ~2000 people weekly
  • Our united gospel choir tour, where 140+ college students are growing in leadership skills, cross-cultural discipleship, and leading the Church in worship of Jesus Christ

We are absolutely blown away by the outpouring of generosity – Every dollar raised, every conversation shared, and every connection made is a step forward to build our capacity of equipping Christians to be peacemakers, bridge-builders, and reconciling leaders.

It’s truly a joy to have you alongside us on this journey and are excited to keep the momentum going! We recognize that transformative movements don’t rest on individuals alone, but are sustained by many working together to do God’s work in Boston more fully, where every joint supplies (Eph 4:16). Thank you for believing in us – You make us stronger!

“Love is creative and redemptive. Love builds up and unites; hate tears down and destroys. The aftermath of the ‘fight with fire’ method … is bitterness and chaos, the aftermath of the love method is reconciliation and creation of the beloved community…. Yes, love — which means understanding, creative, redemptive goodwill, even for one’s enemies — is the solution.” — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Towards beloved community,

– Rev. Kelly and Rev. Devlin

Photo Gallery and Video Highlights from the Evening

Photo Gallery

More Photos Here

Easter Sunday: The One Changeless Truth that Changed the World

Christ is risen! While the world might be shaking, today we are honored to share this Easter Sunday devotional from Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., pastor of Charles Street AME Church. Dr. Groover’s reflection reminds us that while empires fall and time reinterprets history, the victory of the Risen Savior remains eternal and unshakable. This message is a timely call to anchor our faith in the everlasting promise that Jesus lives—and because He lives, we are forever changed.

Note: This reflection is part of a Holy Week Devotional compiled by BMA TenPoint Pastors and Ministers. We invite you to read the other powerful reflections and also take part in Jesus and Justice Sunday on April 27, where clergy are invited to “do as Jesus commands and preach messages of Hope and Compassion, Mercy and Justice for the members of our communities who are suffering and are being labeled as targets.”

P.S. Did you know that the Western and Eastern Churches are celebrating Resurrection Sunday together this year? It’s a rare occasion. Click to read Archbishop Henning’s reflection and why he believes it’s a step towards unity


On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ (Luke 24:1-7)

The only constant truth about this world is that it is ever changing. The paired dynamic of “come and go” has always been applicable to this entire world of all ages.

Since the beginning of time, empires emerged and then ended. Ruthless rulers rose and then were reduced to ruination. Trends took off and then transitioned into oblivion. Ideas and perspectives increased to their peak and then inevitably perished. Major events mushroomed to an extraordinary and enormous impact on millions everywhere and then in time had minimal effect and became merely irrelevant. Yes, even as history occurs, it is then repeatedly reinterpreted, revised, reconsidered, reshaped, and re-understood.

Nothing of this world is immune to change. George Benson put it best when he sang the words, “everything must change. Nothing stays the same. Everyone must change, nothing stays the same. The young becomes the old, mysteries do unfold. ‘Cause that’s the way of time. Nothing and no one goes unchanged.”

Not true. We know of one event that took place still enjoys total power. One event that occurred in the past still enjoys omnipotent presence. It is an event that occurred in this world but was truly not of this world.

It did not take place in any colossal-size colosseum with the countless of witnesses watching it. It did not happen in any prestigious palace or parliament where only the rich ruled and reigned. It didn’t even come to pass on a massive mountain where thousands could be miraculously fed with only five loaves and two fishes.

This one solitary event occurred on an early Sunday morning in an ungroomed graveyard. Jesus, Who had just been buried two days earlier was found missing from His tomb. The women saw, sitting in His place, an angel who told them, He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still with you in Galilee, “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again!”

In other words, the angel was telling the women, “the truth that Jesus had repeatedly told you about His resurrection did not change. Not one slight iota of a change! As He indeed promised you this truth that He would rise again after being crucified so that you might live, so He did. Just as He said!”

It is this Resurrection Day truth that IS the one living truth that will never change. Without a doubt, it is the one changeless truth of all time that has yet changed humankind forever.

The hallelujah news that we celebrate today is that we are eternally changed solely because of this ever-abiding truth that never changes – and that is that Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord and Savior, has saved, still saves, and will always save! We, who believe that He rose from the dead to live again, have the never-ending blessed assurance that this Jesus was, is and shall always be the Same – Yesterday, Today and Forever!

So we say with confidence,”The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:6-8)

Gracious Lord Jesus, we thank you for your completed work on Calvary’s Cross, a work that secured our salvation. We also thank you for the Empty Tomb, the proof of the power of your resurrection! As we approach the Cross and the Empty Tomb, may we remember the Great Salvation you have purchased for us. May we remember that this is Good News for all the Earth. And may we share it freely and abundantly. It is in Your Name we pray. Amen

The Only Way We Make it is By Walking Together

“The only way we make it is by walking together. The only way we make it is by getting closer to one another as pastors, as priests, as guides, as leaders, shepherding one another for a time so we can move back into the vocation of shepherding others.”

– Rev. Canon Dr. Stephanie Spellers

Today, we are featuring an incredible retreat coming to Boston on Monday April 28 called Pastors, Priests and Guides. Click below to watch a reflection from Aaron Niequist and Rev. Spellers on the Road to Emmaus and what becomes possible when we walk together and find Jesus Christ on the road again.

P.S. UniteBoston is one of the key hosts and conveners of the gathering – and we are pleased to offer you a special promo code for the UniteBoston community! Use code UniteBoston20 to get 20% off the ticket price! Click here to register – Hope to see you on April 28!

Finding Christ on the Road Again: An Invitation to the “Pastors, Priests & Guides” Retreat in Boston

The road to Emmaus begins in heartbreak.

In Luke 24, two disciples walk away from Jerusalem with slumped shoulders and shattered hopes. They had trusted Jesus. They had believed a new world was dawning. But now, Jesus was dead—and so was the future they had imagined. They walked away feeling disillusioned, confused, and deeply weary.

If we’re honest, many of us in ministry are walking a similar path. We’ve poured ourselves out in an era that feels chaotic, divided, and spiritually dry. We’ve tried to guide others into unforced rhythms of grace, only to find ourselves caught in forced rhythms of stress. The world has changed, the Church is changing, and we aren’t always sure where—or how—we fit.

That’s why UniteBoston is honored to co-sponsor a gathering in Boston on Monday April 28 for the Pastors, Priests & Guides One-Day Retreat.

This retreat is for those of us who are tired and searching. It’s for spiritual leaders hungry for a new imagination for ministry. It’s for anyone asking: Where is Jesus now? How do we move forward when the old maps don’t work anymore?

Just as Jesus came alongside the weary disciples on the Emmaus road—listening, teaching, and ultimately revealing himself in the breaking of bread—we believe Christ will meet us too. And maybe, just maybe, our hearts will burn again.

Click above to watch Rev. Canon Dr. Stephanie Spellers reflect on why this moment matters, why Boston is sacred ground, and why Jesus is still worth following. For Stephanie, Boston is personal—it’s where she found Christ, where she was baptized, and where she saw people take Jesus seriously in ways that shaped her life and ministry.

At the retreat, Rev. Stephanie will guide us through the Emmaus story with the depth, wisdom, and vulnerability she’s known for. Alongside her, Aaron Niequist will help us embody the Way of Jesus through spiritual practices that ground and renew. This isn’t a lecture—it’s a co-creation of something holy, communal, and vibrant.

As Aaron often reminds us, we don’t have to choose between our ministries and our souls. This is a retreat to bring your whole self—your leadership, your longing, your weariness, your wisdom.

What’s Possible Together?

This is a disorienting time, yes—but it’s also a holy one. What becomes possible when we remember that, “the only way we make it is by walking together?”

We come to exhale.
We come to learn spiritual practices that re-center our souls in the unforced rhythms of Grace.
We come to meet fellow Christian leaders and remember that we are not alone.
We come to worship and learn at the intersection of multiple Christian traditions—
and we come, open to God igniting our imagination for what could be.

You’re invited to come as you are—humble, hopeful, hurting, curious. Whether you’re looking to rest, reimagine, or reconnect, this retreat is for you.

Join us on April 28 in Boston.
 Let’s walk the road to Emmaus together—and watch for Jesus along the way.

???? Learn more & register at pastorspriestsandguides.com

????‍♂️ Need a taste of rest now? Try this simple 10-minute Opening Hands Practice to release burdens and re-center in grace.

 Hosted in partnership with Anchor Church and UniteBoston. All are welcome.

​​The Rev. Canon Dr. Stephanie Spellers is one of the Episcopal Church’s leading thinkers and speakers around 21st-century ministry and mission. The author of The Church Cracked Open and the upcoming book Church Tomorrow?, she recently finished nearly a decade serving as Canon to the Presiding Bishop and guiding the entire denomination’s work on evangelism, reconciliation and care for creation. Spellers lives in New York but called Boston home for 20 years – it’s where she was baptized, trained for ministry, and founded The Crossing congregation at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Want to get to know Rev. Stephanie a little more? Listen to her interview on The Eternal Current Podcast.

Aaron Niequist is a liturgist, writer, and pastor. Aaron recently graduated from General Theological Seminary in NYC and currently serves at St Peter’s Episcopal Church Chelsea. After leading worship at Mars Hill Church (Grand Rapids, MI) and Willow Creek Church (Barrington, IL), he created A New Liturgy – a collection of modern liturgical worship recordings. He then curated a discipleship-focused, formational, ecumenical, practice-based community called “The Practice”. Aaron released a book called The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Keep Us From Drowning and currently leads the Pastors, Priests and Guides ministry.  But that’s just job stuff.  The best part of his life is his wife Shauna, and their sons Henry and William.

“It Ain’t Over”: A New Song Release by Rev. Devlin 

In this Sunday’s newsletter, we’re excited to announce Rev. Devlin’s new single, entitled “It Ain’t Over!” 

You didn’t know that Rev. Devlin was a songwriter? Neither did we! But Rev. Devlin is a man of many talents. Read below to discover the powerful story behind the song It Ain’t Over. Rooted in faith, resilience, and personal tragedy, Devlin’s journey—from Chicago gospel choirs to Boston’s music scene—reveals the deep impact of his artistry. Read on to learn how his song serves as both a personal tribute and a battle cry of victory in Christ.

P.S. You can listen to “It Ain’t Over” which is available on all music platforms!

By Bill Ivanov, UniteBoston Journalist

“Hold on, play that again!” Rev. Devlin Scott said to his wife (then fiancée), Katie, as she played through a riff on the guitar while hanging out at her house. Then, he started to sing, “It ain’t over till God says it’s over…”

After this, the song sat dormant for more than fifteen years… until Rev. Devlin was introduced to the Christian music industry through the concerts that UniteBoston hosts. Through them, he saw the grassroots music careers of singers like Caleb McCoy (Remember), Jalen Williams (Alright, Flex, and Praise God) and Jen Aldana (Trust in You) take shape. From the connections UniteBoston made for Rev. Devlin and the courage and confidence he gained from serving with UB, he began tapping into the artistic part of himself.

When he released his single on Friday, April 4th at his single release party, “It Ain’t Over,” Rev. Devlin began the next stage of his professional musical journey. This journey has already travelled quite a distance; from the Gospel choirs of the southside of Chicago…to the streets of London as part of the “It Ain’t Over” tour in 2009…to its midnight release in Boston in front of an intimate group of people along with five other original songs.

During these challenging times, “It Ain’t Over” is destined to bring hope to people who may be experiencing trials in life. On this, Rev. Devlin remarked, “I think God’s timing is better than mine… I know that this is the right time for this music to come out. God is very intentional about the timing to release the music when the world is most needing to hear it. So, I completely give God credit for that.”

The hope-filled message Rev. Devlin shares through this song reflects his resilience and deep faith. Rev. Devlin credits his mother for sharing her belief in God for everything – “No matter how bad things got, she gave me the confidence that God is always faithful…He is going to work things out for your good…and He’s going to see you through it,” Rev. Devlin shared.

It was this strength that carried Rev. Devlin through personal tragedy. About a year and a half ago, Rev. Devlin’s cousin, struggling with mental illness, turned a gun on his sister and niece before ending his own life. Losing three family members in one incident left the Scott family reeling. Knowing the love his sister had for music, the boldness by which his niece lived and understanding the shortness in life, Rev. Devlin knew he had to honor them with this song. He also knew that others needed to hear it. A fire had been lit.

“A sense of urgency came from that moment,” Rev. Devlin remarked, “I speak the language of music. If you flip to the back of the Bible, we win. And so, I hope through this song, someone doesn’t forget that God is fighting for them. There’s a bit of a war cry in the song; we win.”

Amongst Rev. Devlin’s early music memories, he recalls being drawn to great church music radiating from the South Suburban Missionary Baptist Church on Chicago’s southside. He began singing as a choir member with the “Little Angels” of this church. By 11 years-old, he learned to play his first song on the piano, “Lean on Me.” After being taught just a few basic chords, he recalls starting to string them together, trying to write his own music.

“At a young age, I felt honored, and a little nervous, to direct the combined choir made up of all the choirs of our church. But I courageously stepped into that moment.” Rev. Devlin later went on to sing with the “Young Saints” – his community choir for teenagers that traveled and even  recorded an album. He joined his college gospel choir at Trinity International University, where he eventually became the choir’s director.

In his autobiography, Hans Christian Anderson is known to have said, “Where words fail, music speaks.” As good music transcends and unites, it is easy to see how Rev. Devlin, now serving as Managing Director of UniteBoston, uses his gifts to push beyond differences and find oneness in Christ. Truly, “It ain’t over. God’s not through with us yet.” 

To see a list of Devlin Scott’s upcoming events, please visit his website at www.devlinscott.com.

Sacrifice Your Power to Build Beloved Community

This Sunday, we’re honored to feature resources from Rev. Michelle Sanchez, who is coming to Boston in two weeks to be our keynote speaker for our fundraising party! Rev. Sanchez is the author of Color-Courageous Discipleship, Color Courageous Discipleship Student Edition, and Beloved Community, a discipleship trilogy based on the core truth that confronting systemic racism head-on is a core part of one’s formational journey to maturity in Christ.

One way to build a beloved community is by reflecting on how we use our power to advance God’s kingdom. Read Rev. Sanchez’s insights below on the importance of a “power audit,” especially relevant during this Lenten season of fasting.

P.S. We deeply appreciate how Rev. Sanchez shares her message in a holistic and practical way, making it accessible and age-appropriate for kids, teens, and adults alike. Check out Rev. Sanchez’s Color-Courageous Kids Activity Kit as well as her Family Devotional on Youversion!

With the passing of years, I have increasingly realized that trying to change the world is usually folly. The list of people who have measurably changed the entire world is quite short. Nevertheless, I can seek to change my world—my unique sphere of influence—on a daily basis.

This is precisely where fasting comes in. Just as God taught us in Isaiah 58, fasting is not merely about giving up food; it’s about making tangible sacrifices that transform our world. And when it comes to antiracism, the sacrifice of power may be the most important sacrifice that color-courageous disciples can make. Our model for this is Christ himself:

“Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end…. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power . . . so he … began to wash his disciples’ feet.”

 (John 13:1, 3–5)

Jesus, fully aware of his power, chose to lay it down for the sake of love. Then he called his disciples to do the same (John 13:12–17).

A New Way to Fast: The Power Audit

We all have power in different ways, even if we don’t always recognize it. The power audit is a simple but transformative exercise that helps us identify and steward the influence we already hold—choosing to leverage or sacrifice it for the sake of beloved community.

We can think of power in four key areas:

  • Privilege – Unearned advantages we can use for good
  • Position – Roles and responsibilities where we can create change 
  • Platform – Our voice and advocacy, whether public or private 
  • Prosperity – Our resources, including time, talent, and finances

Practicing a power audit means regularly reflecting on how we use these forms of power. Consider arranging them in the shape of a cross—reminding us that true discipleship involves sacrifice for the sake of love.

Take the Next Step

If you take just one action after reading this, let it be this: Commit to the practice of a power audit. Start by identifying the power you hold and asking how you can use it to build beloved community. Even small sacrifices—speaking up in a meeting, making space for others, reallocating resources—can be powerful acts of discipleship.

Most importantly, don’t do this alone. The journey of color-courageous discipleship is one we are called to walk together, encouraging one another along the way (Hebrews 10:25).

Let’s reimagine fasting—not just as something we give up, but as something we give away to transform our world.

Adapted from Color-Courageous Discipleship: Follow Jesus, Dismantle Racism, and Build Beloved Community by Michelle T. Sanchez. Copyright © 2022 by Michelle T. Sanchez. Published by WaterBrook, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Used with permission.


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