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The recent election of Pope Leo XVI is a monumental moment in Christian history. Today, we’re honored to feature a reflection by Dr. Elizabeth M. Woodard, pastoral associate at Sacred Hearts Parish. Elizabeth is a Catholic theologian, musician, spiritual director, and author of Cruciform Ecumenism. Below, she explores the power of the Holy Spirit to bind us together as one diverse Body in Christ, drawing from her experience in UB’s Christian unity cohort.
The selection of Pope Leo XVI this past week is an exciting event in the life of Christians worldwide. For many, it is a sign of Christian unity; for others, it is a stumbling block to unity. As a Roman Catholic theologian, I celebrate not just Pope Leo, but the office of bishop and the chair of Saint Peter in general, as a sign of unity among those who follow Christ. I believe that the office is the locus of the Church’s apostolicity, by which we claim not just any faith, but the faith Christ handed to the apostles. The succession of bishops and of popes demonstrates our continuity to the original, unchanged deposit of faith.
I know many of my brothers and sisters in Christ who belong to Protestant communions find the papacy divisive. The pope and the authority the Catholic Church attributes to him (as well as to all bishops), highlights the disparity between Christians who recognize that authority and those who do not. My Catholic ecclesiology is highly centralized. Christian communions who emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit more equally among all believers find the papacy to be a source of disunity among all Christ’s followers.
However, this isn’t the end of the story. I am filled with renewed hope for unity today than I have had in a long time. I was recently blessed to be part of a year-long unity cohort run by the Revs. Kelly Fassett and Devlin Scott of UniteBoston. It concluded with a retreat last weekend during which we finalized a “Beloved Community Lab” curriculum we had been working on throughout the year. During the retreat, I was reminded of many of the reasons I am an ecumenist. I was reminded that the Church does not hold a monopoly on God; God is free to act in whatever ways he so chooses and through whichever people. I was reminded that God does, in fact, bless all the baptized with the power of the Holy Spirit to believe and to follow the Lord. This is a fact on which I believe both Catholics and Protestants agree. I was reminded of the beautiful diversity among the body of Christ. During our weekend, we prayed on 1 Corinthians 12, that is Saint Paul’s metaphor of the Church (the Body of Christ) as a literal body. How boring (and ineffective!) it would be if hands tried to be eyes, or ears, feet.
Here I would love to include the photo of all of us looking down at the camera! – Devlin Add
I love my Church and I celebrate the newly begun pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. The first U.S. born Pope in the 2,000-year history of our Church, the 267th successor of Saint Peter is a Chicago Native who also later became a Peruvian citizen. He led the Augustians, a monastic order dedicated to the values of Saint Augustine, which includes “life in common.” To this end, I recognize that even my own Catholic Church recognizes the unity among all the baptized. When someone already baptized becomes Catholic, the Catholic Church does not re-baptize them. They recognize the validity of all baptisms. Moreover, recept Popes such as Paul VI and John Paul II have emphasized the importance of ecumenism, writing, “Such division openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel to every creature. But the Lord of Ages wisely and patiently follows out the plan of grace on our behalf, sinners that we are. In recent times more than ever before, He has been rousing divided Christians to remorse over their divisions and to a longing for unity…” (Unitatis Redintegratio, 1) Our newest Pope, Leo XIV, chose for his coat of arms a Latin phrase, In illo uno unum, or “In the One, we are one.” It beautifully calls to mind the holy enterprise of ecumenical unity, and John 17:21, in which Jesus prays, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”
I pray that Pope Leo’s pontificate is one during which all Christians can remember and celebrate our unity in baptism, through which Christ claims us as his own and bestows in us the power of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit is not one of division, but one of unity, in which we all together call God “Abba!” This translates as “father,” or, more intimately, “daddy.” As we look to the Holy Father as the vicar of Christ who taught us to call God our Father, I pray that this era may be one of greater and greater unity among Christians. Though we disagree on certain matters of ecclesiology and theology, do we not together cry to God, in the name of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, “Abba?”
I pray that God might help me see all Christians more clearly in their diverse beauty as my brothers and sisters in Christ, celebrating our uniqueness, our unity-in-diversity, much as we celebrate the variety of gifts within our friend groups or our families. I ask all my brothers and sisters to pray for me, that I may grow in holiness, and that together we may seek daily conversion of heart and mind in the Holy Spirit.
More on Pope Leo:
- Archbishop Henning says Pope Leo is a “Gift to the Church” (Boston Pilot)
- Prayers for Pope Leo (Rev. Mariama White-Hammondl, New Roots Church)
- Pope Leo’s Motto and Coat of Arms (Vatican News)
- Orthodox leaders welcome Leo XIV’s election as ‘sign of hope’ for Christian unity (La Croix International)
- What Pope Leo Has Said about Five Key Issues (National Catholic Register)
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
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 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.
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 http://www.devlinscott.com.
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.
In this pivotal moment of political polarization and social upheaval, UniteBoston is issuing a call to moral and ethical leadership, inviting all Christians to repent from how we have strayed from the Way of Jesus and return to the core ethical and moral Biblical principles of love, justice, integrity, equity, and peace.
Lent is a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal, calling us to turn from sin and realign with God’s will. Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness preparing for His ministry, we are invited to examine our lives, confess where we’ve fallen short, and commit to change our ways. This is an opportunity to do the deep inner work of upholding the morals, ethics, and character of Christ, that we can individually and corporately be the people that the world needs right now and build up our common life together.
Local Christians brought this idea to our attention based on the divisiveness and harm they have seen taking place in current events, and we feel compelled to respond in this critical hour. In response, UB leadership has collaborated with them to draft and extend this invitation to the wider UniteBoston community and beyond. We see strong alignment between this call to moral and ethical leadership and UB’s efforts to strengthen the foundations of our Christian witness. This initiative builds on our Church & Civic Engagement gathering, where 70 leaders committed to Keep in Step with the Holy Spirit, and aligns with our current Fortify campaign.
In spite of our political differences, join us to recommit ourselves to the following twelve principles interwoven in the overall message of the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
By signing, we pledge to:
✅ Repent of ways we have strayed from the Way of Jesus (Eze. 33:7-16)
✅ Realign with Christ’s prayer for the unity of His believers (Jn. 17:20-26)
✅ Renew our commitment to public integrity and moral leadership, which begins with each of us (Isa. 58:1-14)Our goal this Lenten season is to gather 500+ signatures from a politically diverse Greater Boston Christian community to personally and publicly repent, receive God’s forgiveness and recommit themselves to moral and ethical leadership.
To follow up from these commitments, we are planning to form a team of diverse Christians from varying political backgrounds to discern next steps, such as:
- Hosting kingdom conversation gatherings across political differences to foster more fruitful, challenging, and curious conversations in our church communities
- Calling our community leaders, including church, business, and elected government officials, to exemplify this type of moral and ethical leadership
- Taking action together to support those most vulnerable among us, such as the poor, widow, orphan, and immigrant (Zec 7:10) and supporting grassroots initiatives to address systemic inequities that are preventing the flourishing of all neighbors in our beloved city.
We pray that these opportunities for inward reflection, repentance, and outward action taking will plant the seeds of reconciliation and forgiveness that is needed to address the division and polarization harming the Church. Our hope is that we might offer an authentic, Christ-centered public witness, full of God’s truth, grace, and love (Jn 13:35).
Join us to rise above political division and stand together in the Way of Jesus.
A Call to Moral and Ethical Leadership Through Confession and Repentance
1. Love my neighbor as myself.
True leadership begins with love in action—a love that transcends political and ideological divides, embracing compassion and solidarity with all (Lk. 10:25-37). To love our neighbor is to act for their well-being, to listen with humility, and to seek peace over polarization (Jer. 29:4-14). Love does not harm and is the summary of all God’s commands to His people (Rom. 13:8-12).
I have acted believing that I’ll take care of my needs first and foremost, and other people can take care of themselves. Lord Jesus, forgive me.
2. Steward responsibly the authority entrusted to me.
Leadership is not about power for personal gain but about stewarding influence for the flourishing of all (Acts 14:8-18). Leaders recognize that authority is a trust, not a weapon—one that must be exercised with wisdom, justice, and accountability (Mt. 25:14-30). Stewardship acknowledges that everything is God’s and we are to work and take care of all of God’s creation, recognizing that what affects one of us ultimately affects us all (Gen. 2:2-15).
I have acted believing that what I have is mine, and I’ll do with it as I see fit, and I’ve neglected the common good. Lord Jesus, forgive me.
3. Live a life of holiness in a world yearning for wholeness.
In a society fractured by fear, brokenness and lies, leaders must embody the hope, integrity, and life that people long for (Isa. 61:1-11). Followers of Jesus are called to reflect the light of Christ in a world that often rewards deception and evil (Jn. 3:16-21). With Christ as our foundation, we are called to live moral and godly lives so people can see Christ through us (1 Pet. 2:4-12).
I have acted believing that I’ll do what’s right for me and what others do doesn’t concern me. Lord Jesus, forgive me.
4. Move out of my self-centeredness to live for the greater good.
A moral leader rejects personal self-interest as the highest aim, choosing instead to serve the marginalized, the vulnerable, and the common good, to God’s glory (Ps. 40:5-10). Leadership is not about self-preservation but about service and sacrifice for the sake of mercy and justice (Lk 4:14-20). Followers of Jesus live with purpose to proclaim and demonstrate God’s love for the world (Acts 8:26-40).
I have acted believing that the world and my purpose of life is centered around me. Lord Jesus, forgive me.
5. Admit when I’ve done wrong, then think and act differently to make it right.
A just society is not built on denial and deflection but on repentance and restoration (Eze. 18:25-32). Leaders must humbly acknowledge wrongdoing, whether personal or systemic, and take active steps toward restitution and repair (Lk. 19:1-10). We all must give and accept forgiveness to be agents of reconciliation in the world and bear witness to Christ’s reconciling work (2 Cor. 5:14-21).
I have acted believing that there is no right and wrong, and I’m accountable only to myself. Lord Jesus, forgive me.
6. Use wealth and power wisely, as these idols easily enslave us all.
God calls us to worship and obey Him alone and not be enslaved by the idols of this world (Lk. 16:9-15). The love of money and the pursuit of power have corrupted many leaders (1 Tim. 6:6-10). A moral and ethical leader rejects greed, exploitation, and economic injustice, opting instead to steward resources in ways that honor human dignity and promote the well-being of the community (Eccl. 5:10-20).
I have acted believing that money, power and status are the most important things in life. Lord Jesus, forgive me.
7. Respect and work with all people, especially those that differ from me.
Leaders are called to cultivate communities of belonging, respect and welcome, rather than giving in to the sinful tendencies of division and hatred (Rom. 15:7, Col. 3:1-15). As followers of Jesus, we are especially called to unity in diversity (Eph. 4:1-16) and to extend love not only to those who are like us but even to our enemies (Mt. 5:43-48). Our treatment of one another matters—we must put to death the desires of the flesh, including hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition, dissension, and envy. Instead, we are to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:16-25).
I have acted believing that the people who look and think like me are the only people that matter. Lord Jesus, forgive me.
8. Fight to restore hope in the midst of our brokenness.
In a world plagued by cynicism and despair, leaders must point towards the heavenly vision of shalom: nothing broken, nothing missing, and everything in right relationship (1 Pet. 1:3-12). This means standing against the brokenness by encouraging one another to build a future where hope is tangible and joy sustains us all (Amos 9:11-15). We lead others to full and complete lives as we follow the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:9-11).
I have acted believing that the world is messed up and there is nothing I can do about it. Lord Jesus, forgive me.
9. Serve others with humility.
Jesus redefined leadership as servanthood (Jn 13:12-17). True leaders do not seek status or control but embrace humility, contentment, and a commitment to the well-being of others (Phil. 2:1-4). Followers of Jesus serve others with humility out of gratitude for Jesus’ service to us (Isa. 53:1-12).
I have acted believing that my value is based on what people think of me and on the possessions that I have and need more of. Lord Jesus forgive me.
10. Show costly generosity even to those who are against me.
We are all called to generously love those who mistreat or hate us (Lk. 6:27-36) out of a recognition of the generous love that Christ has shown to us. We should sacrifice our own wants and desires for the benefit of others (2 Cor. 9:6-13), so there might be equality (2 Cor. 8:14). Followers of Jesus live sacrificially to honor God and point to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us (1 Chron. 29:6-17).
I have acted out of a scarcity mindset, believing that everyone else is looking to take from me and that I need to look out for myself first. Lord Jesus, forgive me.
11. Stand in solidarity with the poor and the vulnerable.
Jesus will judge all of us on how we show mercy to the hungry, the foreigner, the naked, the sick and the prisoner (Mt. 25:31-46). Moral leadership demands that we defend the cause of the oppressed while also working to repair the harm that we have caused to the most vulnerable among us (Deut. 10:14-19). We must show mercy to others because God has shown mercy to us (1 Tim. 1:12-16).
I have acted believing that people deserve their bad circumstances, rather than seeing the structural systems that advantage some over others. Lord Jesus, forgive me.
12. Act with integrity and treat every person equally.
The Christian faith is built on the equal dignity, belovedness and worth of every person (Gen. 1:26, Jas. 2:1-13). In a world where inequality and discrimination persist because of our sin and sinful structural advantages that value some over others, leaders must stand for truth, integrity, and justice for all groups and individuals (Isa. 58:1-14).
I have dehumanized image bearers in my thoughts and actions, believing that truth is relevant and I need to use any advantage I have to keep myself ahead and others down. Lord Jesus, forgive me.
List of Signatures
Below is the list of people who have signed this commitment publicly so far, updated every day or so.
J. Garciano (Winchester, MA)
D. Saff (Arlington, MA)
G.F. Hicks (Stoughton)
K. Fassett (Boston, MA)
S. Gautier (East Boston, MA)
M. James (Chestnut Hill, MA)
D. Scott (Newton, MA)
M. Lietz (Boston, MA)
S. Rice (Arlington, MA)
J. Marcucci (Medford, MA)
M. DeJong (Waltham, MA)
B. Pierce (Brighton, MA)
R. Lutjohann (Cambridge, MA)
K. Hampson (Brookline, MA)
S. DeBonis (Quincy, MA)
H. Ho (Winchester, MA)
S. Brill (Worcester, MA)
O. Aarons-Martin (Brockton, MA)
S. Richardson (Reading, MA)
E. Gaskin (Randolph, MA)
M. Priest (Boston, MA)
J. Stanton (Medford, MA)
K. Fink (Framingham, MA)
L. Saylor (Arlington, MA)
G. Fung (Boston, MA)
I. Egbuchulam (Walpole, MA)
C. Parker (Winthrop, MA)
J. Runyon (Lynn, MA)
B. Neptune (Boston, MA)
We invite you to share this call to moral and ethical leadership via email or through social media, as our goal this Lenten season is to gather 500+ signatures from a politically diverse Greater Boston Christian community to personally and publicly recommit themselves to these Biblical principles.
“We need to be more self-reflective than ever. Marketing has long drawn us into greed. Algorithms now draw us into fear and outrage. Politics draw us into viciousness. But those vices feed a foe within us — one more subtle and terrible than any foe without (Romans 7:14 – 25). How will we – as Christians in Greater Boston – endure the change and hardship coming while relating more deeply with Jesus? “
Lent is upon us, a season of spiritual discipline, reflection, and self-examination. In this week’s newsletter, we’re featuring Lent with Irenaeus, a new book by local author Mako Nagasawa, who is also an elder at Neighborhood Church of Dorchester.
Irenaeus of Lyons, a second-century bishop, confronted distorted beliefs and emphasized the wholeness of body, soul, and creation in the Christian faith. Read an excerpt of his book below to explore his timeless insights on spiritual formation to deepen your faith from the darkness of Lent to the light of Eastertide.
Lent is the forty day period before Easter — that is, Resurrection Sunday. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, when Christians often mark our foreheads with ash to remind us that we are mortal and will return one day to the dust. Lent ends with Holy Week – we recall Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem as king, confronting the powers, only to face anguish at Gethsemane, be crucified on Good Friday, and then, at last, be raised on Resurrection Sunday into an immortal life.
During this period in his life, Jesus journeyed to give and to gain. He went to give something up – his very life. He also went to gain something infinitely valuable — his humanity purified and perfected, and a way for us to share in what he accomplished. The letter to the Hebrews says Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame, for the joy set before him (Heb.12:2).
Lent is like a spiritual fitness routine. In order to more fully appreciate the significance of Jesus’ journey during Lent, Christians typically give something up — often a comfort item: meat; sugar; coffee; video games; social media. We let ourselves feel a physical or emotional pang of desire. We let this desire remind us of a deeper desire: the desire for a deeper connection with Jesus. Lent is, therefore, a season where we hope to gain things: a deeper hunger and thirst for Jesus and his righteousness (Mt.5:6), and strength over our lesser cravings – even if those lesser cravings help us cope with pain or loss. Perhaps especially if so.
Irenaeus is an outstanding guide in this Lenten journey. He was a Christian leader in the second century. He had been mentored by Polycarp of Smyrna in western Asia Minor, the region where Jesus’ apostles – his earliest followers – had spent the most time investing in new communities. Polycarp had been mentored by the apostle John, so Irenaeus’ pedigree was impressive. He might have died as a martyr, but certainly he was ready to, as his predecessor Pothinus of Lyons and mentor Polycarp of Smyrna both died by martyrdom. How did he come to love Jesus that much?
Irenaeus defended the Christian faith against “gnostic” influences — those who believed the body was evil or worthless or didn’t matter as much as the soul and the mind. So-called “gnostic Christians” then argued that Christian faith was about simply believing certain ideas while giving up on changing much of anything. It would have been the easier way to live, frankly. But Irenaeus knew that our journey with Jesus had to be more fully embodied, and involve a retraining of our whole being. For we are, as Irenaeus understood, human becomings.
Most of these reflections come from the fourth book of Irenaeus’ five volume work, Against Heresies. In this book especially, Irenaeus connects the stories and practices of the Old Testament to Jesus. The gnostics wanted to disconnect Jesus from the ancient Jewish story and community. Irenaeus points out that Jesus’ physical humanity was dependent on the Jewish community from which he came. God had shaped and trained ancient Israel in certain ways, with their partnership. Jesus embraced that training and journeyed further.
I hope Irenaeus’ reflections on this journey with Jesus helps you this Lenten season. For this early Christian leader – Irenaeus – believed it was a journey of becoming truly human.
Reflection 2: We Ascend to God or Descend to the Animal
We often think of Lent as a season where we give up something, which is often a comfort item: meat; sugar; screen time; chocolate. We let ourselves feel the loss or lack of that thing. We let this lack lead us to feel desire, and this desire reminds us that our deepest desire is for Jesus. So during Lent, we hope to gain things: a deeper hunger and thirst for the righteousness of Jesus (Mt.5:6), and strength over our lesser cravings – even if those lesser cravings help us cope with pain or loss.
Irenaeus speaks of this training of our desires. He says we either ascend towards God, or descend towards the animal – or, at least, certain types of wild animals. As finite beings created and loved by the infinite God, we are meant to grow infinitely in relation to God… Yet, the apostle Peter said that those who sin without repenting eventually become “slaves to corruption, for people are slaves to whatever masters them” (2 Pet.2:19). Peter, quoting King Solomon in Proverbs 26:11, says that such people are like dogs that return to their vomit or pigs that return to mud. Irenaeus, citing Peter, explains it in terms of desires and longings: “Now, spiritual men shall not be incorporeal spirits; but our substance, that is, the union of flesh and spirit, receiving the Spirit of God, makes up the spiritual man. But those who do indeed reject the Spirit’s counsel, and are the slaves of fleshly lusts, and lead lives contrary to reason, and who, without restraint, plunge headlong into their own desires, having no longing after the Divine Spirit, do live after the manner of swine and of dogs; these men, [I say], does the apostle very properly term “carnal,” because they have no thought of anything else except carnal things.” (AH 5.8.2, italics mine, quoting 2 Pet.2:12 – 22; Prov.26:11; cf. AH 4.4.3, quoting Ps.49:12)
Consider how we might “live after the manner of swine and of dogs” as Peter and Irenaeus mention, unpleasant as that might be. We can make our habitats – our families, friendships, and organizations – morally and spiritually unhealthy. For example, if we make a home for toxic favoritism or disdain, allow gossip and conflicts to fester in our presence, or get defensive when we are wrong, then we are like those pigs who sit in the mud and their own excrement. If we are in leadership and allow sins to go unaddressed, we contribute to an unhealthy environment where other people suffer.
We need to be more self-reflective than ever. Marketing has long drawn us into greed. Algorithms now draw us into fear and outrage. Politics draw us into viciousness. But those vices feed a foe within us — one more subtle and terrible than any foe without (Romans 7:14 – 25). How will we – as Christians in Greater Boston – endure the change and hardship coming while relating more deeply with Jesus?
What does a “typical” day at UB look like? Well, no two days are ever quite the same! But I’d love to take you through one particularly unique day last week—one that was especially full of meaningful conversations and Spirit-led moments.
5:30am – Coffee with Jesus. I’m an early riser, waking up before the sun most days to pray, reflect and read the news before the hustle and bustle of the day begins.
6:57am – Cross country ski in Franklin Park. I start most days with exercise, as I find that when my body moves, then I can think much more clearly. Contemplating God’s word for today with the “Pray as you Go” devotional and the Holy Post podcast. Jamming out to the song “Kingdom of Jesus” which has been hitting me deep these days: “He’s chosen the small things to outlast the great, the meek and the merciful to shine through the hate… Oh say can’t you see we have one allegiance? It’s to the Kingdom of Jesus.”
10:34am – Coffee and pastries with Rev. Arrington Chamblis at Homestead Bakery. So meaningful to hear about her own personal journey meeting Jesus and following in his footsteps, now at Episcopal City Mission. One thing she shared that I’m holding onto is that, “Personal and social transformation must go hand in hand—without a change of heart, nothing will truly change.”
12:17pm – Lunch with Liza Cagua-Koo at Fresh Food Generation. Liza has a deep understanding of systems practice. Her perspective on bringing people from diverse backgrounds together to collaborate and drive meaningful change is so inspiring to me and crucial to UniteBoston’s ministry.
2:35pm – Meeting with Jerome Garciano from Highrock Church, where we brainstormed and schemed about a collective call to moral leadership. Our hope is to invite Christians from across the political spectrum to reconfirm ourselves and call our leaders to a higher standard—one that reflects the hope, faith, and love at the heart of the Gospel.
Lots of administrative work in the afternoon, including planning an upcoming cohort case study and ordering supplies for a UniteBoston gathering, followed by dinner with my family!
I crashed early this night, and then woke up the next morning to coffee with Jesus again… the slow, rooted, connecting work of UniteBoston continues.
Move slow enough to notice
Wherever God shows up today,
may I not be too hurried to notice,
nor too aloof to care.
When the Sacred surprises me
like an unexpected guest,
may I not hesitate to greet Them with open arms.
Let not my bias be a barrier,
to embracing The Holy’s mysterious ways.
May I be hospitable to God enfleshed
in even the dullest circumstances,
and the hardest situations,
and the strangest of places.
I am open
to encountering Love,
to meeting with Justice,
to being held by Awe.
May it be so.– Rev. M Jade Kaiser, enfleshed
We are honored to share a podcast episode with Jennifer Nassour, Boston resident, former chairwoman of the Massachusetts Republical Party, and host of Political Contessa. She welcomes Shelton Oakley Hersey, a local Spiritual Director and Dialogue Consultant passionate about fostering fruitful conversation and the reconciling presence of Jesus through UniteBoston and beyond.
With a Master’s from Fuller Theological Seminary in Intercultural Studies and extensive experience in interreligious and community dialogue, Shelton shares insights from her work in both South Africa and the U.S. Together, she and Jennifer explore how structured conversations with clear ground rules can transform heated conversations into opportunities for deeper understanding of ourselves, others, and even God. And, how it can and must include each of us embodying the Fruit of the Spirit with one another in our daily lives.
Tune in as they discuss the necessary culture shift from fear-based motivation to values-driven mutual respect of one another, the essential role of adults in modeling and teaching skills like humility, curiosity, grace in action, etc., and how community-level conversations can create lasting change. Whether you’re navigating tough discussions at home, work, or in your church community, this episode will equip you with practical tools to foster respect and a sense of unity in a divided world.
Listen now and join the movement for healthier conversations, meaningful engagement, and one way to embody Christ in these polarized times!
UniteBoston celebrates Black History Month by honoring the rich legacy of Black leaders, churches, and communities who have shaped Boston. We recognize the pivotal role of the Black Church in the Civil Rights Movement, whose faith and resilience followed in the footsteps of Jesus Christ to champion racial justice, equality, and shalom.
This month, we invite you to join us to celebrate Boston’s Black History with the opportunities below.
1. Dive into EGC’s Fact Friday series, where Jaronzie Harris explores the church’s history and legacy in Boston, one short video at a time. Click below to watch their Instagram videos!
- Did you know that the African Meeting House on Beacon Hill was co-founded by Cato Gardner, a formerly enslaved man born in Africa?
- Or that Twelfth Baptist Church was the spiritual home of Wilhelmina Crosson, a pioneering Black school teacher in Boston, who also was instrumental in launching the precursor to Black History Month?
- Why is a church on Warren Street in Roxbury called “The Historic Charles Street AME Church?”
- How about this gem? The founding pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Rev. Peter Randolph, led a group of 66 freed slaves from Virginia to Boston before the Civil War and also obtained a lawyer to win their rightful freedom! His autobiography is available online!
- And Union Methodist Church was a stop on the Underground Railroad as well as the home church of David Walker, author of one of the most important early attacks on slavery, Walker’s Appeal.
2. Take a Black Theology course, part of the Theology Lab at Highrock Church! This course, which features scholars, musicians, and church leaders, including Prof. Tom Baskett (Highrock; Berklee College of Music), explores how the faith experiences of Black Americans open up distinct ways of reading Scripture, shed light on the gospel’s liberating power, and model the importance of social engagement for all Christians. Central to this class is the theological claim that the faith of Black Americans is a gift to the whole church. There are six videos and a discussion guide is available here.
3. Reflect utilizing this Black History Month Cheat Sheet compiled by Minister Ed Gaskin, Executive Director of Greater Grove Hall Main Streets. Ed encourages you to take a few moments to first write down the books, movies, music, speeches, events, etc. that have shaped your view on race and racism, before looking at the chart. Then look at the chart and decide, discuss who you would keep, replace or add. Did you learn anything new? What do you wonder now? Download the PDF here.
4. Go on a self-guided tour of Boston’s Black History:
- Use this guide from WBUR to experience the history firsthand in downtown Boston, Cambridge, or Roxbury
- Use this Map to go on a Boston Greenbook Tour, compiled by Rev. June Cooper, Sankofa cohort member and Theologian in the City at Old South Church. The Boston Green Book was part of The Negro Motorist Green Book, a travel guide published from 1936 to 1967 that listed safe businesses for Black travelers during segregation. Featuring hotels, restaurants, and social hubs along Columbus Avenue and Tremont Street, it highlighted key establishments like Slade’s Bar and Grill and Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe, which remain cultural landmarks today.
- Use this guide to discover places associated with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King in Boston.
5. Join us for our “Stories from the Boston Sankofa Journey“ event
Join us as our Boston Sankofa Journey members reflect on nine months of exploring Boston’s historical landmarks tied to the legacy of slavery, the Black freedom movement, and the role of churches in both supporting and resisting slavery. Through personal stories and creative storytelling, we will share transformative moments and how they are carrying these experiences forward. REGISTER HERE
6. Dig deeper into the history:
- “Remembering the Past to Build Shalom in the Present” – This is a superb resource list on the history of slavery in Boston, compiled by Megan Lietz from the Race & Christian Community Initiative.
- Black History Month Learners’ Guide – Great list of video and written resources to reflect on the intersection between race and faith from Reality Church Boston.
- The Boston Black Church Vitality resource page has a really interesting multi-media Boston Black Church history timeline, map, and 7 in-depth bibliographies on Boston’s Black History and Black Church History.
Black history IS Boston’s history! As each of us take steps to learn and experience Boston’s Black history, we discover how remembering the past can help us pursue racial justice, reconciliation, and shalom in our city today.
Below, UniteBoston’s Executive Director Rev. Kelly reflects on the concept of “unity” as proposed by the new federal administration and shares her perspective on how biblical unity embraces diversity, disrupts unjust systems, and prioritizes the most vulnerable.
Note: These reflections are offered by a Christian leader in Boston and do not necessarily represent the official views of UniteBoston as an organization. Our city is home to many faithful, God-fearing, Bible-believing Christian leaders, and our blog exists as a space to “gather all the voices”—a place where individuals can come as they are, share authentically and vulnerably, and engage in learning together. As we seek to be the people of God, on the mission of God, for the flourishing of our city, we encourage honest and courageous conversations—rooted in truth-telling, listening, and story-sharing— with those we may disagree with. If you’d like to share a response or continue the conversation, feel free to reach out to us.
The numerous federal enactments and proclamations over the past two weeks, especially those framed under the banner of “unity,” have been unsettling to me. For example, last Friday, the U.S. Department of Defense announced the elimination of all official monthly celebrations related to race and identity, stating, “Identity Months Dead at DoD. All official monthly celebrations related to race and identity in the Defense Department are banned effective immediately.”
In an interview with Fox News, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth added, “We don’t have time for emphasizing differences. One of the dumbest phrases in military history is ‘our diversity is our strength.’ Our diversity is not our strength. Our unity and our shared purpose is our strength.”
When we hear this, alarm bells should go off. This isn’t just about DEI or identity politics, this is about a core principle that our nation is built on: E pluribus unum – Out of many, one. This means that Americans are to cultivate a sense of ‘we’ that preserves, rather than erases, our differences, because there is no real “unity” unless we see and honor one another in all our beautiful, God-given distinctions. Without our diversities, unity dissolves into uniformity, which distorts the imago Dei and weakens our God-given right to flourish.Have you been shaped by being with people and cultures different than your own? I sure have. I currently live in an intentional Christian community home in a predominantly Black community in Dorchester, and I worship at a church that has people of many different ethnic backgrounds. I’ve learned that our differences are what make our world stronger, brighter, and truer – if we let them be.
Yes, it can make things a little more complex, and there is the give-and-take of working out our differences that can be challenging at times. Yet, being in close relationships with people different than me has made me see my blind spots more clearly and recognize my own privilege as a White woman. I feel incredibly blessed to work with Rev. Devlin, a Black pastor originally from Chicago. His differing perspective, background, and life experiences has made me a better leader and has strengthened UniteBoston’s mission significantly.
Above: The UniteBoston Community at a recent worship concert
Furthermore, research has shown that our diversity is a valuable national asset: immigrants contribute a collective impact of $100 billion in the Boston area. Diversity also makes teams smarter by enhancing organizational performance, decision-making, and innovation. In fact, companies with greater gender diversity on executive teams were 21% more likely to experience above-average profitability.
We need diversity not just for diversity’s sake, or to be “woke,” but because a world without a variety of voices present limits our imagination and what we can accomplish together. Like the tensile strength of a spiderweb, deep unity holds complex realities in tension, which makes it strong.
The Biblical Model of Unity
Let’s be clear: a unity without diversity isn’t only ineffective and weak, it is unbiblical. Scripture is clear that unity does not mean uniformity. A key foundation of Christianity is that we are all made in God’s image, bestowed with inherent immeasurable dignity and worth (Gen 1:27). We are all parts of a larger body, where none of us are dispensable; in fact, the real sin is saying to another ‘I don’t need you’ (1 Cor 12:21-23). Our unity comes when we give greater honor and concern to the parts that are weak, lacking or suffering (1 Cor 12:21-26). In our world today, this includes the unborn, the very young, those living in poverty or with disabilities, refugees, immigrants, the LGBTQ community, and other vulnerable groups.
I’ve also learned that the term “unity” is not neutral; while it has always been a positive word for me, my friends of color have let me know how often their cultures and backgrounds have been left behind under the banner of “unity.” Unity can create an illusion of togetherness, the “hues in the pews,” while silencing differences and excluding marginalized voices, effectively turning ‘them’ into ‘us.’ Too often, “unity” often conflates into a White, western way, where whiteness operates as the default standard, exerting power and control to uphold narrow interests rather than the collective good.
Our nation is built on the idea that we are “one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” True biblical unity calls us to uphold justice, dismantle inequities, and seek the flourishing of all people, especially the most vulnerable (Zechariah 7:9-10, Ezekiel 22:7) because “we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly” (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) Let’s be clear on this: Unity is not only an encompassing of diversity but also an abolition of unjust systems. A unity that does not recognize the systems and structures that allow some to flourish, and others to struggle to survive is not unity at all. Unity without justice is oppression in disguise.
Distorted Unity and “America First”
Despite canceling official diversity celebrations, President Trump issued a proclamation for Black History Month. However, his statement omitted references to slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, or key civil rights legislation.
More troubling, recent executive orders have suspended U.S. foreign aid, halted refugee admissions, and begun dissolving USAID, placing global staff on administrative leave. Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined a new framework for foreign aid, asking, “Does it make America safer, does it make America stronger, does it make America more prosperous?”
Make no mistake: There is nothing Christian about “America First.” Christians are to be united “in one spirit and one mind” by”valuing others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others” (Phil 2:2-4). While eliminating government waste is important, the priority should be given not to America, but to those most vulnerable among us: the poor, the widows, and the foreigners (Zec 7:10, Deut 10:18) so that there might be equality (2 Cor 8:13-15).
By halting the equivalent of less than 1% of the US budget, we are jeopardizing programs providing clean water, job training, education, and medical aid to 120 countries—initiatives that have long enjoyed bipartisan support. These initiatives do not only promote global stability and security but also serve American interests. Christian leaders of many backgrounds including Catholic Bishops, Episcopal Church leaders, Evangelicals, South African Church Leaders, and even Pope Francis have all spoken out against eliminating USAID and changing policies regarding immigration. Jesuit Fr. James Martin writes: “In its simplest terms, the apparent demise of USAID is the result of the world’s richest man ending a program that helps millions of poor people. You don’t need a Ph.D. in moral theology to see why this is evil. You can just read Jesus’ parables on the rich and the poor.”
What is most tragic for me is how the Bible is being used to support these decisions and “America First” principles. JD Vance’s interview on Fox News describes, “there is a Christian concept that you love your family and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens, and then after that, prioritize the rest of the world.” America is not the apple of God’s eye; Just as Jesus never restricted His commitment to Judea or Israel, we must not limit our moral responsibility to the borders of our 50 states.
A Call to Action
The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde is right: Our world needs a kind of unity that is humble, upholds dignity, extends mercy to the most vulnerable including our LGBTQ and immigrant neighbors, and serves the common good.
Jesus made it clear: We will be judged by how we treat “the least of these” (Matthew 25:41-43). President Trump may have the power to put forth executive orders, but he does not have the power to silence the American people for standing up for what is right, good, just, and Biblical. May we stand courageously for the unity that reflects the heart of Christ. A unity that embraces diversity, disrupts unjust systems, and prioritizes the most vulnerable is not a ‘woke’ agenda—it is God’s agenda.
“The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice. I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” (Ezekiel 22:29-30)
Dr. Reggie Williams compares our moment to Bonhoeffer’s era, warning, “The most glaring similarity between then and now is that too many well-meaning people of faith stared evil in the face and did nothing.” Here’s how we can take action:
- See and Honor One Another: We can check in with friends and neighbors in these challenging times, welcoming one another and building diverse friendships. We can honor one another, their particular culture and backgrounds and share the value they add to our lives.
- Give Generously: Recent executive orders cut off and threaten federal funding for the most basic assistance for families acutely suffering and in need of food, shelter, and medical care. We can support organizations that are serving locally, nationally and internationally, such as World Relief.
- Hold Elected Officials Accountable: Our system is being flooded with new policies and orders which can leave people feeling isolated, disorientated, fearful, and powerless. We can resist this tactic by staying engaged and speaking out, especially on policies that are being proposed that are unconstitutional or unbiblical, remembering that politicians act by what is demanded of them by the people. Democracy thrives when people refuse to be silenced. I also recommend this piece by Ezra Klein, where he urges Americans to closely examine the first two weeks of Donald Trump’s second term to see a reality that may differ from what is being presented.
- We can be clear about the Way of Jesus. Jesus prioritizes kingdom over empire: “Jesus was not killed by atheism and anarchy. He was brought down by law and order allied with religion, which is always a deadly mix. Beware those who claim to know the mind of God and are prepared to use force, if necessary, to make others conform. Beware those who cannot tell God’s will from their own.” – Barbara Brown Taylor
Graphic Credit: Radici Studios
a blessing for when you’re tired of broken systems – by Kate Bowler
Oh God, I am done with broken systems
that break the very people
they are meant to serve.
Harness this anger.
Channel it into worthy action and show me
what is mine to fix and what boundaries to patrol
to keep goodness in and evil out.
Blessed are we who are appalled
that brute ignorance can so easily dominate
over decency, honesty, and integrity.
Blessed are we, who choose not to look away
from systems that dehumanize, deceive, defame, and distort.
We who recognize that thoughts and prayers are not enough.
We who stand with truth over expediency,
principle over politics,
community over competition.
Oh God, how blessed are we who cry out to you:
empower us to see and name what is broken,
what is ours to restore,
guide us to find coherent and beautiful alternatives
that foster life, hope, and peace.
Help us use our gifts with one another in unity.
Blessed are we who choose to live in anticipation,
our eyes scanning the horizon,
for signs of your kingdom—
heaven-come-down—
as we wait in hope
and act with courage.
~ Kate Bowler
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.”
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.
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
