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Nurturing Relational Connections Across Boston's Christian Community

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Apr 19 2025

The Body United

CALLING THE BODY OF CHRIST TO UNITE ACROSS ETHNIC, DENOMINATIONAL, AND GENERATIONAL LINES IN NEW ENGLAND AND BEYOND!

This is a catalytic gathering in the spirit of John 17 Unity to reconcile the church around the table of the Lord and in preparation for an incredible move of God. The diverse streams in the Body of Christ must flow together as one river for the glory of Jesus Christ and for the advancement of His kingdom in our land.

The “nets” must be repaired that we could collaborate and work together in the mission of the gospel and have a sustained relational wineskin to host the glory of God, authentic revival, and the maturity of the saints.

Do not miss this 3 day gathering of the saints!

🗓️Saturday to Monday night May 17th-19th

📍The Crossing Life Church – Windham NH on 100+ acre historic property – 122 N Lowell Rd

MANY LEADERS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ARE COLLABORATING IN THIS INITIATIVE….THE TIME IS NOW!!!

🎉 Family Festival
🥖Massive Communion meal and love feast
🙏 Collaborative personal ministry teams comprised of seasoned ministers from around New England- to pray with you, speak life over you, and release the freedom and power of God.
🎶 Powerful Worship from Different teams across NE
📣 Biblical Teaching
🗣️ Kingdom Panel Discussion with Regional leaders around unity, reconciliation, revival, the way forward
🔥Intercession times for New England and the nations
❤️‍🔥 Networking
🤩 And more!
*Child care during main sessions

🎟️ OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AT: WWW.THEBODYUNITED.NET

Apostle Grace Lubega from Phaneroo ministries in Uganda will be our key note speaker bringing a timely word and impartation to the Church of New England!

SPREAD THE WORD, INVITE YOUR NETWORKS!

THE BODY UNITED WILL BE HISTORIC AND A KEY MILESTONE TO THE KINGDOM NARRATIVE UNFOLDING IN NEW ENGLAND AND THE EARTH.

Written by Andrew Walker · Tagged: christian unity, christianity, christianity & racial justice, collaboration, community transformation, gathering, john 17, united prayer

Mar 20 2025

UniteBoston Curriculum Development Survey

UniteBoston is working toward developing a curriculum to equip people to think and act toward greater Christian unity, justice, and reconciliation, and to love one another across our divides. Your insights are essential to us understanding what the divides are and exploring a way ahead. We appreciate you taking the time to help us understand the challenges and potential solutions!

This survey will take about ten minutes. As an incentive to filling this out by March 31, we will choose three survey respondents to win a $20 gift card to Amazon OR a free pair of tickets to our upcoming UniteBoston party ($100 value)!

Deadline is March 31. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!

Survey Link

Written by uniteboston · Tagged: boston, christian unity, reconciliation, uniteboston, unity

Feb 06 2025

UniteBoston’s Fundraising Party & Community Gathering

Join Us for UniteBoston’s Eighth Annual Fundraising Party & Community Gathering!

You are invited to UniteBoston’s Fundraising Party and community gathering on Friday, April 11 from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm at the Bruce C. Bolling Building. This is an evening of celebration with food, fun, and an opportunity to partner with us in our bridge-building work.

Our team has chosen the theme of “fortify” for this season of UniteBoston, as it is a pivotal moment for Christians to fortify the foundation that we are standing on. At UniteBoston, we are working to equip Christians to be peacemakers and bridge-builders—agents of unity, reconciliation, justice, and repair in a fractured world. These aren’t just lofty ideals but actionable values that should shape the way Christians engage with one another and everyone they meet. Through intentional convening and discipleship, we are nurturing a “beloved community” where Christ’s love can overcome even the most entrenched divides.

This year’s event will feature a special keynote address by Rev. Michelle Sanchez, author of Color-Courageous Discipleship and Beloved Community. Rev. Sanchez is currently serving as a coach for our curriculum development, and we are excited to glean from her perspective. This will be followed by a conversation with Rev. Kelly and Rev. Devlin and testimonies of impact by our team.

This gathering will take place in Nubian Square. A list of nearby parking lots is available here, including the Blair parking lot and Dudley Square municipal parking lot around the corner of the building. We also received permission for this community to park in the large Urban League parking lot at 17 Warren Place, a five minute walk from the Bolling Building.  The Bolling Building is also adjacent to Dudley Station, with plenty of bus and public transportation options.

Join us to connect with the UniteBoston community and how you can be part of God’s reconciling, restoring, peacebuilding work through our ministry.

  • Live music!
  • Great food!
  • Friends old and new!
  • Inspiring testimonies of how God is at work in Greater Boston!

REGISTER HERE

We’re excited to offer childcare for ages 3-10 during our event, provided by safe and vetted volunteers from Neighborhood Church of Dorchester!  Your little ones will have a blast while you enjoy the event, knowing they’re in great hands. Please be sure to register your children in advance so we can make their experience fun and safe. We can’t wait to see your kiddos! Children do not need a ticket to the event but you do need to register them through a separate registration form.

REGISTER YOUR CHILDREN HERE

Ticket Options:

  • General Admission: $50
  • Student Admission: $25
  • Volunteer: Free

Sponsorship Opportunities:

  • Gold Sponsor – $2,000
    • Recognition at the event venue, food stations, and entertainment areas
    • Logo displayed in event signage, program, and materials
    • A dinner table sponsorship – 8 event tickets
    • Social media promotion as a Gold Sponsor
    • Mention during the event program
    • Sponsorship table available for you to place promotional items about your organization at the event
  • Silver Sponsor – $1,000
    • Recognition in event signage, program, and social media
    • 4 event tickets
    • Social media shout-out as a Silver Sponsor
    • Mention during the event program
    • Sponsorship table available for you to place promotional items about your organization at the event
  • Bronze Sponsor – $500
    • Recognition in event program and materials
    • 2 event tickets
    • Social media recognition as a Bronze Sponsor
    • Sponsorship table available for you to place promotional items about your organization at the event
  • Table Sponsor (Organization) – $300
    • Sponsor a dinner table for 8 people
    • Recognition at your table and in event materials

Our Goal: Raising $30,000

GIVE HERE

TABLE SPONSOR SIGN-UP

Fortify Fundraising Letter PDF

Your generous contributions will directly support our efforts to fortify Christian unity in Boston through strategic planning, staff and consultant support, and partnerships with local ministries.

*All new monthly donors contributing $50 or more will receive a UniteBoston mug and a free copy of Color-Courageous Discipleship!

Thank you for partnering with us to fortify the work of Christian unity in Boston. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out. We are deeply grateful for your friendship, encouragement, and support, and look forward to seeing you at the event!

Written by uniteboston · Tagged: christian unity, peace, reconciliation, uniteboston, unity

Feb 06 2025

A Unity of Strength – or Weakness? 

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

Written by uniteboston · Categorized: Blog, FROM THE UB LEADERSHIP, Unity & Reconciliation, Who is My Neighbor? · Tagged: biblical justice, christian social justice, christian unity, diversity, faith and politics, gospel in action

Feb 05 2025

Highlights from the 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

Written by uniteboston · Categorized: Blog, EVENTS & YEAR HIGHLIGHTS, Unity & Reconciliation, Worship & Prayer · Tagged: christian unity, faith and national healing, justice and reconciliation, lent, MLK prayer for peace, reconciliation, testimony, uniteboston, unity in diversity

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