Together again for NURTURE: UB’s Fundraising Party 2022
UniteBoston Helped Our Dream Become Reality
This week, our featured blogger is Matt Owens, Pastor of Christ the Redeemer Quincy. In October, UniteBoston was blessed to partner with his church to host a fall festival with live music, a free ice cream truck, hot apple cider, pumpkin painting and other activities for children! Read below to hear about how UB helped to enhance and further his church’s fall outreach initiative.
Introducing Pastor Devlin Scott, UniteBoston’s New Communications Administrator
Watch this video to meet Pastor Devlin, who recently stepped into the role as the UB communications administrator, the role that Pastor Percy Ballah has faithfully served for the past few months.
In the video, Pastor Devlin shares his experience growing up in inner-city Chicago, planting NewCity Church in Newton, and his hopes for serving in this role with UB. Join us in praising God for Pastor Devlin joining the UB team!
More: Click here to meet the entire UB staff, volunteers, and board of directors
Race to Dawn
Today, we’re excited to feature Shanell Alyssa’s new music video “Race to Dawn.” Shanell has been part of UniteBoston’s collaborative worship initiatives for the past three years, and has served this summer to coordinate our Renew backyard summer concert series. She was also a featured artist in our “Love Boston” concert last August with her song “Love’s Crying.”
Shanell describes that her new single “Race to Dawn” was inspired by finding the will to press through life’s challenges: “The past few years have been riddled with personal challenges, among which was the loss of all of my grandparents and a close family member, all of whom played an integral part in raising me.”
She chose to name this song ‘Race to Dawn’ because often people try to outrun life’s stresses, which she likens to trying to outrun the night. Yet, “while we might try to outrace our problems, we’re often faced with the reality of simply enduring them.
‘Race to Dawn’ is an ode to enduring life’s challenges while choosing to take rest in God’s presence and run into the arms of our loved ones here on earth to help us get through.”
Shanell is also a member of The First Cathedral in Bloomfield, CT. After watching the video, she hopes that people will come away with a renewed sense of hope to endure the many challenges we’ll face on our journeys – Click below to watch it!
You can follow and support Shanell Alyssa’s music ministry here.
Giving Presence, Like Jesus
Americans spent $658 billion on holiday spending in retail stores in 2016, yet, some estimate that it would take only $30 billion to be able to provide clean water throughout the world…
Does the way we spend our time, money, and energy testify that we worship God incarnate?
The Advent Conspiracy encourages people to spend less on gifts and give more presence relationally to one another, in the likeness of God giving God’s Son to us at Christmas. As we do this, we will be better able to dedicate our resources towards causes that make a global impact, such as funding wells for clean water.
They describe: “We believe that the best gifts celebrate a relationship. Think back on the most meaningful gift you’ve ever received. Chances are that there is a story and a relationship that was connected to that gift.
It sounds obvious, yet we seem to have drifted away from this liberating, straightforward truth: The Father gave his one and only Son.
God’s answer for the world’s problems has never been material things. God did not give us more stuff – even good stuff like work, food, or health. He gave us himself. The most priceless and personal gift of all!”
Here are some ideas of how you can give relationally:
-Invest in experiences you can share. Sign up for dance lessons, go camping, plan a vacation, take cooking classes.
-On Christmas morning, turn off your cell phone. Take a couple hours to be present with your family and focus on the people God has put in your life.
-Share memories. Make a recipe book or photo album.
-Get a blank journal and write notes and prayers to your kids or spouse.
-Give a copy of your favorite book to a friend and then meet up for coffee and discuss it. Then switch and read their favorite book.
-Buy someone a gift that relieves a burden: babysitting money, yard work, groceries.
-Give the gift of hospitality. Invite a new family over for dinner and games.
-Do an activity with your kids – puzzles, jewelry making, baking, hiking, fishing.
-If someone on your list is passionate about an organization or cause, find a gift that celebrates their interest.
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