UniteBoston

Bridging Divides Across Christians for the Flourishing of the City

Giving Presence, Like Jesus

Photo Credit: Koo Chung

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.

20 Relational Gift-Giving Ideas

Why do we give gifts at Christmas?

Conversations Around the Thanksgiving Table

Photo from a UniteBoston dinner at Sally’s house in West Roxbury last month

Americans tend to eat with a variety of people around the Thanksgiving table:  neighbors, close friends, and family. Often, there are a variety of religious and political affiliations, and at times, these differences can lead to volatile conversation.

Barna research points out that today, religious views and political views on topics such as patriotism and immigration are especially dicey. They also found that there are generational differences in the aspects of our identity that tie to our sense of self.

The challenge in these settings is to learn how to have constructive conversations with people who are different than you. Younger people tend to be more likely to choose diverse social environments than older generations, yet more often than not, people choose to be with people who are like them.

To capitalize on the learning that can happen through engaging with people different than you, we want to highlight a great resource called “Reaching Across the Divide” from Essential Partners. It offers tips to help people better understand each other’s perspectives, and the hopes, fears and values behind them. As Christians, we need to take the lead in modeling how to love one another across deep divides, and stay in relationship even when it’s difficult, as that is what Christ has done for us.

Click on the link below to download the resource!

https://uniteboston.com/…/2018/11/EP-Red-Blue-Guide-1.pdf

 

Just Released: UniteBoston Worship Night Video

On August 18, 2018, an estimated 1,000 people came out to the second-ever UniteBoston Summer Worship Night in the Boston Common. The worship team was intentionally diverse, with Christians from all different ethnic and denominational backgrounds. There was incredible music, 13 sponsored tables by local churches and organizations, Lori Dupre painting with our theme “One City / One Love,” great fellowship, and even a spontaneous dance party!

Click here to check out the photo gallery from the event and click below to watch the video from the 2018 summer worship night in the Boston Common!

 

Summer Worship Night

Everyone is invited to DaySpring Chapel’s night of unending worship!

This event is open to all ages and even families – This will be a fun-filled night with games, snacks and fellowship! We hope to see you there!

UB Featured in the Living City Magazine

UniteBoston was featured in this month’s “Living City” magazine, a magazine published by the Focolare Movement.

“If we look at our cities, what people yearn for today is precisely a ‘new city,’ a ‘living city’ and a ‘fraternal city,’ where, beyond every division, we are sisters and brothers to each other,” Focolare founder Chiara Lubich said, commenting on Focolare media. “Our magazine’s goal is to be a pathway to universal brotherhood, a means of dialogue at all levels, and an instrument of unity and communion.”

Read more on Focolare and Chiara Lubich

Read the original UniteBoston blog article that was published in the magazine – “Deepening Our Experience of Unity at the Local Level” by Father Tom Ryan


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