UniteBoston

Bridging Divides Across Christians for the Flourishing of the City

The 55th Season of Black Nativity

Black Nativity welcomes ALL people, far and wide, into our circle of light. This is the Nativity story told through the lens of the African American experience, but its message belongs to everyone who has ever needed hope, ever sought home, ever dreamed of a world where love wins. For 55 years, we have been a gathering place where differences dissolve and humanity unites under the universal language of joy, resilience, and peace.

Black Nativity tells the story of the birth of the Christ Child from the point of view of Black Americans in the early twentieth century. Amid the hilly streets of Bethlehem, a hotel with butlers and maids is set and filled with gospel music and gossipy chatter. In it the Holy Family find themselves surrounded by ordinary folk
who welcome their message and sing it with joy. Though based on New Testament gospels, we offer the story as a testament to the joy of new births and to the hope that fills persons of “good will” from all traditions. Our message is one of transformation and spiritual uplift.

Inspired by Langston Hughes’ 1963 original production, Boston’s Black Nativity retains the artistic direction of NCAAA Founder Elma Lewis; Director of Drama, Vernon Blackman; Choreographer, George Howard; and legendary Nigerian master percussionist, Michael Babatunde Olatunji. The show’s music is set to the musical arrangements and adaptations of NCAAA Founding Music Director, John Andrew Ross.

Our 55th Anniversary Season features:

75+ Voices Rising as One – Children and adults unite in glorious gospel harmonies that will move your spirit and stir your soul.
The Pulse of African Drums – Experience the dramatic pas de deux birth scene that happens live before your eyes, propelled by the ancient rhythms that connect us all.
A Living Legacy – Witness the continuation of artistic mastery passed down through generations, from Elma Lewis to today’s visionary artists.
Fresh Energy, Timeless Message – Gospel, jazz, and even hints of Hip-Hop breathe new life into this eternal story of hope.
“Black Nativity is Boston’s Black community’s holiday card to the world” – a gift of transformation and spiritual uplift that has touched hundreds of thousands of lives across five and a half decades.

December 5–21, 2025

Thursdays: 7:30 pm
Fridays: 8:00 pm
Saturdays: 2:30 & 7:30 pm
Sundays: 3:30 pm

ASL Interpreted Performances

Friday, December 5th — 8:00 PM
Saturday, December 13th — 2:30 PM
Sunday, December 21st — 3:00 PM

Robert J. Orchard Stage
Emerson Paramount Center
559 Washington Street, Boston 02111

Trauma Healing: Healing Is Public Work – Centering Community in Trauma Recovery

The Problem

The City of Boston has declared child trauma a public health emergency—and for good reason. Across our city, research and lived experience alike point to an undeniable truth: trauma is eroding our families, weakening our communities, and stifling our growth. It is stealing the futures of our children, distorting identities, and creating cycles of brokenness that ripple across generations.

We are witnessing what happens when unhealed trauma goes unacknowledged—how it plays out in our schools, on our streets, in our homes, and even in our sanctuaries. For too long, the pain has been treated as a private matter, but healing must be public work. It must be done together, in community, with compassion, strategy, and spiritual grounding.

The Word reminds us in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” This promise tells us that wholeness is possible. That healing is not just for some—it is for everyone, and it is the responsibility of the entire community to walk alongside those in need of it.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Are we at a nexus moment—a point in time where the truth is clearer than ever before? Can we finally recognize trauma not just as an emergency to respond to but as a call to action?

This is our invitation to stop reacting and begin rebuilding. Instead of merely treating symptoms, we are being called to dig deeper—to the root causes, the systems, the historical harms, and the spiritual wounds that keep us from thriving. Healing is not passive. It’s active, intentional, and communal. The question isn’t just “What’s wrong?”—the question now becomes: “What are we going to do about it—together?”

Why Boston Flourish?

Boston Flourish is the sacred space where community leaders, healers, teachers, pastors, parents, and young people come together. It’s where the work meets the workers, and where those doing the labor of healing can find support, prayer, and partners in the journey.

This year, we are honored to sit with leaders who are not only experts in their fields but are deeply committed to transformation. We will learn from:

Jermaine Tulloch, Director of Academic Mentoring Initiatives for Boston Public Schools, who is building bridges of mentorship across our schools and investing directly in the lives of students.

Rochelle Jones, Director of Education at Victory Generation, who is championing youth development through culturally-rooted, faith-filled educational approaches.

Together, we will hear stories of resilience, experience different models of counseling, and reflect on how faith and strategy can walk hand in hand to bring healing to individuals and entire communities.

Boston Flourish wants to bring together those who for decades have been addressing youth violence with conversations, introspection, and action rooted in cultural and spiritual truths.

Join the Movement

Boston Flourish 2025 takes place October 30, 2025, at IBEW Local 103 in Dorchester.

Tickets are available now for $99, Student rate for $75

👉 Register today to be part of Boston’s unfolding story: a story of faith, research, and collaboration that’s shaping the future of our city.

Foster & Adoption Seminar

Event Venue

Congregation Lion of Judah – Reed Street

Organizers

The Garden Church

City On A Hill

Description

Come learn how you can make a difference in the lives of children impacted by foster care! On November 15, churches across Boston are gathering to host a seminar on foster care and adoption. Whether you’re curious about fostering, considering adoption, or simply want to support families in your community, this event will help you explore next steps.

Details

📅 Saturday, November 15, 9:30am–1:00pm

📍 Congregación León de Judá: 20 Reed St, Boston, MA 02118

🍕 Pizza lunch included

What to Expect

Hear from a thoughtful panel of experts and parents, including:

  • Jeff Johnson, Elder at City on a Hill Brookline
  • Alexis Walls, the Network Director of Fostering Hope
  • Sarah Medrano-Palmer, Director of Family Services at Bridges Homeward
  • Local foster and adoptive parents (Q&A)

Registration

A registration fee of $15 per adult helps cover event costs. Click here to Register

Job Listing – Fellowship of Christian Athletes Boston Metro Director

Metro Director #101-5591

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Job Description

The Director is responsible for growing the ministry by praying, staffing, and funding the area through the Advancement Lanes: Ministry, Board, Donor, Talent and International. The Director works in alignment with the Regional Vice President, staff, and board(s) to fulfill the FCA Vision, pursue the FCA Mission, and live the FCA Values by developing and executing a ministry plan for the assigned area. In the FCA Sports Environment(s), the Director creates a strategic, consistent approach to discipleship — making disciples who make disciples. The Director is accountable for ensuring that the FCA ministry is conducted according to biblical standards and adhering to FCA policies and procedures.

MINISTERIAL DUTIES

FCA believes these responsibilities are critical to our mission and that this position plays a vital role in our ministry. FCA expects all functions and responsibilities outlined below to be carried out with a heart surrendered to serving God as a form of worship.

  • Agree with, and abide by, FCA’s Christian Community Statement.
  • Follow a spiritual rhythm including daily prayer and Bible study to seek the Lord’s will for the ministry of FCA.
  • Lead, conduct and provide spiritual leadership for staff, volunteers, coaches and athletes through prayer, Bible study, worship and living by example so they are equipped to serve others.
  • Be connected to and participate in a local church through worship and weekly involvement.
  • At all times, conduct yourself in a manner that affirms biblical standards of conduct in accordance with FCA’s Christian beliefs. (see FCA’s Christian Community Statement for details)

MINISTRY ADVANCEMENT

  • Ensure FCA is engaging, equipping, and empowering coaches, athletes, and volunteers through 1-on-1s, Huddles and events.
  • Train and equip staff to empower coaches and athletes to be disciples who make disciples in the Sports Environments.

TALENT ADVANCEMENT

  • Oversee recruiting, hiring, training and developing effective and diverse staff.
    • Recruit: Actively attract and recruit highly qualified staff prospects to specific ministry opportunities identified in the ministry plan.
    • Hire: Select candidates, ensure they become fully funded, and onboard to fulfill specific roles and responsibilities based upon their calling, character, competence and chemistry.
    • Train: Provide tools, resources and training to develop staff members’ skills and increase their capacity and competence to effectively execute their responsibilities.
    • Develop: Prepare staff to lead self, lead others, lead teams and lead organizationally in their current roles and to grow spiritually, personally and professionally for future opportunities.
  • Ensure the recruiting, training, and developing of volunteers is strategically aligned with the goal of growing the ministry in the Sports Environments.

BOARD ADVANCEMENT

  • Invite, involve, and invest in leadership boards who are committed to pray, serve, and give to advance the ministry.
  • Encourage Representatives to surround themselves with Advisory Teams.

DONOR ADVANCEMENT

  • Serve as the chief fundraiser and financial manager.
  • Provide tools, resources, and training for FCA staff to fund the ministry by connecting, communicating, and caring for donors.
  • Establish and execute an annual budget and funding plan by training and developing staff in growing Home Teams, major donors, and events.

INTERNATIONAL ADVANCEMENT

  • Serve the aligned International Region by mobilizing staff and volunteers to pray, give, and go.

Reports To

Ed Trask etrask@fca.org

 

Civil Rights Pilgrimage: Searching for Truth & Justice

The Pilgrimage will be led by Rev. June R. Cooper, the Theologian in the City at Old South Church in Boston and a long-standing social justice activist in the Boston area and the Rev Dr. Nancy Taylor, pastor emeritus at Old South Church. Rev Cooper has designed and led civil rights pilgrimages since 2014 and has taught anti-racism content in corporate, community, and academic settings for more than 40 years.

Goals:

  1. Living Legacy: Acknowledge the living legacy of white supremacy in our country and acknowledge its impact on People of Color 

  2. Human Liberation: Learn the history of white racial violence, and acknowledge its intergenerational trauma in our communities in order to lift ourselves up from white supremacy 

  3. Creating Community: Create a learning community so that we can consider working on anti-racist activities when returning home

PRICING: The total cost of this event (not including airfare and hotel) is $850. There is an option to pay in full upon registration or to pay a deposit of $150 upon registration (deadline December 1, 2025) with the remaining two payments of $350 each due on November 30th, 2025 and January 30th, 2026. More information on how we plan to collect those payments will be provided to you following registration.


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