UniteBoston

Nurturing Relational Connections Across Boston's Christian Community

WEE Forum: Race, Politics & Hip Hop

Race, Politics & Hip-Hop: A Christian Perspective on Racial Justice, Lyrically Stated

Caleb McCoy, Rapper, Musican & Producer 

Caleb has branded his distinctive style as OAK music. The OAK–the One of A Kind–is a commitment to artistry with a message that is deep rooted, unique, and prolific. Caleb is also the Development Manager at the Emmanuel Gospel Center. Whether making music, or engaging the nonprofit sector, Caleb takes his skills, experiences, and emotions, and puts it through the lens of his faith. Caleb was a featured artist on UniteBoston’s recent Love Boston Concert and has several albums available on all digital retail platforms – check these out by clicking here.

Caleb will lead us in a discussion of the current racial and political climate and their impact on the cause of justice for the Black community. This is also Caleb’s second time presenting at the WEE Forum.

WEE Forum: The Ethical Police Officer

The Ethical Police Officer: The Struggle for Equity and Justice in American Law Enforcement

Eric Fair, Author

Eric has previously served as a police officer with the Bethlehem, PA Police Department, as an Arabic linguist in the U.S. Army and as an interrogator for a private military contractor. His 2012 essay “Consequence,” which was published first in Ploughshares and Harper’s Magazine, tells the story of his experience in Iraq in 2004, and is now a book of the same title. His op-eds on interrogation have also been published in The Washington Post and The New York Times. Eric will be with us on July 24 (his second time at the WEE Forum) to lead us in a discussion assessing the current state of American policing, it’s failing of Black and Brown communities and how it must change for the better.

To register for this Zoom call, click here. 

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an international initiative where Christians worldwide are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (John 17:21). Locally, UniteBoston coordinates evening collaborative gatherings of fellowship, prayer and worship from January 18-25 annually.

This Year’s Theme: 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. This commemoration invites Christians to celebrate what unites them through the Creed while reflecting on the divisions that still persist today.

Mark Your Calendars – You are invited to mark your calendars and plan to attend the evening gatherings! In this time of Epiphany, we encourage you to receive the manifestation of Jesus Christ through those of different denominations, races and cultures. Let’s make the most of these opportunities in order to truly be the family of God and serve as the body of Christ in the world. Let’s also pray with our feet – consider how our beliefs can come together in common action and witness.

Spread the Word – We also appreciate help spreading the word to people in your congregation, family, friends, and neighbors. A personal invitation goes a long way.

Calling to mind our common commitment to ‘love thy neighbor,’ may the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25, 2025 be full of moments of conversion of heart through our encounters, so that “all may be one.”

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.

Resources for Your Week of Prayer Experience from The Initiative:

Litany for Christian Unity

Daily Prayer Guide

PDF Schedule for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 

Introduction on the Theme from Greymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Initiative

Schedule for Gatherings in Boston & New England

Saturday January 18 – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Prayer Service

11:00am to 1:00pm at Noroton Presbyterian Church, 2011 Post Road, Darien CT

Join pastoral leaders in Connecticut for liturgical prayer using the International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity worship service.

Sunday January 19 – Love Casts Out Fear: An Inauguration Eve Vigil

5:00 to 7:00pm at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont St. Downtown Boston, MA 02111 or via the Cathedral’s YouTube Channel

Join Episcopal Bishop Julia E. Whitworth and ecumenical leaders for this prayer service to hold sacred space for leaning into the Christian teaching that love casts out fear, the church stands with the marginalized, and love in practice looks like justice and peace.

Monday January 20 – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 

We encourage you to join into many different opportunities to remember the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Events listed with Meet Boston, City of Cambridge, or VisitMA.com 

Various volunteer and service opportunities listed through Boston Cares and City Year

Tuesday January 21 – Noontime Prayer Gathering 

12:00 to 1:00pm at Tremont Temple, 88 Tremont Street, Downtown Boston MA 02111 

Join pastors and business leaders for a prayer gathering in downtown Boston for the good of the city. To RSVP or for more information, contact Craig Parker, craig.parker@navigators.org

Thursday January 23 – United in Mission Worship and Prayer Night

7:00 to 8:30pm at NewCity Church, 1135 Walnut St. Newton, MA 02461

Join us for a powerful worship and prayer night as we focus on the mission of the Church, coming together as one body to reflect the unity Jesus prayed for in John 17:21 in alignment with the theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Nicene Creed. Childcare will be provided! 

Friday January 24 – Dorchester Neighborhood Dinner and Prayer

7:00 to 9:00pm at Cleo’s House near JFK/UMass in Dorchester

Join Cleopatra Muhammad for a meal, conversation, and prayer to celebrate what unites us in Jesus Christ and reflecting on the divisions that still persist today. Email Cleo at cmuhammad85@gmail.com to RSVP and for the address.

Sunday January 26 – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Prayer Service

7:00 to 9:00pm at  Sanctuary at Woodville, 249 Wood St. Woodville MA, 01784

Join local ecumenical leaders in the Metrowest for liturgical prayer using this year’s International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity worship service. Scott Brill from The Initiative will be preaching.

Sunday February 9 – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Prayer Service

2:00 to 3:30pm at St Barbara’s Parish, 138 Cambridge Rd, Woburn, MA 01801

Join local ecumenical leaders in Woburn for liturgical prayer using this year’s International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity worship service.

Photos from Previous Years

In 2017, we coordinated a large worship service on January 21st in alignment with the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, that had over 8 co-sponsors and was attended by over 800 people.
Here are many of the leaders hosting gatherings for the 2019 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
UB City-Wide Dinner Launch – November 2017
UniteBoston dinner at Sally’s house in West Roxbury
Prayer Gathering at the Greek Metropolis of Boston
Neighborhood Dinner at Adam’s house in East Boston
Co-presiders from various Christian traditions at the 2017 Week of Prayer Anchor Gathering

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