UniteBoston

Bridging Divides Across Christians for the Flourishing of the City

New Book Release! For the Love of Women

At UniteBoston, we are committed to building bridges across divides and strengthening the Church’s witness by reckoning with the deeper causes of division. This week, we’re excited to highlight a new resource that speaks to this mission: For the Love of Women: Uprooting and Healing Misogyny in America — a brand-new book released this week by local author and longtime Boston ministry leader, Dorothy Greco.

Dorothy and her husband, Christopher, have faithfully served the church in Boston for decades. In her latest work, Dorothy explores how misogyny continues to show up in subtle and harmful ways across everyday life — from healthcare and the workplace to media, government, relationships, and even within the Church itself.

Below, you’ll find a snapshot of Dorothy’s heart for this work and her invitation for all of us to recognize these patterns and pursue healing, equity, and justice — so that the Church can more faithfully follow Jesus and embody beloved community.

P.S. If you’re looking to re-imagine and re-form gender relations that move toward forgiveness, healing and the restoration of relationships, consider attending the upcoming Gender Equity & Reconciliation International training taking place in the Boston area.

Dorothy, can you share more about yourself and what led you to writing this book?

I’m in my mid sixties, a wife and a mother of three grown sons. I’ve spent the past forty years working as a photographer, writer, and serving in various capacities in church settings. At core, I’m a journalist with a pastoral heart. I’ve written two other books, Making Marriage Beautiful, and Marriage in the Middle, with the most recent focuses on misogyny. 

The inspiration for writing For the Love of Women emerged out of personal experiences, being proximate to ongoing sexual abuse in church settings, and the current political moment where women and children are routinely being mistreated. As I read and listen to women, so many are choosing to leave the church in part because some vocal church leaders are using their positions of authority to control and demean women. This breaks my heart and I think God wants more for his church and our culture.

How would you define misogyny?

It’s super important how we define this term. Though the literal definition is “the hatred of women,” that’s not the definitive or even the most helpful definition because many people who engage in misogynistic behaviors or hold misogynistic beliefs don’t hate women. Linguist Ben Zimmer notes that misogyny “has more to do with ingrained prejudices against women than a pathological hatred of them.”

Misogyny is a persistent, insidious belief that men’s ideas, wants, needs, and experiences are more important than women’s and that legal, religious, and social systems, as well as intimate relationships, should uphold this principle. This belief system subsequently influences the laws, policies, practices, and ethos of a given culture.

As I write in the first chapter of the book, “if we define misogyny too narrowly, we may be tempted to disregard or deny it. Misogyny encompasses more than specific, tangible acts committed by individuals who admittedly despise women. If we interpret violence or prejudice against women as random and label the Andrew Tates of the world as anomalies, we will fail to see the patterns. If we constrain the definition to include only violent, hateful acts, some men will distance themselves from the conversation and from having any responsibility to change it. We must understand the scope of the issue and expand the definition to fully encompass it.” 

What’s the thesis of the book? 

For the Love of Women examines six spaces in culture where misogyny has influenced laws, policies, structures, expectations, and behaviors: healthcare, the workplace, the government, entertainment and media, sexual relationships, and the church. The final two chapters explore how women and men can heal from the effects of misogyny and partner together to diminish it.

Because it’s easy to dismiss misogyny as a problem “over there,” I’ve focused on North America, primarily the United States, though the examples transcend geographic boundaries.

I wrote this book primarily for women who’ve had first-person experiences of misogyny. Because misogyny harms, shames, and tries to silence us, I wanted to give voice to and validate our experiences. But this offering isn’t only for women. Despite women’s courage, resilience, and strength, we won’t succeed in eradicating misogyny without men’s partnership, which is why I long for men to read this book with curiosity and humility.

Why does the Church need to address this topic?

I’ve been reading and studying Scripture for more than forty-four years. There’s still much I don’t understand, but I do think it’s clear that God loves women. Scripture tells so many stories about Jesus overturning prevailing cultural norms to care for and love women well. I think of the woman caught in adultery whom Jesus spared a certain death by helping the men to see their hypocrisy. Or when the woman who had been suffering from chronic health issues reached for him in the crowd, he blessed her faith and healed her. Further, as we read about the early church, women were released and blessed to lead alongside men in many different capacities, from deacons (Pheobe), to teachers (Priscilla), and patrons (Lydia). 

It didn’t take long for the church to revert back to pre-Pentecost ways. Since Constantine’s rule and decision to make Christianity the state church, women have been excluded from key leadership roles and have been vulnerable to abuse within hierarchical church structures. The church should be the safest place for women and the best place for them to flourish. Tragically, that’s not consistently been true. I think it’s long past time that we addressed these wrongs. 

How can this understanding benefit both individuals and the Church as a whole?

According to Jesus, the most important commandment is to love the Lord with all of who we are and then to love our neighbor as ourselves. Therefore, we need to be loving women as defined by 1 Corinthians 13. This is a radical mandate and one that requires us to regularly confess our sin, repent, and work to repair and reconcile. If the church could consistently love like this, Sunday services would be packed. 

Furthermore, men need to realize that protecting, advocating for, and supporting women is not simply a gospel mandate: their lives will be significantly better when they prioritize mutual flourishing. 

How can we interrupt and heal from misogyny?

The final two chapters of the book focus on what healing and repair from misogyny might look like. Everyone’s journey will be unique, but there are common practices that need to be in place. This includes men confessing any of the ways that they have contributed to misogyny, facing and healing from the trauma misogyny causes, grieving and lamenting in community, and ultimately, forgiveness. In spaces where there has been systemic abuse or injustice, we must not rush the survivors to forgive. It must be on their timetable. 

The goal is not simply to interrupt misogyny, but to stop it. This is no small thing, and women cannot do this alone. Men have to be willing to use their power and authority to benefit everyone, not simply themselves. This requires them to interrogate their stories, face any fears connected to losing power, and learn how to trust others. One practical way to frame male engagement is for men to become allies, advocates, and interrupters. Chapter nine has lots of practical ideas connected to this.

It will require all of us to image what it could look like to end misogyny in relationships, the workplace, the government, and the church. God has blessed each one of us with imaginations and given us access to the Holy Spirit. That’s a lot of potential. Let’s put it to good use.   

P.S. At UniteBoston, we respect the variety of convictions on the role of women in church leadership and we encourage individuals to have honest, courageous conversations of listening, learning and story-sharing with those they may disagree with to grow in our embodiment of Christian unity. We believe Dorothy’s book is an important message today for all of us to consider how we can honor women as image bearers; we encourage everyone to pick up a copy of her powerful message for the Church and society. Byron Borger’s bookstore, Hearts and Minds, is offering 20% off. Dorothy also regularly shares thoughtful reflections on her Substack, “What’s Faith Got to Do With It”

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

 

Deconstructing Anxiety: What Faith Means to a Generation Raised on Crisis

By the Boston Flourish NextGen Team

This week, we feature another article introducing one of the key conversations shaping Boston Flourish 2025—the Next Gen focus on faith and formation among young adults. Deconstructing Anxiety: What Faith Means to a Generation Raised on Crisis explores how Boston’s emerging generation is navigating uncertainty, rediscovering faith, and inviting the Church to reimagine discipleship for an anxious age. From the challenge of “generational precarity” to the hope of a quiet revival, the Next Gen Team shares how belief is taking new shape in our city and what it means for the future of the Church.

Across Boston and beyond, a generation is coming of age in the aftermath of disruption. They’ve watched recessions reshape opportunity, pandemics redefine community, and politics fracture belonging. They’ve inherited a world where the ground seems to shift faster than they can plant their feet.

Sociologists have named them “The Anxious Generation.” This describes young people growing up in an era marked by constant crisis—economic instability, social isolation, digital overload, and cultural upheaval—that has left many feeling uncertain, overwhelmed, and searching for solid ground. Yet in the language of faith, we might also call them the hopeful generation—because even in their fear and anxiety, they are reaching for something real.

They are growing up in what The Boston Flourish NextGen Team is describing as generational precarity— not as catchy, we know. But what we mean is there is a pervasive sense of instability that shapes how young people think about the future: where they’ll live, what they’ll do, and whether they belong. But juxtaposed to this precarity, something powerful is stirring: a revival marked not by noise or spectacle, but by authenticity—a quiet turning of hearts back to God in a search for meaning, belonging, and peace. 

A Generation Formed by Fear, Searching for Faith

According to recent Barna research, church attendance among Gen Z and young adults is actually on the rise—with younger believers now participating more consistently than older generations. Despite widespread narratives of decline, this data reveals a generation not abandoning faith but reimagining it—seeking spaces where authenticity, belonging, and truth can coexist.

Across Boston, we see this reality reflected in real time. Young adults are returning to church communities and faith conversations not out of obligation, but out of hunger—for meaning that speaks to their lived experience and for a faith that holds up under pressure.

To me, generational precarity means that many young people are trying to build stable lives in a world that feels uncertain,” said Taylor Perry of Kingdom Builders Church. “It matters because it affects how we dream, make decisions, and trust that our efforts will lead to something lasting.

Others, like Elise Vernely, see how this instability touches deeper questions of identity and belonging:

Generational precarity to me means an uncertainty of identity, purpose, and belonging. There are so many messages about who you should be based on your race, age, or background—and that isn’t helpful. 1 Corinthians 12 teaches me that everyone is unique, everyone is needed, everyone is valued, and when we come together, we thrive. That’s the message young people need to hear today.

These reflections capture the paradox of this moment: fear and faith are shaping each other in real time. The same instability that once pushed young people away from church is now drawing them toward an authentic encounter with God—one not built on performance or certainty, but on presence. Beneath the anxiety, there is a growing hunger for belonging, purpose, and a faith big enough to hold their questions.

Listening to the Voices That Matter

That conviction has driven our journey as the NextGen Team —pastors, mentors, nonprofit leaders, and young adults working together under the umbrella of Boston Flourish 2025. Over the past several months, we’ve been listening closely to those who live and lead in this tension.

Several members of our team—Cady Malkemes, Amaris Hernandez Diaz, Taylor Perry, and Joe Rivers—represent the very generation we’re seeking to serve. Their honesty, questions, and conviction have grounded our work in lived experience rather than distant observation. They remind us that this generation’s story cannot be told about them—it must be told with them.

Alongside them, leaders like Jason Adams and Pastor Reggie Smalls bring years of experience serving students and young adults across Boston. Jason’s work has spanned campus ministry at UMASS Lowell, mentorship at the International Fellowship House in Back Bay, and youth education programs for the Department of Education in East Boston. Reggie’s leadership through the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative continues to equip young people for faith-based civic and community impact. Together, their work reflects the heartbeat of this initiative: forming young adults who are spiritually grounded, socially aware, and ready to lead.

We’ve also solicited insights from current campus ministry leaders across CRU, InterVarsity, and Chi Alpha, who affirm that while this generation’s struggles are real, there is also a growing hunger for belonging, purpose, and truth. Their experiences echo recent findings from Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program, whose research on generational precarity confirms what many of us see firsthand—that young adults are searching for anchors of meaning amid a culture of instability. Representatives from the program will join our Boston Flourish conversation to help shape a faithful response.

In that spirit, Elise Vernely offered a powerful theological reflection on this moment, drawing from 1 Corinthians 12:

“Generational precarity to me means an uncertainty of identity, purpose, and belonging. I thought of the scripture that says, ‘If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?’ There are so many messages about who you should be based on your race, age, or background—and that isn’t helpful. No one is a monolith. 1 Corinthians 12 teaches me that everyone is unique, everyone is needed, everyone is valued, and when we come together, we thrive. That’s the message young people need to hear today.”

She continued,

“I am excited to be part of this year’s NextGen conversation because I see this as an opportunity to really make meaningful change for this generation and those to come. I see this as a divine opportunity to share my talents, gifts, and knowledge in a way that serves our youth and even breaks cycles.”

For Cady Malkemes of Neighborhood Church Dorchester, the heart of this work is deeply missional:

My excitement to be part of the NextGen Conversation is rooted in Matthew 28:19. As I reflect on the Great Commission, I am blessed to be part of not just a conversation but a team that is working toward readying and engaging the present generation of disciples to further disciple the Church.

Through these conversations, our team has found that this generation isn’t faithless—it’s faithful differently. They want discipleship that’s lived out loud, not locked in a classroom; mentorship that’s mutual, not one-directional; and faith that’s curious enough to engage the world, not retreat from it.

Our Emerging Response: From Events to Ecosystem

In response, we’re beginning to reimagine what engagement could look like for a generation that learns through story, dialogue, and experience. The NextGen team is exploring a rhythm of quarterly citywide gatherings—spaces designed to bridge college and non-college young adults, spiritual and civic life, and faith with everyday formation.

Rather than relying on traditional programming, we’re envisioning creative discipleship laboratories—think of the energy of a TED Talk, the small group vibe and relational depth of an Alpha Course, and the authenticity of a live podcast conversation. Each gathering would pair short, idea-driven talks with honest dialogue, worship, discussion and community connection. The hope is not just to inform minds but to ignite imagination—giving young adults the language, faith, and community to make sense of their world through the lens of Christ.

Still, we know that lasting transformation happens in ongoing relationships, not in one-time gatherings. That’s why we’re hoping to partner with campus ministries like CRU, InterVarsity, and Chi Alpha, and community-based ministries such as The Boston Project’s Young Adult Ministry (led by leaders like Cady Malkemes). Together, these ministries could offer discipleship pathways and small-group environments where participants continue growing after each gathering—spaces where conversation turns into formation.

If realized, this rhythm could begin to form a citywide ecosystem—a collaborative network that cultivates connection, community, and courage throughout the year. It’s not about hosting more events; it’s about testing ways to build trust and belonging among young adults who are rediscovering faith in an anxious age.

As Rev. Devlin Scott, Managing Director of UniteBoston and convener of the team, shared:

We don’t just want to host an event; we want to cultivate an ecosystem where the next generation knows they’re seen, valued, and sent.

This idea seems to reflect what many across Boston are sensing: that a quiet revival is stirring—not defined by crowds, but by curiosity; not by production, but by participation. It’s faith that speaks the language of this moment while helping a generation rediscover what’s timeless.

Faith Beyond the Fear

The Next Gen team will bring this vision to the Boston Flourish Conference on October 30, joining hundreds of civic, business, and faith leaders to imagine a city where everyone can flourish. Together, we’ll name the problem of generational precarity—and propose a pathway of hope rooted in collaboration, discipleship, and love that casts out fear.

Because if this is indeed the anxious generation, then it is also the one through whom God may be revealing a new kind of faith—honest, embodied, and unafraid to question.

Raised in the shadow of disruption, this generation is teaching the Church something profound: faith isn’t the absence of fear—it’s what we build together in spite of it.

Because maybe the real story of our time isn’t the crisis that shaped a generation—it’s the courage and revival that’s shaping what comes next.

The Antidote to a Divided, Angry and Violent World

“And when the world looks at us, may they see not another community of anger and division, but a family united by the Cross, a family of love, a family that shows the world another way is possible when Christ is at the center.” – Fr. Luke Veronis

Our nation continues to be shaken by political violence and division. From the assassinations of Rep. Melissa Hortman and Charlie Kirk to attacks on Speaker Pelosi, President Trump, Gov. Shapiro, and Senator Hoffman, the scale of violence in recent years has been staggering. Such tragedies tempt us to retreat into hardened identities, to assign blame, and to believe that peace comes only through defeating our opponents. Yet this division has become a spiritual cancer—fracturing homes, churches, and communities alike.

UniteBoston condemns all forms of political violence, including the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. As followers of Jesus, we affirm the dignity of every person as made in God’s image and commit ourselves to the way of peace, reconciliation, and love—even amid deep division.

This week’s featured blogger, Fr. Luke Veronis—local priest, professor, and director of the Missions Institute of Orthodox Christianity at Hellenic College Holy Cross—points us to another way: the way of the Cross. May we learn to love even our enemies, reject the violence around us, and bear witness to the reconciling work that Christ makes possible.

Our country has been shaken once again. The assassination of Charlie Kirk. Another school shooting on the very same day. Violence that fills us with shock, anger, fear and even numbness.

“I cried all day when I heard that Charlie Kirk was killed,” one parishioner lamented to me. Another depressing stated, “It’s so disturbing how a death causes more division instead of unity. It’s getting scary how much hate exists between the different political sides in our country.”

Do you feel it?
That weight?
That heaviness in our society?

We live in a time when political violence is rising on all sides. People are angry and afraid. Tragedies no longer shock us but fill us with fury because they happen so often. When the death of people —whether a political figure or children in a school—do not lead to mourning and unity, but instead sparks more arguments, more hatred, more division, something is wrong!

In the middle of this, however, I look around at my Saints Constantine and Helen Orthodox Church Family in Webster and see something different.

Here in our church, we are not all the same. We don’t all vote the same. We don’t all watch the same news. We surely don’t all hold the same political opinions. We have passionate conservatives sitting next to committed progressives! And somehow—somehow—we remain one community, one family. And we actually love one another!

How is that possible?

It’s not because we’re all naturally patient or kind. It’s not because we’ve found the perfect political balance. It’s not because we always agree. No! It’s because in this community of faith, we try to focus on the Good News of Jesus Christ and not on our politics.

This week on social media, a dear friend, Fr. Nicholas Halkias wrote a provocative and powerful reflection:

“The soul of America is dying. Not because Charlie Kirk or students in Denver or a Ukrainian refugee or innocent victims in Gaza were killed, but because there are people who are happy that these deaths took place.”

Think about that. The real tragedy, the real death is that human hearts are celebrating when others die. We’ve turned our enemies into monsters instead of seeing them as human beings.

There is no defense for what is going on in our country right now, and if anyone is going to point the finger to someone else besides themselves, then we’re not even looking at the problem. The only thing that will begin our country’s recovery are four words: “I am to blame.”

Not the news.
Not the government.
Not the other side.
I am to blame.

It is so easy to say, “The problem is them… if only that party, that politician, that group would change.” But the Gospel does not allow us to point fingers. The Gospel calls us to repent, starting with ourselves.

I am to blame because I don’t speak enough love.
I am to blame because I don’t maintain peace in the midst of turmoil
I am to blame because I don’t listen when I should.
I am to blame because I don’t comfort those who are suffering.

There are people happy that a person like Charlie Kirk is dead. I am to blame. 

There are people condemning all democrats and liberals. I am to blame.

There are people living in fear. I am to blame. 

There are those who feel their political side is completely right and the other side is completely wrong. I am to blame. 

This ends with me. Nobody else. I am to blame.”

Those words sting, don’t they? You may not want to hear them. You may disagree and not want to admit “I am to blame.” Yet, this is what our Christian faith teaches us. This is divine truth. We are our neighbor’s keeper. Our love for neighbor leads us to identify with our neighbor. 

“I am to blame.”

Such a message reflects the spirit of the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ. 

(Photo credit: K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash.com)

The Cross is not about revenge, hatred, or division. 

The Cross is love in the face of hatred. 

The Cross is forgiveness in the face of violence. 

The Cross is reconciliation in the face of division. 

The Cross is compassion and grace in the midst of rigid legalism.

From the Cross, our Lord cried out: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” God expects us to embrace this spirit of mercy and grace toward our enemies. 

Every time we make the sign of the Cross, or whenever we feel the cross around our necks, we need to remember to forgive, to love, to reconcile, to act as peacemakers. Every time we kiss the Cross, we are kissing the way of mercy, the way of compassion, the way of sacrificial love.

But how does this look in practice?

When someone posts something on social media that makes your blood boil—we don’t respond with anger, sarcasm, mockery but choose patience, understanding, and restraint.

When a conversation at work or with family turns heated over a difference of opinions, we don’t raise our voice and add to the chaos but we choose to listen respectfully and try to understand.

When our society tells us, “Your political opponent, all democrats or all republicans, are your enemy” we choose to see the other as a fellow human being, a child of God created in His image whom we are called to love.

Our faith does not allow us to demonize others. Our faith does not allow us to rejoice in the suffering of others. Our faith does not allow us to give up in fear or become numb and say, “This is just how things are.”

We are Christians. We follow the crucified and resurrected Lord Jesus. Saint Paul tells us that “the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing.” God expects us to be different from the world. He expects us to act as a light in the darkness. He invites us to serve as His ambassadors of love and mercy and grace to society.

And the good news is—I see a beautiful witness in our Church Family in Webster. We surely do not agree on everything. Far from it. But here, week after week, we stand side by side as brothers and sisters. We offer the same prayers. We sing the same hymns. We embrace one another and give the kiss of peace at each Divine Liturgy. We approach the same chalice “with the fear of God, with faith and love.” Yes, we hold extremely different political views, yet we choose to remain a loving Family!

That is a miracle in today’s America.

The world outside is fractured, divided, angry, fearful. In this church, however, we show another way. In here, we live out the reality that Christ has broken down the wall of division between us. Do not underestimate how powerful such a witness can be to the world.

When people see that churches can embrace conservatives and progressives, immigrants and lifelong citizens, people who loved Charlie Kirk along with people who rejected his message—when they see that, they see the Kingdom of God breaking into the world.

Yet, here is our challenge. We cannot let this spirit stop at the church doors. How we respond in times like this shows who we are. What we post on social media shows who we are. How we speak to our neighbors and coworkers reflects our true spirit.

Will we ignite the fires of division or will we put out the flames of hatred?

What will you choose? The way of anger, the suspicion, and hatred or the way of the Cross – following a path of forgiveness, mercy, compassion, reconciliation?

Yes, the world is angry. The world is afraid. The world is divided. But the Cross stands before us today as the antidote.

The Cross shows us that love is stronger than hate; forgiveness is stronger than vengeance; reconciliation is stronger than division; life is stronger than death.

Thus, let us take up the Cross by saying “I am to blame.” And each time we want to blame and attack the other, let us each decide: “This ends with me. Nobody else. I am to blame.” And then let us live differently.

And when the world looks at us, may they see not another community of anger and division,
but a family united by the Cross, a family of love, a family that shows the world another way is possible when Christ is at the center.

Photo: Marcio Chagas on Unsplash.com

P.S. Our colleague Dr. Julene Tegerstrand is hosting a “Pathways to Peace” course on Thursday evenings starting this November to help people gain the inner resources to navigate conflict, restore connection, and lead peace from the inside out. We worked with Julene to host UniteBoston’s Church & Civic Engagement gathering last fall, and we highly recommend her as a skilled leader in peacebuilding, spiritual formation, and practical dialogue skills. You can also follow Julene’s writings about Contemplative Peace Leadership at Humans Is A Verb

Open Mic Night

We’re excited to announce our upcoming Open Mic Night at The Well Coffee House on October 20th! The Well Coffee House is a non-profit organization staffed by volunteers who desire to be a blessing to others.

If you’re an artist of any kind (musician, poet, etc.), we’d love to give you an opportunity to showcase your art to the community. Of course, you do not have to perform in order to attend- All are welcome!

Please share this invite with your friends and co-workers as you join us for a night to celebrate the talent in Boston and reach out to the community. Please email Sharon Rajadurai at sharon.rajadurai@gmail.com and/or Janine Brown at ja9ebrown@gmail.com if you have any questions.


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