UniteBoston

Bridging Divides Across Christians for the Flourishing of the City

Room Open in Dorchester Christian Community House

Hello UniteBoston friends! We are looking for a new housemate to join our Christian Community in Dorchester. We’re looking for someone who can commit to being in our community long-term (one year or more). Read below to hear more about our community and please spread the word to anyone you know who might be interested in this opportunity!

Move-in date – September 1, 2026 – Can be flexible if needed | $850-$900 per month 

Initial Application Deadline June 15 – Open Until Filled

Community Details: We have six people living in our home: a husband and wife who are working in Christian ministry with two young girls, two woman working in community care and medicine, and potentially you! We are intentional about living out our Christian faith and supporting one another through prayer and friendship. We share household chores as well as weekly house dinners together. We try to create a house environment that prioritizes creating safe spaces for communication, hospitality, and shared fun. The things we do together are based on the skillsets and interests of each person, and among many other things, we’ve enjoyed exploring Franklin Park, morning prayer times, gardening, creative arts nights, lively discussion, and board games. We seek to support each other as we grow in faith and being a light for the gospel in our neighborhood, workplaces and beyond.

House Details: The 3-story, 5-bedroom house was recently remodeled. The bedrooms are sunny and large, with hardwood floors throughout. There is a large living and dining room on the first floor, and kitchen with new appliances. The house has a porch in the front, with a large back deck and small yard in the back too. There is also a private parking area available in the back of the house. There is free laundry in the basement as well as limited additional storage space. There is also a guest room on the third floor that we use together for family and friends who are in town. Rent prices include utilities & Internet.

Neighborhood Details: Our home is a 10′ walk to Franklin Park and Harambee Park, a 5′ walk to the Talbot Ave commuter rail station, and 1 mile to Shawmut on the red line. It is located on a residential street that is relatively quiet and safe, though our neighborhood can be a bit noisy at night in the summer. There is a corner market one block away, as well as grocery stores and local restaurants within walking distance.

We’re looking for the right person to join our community house! If you’re interested, email Kelly Fassett at kellysteinhaus@gmail.com with the following information so we can get to know you better:

Name:

Tel:

Email:

Age:

Looking to move in:

For How long?

Application Questions

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

2. What are you passionate about?

3. What kind of living situation are you looking for?

4. What does community mean to you? Speak to the theoretical ( i.e.: people who support one another) and the tangible (i.e.: sharing meals)

5. Have you lived in community? w/ roommates? Describe your experience. If not, please share what your living situation(s) have been for the past 3-4 years.

6. Why are you interested in living here?

7. Do you have any reservations and/or concerns about living in community? Please describe.

8. Do you enjoy kids? How do you feel about living in a house with a 4 and 6 year old?

9. Do you have any personal considerations that might make living in community difficult? Please explain.

10. Are you currently involved in a local church? Please share why or why not.

11. Briefly describe your faith journey.

12. What questions do you have for us?

13. What questions should we have asked, but didn’t?

References: Please provide name, email and telephone number

1. Current/Past Roommate

2. Current landlord

3. Character reference: pastor, mentor, etc

In the Wake of Loss, Hope

The beauty of the resurrection is that death is not the end of the story – but leads to ultimate life. Similarly, we often see how there are signs of God’s redemptive life coming out of painful circumstances and broken realities in our world. In this season of Eastertide, we want to feature The Boston Project Ministries, which “engages and equips neighbors, volunteers, and churches to build strong communities characterized by God’s shalom.” Below, Paul Malkemes shares how they worked with residents of the community to create a mural symbolizing hope after the heartbreaking loss of a young man in the neighborhood.

Youth Artists from the Boston Project Ministries in front of the “Hope” Mural

“We have learned that healing as a community is often rooted in relationships.”

– Paul Malkemes

Our community has experienced some real heartache this year. Maybe you have to? 

Early in 2021, we lost a young man to violence. He was deeply loved by his family, school, and community. He was an artist, a comic and video game enthusiast, a promising student, and a beloved son. An outdoor memorial and healing service brought together over 100 young people to grieve. Unexpected loss can sometimes be the hardest to recover from.

Then in the spring, retaliatory violence shook our community again. Trauma reawakened. Parents kept their children inside; neighbors wanted to move. What was happening?

Neighbors began to ask: How do we heal as a community? How do we find hope?

Our sense of safety had been shattered. The COVID-19 pandemic layered health concerns, loneliness, economic hardship, and learning loss on top of this tragedy. We have learned that healing as a community is often rooted in relationships. “Knowing and being able to talk to my neighbors helps me get through,” shares one resident.

So we began planning monthly events – a book fair, a vaccination clinic, building raised bed gardens, and having cookouts. But we wondered – could we have a more permanent reminder of our healing-hope journey? One youth expressed it this way, “Hope is like looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.” The idea for a mural was born.

The vision was cast for a mural that would both memorialize the loss of our beloved young person, and speak to the eternal message of hope found in Jesus – even as we face challenges in our individual lives and within our collective community.

Summer arrived and the time to create began. The process of building the mural was a sacred act of hope. “It was a beautiful experience, and I felt really honored to be part of this healing and catharsis for the community, and my friend,” expressed one youth.  Another teen shared, “For me, it was an impact to see a memory coming to life. Watching adults, kids, and teens grieving together. At the same time, it gave people life. It was very beautiful – to some people, it was remembering our friend, for others, it was seeing hope for our community.”

Muralist Alex Cook reflects “It is powerful to have a human figure (in the mural) enveloped in hope. It is about our identity, our inner experience, and our struggles. It is intimate. It makes you think about your own relationship to hope. The butterflies represent our letting go and the healing process. You don’t keep a butterfly, but you let it rise.”

As we were completing the mural, a neighbor walked up and said to us, “that person in the mural, it’s Jesus right? It has to be Jesus.” We believe Jesus is the one who restores and embodies HOPE.  In the words of Pastor Valerie Copeland, “Art has a way of pointing our hearts toward God.”

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us,  Lord, for our hope, is in you alone.

Psalm 33:20-22

Highlights & Videos from the Renew Backyard Concert Series

This summer, UniteBoston’s leadership team hosted a series of smaller backyard concerts with an open mic for Christian artists and budding songwriters to share the songs, poems, artwork, and dances that have emerged out of the challenges of this past year. This initiative came out of the Songwriter’s Guild that Bailey Kolapudi had launched with Reunion Christian Church and then expanded to involve Christians from many churches through UniteBoston’s network.

Our vision for these concerts was to restore the bonds of friendship, justice, and resilience, bringing renewal to the body of Christ and our surrounding communities. We were thrilled to see this vision become reality by successfully hosting four exciting backyard concerts at different locations in the Boston area. Below are snapshot promo videos, photos, and testimonies of this impactful concert series!

Welcome to Renew!
Reconnecting with friends at the fourth concert
Cliff Chuang and Carl Peterson from Reservoir Church playing a medley of instrumental worship music
On-lookers enjoy the music at the Roxbury concert

“I had the privilege of attending UB’s first summer outdoor concert, and it was, as we used to say back in the day, “Off the Hook!” The musicians and their music choices were an absolute blessing, and the fellowship was refreshing!”

Marian E. Turenne, Bethel Pentecostal Church (Boston)

Nature is itself a hymn to God’s glory, so it was truly a double-delight to sit within a choir of trees and brush, breathing in fresh, warm, evening air,  all the while listening to the harmonization of human voices and musical instruments joining the chorus and giving glory and praise to our Creator! 

Father Tom Ryan, The Paulist Center (Boston)
M.D. Smith shared her poems “Life Is A Blessing” and “A Vision of Hope”
Shanell Alyssa performing her new song “Race to Dawn.”
Bill Stiffler on the sound board
Devin Ferreira shared a hip-hop set from his albums Mustard Seed, Seeds of Greatness, and Rooted in Faith.

Watch this highlight from our concert in Roxbury, where Devin Ferreira had members of the audience write down words and then he created a freestyle rap amidst choruses of “Oceans” – “Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders…”

It was such a fun time playing at the Renew Backyard Concert series. Artists were asked to sing originals that related to our experiences during the pandemic. I sang my original song “Cherish You” because if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s to cherish loved ones and human interaction like never before. We wrapped up the night with a sing-along of “Stand by Me” and it really warmed my heart. Grateful for the new connections made and the inspiration shared yesterday!

–Jen Aldana, Impact Church (Medford); center in photo above

“I’m so glad I attended the Renew backyard concert!  I saw friends I hadn’t seen in a while and made new connections with women who are doing similar ministry to mine at other churches. The music was amazing, with a wide representation of styles and talents.  It was gratifying to see so many talented Christians in one place.  God is truly at work in our city, and I’m thankful for UB and its vision to put this event together.”

Yovanny Pulcini, Congregation Lion of Judah (Boston)
Sarah Riddle led an interactive worship set with her team from Mars Hill Brookline
Cleopatra Muhammad and Joe Carr shared a song that they had written together through the Songwriter’s Guild
Anna Fredrich from the Church of the Cross shared a song she had written that day about God’s faithfulness through tough times

”I had the privilege of being a part of all of the concerts and I really appreciated the diversity of talent and music genres represented, especially at the last concert. There was worship music, reggaeton, hip hop, contemporary Christian music, and more. Through this, I saw firsthand the beauty of worship music and its ability to edify not just the person singing, but others who are listening and singing along. I also had the opportunity to get on stage and share a song that I’ve been working on with others in the Songwriter’s Guild. Thankfully, it was a safe environment to share in and I was met with encouragement.”

 Cleopatra Muhammad, Restoration City Church (Boston)

“The creative performances by local Christian artists and social interactions between diverse groups of people created a vibrant atmosphere that contributed to the formation of new friendships and re-connection of individuals from different Boston neighborhoods.”

K. Percy Ballah, UniteBoston Communications Administrator and Pastor at Impact Center Providence
18-year-old Ameir Taylor performed Bahaman infused music including “Take Me” and “Big Up Yourself”
People of many different ages, races and cultures gathered to worship Jesus at the backyard concerts
Jen Aldana expressing the joy of united worship!

A Safe Space For Healing Conversations In Codman Square

Today, we want to feature the “Codman Square, Can We Talk?” program. This program was established as a replication of “Can We Talk?” which originated at Roxbury Presbyterian Church. UB’s Communications Administrator Percy Ballah had the chance to attend a session and interview some of the leaders involved – Read below to learn about how faith leaders in Codman Square are collaborating to provide a safe space to support their neighbors who have been impacted by trauma.  

Imagine logging into a zoom room and immediately being greeted by a diverse group of smiling faces with smooth jazz music echoing through your speakers. Seconds into the virtual gathering, a friendly host greets the group with a warm welcome, “Hi everyone. Welcome; we will be starting this session in five minutes. We are glad you can join us tonight!” She encourages the audience to “enjoy the soul music and get your vibe right.” She is speaking to everyone, but the welcoming tone in her voice makes you feel like she is addressing you directly. 

If it’s your first time, you may feel anxious because you will notice unfamiliar names and faces in the zoom room. Yet, the first impression you receive immediately makes you feel connected to this virtual family of strangers. Then, a few minutes later, the friendly host speaks again, “Welcome again – we are going to start in just a moment. We are so glad you are here.” Now pause; before you continue reading this blog, I want you to guess what this zoom session is about? 

From the description I gave you, you may have imagined the zoom session to be friendly and welcoming to all people. This perception is an accurate description of the positive atmosphere that the community of “Codman Square, Can We Talk?” strives to create at their monthly gatherings. It is “a safe place to share your story and have your voice heard and welcomed. It is a community-based, clinically-supported program that increases awareness and understanding of trauma, offers mental health resources, and a safe environment for what can at times be painful conversations about violence, loss, and everything in between.”

Mural at Elmhurst Park in Dorchester 

Four years ago, the vision for the “Codman Square, Can We Talk?” sessions was born in response to the increase of violence in Dorchester. Local faith leaders in Codman Square came together to seek God for an intentional strategy to support their neighbors who were grieving and traumatized by tragic experiences. Paul Malkemes, Director of The Boston Project Ministries, Paulea Mooney McCoy, and Maridena Rojas, the Community Engagement Manager, mobilized teams to go door to door. According to Paulea, as they listened intently to their neighbors, “people expressed they needed someone to talk to, someone to tell their story to, and have a conversation with.” This critical feedback informed their decision to seek out a strategic method to support their neighbors. 

In their search, they discovered the model of  “Can We Talk?” used at the Social Impact Center at Roxbury Presbyterian Church (SIC) – a non-profit organization with the mission to create and implement educational and economic development programs to strengthen the Roxbury community. In response to the increase in violence in proximity to Roxbury Presbyterian Church, SIC worked with Partners HealthCare, Brigham Women’s Hospital, and community members to launch The Cory Johnson Program for Post-Traumatic Healing (CJP) in September 2014. It was named after a young church member who was tragically killed in a random shooting in 2010. Due to its proven track record of supporting families, CJP has been replicated in other parts of the country and in Roxbury, Dorchester, and South Boston local neighborhoods. 

As Paulea and the Boston Project team became more familiar with CJP, they partnered with other faith leaders and nonprofits in Codman Square to be trained in facilitating “Can We Talk?” sessions. After two years of preparation, they were confident that 2020 was the best time to replicate this model in their community. The teams working together represented the Emmanuel Gospel Center, Neighborhood Church of Dorchester, Second Church in Dorchester, Life Church Dorchester, Roxbury Presbyterian Church’s Social Impact Center, and Boston Project Ministries. Like many initiatives, their plans were interrupted by a global pandemic – but they were not deterred because they were determined to support families and individuals impacted by trauma. This healing space became even more crucial amidst the trauma that was experienced during the pandemic, especially by communities of color. With the support of CJP, the Codman Square team made adjustments to start remote sessions until it was safe to meet in person. As of right now, they have hosted four “Can We Talk” sessions.  

When I participated in one of their sessions, I was very encouraged. As people courageously stepped out of their comfort zones to share vulnerable stories and listen intently to each other, I felt hope rising within me. As a former Dorchester resident, I vividly remember the heartbroken looks on people’s faces and the outburst of tears at funerals when families lost loved ones to gun violence. I often wrestled with how to best support the families and individuals impacted by these traumatic experiences. At times, I felt helpless while serving the community as a Youth Worker at The Boston Project Ministries and a Youth Minister at Morning Star Baptist Church. It never occurred to me that creating a safe space for people to have vulnerable conversations could be a catalyst towards experiencing inner healing. I now understand that inner healing often happens by cultivating a support system to help people navigate through the pain of grief. 

Through these interviews, I was blessed to witness the powerful team of local faith leaders, churches, and nonprofits intentionally create this safe space. I am confident that God will continue to use this program to have a substantial impact on many people. I look forward to hearing powerful testimonies of inner healing and wholeness emerging out of Codman Square.

Get involved! The Codman Square “Can We Talk” gatherings would love your help as they launch and expand their ministry. Here’s how you can get involved:

  1. Spread the word to neighbors in Codman Square / Dorchester who may have experienced forms of trauma and need a space to share “whatever is on their heart.” Gatherings currently take place on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm using this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82051403502. For more information, feel free to contact them at cwtcodman@gmail.com or 617-910-0456
  2. If you have artistic talents through music, poetry, or dance, you can inquire about possibly volunteering to use your gift at one of the sessions.
  3. They would be grateful for your financial support to host the in-person gatherings and provide meals for the community.
  4. Please pray for this initiative, as well as the other “Can We Talk” gatherings happening in Roxbury, the South End, and other sites that are being launched.

Heart to Heart Conversations on the “Park Street Dialogues” Podcast

Hey UniteBoston Community! We recently came across this really cool podcast series by Park Street Church in Boston called “Park Street Dialogues.” It features local Christian leaders from Boston who are making an impact in different sectors of the city. In each episode, Pastor Mark Booker hosts a series of conversations with various guests about their work and ministry in the city to highlight how God is at work in the city. The podcast focuses on strengthening the unity of the church and connecting Christians in Boston and beyond. Read more about the podcast in our blog below and listen to it here: www.parkstreet.org/dialogues/.

By K. Percy Ballah

In my work serving as the Communications Administrator with UniteBoston these past few months, we have been seeking to highlight and elevate the ways that God is at work in our city. I was impressed to see the strong theme of unity and collaboration present within the Park Street Church Dialogue podcast to “connect followers of Jesus in Boston and beyond” so that they can do more together than they can apart. In episode zero, Pastor Booker shares his deep conviction for the Church to function as a unified body. He believes that when the Church expresses unity through collaboration, they tap into a divine power that “demonstrates to the world that Jesus is alive.” According to Pastor Booker, this unity is unique because the Holy Spirit sustains it; it is “a supernatural reality, not just a social phenomenon.”

Throughout the podcast, Pastor Booker has heart-to-heart conversations with a diverse group of local Christian leaders who are making an impact through their churches, non-profits, and parachurch ministries. They discuss various topics ranging from God’s calling to serve in Boston, to racial justice, post-trauma healing, youth ministry, church planting, networking, and much more. Some voices featured on the podcast are Pastor Barry Kang from Symphony Church, Dana Baker from the Boston Trauma Healing Collaborative, Jua Robinson from Boston Collaborative, Reverend David Wright from BMA TenPoint, and Christian and Mary Grant from The Boston Project and Young Life Boston. Their collective voices provide a holistic perspective on how Jesus is working through his diverse body to address the surmounting challenges people face in our city. 

Some of the featured guests on the “Park Street Dialogues” podcast.

Leaning into the honest dialogue between Pastor Booker and his featured guests provides a glimpse into the powerful ways that God is working through the local church in Boston. As the podcast audience listens intently, Pastor Booker hopes that God will speak to their hearts about the active role they are called to play to strengthen the unity of the local Church in Boston. 

If you are a Christian in Boston who is longing to make an impact in your local neighborhood,  I encourage you to check out this podcast. I am confident that you will feel inspired to partner with other Christians in your local community as you learn about the diverse ways God is at work in the city.  The Park Street Dialogues podcast is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google Podcast. Or, just start by listening here: www.parkstreet.org/dialogues/.


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