peace – Page 2 – UniteBoston

Jan 09 2026

Mayor Wu’s Gathering of Faith and Community Leaders – A Joyful Faith-based Appreciation Brunch

This past week, Revs. Kelly Fassett and Devlin Scott joined clergy and faith leaders from across Boston at Mayor Michelle Wu’s Morning of Hope. Over breakfast, prayer, and shared reflection, civic and faith leaders came together to express gratitude, name the challenges of this moment, and renew a shared commitment to the wellbeing of our beloved city. What unfolded was a powerful glimpse of what is possible when the Church and the City choose partnership, unity, and hope for the flourishing of all who call Boston home.

P.S. Thank you to Will Dickerson, director of Faith-Based Engagement from the Mayor’s Office, for coordinating this gathering, and Jeremiah Robinson who took these incredible photos.

On a winter morning marked by warmth, prayer, and quiet anticipation, clergy and faith leaders from across Greater Boston gathered for Mayor Michelle Wu’s Morning of Hope—a breakfast convening that felt less like a formal program and more like a sacred pause. Hosted during Inauguration Week as Mayor Wu and the Boston City Council began a second term, the gathering created space to name gratitude, renew partnership, and speak hope over the city we love.

For UniteBoston, whose mission centers on Christian unity for the flourishing of our neighborhoods, the morning was a living snapshot of what becomes possible when civic leadership and the faith community meet not as silos, but as collaborators.

Entering the Room: A Spirit of Welcome

The day opened with hospitality—breakfast served, greetings exchanged, stories quietly shared. Will Dickerson, Head of Faith-Based Initiatives for the City of Boston, welcomed the room with a clear conviction: “We can move mountains with the people in this room.” His words set the tone for what followed—an invitation to shared responsibility rooted in trust.

Father John Currie offered the opening prayer, calling leaders to push back on despair and choose hope, grounding the morning in a posture of humility and dependence on God.

Voices of Faith, United in Purpose

Throughout the program, leaders from diverse faith traditions reflected on the moment we are living in—and the kind of leadership it requires.

Rabbi Marc Baker named the gathering itself as a sacred act, especially in divided times. Coming together across differences, he reminded us, is not a liability but a strength—one that Boston embodies.

Mayor Wu addressed the faith leaders in the room, sharing that

“Boston is a city where we have seen what happens when people from different faiths and traditions choose to stand together. We don’t agree on everything, but we do agree on what matters most: that every person deserves dignity, that love is stronger than hate, faith is more powerful than fear, and faith is a beacon guiding us through the darkness. These are the values of our congregations and they are the values of Boston as well. These are the values that make it so that when the country feels like it’s coming apart at the seams, Boston has remained the safest major city in America.”

One of the most moving moments came through Rev. Laura Everett of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, who shared from 1 Kings 19, drawing attention to God’s still, small voice. Her reflection lingered in the room:

“Beloved Boston, if we are to survive the days ahead, we will have to seek out the silence to hear from the Lord… It is possible to hear the voice of God in the city but only if we listen together. Only if we are reflective, not reactive. Only if we plan and pray and prepare, together.”

It was a timely word—not only for faith leaders, but for a city navigating complex challenges with courage and care.

Highlights video from the gathering compiled by the UniteBoston team. More highlights can be seen on UniteBoston’s social media: Facebook and Instagram

Highlight Video from Boston City TV

Highlights from the gathering from CBS News

Civic Leadership with an Open Door

When Mayor Michelle Wu addressed the gathering, her remarks reflected deep appreciation for the faith community’s decades-long partnership with the City of Boston—particularly over the past four years. She named shared values that transcend tradition and doctrine: dignity for every person, responsibility for one another, love over hate, faith over fear.

In a moment that resonated strongly with many in the room, Mayor Wu affirmed that Boston’s safety and resilience are inseparable from the quiet, faithful work happening every day in churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples—spaces where people are known, loved, and protected.

Her words were echoed by Police Commissioner Michael Cox, who spoke about trust, accountability, and the importance of partnership between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

The morning also celebrated civic leadership emerging from the faith community itself, recognizing Miniard Culpepper, Senior Pastor of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church and newly elected City Councilor for District 7—a visible reminder that faith and public service often walk hand in hand.

Praying for the City, Together

As the program moved toward its close, Imam Ismail Fenni offered a prayer for the city, followed by a closing prayer from Rev. Dr. Dana Gonsal, sending leaders back into their neighborhoods grounded in hope and shared calling.

“Are we willing to unite and work with Mayor Wu and her vision to improve the quality of life for all Bostonians? My response, I am willing to work and unite with our Mayor to help improve the quality of life for the Neighborhoods of Boston. How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity (Psalm 133).”

For many, the gathering left a lasting impression.

“The gathering felt less like an event and more of an invitation—an invitation to relationship, collaboration, and shared responsibility for the wellbeing of our city.” – Rev. Philomena Hare

“Mayor Wu reminded us of our role as a refuge for families, emphasizing that faith is a beacon. I am grateful that different faiths are standing together to create a strategy for every family’s flourishing in Boston.” – Rev. Dr. Virginia Ward

Rev. Reggie Smalls echoed that sentiment, naming the blessing of living in a city that recognizes the vital role of the faith community in building hope during challenging times.

Why This Matters for UniteBoston

At UniteBoston, we often speak about Christian unity not as an abstract ideal, but as a practiced commitment—to show up, to listen, and to partner for the common good. Mayor Wu’s Morning of Hope embodied that vision. It affirmed that this administration sees the faith community not as an afterthought, but as a trusted partner in the work of justice, compassion, and community flourishing.

As Rev. Rocklyn Clarke shared:

“Listening to the speakers, it was clear to me how important it will be to have disciples of Jesus working together to fulfill that hope… Together, let’s make disciples who make disciples who make a difference in our city.”

The Morning of Hope was exactly that—a reminder that another way is possible. A way where faith informs action, where civic leadership welcomes prayer, and where unity across difference becomes a beacon for our city and beyond.

“We are commanded to pray for those who are in authority over us 1 Timothy 2:1-2, so I joined with other leaders from the body of Christ in Boston and other faith leaders across the city to pray for our mayor as she begins her next term,” said Rev. David Searles, pastor of Central Community Church in East Boston. “I am encouraged to continue my work in Boston with hope and I am more committed to pray for our mayor, to pray for her family, and to pray for the peace of the city.”

As we left the room, we carried with us a renewed sense of calling—and a quiet confidence that when faith and city walk together, hope is not just proclaimed. It is practiced.

Revs. Kelly and Devlin were grateful for the opportunity to meet Mayor Michelle Wu at the gathering!

Dec 09 2025

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

Oct 10 2025

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.

Sep 20 2025

Midweek Holy Eucharist and Prayers for Peace

As our hearts are heavy with the many troubles of this world, we seek solace together. We invite you to join us on Wednesdays for Mid-Week Eucharist with prayers for justice and peace. Together we will pray for God’s mercy and grace, and seek comfort at His table.

All are warmly invited – bring your cares, concerns and compassion and join us for some quiet in the middle of your week. Every Wednesday, 12:15 to 12:55 pm in the chapel at the Cathedral (138 Tremont Street).

Sep 19 2025

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.

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