UniteBoston

Bridging Divides Across Christians for the Flourishing of the City

Highlights & Stories from the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity started off with a peacekeeping story circle, where we heard stories about reconciling with relatives, coworkers, and friends. We wrestled with the political polarization happening today and how we can be peacemakers in those spaces. Jesus tells us, “I leave the gift of peace with you – my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts – instead, be courageous!” (John 14:27 TPT)
On Thursday evening, UniteBoston hosted a phenomenal panel with four incredible Millenial/GenZ Christians on the church of the future. Kerrian Johnson, Jacob Urena, Danielle McConnell, and Caleb McCoy each shared on what leaders need to know in order to engage effectively with upcoming generations. There is a great need for the Christian community to be authentic about our own shortcomings, to care for people on the margins, and to point people to God rather than policing the boundaries. The future of the Christian church lies in the next generations taking it forward – Let’s listen to the prophetic voices of these young leaders!

“Well, all I can say is “Wow”. I just watched the panel discussion on the future of the church, and it is SO on target. This one especially hit me real hard in all the right ways.  Top YOUTH leadership needs to be seen very clearly by everyone in Boston now as top Christian leaders in Boston. The next years are crucial – Young leaders need to come together, establish clear-cut goals and lead the way in working for God’s dream in our city. Thanks to the UB team for hosting such an important conversation!”

-Ralph Kee, director of the Greater Boston Church Planting Collaborative

We had a beautiful prayer service for Christian Unity on Thursday night at the Paulist Center Boston with clergy representing Catholic, Orthodox, Episcopal, and Baptist traditions.

Rev. Amy McCreath from the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, Father Tom Ryan from the Paulist Center, Father Demitrios Tonias from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and Rev. Kelly Fassett, UniteBoston’s Executive Director and clergy from the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts
Rev. Kelly Fassett preached on how God has revealed places in our lives where we have placed false hope and security during the multiple pandemics of this past year. These must be cut off in order for us to faithfully abide in Christ as individuals and as a Church.
“95% of Christian singles said they did not know of any other ministries for Christian singles in the area, or where to find healthy dating opportunities.” Rebekah Kerstetter, member of Highrock Covenant Church – Arlington and founder of the Christian ministry Social Singles, who held a discussion on Friday night on the need for churches to restructure their activities and small groups to meet the needs of the singles in our churches.
https://youtu.be/gd75LLt5ZSg
30%-40% of Christian adults are single – so are 40-50% of unchurched adults in our neighborhoods. Hear this 33 minute video that Rebekah Kerstetter put together for church leaders on ‘How to grow a thriving and supportive environment for singles at your church – with or without a ‘singles ministry’. 
The Taize prayer gathering on Sunday night was filled with God’s presence and message of reconciliation. It was wonderful to hear scriptures read in six different languages, with individuals living in Boston from across the globe! 

Pastor Barry Kang from Symphony Church leading Christians in Greater Boston in “all together” prayer in the concluding gathering during the 2021 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, followed by prayers from Pastor Joseph Ardayfio, Pastor David Hill, and Pastor Bill Johnson. In this time of isolation, it’s beautiful to see the Church in Greater Boston coming together in prayer!

On Monday evening, Pastor Davie Hernandez from Restoration City Church shared a message to Christians throughout the area: “How can a divided church speak to a divided nation about unity? God is calling the Church in Boston to rend our hearts and repent in order to more faithfully abide in Christ individually and collectively.” As we go from here, let’s lay hold of this message of repentance and live out these prayers for abiding in Jesus Christ!

Fratelli Tutti – Everyone is Connected: Brothers and Sisters, All

Sunday, January 3, 2021, 4 – 5:30pm

Online via Zoom

(Registration ends at 3pm on the day of, and the Zoom link will be sent right after that)

 

Fr. Tom Ryan of the Paulist Center will deliver remarks on Pope Francis’ encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, reflecting on how we can all live out the call to fraternity, social friendship, and solidarity. We could not think of a more fitting way to begin the new year. Father Tom Ryan is also a member of the UniteBoston Board of Directors. Responding to him will be Boston Islamic Seminary President Dr. Basyouny Nehela and others to be announced. Audience Q&A will follow the presentations.

 

Born and raised in southern Minnesota, Fr. Tom Ryan did his graduate studies in theology at the Washington (D.C.) Theological Union and the University of Geneva. He was ordained a Paulist in 1975, and served in campus ministry at the Ohio State University (Columbus) and at McGill University (Montreal, QC.), prior to directing the Montreal-based Canadian Centre for Ecumenism for 14 years and working in all ten provinces of Canada. Perceiving the need for places where Christians of different traditions could gather to share faith and life with each other as well as with members of other religions, he spearheaded the founding of Unitas in Montreal, an ecumenical center for spirituality and Christian meditation co-sponsored by eight different denominations. He served as its director for five years prior to answering the call of his community in January of 2000 to set up and develop the Paulist Office for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.

 

Dr. Basyouny Nehela holds an M.A. in Fundamentals of Religion, and a Ph.D. with Honors in Da’wa and Islamic Culture, both from Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Dean of Academic Affairs and professor at Boston Islamic Seminary. Dr. Basyouny was previously an Associate professor at Qatar University’s Faculty of Sharia and Islamic Studies, Department of Islamic Creed and Da’wa, a faculty member at Al-Azhar University and Islamic American University, and Imam of the Islamic Society of Boston. He has also served as head, and coordinator of many academic committees covering Curriculum Enhancement, Core Curriculum, Strategic Plan, Academic Activities and Events, & Professional Development. He has taught many academic courses including Fundamentals of Dawa, Ethics, Comparative Religion, Islamic Creed, Islamic Culture, Quranic Studies,…etc.

 

To register, click here. For more info, please visit www.coopmet.org or email info@coopmet.org

Faith & Politics: Boston’s Christian Leaders Speak Out

The months leading up to the election have been intense, and Pew Research has pointed out that the alignment of ideology, race and religion makes America’s divisions run deeper. But how have Boston’s Christian leaders responded? Today we want to highlight a variety of sermons and seminars that address the intersection of the Christian faith & politics.

(Note: This is a partial list and we’re always looking for more great resources; if you have a suggestion of one to add, email Kelly at kelly@uniteboston.com!)

Pastor Bryan Wilkerson from Grace Chapel moderates a panel featuring keynote speakers Nikki Toyama-Szeto and Andre Henry from Christians for Social Action. They speak on the unity that we are called to that is deeper than agreement, the movement of power within social policies, and restoring the ground of truth. Nikki Toyama-Szeto shares that without talking to others of different perspectives, we are at risk of making God into our image, rather than humbly recognizing the manifold image of God.
Josh Wilson, pastor of The Table, offered a three-part sermon series on “Following Jesus toward a Different Kingdom,” which shows how “Jesus invites to follow a challenging path that resists partisan pressures and witnesses to a different Kingdom.” He points out that Esther brings forth a downward mobility by leveraging her own privilege to advocate on behalf of others. The video also includes an interview of CJ Jean Lewis from Andrea Campbell’s team on civic engagement. Their office helps citizens to affect change in their communities by helping people get informed and feel empowered.
Pastor Brynn Harringon from Highrock North Shore shares a sermon on political unity (Sermon begins at 36 minutes). She shares that we all have our Ninevahs – the people who threaten our ideology or politics: “Rather than being God’s witness of love to a hurting world, Jonah insists on condemning the world of the world’s wrongness, and he ends up as an angry and bitter man. I’m not saying we shouldn’t take a stand on truth. We are called to stand up against injustice and abuse in the world, but how we take that stand matters. What we see in Jonah is that you can focus so hard on what is right in you and wrong in the world that you can miss what is right in the world and wrong in you.”
Click on the image above to watch “Election Day,” Caleb McCoy ‘s latest release of The Resistance, which is “an encouragement, a challenge, and a reminder that Jesus will continue to rule before, during, and after the election.” He shares: “So educate yourself and vote your convictions, but take heart and find peace because Jesus overcome the world and this isn’t any different.” Caleb is a local Christian Hip-Hop artist; click here to learn more about Caleb and support his music ministry.
Pastor Bryan Wilkerson from Grace Chapel shares that, “What politics does is allows us to love our neighbor at a systemic level… When you head into the voting booth, don’t ask what party/candidate will be right by me, but what party/candidate will do right by my neighbors, especially neighbors in need.”

National Conversations on Civic Engagement / Faith & Politics

Two of America’s best-known faith leaders, The Most Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church, and Dr. Russell Moore, executive director of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, engaged in a conversation moderated by broadcaster Krista Tippett. These two Christian leaders represent denominations with largely different theological and cultural perspectives and model how to engage one another with dignity and respect. Moderated by On Being broadcaster Krista Tippett.
Justin Gibony from the AND campaign speaks at the Intervarsity Grad Retreat in October. The AND campaign educates and organizes Christians for civic and cultural engagement – he shares that Christian civic engagement is the process of taking the sacred to the secular. (Speech begins at 37′)

Bringin’ the Love: Meet the Artists for the Love Boston Concert

In just two weeks, UniteBoston is hosting its 4th annual summer worship event, the “Love Boston” virtual concert! As the culminating event to our “Love Thy Neighbor” summer campaign, Love Boston features local Christian artists of diverse backgrounds performing original songs of justice, faith, and resilience that inspire audiences to “Love Thy Neighbor” during times of great adversity.  Also, in recognition of the effects of systemic racism, this concert intentionally centers the voices of artists of color. Viewers can tune in to the live-streamed concert on September 12 at 7:00pm by registering here. Meet each of the singers below to see what the concert’s theme of “Love Thy Neighbor” means to them, and why audiences should tune in to the concert! Click each artist’s name to visit their websites, and learn more about their music and creative missions! 

Name: Shanell Alyssa

Performance: Singer

Home Church: The First Cathedral

Original Song: “Freedom – We’ll All Be Free”

What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?

“It’s been beautiful to see people expressing neighborly love in the Boston area, reaching out and going out of their comfort zones to help others during this time. It’s almost like we are entering a new era of unity… This whole thing is causing us to put aside all of the little things that divide the body of Christ that are not as significant as we make them out to be.

Why should people tune in to this concert?

“I’m really excited for the Love Boston concert. I hope that people can gather and experience this concert and create their own experiences around it in the viewing parties, in whatever way that people want to get together…I am excited to hear how people will be blessed by this [event].”

Name: Ada Betsabe

Performance: Singer/Rapper

Home Church: Impact Church

Original Song: “Sparrow”

What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?

“We have so many different groups and organizations pulling for their beliefs, and we’re all so focused on finding someone to have our back and to say “I support this movement.” I think Love Boston lets us draw into the fact that God has our back, and he’s watching after us.”

Why should people tune in to this concert?

“Love Boston is a great initiative. UniteBoston has always been an organization to foster that sense of unity. In this particular concert, I’ve been very involved in the logistics, and have seen the selflessness of everyone involved. As artists, we could be saying “we’re already struggling, why would we do this?”, but that’s not the case. There’s this unity in spirit that we have, and I pray that everyone who gets to watch the concert and be a part of it can be united with the vision, which is to lift up the name of Jesus. That’s what it comes down to, and we’re all just here for that.” 

Name: Jen Aldana

Performance: Singer

Home Church: Impact Church

Original Song: “Your Peace”

What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?

“It’s such an important time to be unified as one church, as one people. What a better time than this to serve one another while so many people are in need, and so many people are starving for truth and starving for something that will bring them peace.”

Why should people tune in to this concert?

“Tuning in to Love Boston is a great opportunity for people of the Boston area to get in touch with what our local artists are doing. I think we don’t always get as much recognition, and we don’t always have these opportunities to collaborate and work with one another like we do at this event. So it’s going to be a great way for others to see what talent there is in the city.”

Name: Caleb McCoy

Performance: Singer/Rapper

Home Church: Neighborhood Church in Dorchester

Original Song: “Free (My Soul)”

What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?

“ Loving our neighbor is trying to love yes, the people that are close and the people that we love, but also love those that may be different from us, those that we can’t understand. And I think that’s the beauty of music. With music, we can all spread a message  and share a message that may be difficult in conversation. So, I hope to love my neighbor through music and through my life.”

Why should people tune in to this concert?

We want to share this music with you, even though we can’t be there with you, we want to come together to share the encouragement, to share the lament, the trials, and also to share the celebration of what God is doing in Boston.”  

Name: Fugi

Performance: Spoken Word Poet and Visual Creator

Home Church: Restoration City Church

Original Spoken Word Piece: “Still Bless You”

What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?

“Love Boston, for me, is really just capitalizing on community. Knowing that no one should be left out. To look to our right, left, front, and behind us, and knowing that no one is left behind, no one is out. And to make everybody included, even with our own differences.”

Why should people tune in to this concert?

“Love Boston has many cool forms of creativity and art. Everything from singing to rap to spoken word, to music ensembles and creation put together, from all different kinds of artists. And the content is filled with community, love, creativity, peace, and joy. I think if people tune in and really listen to the words that the artists are speaking, they can catch a lot of gems from it.” 

Name: Jeany Alcántara

Performance: Singer

Home Church: Oasis of Life in Dorchester

Song: “On the Throne” by Desperation Band

What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?

“Love thy neighbor is not only speaking but also acting according to what the Bible says: That you help when people are walking through their “valley of darkness.” There are people of different backgrounds, and yet we are one, and we should treat each other the same way you treat yourself.” 

Why should people tune in to this concert?

“This concert is a way to bring hope, to unite families and communities. We know that what most of us are going through is not easy, but I think that through the music and creativity, the talent that we are bringing in to this concert will be able to show people that there is still hope and love that can transform any situation they are facing. I think you should tune in to this concert and invite other people to it to come together and worship with us. It’s gonna be cool, I know you’re gonna love it. So come be part of it, and let’s sing together.” 

Name: Jalen Williams 

Performance: Singer

Home Church: Impact Church

Original Song: “Never Leave”

What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?

“When it comes to my neighbor, and the season that we’re in right now, I feel like it really means me accepting them for who they are. Wherever you’re at, whatever it is that you are doing or dealing with, I’m still going to be there for you. I’m still going to care for you. Whether you share the same values, or whether you share the same views, it doesn’t matter. You’re human. You’re a person. You have things that you love, people that you care about, and I should care about those things too because you care about that.”

Why should people tune in to this concert?

“We’ve got your favorite Boston Christian artists here, trying to show love with one another, to the community.” 

Resources

Register for the concert and gain access to the city-wide viewing parties

Make a donation to contribute to this worship and racial justice movement. Once we cover the cost of hosting the event, all proceeds will go back to the artists to support their ministries.

Click here for our media kit, which includes information about how you can have your church or organization listed in our promotional materials.

PDF with more information about hosting a viewing party

Application to host a viewing party – Due Saturday September 5

Speaking Out For Racial Justice? 4 Suggestions for Getting Started

This week, we feature a blog from Josh Wilson, a movement architect and organizer at The Table, a multiracial church startup in Dorchester. Prior to his work at The Table, Josh served under black leadership and in primarily non-white congregations in Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago. He holds Masters degrees in church-planting and urban ministry.

(Photo by Josh Hild on Unsplash)

So many folks are raising their voices right now to speak out against police brutality and racial injustice. I’m seeing so many friends black out profile picture and #SayHisName for the first time ever. For me at least, it’s a ray of hope in a pretty dark time.

As a white guy who’s been learning to take action for racial justice for a few years now, I wanted to offer some unsolicited advice, resources, and cautions to white friends who are speaking out. Whether you’ve been considering issues of racism for a while or the murder of #GeorgeFloyd has sparked a new awareness of racist police violence, welcome to the conversation. I know that for some of you, speaking out feels risky. Some of you are getting pushback in your comments from people you love. So, thanks for standing up for something important.

Right upfront, I want to say I am not an expert on race. I am not an expert on black people. I haven’t arrived or even fully rooted out the racialized assumptions in my own soul (POC, standing invitation to check me on anything I say here). I am someone who’s been on a journey of realizing and repenting of my own racist beliefs and working to deconstruct the ways they play out in our culture and churches for a few years. I still miss it. I am just a recovering racist who chooses to be an antiracist every day.

I want to highlight a few traps to avoid. I share these out of my own experience of making mistakes and receiving painful and embarrassing rebukes from friends who loved me enough to help me grow. My hope is you can avoid some of these pitfalls and this might speed you along your journey.

1. Listen. Live. Speak Last.

I’m the type of person who enjoys sharing the things I’m learning. Generally, this feels like a positive thing, but at times, I speak with authority on things I still really haven’t fully grasped or have only begun to learn about (that has to do with privilege btw). If you’re like me, let me caution you to be “Quick to listen. Slow to speak.” If you’re white, you are never going to be an expert on the black experience. The vast majority of people about racism, have NOT YET done the internal work needed. Listen and ask A LOT of questions. If you have friends of color who are up for sharing their experience with you (don’t assume and treasure it if they are), absolutely ask about their experience and perspective. If you don’t have this type of deep, meaningful, personal relationships, begin building them. In the meantime, the internet is a thing! People have written books, articles, created podcasts, made movies. Literally, all the resources in the world are at your disposal if you’re up for learning. I’ve taken the time to compile an annotated bibliography of some resources that have been helpful to me personally. There are so many other great resources; these are just a few of the best I’ve personally engaged. All of this to say, sharing is great – but only if you’re also listening much and putting what you’re learning into practice.

2. Act. Welcome feedback. Go again

If you’re like me (and most white people I know), you probably have some ignorant perspectives on race. This does not make you bad; you don’t know what you don’t know. While people of color are forced to grapple with race, those of us in majority culture can sail through life without having to learn. All of this means, when you first start relating across difference, you’re going to say some things that aren’t quite right, make some faulty assumptions, or accidentally say something that’s taken in a way you didn’t intend. This does not make you bad (although you may really hurt or negatively impact someone even without intending to). I love how SURJ – Showing up for Racial Justice Puts this: “As white people, we are going to make mistakes when doing racial justice work. It’s inevitable. We don’t know anyone who has been in the work and hasn’t made a mistake. Not a single person. When we make mistakes, we want to take the time to reflect on them thoughtfully and keep moving in the work. We cannot let making mistakes prevent us from continuing our work.” This is great advice. When you “splat,” acknowledge it. And go again.

3. Steer clear of virtue signaling. It’s not about you.

There’s a lot of pressure right now at least in some cultural spaces to say/do the “woke” thing. There’s also a toxic culture of performing our lives on social media for others. It’s so easy to say or do things for the likes; to share things that demonstrate that we’re “on the right side.” Ironically, when we’re mostly concerned with being perceived in a certain way, we stunt our learning and growth. So long as we’re most interested in looking good, we’ll continue to resist having our blind spots exposed. Push back on this. As you share, keep asking “why?” And be conscious of the fact that while your voice is important, it should not be at the center of conversations around racial justice. Who are the black and brown voices you can listen to and amplify?

4. Invest locally for the long haul.

Protests have value. Perhaps changing your profile picture and posting a hashtag do too. But if your engagement with this conversation stops there, that’s a huge miss. The problem of racism isn’t simply a few bad apples somewhere else; I promise you it infects your workplace, your school, your church, and your neighborhood. How can you get involved, keep learning, and actually show up for change in the places you live, work, and play? Beyond the work I do with The Table, here in Boston, for me that means learning from and supporting efforts lead by organizations like the following. If these aren’t relevant to you, find out who’s doing this work where you live and get plugged in:

Race & Christian Community Initiative
Families for Justice as Healing
Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
Violence In Boston Inc.
Bma Boston
Boston Ujima Project
The New Democracy Coalition
City Life/Vida Urbana
Dorchester Not for Sale
Mass Action Against Police Brutality
Massachusetts Bail Fund
Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW)

Blessings to you, friends. This work is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep building relationships, listening well, learning to love, and stand with those experiencing oppression. Your investment and action can make a difference.

*Note: citation of a resource or recommendation of an organization should not be read as an endorsement of the everything that resource or organization believes, says, or does. Proceed with wisdom, discernment, and an ear to hear. 


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