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Apr 10 2025

The Only Way We Make it is By Walking Together

“The only way we make it is by walking together. The only way we make it is by getting closer to one another as pastors, as priests, as guides, as leaders, shepherding one another for a time so we can move back into the vocation of shepherding others.”

– Rev. Canon Dr. Stephanie Spellers

Today, we are featuring an incredible retreat coming to Boston on Monday April 28 called Pastors, Priests and Guides. Click below to watch a reflection from Aaron Niequist and Rev. Spellers on the Road to Emmaus and what becomes possible when we walk together and find Jesus Christ on the road again.

P.S. UniteBoston is one of the key hosts and conveners of the gathering – and we are pleased to offer you a special promo code for the UniteBoston community! Use code UniteBoston20 to get 20% off the ticket price! Click here to register – Hope to see you on April 28!


Finding Christ on the Road Again: An Invitation to the “Pastors, Priests & Guides” Retreat in Boston

The road to Emmaus begins in heartbreak.

In Luke 24, two disciples walk away from Jerusalem with slumped shoulders and shattered hopes. They had trusted Jesus. They had believed a new world was dawning. But now, Jesus was dead—and so was the future they had imagined. They walked away feeling disillusioned, confused, and deeply weary.

If we’re honest, many of us in ministry are walking a similar path. We’ve poured ourselves out in an era that feels chaotic, divided, and spiritually dry. We’ve tried to guide others into unforced rhythms of grace, only to find ourselves caught in forced rhythms of stress. The world has changed, the Church is changing, and we aren’t always sure where—or how—we fit.

That’s why UniteBoston is honored to co-sponsor a gathering in Boston on Monday April 28 for the Pastors, Priests & Guides One-Day Retreat.

This retreat is for those of us who are tired and searching. It’s for spiritual leaders hungry for a new imagination for ministry. It’s for anyone asking: Where is Jesus now? How do we move forward when the old maps don’t work anymore?

Just as Jesus came alongside the weary disciples on the Emmaus road—listening, teaching, and ultimately revealing himself in the breaking of bread—we believe Christ will meet us too. And maybe, just maybe, our hearts will burn again.

Click above to watch Rev. Canon Dr. Stephanie Spellers reflect on why this moment matters, why Boston is sacred ground, and why Jesus is still worth following. For Stephanie, Boston is personal—it’s where she found Christ, where she was baptized, and where she saw people take Jesus seriously in ways that shaped her life and ministry.

At the retreat, Rev. Stephanie will guide us through the Emmaus story with the depth, wisdom, and vulnerability she’s known for. Alongside her, Aaron Niequist will help us embody the Way of Jesus through spiritual practices that ground and renew. This isn’t a lecture—it’s a co-creation of something holy, communal, and vibrant.

As Aaron often reminds us, we don’t have to choose between our ministries and our souls. This is a retreat to bring your whole self—your leadership, your longing, your weariness, your wisdom.

What’s Possible Together?

This is a disorienting time, yes—but it’s also a holy one. What becomes possible when we remember that, “the only way we make it is by walking together?”

We come to exhale.
We come to learn spiritual practices that re-center our souls in the unforced rhythms of Grace.
We come to meet fellow Christian leaders and remember that we are not alone.
We come to worship and learn at the intersection of multiple Christian traditions—
and we come, open to God igniting our imagination for what could be.

You’re invited to come as you are—humble, hopeful, hurting, curious. Whether you’re looking to rest, reimagine, or reconnect, this retreat is for you.

Join us on April 28 in Boston.
Let’s walk the road to Emmaus together—and watch for Jesus along the way.

🔗 Learn more & register at pastorspriestsandguides.com


💆‍♂️ Need a taste of rest now? Try this simple 10-minute Opening Hands Practice to release burdens and re-center in grace.

 Hosted in partnership with Anchor Church and UniteBoston. All are welcome.

​​The Rev. Canon Dr. Stephanie Spellers is one of the Episcopal Church’s leading thinkers and speakers around 21st-century ministry and mission. The author of The Church Cracked Open and the upcoming book Church Tomorrow?, she recently finished nearly a decade serving as Canon to the Presiding Bishop and guiding the entire denomination’s work on evangelism, reconciliation and care for creation. Spellers lives in New York but called Boston home for 20 years – it’s where she was baptized, trained for ministry, and founded The Crossing congregation at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Want to get to know Rev. Stephanie a little more? Listen to her interview on The Eternal Current Podcast.

Aaron Niequist is a liturgist, writer, and pastor. Aaron recently graduated from General Theological Seminary in NYC and currently serves at St Peter’s Episcopal Church Chelsea. After leading worship at Mars Hill Church (Grand Rapids, MI) and Willow Creek Church (Barrington, IL), he created A New Liturgy – a collection of modern liturgical worship recordings. He then curated a discipleship-focused, formational, ecumenical, practice-based community called “The Practice”. Aaron released a book called The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Keep Us From Drowning and currently leads the Pastors, Priests and Guides ministry.  But that’s just job stuff.  The best part of his life is his wife Shauna, and their sons Henry and William.

Written by uniteboston · Categorized: Blog · Tagged: community, jesus, reconciliation, uniteboston, unity

Mar 20 2025

UniteBoston Curriculum Development Survey

UniteBoston is working toward developing a curriculum to equip people to think and act toward greater Christian unity, justice, and reconciliation, and to love one another across our divides. Your insights are essential to us understanding what the divides are and exploring a way ahead. We appreciate you taking the time to help us understand the challenges and potential solutions!

This survey will take about ten minutes. As an incentive to filling this out by March 31, we will choose three survey respondents to win a $20 gift card to Amazon OR a free pair of tickets to our upcoming UniteBoston party ($100 value)!

Deadline is March 31. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!

Survey Link

Written by uniteboston · Tagged: boston, christian unity, reconciliation, uniteboston, unity

Mar 13 2025

A Call to Moral and Ethical Leadership: Uniting Around the Way of Jesus – Beginning Lent 2025

In this pivotal moment of political polarization and social upheaval, UniteBoston is issuing a call to moral and ethical leadership, inviting all Christians to repent from how we have strayed from the Way of Jesus and return to the core ethical and moral Biblical principles of love, justice, integrity, equity, and peace.

Lent is a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal, calling us to turn from sin and realign with God’s will. Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness preparing for His ministry, we are invited to examine our lives, confess where we’ve fallen short, and commit to change our ways. This is an opportunity to do the deep inner work of upholding the morals, ethics, and character of Christ, that we can individually and corporately be the people that the world needs right now and build up our common life together.

Local Christians brought this idea to our attention based on the divisiveness and harm they have seen taking place in current events, and we feel compelled to respond in this critical hour. In response, UB leadership has collaborated with them to draft and extend this invitation to the wider UniteBoston community and beyond. We see strong alignment between this call to moral and ethical leadership and UB’s efforts to strengthen the foundations of our Christian witness. This initiative builds on our Church & Civic Engagement gathering, where 70 leaders committed to Keep in Step with the Holy Spirit, and aligns with our current Fortify campaign. 

In spite of our political differences, join us to recommit ourselves to the following twelve principles interwoven in the overall message of the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

By signing, we pledge to:
✅ Repent of ways we have strayed from the Way of Jesus (Eze. 33:7-16)
✅ Realign with Christ’s prayer for the unity of His believers (Jn. 17:20-26)
✅ Renew our commitment to public integrity and moral leadership, which begins with each of us (Isa. 58:1-14) 

Our goal this Lenten season is to gather 500+ signatures from a politically diverse Greater Boston Christian community to personally and publicly repent, receive God’s forgiveness and recommit themselves to moral and ethical leadership.

To follow up from these commitments, we are planning to form a team of diverse Christians from varying political backgrounds to discern next steps, such as:

  • Hosting kingdom conversation gatherings across political differences to foster more fruitful, challenging, and curious conversations in our church communities
  • Calling our community leaders, including church, business, and elected government officials, to exemplify this type of moral and ethical leadership
  • Taking action together to support those most vulnerable among us, such as the poor, widow, orphan, and immigrant (Zec 7:10) and supporting grassroots initiatives to address systemic inequities that are preventing the flourishing of all neighbors in our beloved city.

We pray that these opportunities for inward reflection, repentance, and outward action taking will plant the seeds of reconciliation and forgiveness that is needed to address the division and polarization harming the Church. Our hope is that we might offer an authentic, Christ-centered public witness, full of God’s truth, grace, and love (Jn 13:35).

Join us to rise above political division and stand together in the Way of Jesus.

👉 Sign the petition on Google Forms here


A Call to Moral and Ethical Leadership Through Confession and Repentance

1. Love my neighbor as myself.

True leadership begins with love in action—a love that transcends political and ideological divides, embracing compassion and solidarity with all (Lk. 10:25-37). To love our neighbor is to act for their well-being, to listen with humility, and to seek peace over polarization  (Jer. 29:4-14). Love does not harm and is the summary of all God’s commands to His people (Rom. 13:8-12).

I have acted believing that I’ll take care of my needs first and foremost, and other people can take care of themselves. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

2. Steward responsibly the authority entrusted to me.

Leadership is not about power for personal gain but about stewarding influence for the flourishing of all (Acts 14:8-18). Leaders recognize that authority is a trust, not a weapon—one that must be exercised with wisdom, justice, and accountability (Mt. 25:14-30).  Stewardship acknowledges that everything is God’s and we are to work and take care of all of God’s creation, recognizing that what affects one of us ultimately affects us all (Gen. 2:2-15).

I have acted believing that what I have is mine, and I’ll do with it as I see fit, and I’ve neglected the common good. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

3. Live a life of holiness in a world yearning for wholeness.

In a society fractured by fear, brokenness and lies, leaders must embody the hope, integrity, and life that people long for (Isa. 61:1-11). Followers of Jesus are called to reflect the light of Christ in a world that often rewards deception and evil (Jn. 3:16-21). With Christ as our foundation, we are called to live moral and godly lives so people can see Christ through us (1 Pet. 2:4-12).

I have acted believing that I’ll do what’s right for me and what others do doesn’t concern me. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

4. Move out of my self-centeredness to live for the greater good.

A moral leader rejects personal self-interest as the highest aim, choosing instead to serve the marginalized, the vulnerable, and the common good, to God’s glory (Ps. 40:5-10). Leadership is not about self-preservation but about service and sacrifice for the sake of mercy and justice (Lk 4:14-20). Followers of Jesus live with purpose to proclaim and demonstrate God’s love for the world (Acts 8:26-40).

I have acted believing that the world and my purpose of life is centered around me. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

5. Admit when I’ve done wrong, then think and act differently to make it right.

A just society is not built on denial and deflection but on repentance and restoration (Eze. 18:25-32). Leaders must humbly acknowledge wrongdoing, whether personal or systemic, and take active steps toward restitution and repair (Lk. 19:1-10). We all must give and accept forgiveness to be agents of reconciliation in the world and bear witness to Christ’s reconciling work (2 Cor. 5:14-21).

I have acted believing that there is no right and wrong, and I’m accountable only to myself. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

6. Use wealth and power wisely, as these idols easily enslave us all.

God calls us to worship and obey Him alone and not be enslaved by the idols of this world (Lk. 16:9-15). The love of money and the pursuit of power have corrupted many leaders (1 Tim. 6:6-10). A moral and ethical leader rejects greed, exploitation, and economic injustice, opting instead to steward resources in ways that honor human dignity and promote the well-being of the community (Eccl. 5:10-20).

I have acted believing that money, power and status are the most important things in life. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

7. Respect and work with all people, especially those that differ from me.

Leaders are called to cultivate communities of belonging, respect and welcome, rather than giving in to the sinful tendencies of division and hatred (Rom. 15:7, Col. 3:1-15). As followers of Jesus, we are especially called to unity in diversity (Eph. 4:1-16) and to extend love not only to those who are like us but even to our enemies (Mt. 5:43-48). Our treatment of one another matters—we must put to death the desires of the flesh, including hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition, dissension, and envy. Instead, we are to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:16-25). 

I have acted believing that the people who look and think like me are the only people that matter. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

8. Fight to restore hope in the midst of our brokenness.

In a world plagued by cynicism and despair, leaders must point towards the heavenly vision of shalom: nothing broken, nothing missing, and everything in right relationship  (1 Pet. 1:3-12). This means standing against the brokenness by encouraging one another to build a future where hope is tangible and joy sustains us all (Amos 9:11-15).  We lead others to full and complete lives as we follow the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:9-11).

I have acted believing that the world is messed up and there is nothing I can do about it. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

9. Serve others with humility.

Jesus redefined leadership as servanthood (Jn 13:12-17). True leaders do not seek status or control but embrace humility, contentment, and a commitment to the well-being of others (Phil. 2:1-4). Followers of Jesus serve others with humility out of gratitude for Jesus’ service to us (Isa. 53:1-12). 

I have acted believing that my value is based on what people think of me and on the possessions that I have and need more of. Lord Jesus forgive me.

10. Show costly generosity even to those who are against me.

We are all called to generously love those who mistreat or hate us (Lk. 6:27-36) out of a recognition of the generous love that Christ has shown to us. We should sacrifice our own wants and desires for the benefit of others (2 Cor. 9:6-13), so there might be equality (2 Cor. 8:14). Followers of Jesus live sacrificially to honor God and point to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us (1 Chron. 29:6-17).

I have acted out of a scarcity mindset, believing that everyone else is looking to take from me and that I need to look out for myself first. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

11. Stand in solidarity with the poor and the vulnerable.

Jesus will judge all of us on how we show mercy to the hungry, the foreigner, the naked, the sick and the prisoner (Mt. 25:31-46). Moral leadership demands that we defend the cause of the oppressed while also working to repair the harm that we have caused to the most vulnerable among us (Deut. 10:14-19). We must show mercy to others because God has shown mercy to us (1 Tim. 1:12-16).

I have acted believing that people deserve their bad circumstances, rather than seeing the structural systems that advantage some over others. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

12. Act with integrity and treat every person equally.

The Christian faith is built on the equal dignity, belovedness and worth of every person (Gen. 1:26, Jas. 2:1-13). In a world where inequality and discrimination persist because of our sin and sinful structural advantages that value some over others, leaders must stand for truth, integrity, and justice for all groups and individuals (Isa. 58:1-14).

I have dehumanized image bearers in my thoughts and actions, believing that truth is relevant and I need to use any advantage I have to keep myself ahead and others down. Lord Jesus, forgive me.


List of Signatures

Below is the list of people who have signed this commitment publicly so far, updated every day or so.

J. Garciano (Winchester, MA)

D. Saff (Arlington, MA)

G.F. Hicks (Stoughton)

K. Fassett (Boston, MA)

S. Gautier (East Boston, MA)

M. James (Chestnut Hill, MA)

D. Scott (Newton, MA)

M. Lietz (Boston, MA)

S. Rice (Arlington, MA)

J. Marcucci (Medford, MA)

M. DeJong (Waltham, MA)

B. Pierce (Brighton, MA)

R. Lutjohann (Cambridge, MA)

K. Hampson (Brookline, MA)

S. DeBonis (Quincy, MA)

H. Ho (Winchester, MA)

S. Brill (Worcester, MA)

O. Aarons-Martin (Brockton, MA)

S. Richardson (Reading, MA)

E. Gaskin (Randolph, MA)

M. Priest (Boston, MA)

J. Stanton (Medford, MA)

K. Fink (Framingham, MA)

L. Saylor (Arlington, MA)

G. Fung (Boston, MA)

I. Egbuchulam (Walpole, MA)

C. Parker (Winthrop, MA)

J. Runyon (Lynn, MA)

B. Neptune (Boston, MA)


We invite you to share this call to moral and ethical leadership via email or through social media, as our goal this Lenten season is to gather 500+ signatures from a politically diverse Greater Boston Christian community to personally and publicly recommit themselves to these Biblical principles.

Written by uniteboston · Categorized: Blog · Tagged: lent, reconciliation, shalom, uniteboston, unity

Feb 26 2025

Uniting Boston and the Power of Dialogue

We are honored to share a podcast episode with Jennifer Nassour, Boston resident, former chairwoman of the Massachusetts Republical Party, and host of Political Contessa. She welcomes Shelton Oakley Hersey, a local Spiritual Director and Dialogue Consultant passionate about fostering fruitful conversation and the reconciling presence of Jesus through UniteBoston and beyond. 

With a Master’s from Fuller Theological Seminary in Intercultural Studies and extensive experience in interreligious and community dialogue, Shelton shares insights from her work in both South Africa and the U.S. Together, she and Jennifer explore how structured conversations with clear ground rules can transform heated conversations into opportunities for deeper understanding of ourselves, others, and even God. And, how it can and must include each of us embodying the Fruit of the Spirit with one another in our daily lives.

Tune in as they discuss the necessary culture shift from fear-based motivation to values-driven mutual respect of one another, the essential role of adults in modeling and teaching skills like humility, curiosity, grace in action, etc., and how community-level conversations can create lasting change. Whether you’re navigating tough discussions at home, work, or in your church community, this episode will equip you with practical tools to foster respect and a sense of unity in a divided world.

Listen now and join the movement for healthier conversations, meaningful engagement, and one way to embody Christ in these polarized times!

LISTEN NOW
EXPLORE KINGDOM CONVERSATIONS

Written by uniteboston · Categorized: Blog, FAITH & JUSTICE, Unity & Reconciliation · Tagged: christian dialogue, community, community conversations, conflict resolution, jesus, reconciliation, uniteboston, uniting boston, unity

Feb 06 2025

UniteBoston’s Fundraising Party & Community Gathering

Join Us for UniteBoston’s Eighth Annual Fundraising Party & Community Gathering!

You are invited to UniteBoston’s Fundraising Party and community gathering on Friday, April 11 from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm at the Bruce C. Bolling Building. This is an evening of celebration with food, fun, and an opportunity to partner with us in our bridge-building work.

Our team has chosen the theme of “fortify” for this season of UniteBoston, as it is a pivotal moment for Christians to fortify the foundation that we are standing on. At UniteBoston, we are working to equip Christians to be peacemakers and bridge-builders—agents of unity, reconciliation, justice, and repair in a fractured world. These aren’t just lofty ideals but actionable values that should shape the way Christians engage with one another and everyone they meet. Through intentional convening and discipleship, we are nurturing a “beloved community” where Christ’s love can overcome even the most entrenched divides.

This year’s event will feature a special keynote address by Rev. Michelle Sanchez, author of Color-Courageous Discipleship and Beloved Community. Rev. Sanchez is currently serving as a coach for our curriculum development, and we are excited to glean from her perspective. This will be followed by a conversation with Rev. Kelly and Rev. Devlin and testimonies of impact by our team.

This gathering will take place in Nubian Square. A list of nearby parking lots is available here, including the Blair parking lot and Dudley Square municipal parking lot around the corner of the building. We also received permission for this community to park in the large Urban League parking lot at 17 Warren Place, a five minute walk from the Bolling Building.  The Bolling Building is also adjacent to Dudley Station, with plenty of bus and public transportation options.

Join us to connect with the UniteBoston community and how you can be part of God’s reconciling, restoring, peacebuilding work through our ministry.

  • Live music!
  • Great food!
  • Friends old and new!
  • Inspiring testimonies of how God is at work in Greater Boston!

REGISTER HERE

We’re excited to offer childcare for ages 3-10 during our event, provided by safe and vetted volunteers from Neighborhood Church of Dorchester!  Your little ones will have a blast while you enjoy the event, knowing they’re in great hands. Please be sure to register your children in advance so we can make their experience fun and safe. We can’t wait to see your kiddos! Children do not need a ticket to the event but you do need to register them through a separate registration form.

REGISTER YOUR CHILDREN HERE

Ticket Options:

  • General Admission: $50
  • Student Admission: $25
  • Volunteer: Free

Sponsorship Opportunities:

  • Gold Sponsor – $2,000
    • Recognition at the event venue, food stations, and entertainment areas
    • Logo displayed in event signage, program, and materials
    • A dinner table sponsorship – 8 event tickets
    • Social media promotion as a Gold Sponsor
    • Mention during the event program
    • Sponsorship table available for you to place promotional items about your organization at the event
  • Silver Sponsor – $1,000
    • Recognition in event signage, program, and social media
    • 4 event tickets
    • Social media shout-out as a Silver Sponsor
    • Mention during the event program
    • Sponsorship table available for you to place promotional items about your organization at the event
  • Bronze Sponsor – $500
    • Recognition in event program and materials
    • 2 event tickets
    • Social media recognition as a Bronze Sponsor
    • Sponsorship table available for you to place promotional items about your organization at the event
  • Table Sponsor (Organization) – $300
    • Sponsor a dinner table for 8 people
    • Recognition at your table and in event materials

Our Goal: Raising $30,000

GIVE HERE

TABLE SPONSOR SIGN-UP

Fortify Fundraising Letter PDF

Your generous contributions will directly support our efforts to fortify Christian unity in Boston through strategic planning, staff and consultant support, and partnerships with local ministries.

*All new monthly donors contributing $50 or more will receive a UniteBoston mug and a free copy of Color-Courageous Discipleship!

Thank you for partnering with us to fortify the work of Christian unity in Boston. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out. We are deeply grateful for your friendship, encouragement, and support, and look forward to seeing you at the event!

Written by uniteboston · Tagged: christian unity, peace, reconciliation, uniteboston, unity

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