UniteBoston

Bridging Divides Across Christians for the Flourishing of the City

Boston’s Churches Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. King

This week, as we honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we reflect on how his Christian faith was the driving force behind his commitment to racial equality, justice, and nonviolent resistance. Rooted in biblical principles of love, equality, and the inherent dignity of every person, Dr. King’s faith shaped his vision of the “Beloved Community”—a society defined by justice, reconciliation, and peace. His unwavering trust in God gave him courage in the face of danger, hope amidst adversity, and a moral vision that continues to inspire movements for justice today.

Below are four powerful quotes from Dr. King and ways churches in Boston are living out his transformative legacy.

1. Ten Demandments to Boston’s White Churches

“In the midst of blatant injustices inflicted upon the Negro, I have watched white churchmen stand on the sideline and mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities. In the midst of a mighty struggle to rid our nation of racial and economic injustice, I have heard many ministers say: “Those are social issues, with which the gospel has no real concern.” – Dr. King, in Letter from a Birmingham Jail, 1963

On January 15, 2025, the Boston People’s Reparation Commission marked Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 96th birthday by gathering white church leaders to confront the enduring legacy of anti-Black racism. They introduced ten “demandments” for reparatory justice, calling for financial restitution, land forfeiture, and policy reform to address the deep injustices rooted in colonialism and systemic racism in Boston.

Historic white churches are urged to take bold action, embracing their God-given responsibility to participate in the city’s racial repair journey. Let us rise to this call for justice and not let this moment pass us by!

Rev Dr Jay Williams of Union Combined Parish
Dr. Angela Davis, keynote speaker

2. 55th annual Boston MLK Breakfast, co-hosted by Union Combined Parish and St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church.

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.’ – Dr. King, Draft of Chapter X, “Shattered Dreams”, July 1, 1962 to March 31, 1963

For 55 years, St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church and Union United Methodist Church have collaborated to present a memorial breakfast in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  It was the Black women of the parishes s who began holding services together, even before the federal holiday was established. The partnership is an incorporated nonprofit organization, which includes members from both churches. There was a strong ecumenical showing at the gathering, including Rev. Laura Everett of Massachusetts Council of Churches, Bishop Julia Whitworth of Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, and Governor Maura Healey and Bishop Thomas Bickerton of New England UMC.

Listen to Dr. Angela Davis’ keynote speech here on the struggle for liberation and the need to hold onto King’s vision of infinite hope.

3. Christians in Newton Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. King.

“Only when its is dark enough can you see the stars.” – Dr. King, I’ve been to the Mountaintop, April 3, 1968 Memphis, Tennessee.

We were proud to see our very own Managing Director, Rev. Devlin Scott, serve as the master of ceremonies for Newton’s 57th Annual Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day! The event was filled with powerful voices, including students, Newton’s school superintendent, the Mayor of Newton, and a diverse group of clergy members. The keynote address was delivered by Rev. Dr. Brandon Crowley, Pastor of The Historic Myrtle Baptist Church in Newton, who challenged the audience with his message of unity and justice. “Dr. King’s dream was for black people, not white people. We need our white brothers and sisters not to dream, but to wake up and get to work,” said Crowley.

Crowley’s powerful words are a reminder that the work of justice and unity often falls on the shoulders of the marginalized. The best way to be a co-conspirator for justice is to share one another’s burdens for the shalom of the city.

Watch the Newton’s 57th Annual Celebration of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Here.

4. Featured This Month in Smithsonian Magazine: The Call to Rename Faneuil Hall

“We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
Dr. King at the Washington National Cathedral, March 31, 1968.

Reverend Kevin Peterson, a Boston-born public theologian and Baptist minister has initiated a public campaign in 2018 to rename Faneuil Hall, highlighting its namesake’s involvement in the slave trade. This campaign and call to change was featured in this month’s Smithsonian Magazine. Dr. King’s public life was characterized by civil disobedience and grassroots organizing, and two strategies have also characterized Rev. Peterson’s ministry and call to change.

Choosing Unity Over Division in this Post-Election Season

Today, we are featuring a guest blogger, Bil Mooney-McCoy, who shares the importance of holding firm convictions while still embodying Christ’s love toward those who see things differently, especially across the political aisle. Bil is a member of Neighborhood Church of Dorchester and Director of Worship and Lecturer at Gordon College. Read below to hear his wise, practical advice in how we might choose unity over division and treat one another well in this post-election season, along with some thoughts from our colleague Rev. Dr. Gregg Detwiler.

Last Sunday, in church, we sang a song that summarized what is known as the Apostles’ Creed. When it got to the line “I believe…in Your holy church”, I began to cry. Looking at all the rhetoric and vitriol that has been part of this election cycle, I have been distressed by how divided we’ve become as a nation.

But specifically, my sorrow, my grief was prompted by how we Christians have handled the political landscape. We have villainized each other, questioned the validity of each others’ faith journeys. I’ve seen misinformation knowingly promoted by Christians, insults hurled at fellow believers, and in some cases heard of relationships within the body of Christ severed. I am sure that there have been times when my words and actions have contributed to this division. That’s not OK. This is not Christ’s vision for His church.

We are called to unity. But not to uniformity. We have different experiences, priorities, values, and perspectives; therefore, our opinions and beliefs on issues like abortion, gay rights, immigration, and gun ownership will vary. And it is appropriate for one to hold firm stances on these issues and to strongly disagree with those who hold contrary viewpoints. But these convictions should never lead to opportunities to tear each other down.


As I cried out to God today, I felt a prompting. I asked my God what I should do to promote unity amidst the political discord. Could I stay engaged and firm in my beliefs and convictions while working to diffuse the hostility and intolerance that is so rampant? How do I act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before my God in a time like this? Particularly now, in the election’s aftermath. And how do I channel God’s compassion and peace, knowing that last Tuesday’s outcome filled many with joy and hope but others with deep disappointment and dread?

The answers came quickly. Here’s what I believe God would have me commit to:

• I will cry with our Lord over the disunity and even hatred within our faith community.
• I will not speak ill of those who disagree with my political views, publicly or privately.
• I will pray for courage to engage in respectful, honest connection with those who disagree with me. I confess that I’m not there yet.
• I will recognize that in the outcome of every major political contest or legislative action, there will be many who will grieve; knowing that, I will not gloat nor condone others’ gloating.
• I will do all I can to comfort those who mourn, who are afraid, who feel ignored. I will listen to those who are angry.
• I will remind myself that being loving is more important than being right.
• I will do due diligence to confirm the veracity of any story I wish to repeat, verbally or online, refusing to spread incorrect or unconfirmable narratives, regardless of which agenda they promote.
• I will stand firm in my beliefs, taking strong positions based on my understanding of scripture and the character of Christ. But I will do so knowing that I don’t have all the answers. I will strive to discover my blind spots and accept new information and insights that may challenge my perspectives.
• I will (when appropriate) call out fellow believers whose words and actions are divisive, hurtful, and insulting even when their position aligns with my own.
• I will stand in the truth that my well-being and the well-being of those I love is not contingent on the election or defeat of a presidential candidate, the Senate and House majority, the make-up of the Supreme Court, or any earthly construct. My hope is in the loving care of my Father in Heaven.
• I will be grateful that, despite the flaws in our electoral system, I get to vote.
• I will pray for this nation and for its leaders.

I acknowledge that I do not have the character and morality to walk in these principles; I must rely on the work of the Holy Spirit within me to carry this out and will need to quickly acknowledge when I fall short.

The church’s one foundation is not a set of party platforms, a stance on societal issues, or adherence to a deeply-held political ideology. Her one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord.

Father, forgive me when I forget this.

Our friend and colleague Rev. Dr. Gregg Detwiler, consultant in the Intercultural Ministries and Leadership Development at the Emmanuel Gospel Center also shared the following sentiment as this week came to a close:

“While we all continue to sort out the results of the election and attempt to make meaning and find faithful responses to it, curious things can happen. Many of my friends are grieving and concerned; others are happy with the outcome (a subset of those are gloating); others are conflicted, filled with a mixture of emotions and thoughts (find me here). This election has taxed all the various muscle groups of my being – my intercultural ministry skills within the Church and society, my emotional intelligence, my mental health, and my spiritual foundation.

I made a decision this week to not push against the tide of the political upheaval but to try to flow with it. That meant spending probably 90% of my time engaging in reflective journaling, prayer, reading, posting a few transparent but measured comments on FB, and doing my level-best to have grace-filled truth-seeking conversations. I was amazed that at how many fruitful conversations I was able to have across the political spectrum after the election. Not all of them went well but a lot of them did, many more than I ever would have expected. And I have a docket of follow-up conversations scheduled over the next few weeks. So while this is painful and perplexing I find myself in this odd space filled with some unexpected turns along the way.  

One those unexpected turns came when one of my Facebook posts – My 3a.m. Election Day Confession – was anonymously quoted in a UK-based org article that seeks to promote political renewal through thoughtful Christian civic engagement. Here is the link to the article if you are interested in taking a look. I totally get it if things are still too raw for you to go there.

May the Lord help us all as we decompress from this week, find our moorings, and continue the work of seeking shalom in our communities, nation, and world.

P.S. BTW, if you are curious why I voted the way I did I go deeper into that in my FB post – Answering Two Questions of my Political Critics.

P.S. In case you missed it, UniteBoston also hosted an influential “Church and Civic Engagement” gathering of 75 leaders with ten other sponsoring organizations. Many of these leaders made a public commitment to Keep in Step with the Holy Spirit. We invite you also to consider upholding this same commitment in the days preceding and following the election.

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A Commitment to Peace: Embodying the Fruit of the Spirit in an Election Year

Today, we are offering some good news amidst such a polarizing, divisive election season. Read below to hear the story behind an influential gathering of 75 diverse Christian leaders convened by UniteBoston and ten other sponsoring organizations in October. Many of these leaders made a public commitment to Keep in Step with the Holy Spirit. This initiative was also picked up by Religion News Service!

We invite you also to consider upholding this same commitment in these days following the election by commenting on the post at the bottom as we seek to bear witness to the Way of Jesus together.

As Christians, in a world marked by division and strife, we are called to embody the reconciling work of Jesus Christ. But what does this look like? The Apostle Paul reminds us that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). These are not just ideals, but a charge for daily living, transforming us and our communities from the inside out. If we live by the Spirit, we are called to keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

We praise God that on Tuesday October 7, 2024, 75 Christian leaders from very different ethnic, theological, political, and generational backgrounds joined together for a conversation on their hopes and concerns as Christian leaders in this election year. We shared a meal together, joined together in worship, and gathered in small groups to listen and share our experience as Christian leaders in this election year, allowing God to spiritually form us through actively practicing the Fruit of the Spirit. We sought to offer a proactive alternative to the “us versus them” mentality and to be a public witness to our churches and our city that the way of Jesus is to love our neighbors through intentional, curious, respectful conversation.

The impetus for this gathering came in the late summer, as UniteBoston staff Rev. Kelly Fassett and Rev. Devlin Scott were concerned by how they saw some Christians conveying hatred, rage, and discord toward one another, which Scripture defines as the “acts of the flesh” (Galatians 5:20). In particular, there were five LGBTQ+ affirming churches in the area that were desecrated in a coordinated attack in August, with notes indicating that those committing these acts were doing so in the name of Jesus Christ. UniteBoston’s leadership released a public statement stating, “While there is much diversity on the perspectives of marriage and sexuality, how we hold our beliefs and treat one another matters. Our savior Jesus Christ calls us to be one and violence is never the answer to resolving our differences. We are called to love our neighbor as ourself (Mk 12:31) and Jesus implores us to hold a love even for one’s enemy (Mt 5:44).”

They sensed an invitation from God to convene the body of Christ, and reached out to a few colleagues to discern what type of gathering would be valuable. One of these individuals was local Spiritual Director and Dialogue Consultant Shelton Oakley Hersey. She, too, had been burdened by the nature of engagement: “We knew we must try to mend the breaches between us, only perpetuated by our culture and politics. We decided to host a gathering as a small step in faith, courage, and hope. We knew it wouldn’t change the world, but we hoped to offer a humble beginning of a different way of engagement.” A small planning team then began by finding ten co-sponsors representing a variety of local diverse Christian traditions, including the Massachusetts Council of Churches, the New England District Church of the Nazarene, Bethel AME Church, the Fellowship of Haitian Pastors of New England, and the Greek Orthodox seminary Holy Cross Hellenic College, who all extended invitations to a handful of local pastoral leaders.

Rev. Kelly shares, “It’s hard to host an event that people will come to, and even harder to host an event centering conversations on politics. We knew that the gathering wouldn’t be successful unless there was strong participation among Christians of many different backgrounds and political persuasions. I believe that having a diversity of sponsors contributed to trust and safety for Christians from many places to courageously say “yes” to coming. While our planning team was hoping there would be 30 attendees, we were pleasantly surprised to have 82 leaders RSVP for the conversation, desiring to respectfully engage with one another and embody Christ’s call to ‘love thy neighbor’ across typical lines of difference.”

When Executive Director of Greater Grove Hall Main Streets Ed Gaskin walked in the room, he was pleasantly surprised at who he saw: “Most of the gatherings I attend have the ‘same old leaders,’ which lends towards the same types of conversations. But I walked in the room and said, ‘Who are these people?’ The careful curation of the people in the room elicited a different type of conversation, so we could actually talk with the people on the ‘other side’ that we might not normally get to meet personally.”

While conversations on politics can often lead to heated debates and an entrenchment of positions, the gathering utilized a time-tested model of reflective structured dialogue. This structure incorporates a cadence of reflecting, listening, and sharing, which is designed to foster more fruitful, reflective, and curious conversations. Many participants expressed how the structure enabled them to actively practice the fruits of the Spirit such as patience, kindness, and self control. Jeanette Yep, pastor at Grace Chapel, shares that, “People want to be heard and listened to. This format allows us to respectfully listen and express care while listening. The times of quiet reflection and contemplation allows us to ‘digest’ what we heard from one another. Our group was caring in our listening, and that was the gift we gave one another.” Local peace educator and dialogue practitioner Julene Tegerstrand adds, “We are called to love our neighbors, but in today’s emotionally charged political climate—where our nervous systems are often on high alert—we need safe spaces and skillful practices that allow us to truly see one another. At this gathering, we were nourished by the fruits present in the room, as people with differing political views showed each other kindness through empathy and patience in their listening.”

After an introduction question, the first go-round asked participants to share a story or experience from their lives that would help others understand what’s important or feels at stake for them in the upcoming election, considering how their unique background and identities shape how they are navigating this time. Rev. Devlin Scott, UniteBoston’s Managing Director shared that, “Being able to begin the conversation by sharing my personal experience as a Black man was really influential for me. When we begin with stories rather than positions, it opens up a different kind of conversation.” Rev. Gina Cordy, pastor of Lynn First Church of the Nazarene, adds, “I was transformed by the experience. The Holy Spirit moved me and I became even more Christlike through the honest conversations we had, as my peers shared information that I didn’t know, or had forgotten about. I began to see people I had considered as ‘other’ or with resources they ‘didn’t deserve’ as worthy, and left feeling great freedom, peace and love for all!”

The evening closed with an invitation to sign a daily charge to keep in step with the Holy Spirit and embody the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives. We sought to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who calls us to love unconditionally and values every person as created in God’s image, even in the face of disagreement or division. We praise God for the 67 leaders who signed indicating their commitment to Keep in Step with the Holy Spirit. We invite you to also consider upholding this same commitment in these days leading to the election and the days following the election.

In participants’ reflections about the gathering, the word “love” was the most frequently mentioned, which is a grace-filled miracle, considering many of these pastoral leaders had met one another just hours before the gathering. Rev. Dr. Moreen Hughes, Pastor of Concord Baptist Church, came away saying, “There is a great need for spiritual leaders in the city and state to come together and live out the mandates of Jesus to love one another. We have more in common than we think.” Rev. Corey Sanderson, pastor of Second Church in Newton adds, “The Christian faith doesn’t insist that we all think or even vote alike, but it does impel us to love and serve alike.”

And that’s how Jesus says sums up his message – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself (Mk 12:30-31, Mt 22:37-40, Lk 10:27). Jesus centered right relationship with God and all of our neighbors, especially anyone you might consider to be your “enemy” (Mt 5:43-44). “When we see a civic promotion of fear, hate and violence as the trajectory of our politics, we need a civic faith of love, healing and hope to defeat it. And that must involve all of us – religious or not. Loving our neighbor, and learning to practice the politics of love, will be central to the future of democracy in America” (Jim Wallis, The False White Gospel, 15).

In a world where polarization is high and divisions can seem intractable, we praise God for the fruit born through individuals taking even one step closer in relationship with one another. Spiritual Director and UB Dialogue Consultant Shelton Oakley Hersey concludes, “Loving across divides requires humility and curiosity, a willingness to admit you need that other person in your life to see more clearly. Our overarching hope is that these types of conversations become mainstream and an example to the world of what loving disagreement and conversation might look like.” While the days following the election are looming with uncertainty, we celebrate all who are making the commitment to not only ‘talk the talk’ but ‘walk the walk,’ so together we might bear witness to Christ’s reconciling work and be a sign of the gospel.

UniteBoston Planning Team: Rev. Devlin Scott, Rev. Kelly Fassett, Julene Tegerstrand, and Shelton Oakley Hersey

A Daily Charge to Keep In Step With the Holy Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. […] If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-23, 25

As we go forth, we desire to live inspired by the example of Jesus Christ, who calls us to love unconditionally (Matt 22:37), and values every person as created in God’s image (Gen 1:27), even in the face of disagreement or division.

We seek to embody the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives, giving honor to all parts of the Body of Christ (Gal 5, 1 Cor 12):

WITH LOVE, we seek to bridge divides, stay curious, and pursue understanding.

WITH JOY, we seek to uplift one another and celebrate our shared faith.

WITH PEACE, we seek to become peacemakers in a world often filled with conflict.

WITH PATIENCE, we seek to listen deeply and respond with grace.

WITH KINDNESS, we seek to embody actions that reflect the compassion of Christ.

WITH GOODNESS, we seek to stand firm in our convictions while respecting others.

WITH FAITHFULNESS, we seek to remain committed to God and to one another.

WITH GENTLENESS, we seek to speak words that heal and build up rather than harm.

WITH SELF-CONTROL, we seek to temper our responses with wisdom and love.

As God’s people, we remember the call to do justice, love  mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). We go from here, as ambassadors of Christ’s love, empowered to be peacemakers in our communities (Matt 5:9). May the Holy Spirit guide you, strengthen you, give you endless grace, and fill you with hope as it is only together that we bear witness to Christ’s reconciling work and shalom in the world (Rev 7).

Prayerfully Crafted by Shelton Oakley Hersey and the Unite Boston Team

Original Signatories:

  • Benjamin Pierce, Cru City Neighborsd
  • Rev. Carlos DePina, Pastor of Ebenezer Church of the Nazarene
  • Chris Lawson, Cru
  • Carolina De Jesus, Executive Director of the Boston HERC
  • Rev. Corey Sanderson, Pastor of Second Church in Dorchester
  • Rev. David Searles, Pastor of Central Community Church
  • Rev. David W. Hill, Pastor of City Church Boston
  • Rev. Devlin Scott, UniteBoston Managing Director and Pastor of NewCity Church
  • Rev. Dieufort J Fleurissaint, Pastor and Executive Director of Total Health Christian Ministries Inc.
  • Doug Cogswell, Grace Chapel
  • Rev. Emmanuel J. Correa Vázquez, Pastor of House of Prayer Lutheran Church
  • Rev. George Woodruff, Pastor of Columbus Avenue AME Zion Church
  • Rev. Gina Cordy, Pastor of Lynn First Church of the Nazarene
  • Rev. Dr. Gloria White-Hammond, Pastor at Bethel AME Church
  • Rev. Dr. Gregg Detwiler, Intercultural Ministries and Leadership Development, Emmanuel Gospel Center
  • Ed Gaskin, Executive Director of Greater Grove Hall Main Streets
  • Rev. Hady Hanna, Pastor of Arabic Evangelical Baptist Church of Boston
  • Rev. Jeanette Yep, Pastor of Missional Partnerships and Multicultural Ministry, Grace Chapel
  • Rev. Dr. Jeremy Scott, Assistant District Superintendent for Church & Mission Engagement at New England District Church of the Nazarene
  • Rev. Joseph Ardayfio, Pastor of Mars Hill Fellowship
  • Rev. Jua Robinson, Executive Director of Boston Collaborative
  • Rev. Dr. Julene Tegerstrand, Spiritual Director, Dialogue Practitioner and Peace Educator at Heart to Heart
  • Rev. Kat Hampson, Pastor of Riverwalk Covenant Church in Brookline
  • Katelyn Hannan, Development Director, Emmanuel Gospel Center
  • Rev. Dr. Kazimiera Fraley, Pastor of First Church of the Nazarene of Cambridge
  • Rev. Kenneth Young, Associate Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches & Director of the Black Ecumenical Council
  • Kim Cogswell, Grace Chapel
  • Rev. Kelly Fassett, Executive Director of UniteBoston
  • Rev. Laura Everett, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches
  • Lexi Carver
  • Rev. Marcella Charles, Pastor of Dorchester Immanuel Church of the Nazarene
  • Rev. Monica Paige, Associate Pastor at Morning Star Baptist Church
  • Rev. Pamela Werntz, Pastor of Emmanuel Church Boston
  • Rev. Philomena Hare, Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Wareham
  • Rev. Rocklyn E. Clarke, Pastor of Life Church Boston
  • Scott Walker, Life/Work Direction, Inc.
  • Rev. Sean Richmond, Pastor of Antioch New England
  • Shelton Oakley Hersey, Spiritual Director and UniteBoston Dialogue Consultant
  • Rev. Sophia Kim, Youth Pastor at the First Korean Church in Cambridge
  • Rev. Rick Picariello, Pastor of Mount Hope Christian Center
  • Susie Richardson, Senior Writer at Cru
  • Rev. Tim Ghali, Pastor of Discipleship, Grace Chapel
  • Rev. Valerie Copeland, Pastor of Neighborhood Church of Dorchester
  • Rev. Dr. Varnel Antoine, Fellowship of Haitian Evangelical Pastors of NE

Join Us to Walk in Step with the Holy Spirit

We invite you to comment on the post below to publicly commit to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. By signing this pledge, you commit to living daily in step with the Holy Spirit, embodying the Fruit of the Spirit in your life and relationships, with God’s help. You are invited to print the charge and place it on a visible wall to remind yourself of this commitment.

You can also use this daily charge as a responsive liturgy within your community, with the leader reading the regular text and the congregation reading the capitalized text.

Let’s move forward in faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit, as peacemakers in our world. Join us today and sign this pledge to keep in step with the Spirit!

~ May Jesus, the Prince of Peace, lead the way ~

#KeepInStepWithTheSpirit #HolySpiritCharge #FaithInAction

The Journey towards ONE: UniteBoston’s Ministry Priorities

“For [Jesus] himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” (Eph 2:14-16).

This is one of the many Scriptural texts that make it clear that Christians are to be “united” and “one.” Yet, what does this unity and oneness look like, and how do we get there? Read below to hear about UniteBoston’s five ministry priorities this year on our “journey towards one:” Cohorts, Commitment, Challenge, Convene, and Clarify, and how you can take part in this journey with us.

By: Rev. Kelly Fassett, Rev. Devlin Scott, and Rayza Carrasco

This past fall, UniteBoston’s staff and board sat down seeking to CLARIFY our ministry vision, strategy, and theory of change. Over the course of thirteen years, UniteBoston had gone from a small e-newsletter sent to a couple of dozen people to a full-fledged non-profit ministry with multiple staff. We had pursued the unity and oneness of Christians through hosting large united worship nights, coordinating a weekly events newsletter and website hub, convening missional collaboration conferences, launching neighborhood dinners, hosting learning groups, and more. 

We knew that at the center of the Christian faith is the confession that Jesus’ incarnation, death, and resurrection has reconciled us to God and to one another, thus forming an inseverable and eternal peace (Eph. 2:14). This central message of reconciliation is a prominent theme throughout the New Testament, and the early Christians were convinced of the centrality of unity among followers of Christ. (2 Cor 5:16-21, 1 Cor 1:10, Rom 12:4-5, Jn 11:52, Eph 4:3).

Yet, this “unity” and “oneness” is easier to live in theological constructs than in practice. Christian unity isn’t just a surface-level kumbaya togetherness, “hues in the pews,” as that often erases voices that are traditionally on the margins. True Biblical unity must not only encompass diversity but also erase hierarchy, inequity, injustice, and false structures of power. Biblical unity is a “deep unity,” one that leans into the places of division to discover the roots and possibilities of reconciliation and repair.  In the course of our ministry, we had seen that the barriers hindering Christian unity, equity, justice, and flourishing for all needed to be tackled head on. To this end, our staff and board brainstormed together and came up with three big barriers to Christian unity: imbalanced theology, righteous hubris, and historical injustices.

Christian unity is not just a belief or an event but is actually a question of discipleship: the way we understand and practice our love of God and neighbor on a daily basis. As our team sought to unpack these three barriers to Christian unity and CLARIFY the learning experiences and cohort models that could be designed to disciple people as ambassadors of reconciliation and repair (2 Cor 5:18-20), we immediately realized that we could not do this work on our own; this big-picture work will be much sharper and stronger when it is done with a collective community of leaders offering their insights and perspectives. This past year, we launched a Christian unity COHORT with twelve diverse leaders who met monthly to share their own personal stories of unity and disunity in the church and explored how people are living out God’s call towards unity, justice and reconciliation. 

Here are a few key ideas about Christian unity that Kelly and Devlin are taking away from the cohort journey:

Genuine, vulnerable story-sharing allows us to truly see one another, deepening our understanding of our unity in reconciled diversity. This transformative process reshapes our sense of connection and mutual worth, inspiring us to live out our shared brotherhood and sisterhood in Christ. When we really see one another, it changes how we feel connected to one another and how we feel they deserve what I deserve.

The journey towards Christian unity involves remembering and rediscovering who we are in Christ, cultivating authentic diverse friendships, carefully tending to wounds and places of rupture, and showing up for one another in sacrificial solidarity. This group has protected, celebrated, defended, and made room for one another, which has been challenging and immensely healing.

Here are a few reflections from members of the cohort: 

“The individuals in our cohort are all so different; culturally, liturgically, and theologically. But as I’ve listened to the stories of God’s movement in the lives of each of these new friends, I’ve been awed by just how much we have in common: a love for Jesus, a devotion to his church, wounds in need of healing, a deep longing for the Kingdom, along with a lot of courage and faith. This journey and these people have reinforced my commitment to move from curiosity, my belief that we have so much to learn from each other, and my hope that the chasms that divide us can be bridged.”

-Josh Wilson, Pastor at Reality Boston

“If the seed of Christian unity is our faith in Jesus, and the sunlight/water are our opportunities for joint ministry and mission, then the soil is most certainly our relationship and engagement with each other. The soil is aerated by our whole-hearted leaning into difference and disagreement with love.” 

– Edwin Johnson, Director of Organizing at Episcopal City Mission 

“In the Christian unity cohort, I found that our differences didn’t divide us; rather they made us connect more intentionally as we built friendships with one another. We don’t have to agree on all the things, but we can accept, love, and serve one another just like Jesus loved and served us.”

-Carolina de Jesus, Chief Executive Officer at the Boston Higher Education Resource Center

“As a Roman Catholic, I am reminded that the Catholic Church made a fundamental shift in its vision of Christian Unity from Vatican I to Vatican II, moving from an ecumenism of “return” to an ecumenism of “recognition” – the recognition of an esteem for the many gifts of God’s Spirit that reflect a genuine communion of faith and life with other Christian churches. As a result of the journey that we have shared in our Christian Unity cohort, I am convinced that the personal and relational always come before the structural and institutional. Journeying out of our isolations; meeting, sharing meals, sharing our stories, getting to know and trust one another; establishing friendships— these cohort experiences of relationship form the climate in which both individual Christians and separated communities become open to, recognize and receive gifts of the Holy Spirit from one another. It is this kind of climate that I have witnessed with our Unity Cohort from which a passion for unity is cultivated and sustained. Symbolic gestures are important among church leaders, but relationships of trust and mutual affection have to grow among members of different churches as well if receptive ecumenism is to flourish.”

-Michael James, Resident Minister and Faculty Member at Boston College

We’re now launching two new year-long working group COHORTS to help us shape the next season of UniteBoston. First, a “Sankofa journey” working group to reconstruct a common memory on the racial history of Boston and CHALLENGE people to be truth-tellers about the hidden history in our backyard. Second, a working group to explore the theology, practice, and heart posture of “Christian unity.” The working groups will help us unpack the three barriers to Christian unity we have identified and discern what content, experiences, and practical COMMITMENTS people can make towards becoming ambassadors of reconciliation and repair. We believe that UniteBoston’s role is to create opportunities for “beloved community” to emerge, one that leans into our diversities, nurtures belonging for all of God’s children, models redemptive power dynamics, and works together to nurture shalom across historic divides. As we nurture kinship relations among diverse siblings in Christ, we believe our self-giving love for each other will be a collective witness to the reconciling power of the gospel. 

Much of our team’s time and attention will be behind the scenes so we can do this work well. But don’t worry, we will continue our newsletter and website, and we are still planning to CONVENE Christians in Boston for a fall concert featuring a united gospel choir, as well as Boston Flourish on November 7. 

We’re grateful to have so many leaders and friends with us on the journey – You make this work possible, and you make it a lot of fun too! 

Join us on the Journey Towards One: 

  • Pray for wisdom and discernment for our team and collaborating partners as we seek to understand how Christians in Boston might embody the oneness that Jesus prays for and refine UniteBoston’s missional priorities and theory of change.
  • Stay engaged by reading the UniteBoston newsletter and following us on our social media Facebook Instagram
  • We’d love to hear from you if you have any ideas, resources, or stories you’d like to share with us that might help us on this journey!

– Rev. Kelly, Rev. Devlin, and Rayza

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. 
Where there is hatred, let us sow love; 
where there is injury, pardon; 
where there is discord, union; 
where there is doubt, faith; 
where there is despair, hope; 
where there is darkness, light; 
where there is sadness, joy. 
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; 
to be understood as to understand; 
to be loved as to love. 
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
– A Prayer attributed to St. Francis

Top 5 Reasons to Attend the “Rejoice” Concert On Saturday!

“Again I Say Rejoice” is UniteBoston’s 2023 fall concert, and we are so excited to bring another gathering of united worship to the city! Taking place on September 30th in downtown Boston, this concert is the opportunity for Christians to come together in a public place to worship. Not only that, we also can help people get a glimpse of what a diverse and loving Christian community looks like – Which is why we would like everyone who has a heart to see Boston glorify God to come worship with us!

My name is Alexis Monroe, and I’ve had the privilege of working behind the scenes to help facilitate the logistics for the concert for the second year in a row – and today I’d like to share with you some reasons why you should attend!

Reason #1: We are featuring new talents!

This year, we are excited to have the amazing talents of Amber Jogie, Taija Rayne-Franklin, and Jocelyn as a part of our concert. Taija is an amazing visual artist currently serving full-time with the Boston Project Ministries. She will be creating a live art piece throughout the concert, along with hosting an interactive art station for attendees. If you or a kiddo want to take home a reminder to magnify the Lord, stop by Taija’s table! 

Amber Jogie will also be performing a spoken word piece! Amber is an author, youth program manager and student. She released her first book earlier this year which reflected on many of her experiences growing up as a black girl. Amber uses her gift of writing and speaking to reflect on many different topics as well, here she offers her reflection on what it means to “breathe again”.

Jocelyn is a dancer at Jubilee Worcester, and she and her team will be sharing their beautiful gifts with us. She has coordinated dances in many different places, and we are grateful she chose the Again I Say Rejoice! concert as another place to glorify God with her art. 

Reason #2: There’s going to be great music!

We have an incredible line-up of Boston-based artists who are performing, including a first-time UniteBoston performance from Katty Jimenez, the melodic sounds of Shanell Alyssa, Christian hip-hop artist Caleb McCoy, the deep soul music of Jen Aldana, and vibey guitar jams from Doully Yang. Returning this year, we also have a community choir with the core of “God’s Chosen” from Gordon College, as well as our usual united worship band. Join us to support Boston-based artists and hear great jams that are filling the heart of our city! You can also listen to our gospel playlist and get yourself ready to sing it loud and sing it proud!

Reason #3: Boston needs to see the love of Jesus Christ

The Bible says that Christians are a light set on a hill that all the world needs to see (Mt 5:14) – So let’s let our light shine! As our society continues to be divided, love can often seem intangible – but as believers in Jesus Christ, we know the love of God is always around us. “Again I Say Rejoice!” is the chance for us to show Boston that love comes in all shapes, sizes, races, ethnicities, abilities, and languages. While we worship and praise our God, the light we hold will shine brightly through the city. We invite you to help us shine this light. 

Reason #4: Enjoy the perks of a day-time concert in Downtown Boston!

With an earlier concert time, you get to enjoy some fun in the fall sun and local eats. We will have lawn games for all to enjoy as we light up the park with the joy of God. There will also be access to food trucks and snacks on the Rose Kennedy Greenway for purchase! 

The beautiful Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park in Downtown Boston

Reason #5: We get to be a church without walls

As Christians, we often meet in spaces that are unfamiliar and foreign to someone who has never attended church. When we worship in public places, it gives people who normally would not step into a church building the opportunity to witness authentic worship. With a variety of musical performance styles, diverse band and community choir, and community tables for churches and organizations nurturing shalom in our city, this is a great way for people to see Jesus!

Please join us for the concert and help to spread the word! You can RSVP here via Facebook to receive notifications; it’s going to be a lot of fun; we’ll see you there!!


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