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Many Voices, One Mission:
Be A Champion for Racial Justice
by TJ Harper
Associate for Racial Justice Ministries
In the past several months, I have been visiting an increasing number of churches in Connecticut and Massachusetts to preach and present workshops on racial justice. I have noticed that when congregations attempt to stand and address the racial injustices that plague our communities and our country, there is division within many congregations.
Some pastors have privately expressed a deep reluctance to preach about racial justice due to possible backlash from parishioners. Some parishioners privately expressed to me that the congregation wants to do more to address racial justice, but the pastor is reluctant. In some cases, the pastor and the congregation want to work toward racial justice but do not agree on which path to take.
My message today is simple: Be a champion for racial justice. Read more
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Last Chance for a Bus Ride to Washington!
April 4, 2018 will mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The National Council of Churches will take this opportunity of commemoration to launch a multi-year effort committed to addressing racism in our country.
The Massachusetts Conference has also been committed to unmasking and eradicating racism in our lives and in our churches. We are proud and excited to be a part of this ecumenical movement to acknowledge the role Christianity in this country has played in both fighting and upholding the institution of racism.
WE NEED TO KNOW WHO WANTS A RIDE! The Massachusetts Conference is organizing a bus and we need to know how many are needed and where they should pick people up. The cost will be from $50-70 depending on how many people are going.
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Marching Forth Together for Gun Safety
by Kelly Gallagher
Associate Conference Minister
The Parkland shootings have once again brought the issue of gun safety to the front of our national dialogue. This time, however, our young people are being listened to as they respond to the tragedy of gun deaths in this country. I am reminded of Jesus' attention to the children in the Gospel, how he called them to him, used them as examples to his disciples as to how to be in this world, and warned all of us of the consequences of causing any one of them to stumble. As the young people of this nation seek to set an example for us all, let us seek ways to remove stumbling blocks from them - to open roads for their voices and listen to their wisdom.
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The Power of "Never Again"
by Sandy Sorensen
Director, UCC Washington Office
When I began serving in the United Church of Christ Washington office, gun violence prevention was one of my areas of policy focus. It was the early 1990s and, together with other faith-based and secular partners, we worked to pass the 1994 Assault Weapons ban. It expired ten years later, and efforts to reinstate the ban have been unsuccessful, despite subsequent gun violence tragedies.
Over the years our nation has continued to experience the terrible toll of gun violence on a daily basis, in numbers almost too staggering to imagine.
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IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE CONCERNS
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Conference Launches Sanctuary Church Fund
by Karen Methot
Massachusetts Conference staff
On the mid-September evening when an emergency gathering of First Congregational Church Amherst members decided to offer sanctuary to Lucio Perez - a Guatemalan father of four who has lived in this country almost 20 years - Pastor Vicki Kemper says she knew only two things for sure: 1. The church was following what they believed to be Jesus' call and the movement of the Spirit in taking this leap of faith; and 2. They really had no idea what they were getting into.
"Our journey over these past 126 days with Lucio has proven all that-and much more," said Kemper. "This ministry has stretched us, challenged us, and blessed us beyond measure." Read more
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Lucio Perez, facing imminent deportation to Guatemala, entered sanctuary at First Church UCC Amherst on October 18, 2017 to keep his family together while his immigration case is decided. He is a father of four and a leader in his church and community, who has lived and worked in the US for 19 years. His family and community need him home!
Lucio's application for a Stay of Deportation and his Motion to Reopen will be decided soon. Now is the time to show widespread community support. Help us send ICE 1,000 letters by April 9!
Download this pdf for details on what to include in your letter and where to send. Note: Feel free to include your name and address in place of a driver's license.
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Over 1,500 ONA Churches Nationally
The ONA Ministry Team celebrates these newly listed Open and Affirming churches in the Massachusetts
Conference. Each one makes the world a safer and more loving place.
ONA Church #1508:
Church of Christ, Congregational, United Church of Christ, Millis - March 2018
ONA Church#1504:
North Community Church, Marshfield Hills - February 2018
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Support Proposed Bans on Conversion Therapy
Massachusetts legislators have the opportunity to ban the dangerous and discredited practice of "conversion therapy" once and for all. Pending legislation in the legislature would prevent medical professionals from engaging in harmful practices, such as the use of shame, verbal abuse, and even aversion techniques like electric shocks, to "alter" the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBTQ youth. You can act now to support this legislation.
The nation's leading medical and mental health organizations have come out against these practices because of the serious health risks they pose for LGBTQ youth -- risks such as depression, guilt, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts/behaviors.
Read more
Endorsed by the ONA Ministry Team
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INSPIRING COURAGE: FAMILY JOURNEYS AND GENDER IDENTITY
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March 18 ~ 3-4:30 PM ~ Open Spirit in Framingham
Join us for an afternoon of information, inspiration, and celebrating courage!
The program will begin with a brief presentation, by Valerie Frias, Executive Director of Greater Boston PFLAG: highlighting what words like gender identity and transgender mean, what protections transgender people currently have, what challenges they face.
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CAMP PRIDE RESIDENTIAL SUMMER CAMP FOR LGBTQ YOUTH
Camp Pride, a week-long residential camp for LGBTQ youth and their allies, exists as a space for LGBT youth to explore their identities, their faiths, and themselves, in addition to all the regular summer camp activities like swimming, hiking, boating, arts & crafting, and enjoying the beautiful shores of Lake Cobboseecontee.
This is an interfaith camp hosted by Pilgrim Lodge, a camp of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC). Endorsed by the MACUCC ONA Ministry Team.
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Children Caught in Family Homelessness:
How They are Hurt and How We Can Help
March 18 ~ First Parish in Concord
Family homelessness remains at very high levels in Mass. due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of low-income and affordable housing. Currently, over 3,580 families are in shelters nightly throughout the state. This year's Forum focuses on the impact of homelessness on children's overall health and development.
· Average shelter stay for families in Massachusetts is now 253 days. Signs of depression generally begin to appear after 90 days.
· Children experiencing housing insecurity are 50% more likely to be in poor health and 70% more at risk of developmental problems than their housed peers.
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KNOW SOMEONE WHO 'DOES JUSTICE'?
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