Nurturing Relational Connections Across Boston's Christian Community
In light of all that is happening in our nation, we need to remember that Jesus is on the throne and we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. We also need to listen and fight for those who are most vulnerable in society.
A few years ago, after hearing the story of a young woman, Sarah Dunham, director of the Abolitionist Network at the Emmanuel Gospel Center, wrote this poem:
Cry and Sing of Hope
Race, privilege – authenticity? Belonging? Permission to grieve?
Who am I who has so much, who am I to cry?
I cry hearing the pain of my sister.
I have not lived it.
I chose to give up what I can easily choose to take back.
My education, my family network opens many doors others cannot access.
But I cry for that reality to change.
Can my cry be a trumpet blast in halls of complacency?
Can the cry of a middle class white girl on behalf of the sad broken state of our justice system, our schools, our neighborhoods and families, be heard and deemed legitamate?
Does it matter if they are?
I think so, but then I wonder, by who?
My friend is being sold. Abused. Exploited!!
No, I am not.
I have never been raped or molested, but my friend, my sister, has and is and This Must Stop!
I carry so many stories in my heart and they are heavy.
I cry out with a cry of empathy
No, I will never fully understand
So I will not try to be your voice but rather sound the trumpet, shake the ground,
open the cages of systems holding you back,
usher you into the doors I can, and then You cry out Your song of lament,
of truth,
and together we proclaim the song of hope.
“injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”
If I see the injustice done against you and say nothing, what is that?
If I weep, not on my own behalf but for what is happening to you, am I not showing you I care? That I wish there was some other reality? That I wonder why you and not me and I am sorry for my privilege?
And I do weep on my own behalf in sorrow, regret, apology for what I – my race, my religion and my country have done.
What my government has done and fails to do, what my Church has done and fails to do.
I am part of the problem.
I am so sorry.
But I hear the rumblings of another way possible- in the cry and lament, imagining there must be something better
Do you hear it?
The low, steady heartbeats of hope reverberating in my spirit and yours, calling towards harmony!?
It rises
And I know I must not keep silence!
I invite you to join me in my weeping and my obstinate hope.
Let me not tell your story for you, label or forget you in my rush to sound the trumpet.
You and I together – we will cry and sing of hope.
It’s not just Halloween – I also want to wish you Happy #ReformationDay!
It’s the 500th Anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses in Wittenburg, Germany. This eventually gave rise to what has become known as the Protestant Reformation, which changed the world forever.
As of today, a year of events worldwide has begun to herald growing cooperation between Protestants and Catholics: http://www.wittenberg2017.us/
UniteBoston is joining into this vision for a reconciled Church by hosting nightly prayer gatherings throughout Boston with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on January 18-25, and coordinating a city-wide day of community service on May 6, 2016.
Pope Francis encourages Christians worldwide in the following: “While theologians continue their dialogue in the doctrinal sphere, continue insistently to seek opportunities to meet each other, to get to know each other better, to pray together and to offer your help to each other and to all those who are in need. In this way, freed of every prejudice and trusting only in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that announces peace and reconciliation, you will be true protagonists of a new season in this journey that, with God’s help, will lead to full communion. I assure you of my prayer, and ask you, please to, pray for me, as I am in need. Thank you.”
Truly, the irresistible purpose of Jesus is that we might return to a united universal Church. Here are more of the principles posted by Wittenberg 2017:
1. The irresistible purpose of Jesus is to return to a united Church universal.
2. The current reality is that the Church universal is divided – in heart, purpose, thinking, and organizational structures.
3. Division weakens the Church universal.
4. The Church universal should feel the pain of her divisions and grieve them.
5. The Church universal should pray for reconciliation and unity.
The Presidential election is right around the corner! We encourage all Christians to pray for the leaders of our country, and prayerfully consider how your faith in Christ informs your vote.
Samuel Adams said, “Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote … he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.”
Additionally, 1 Timothy 2 states “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”
The MyFaithVotes.org website is a great resource for information about party platforms.
Whatever your emotions are leading up to the election, I’d encourage you to read author Max Lucado’s blog about his prediction for November 9th. He encourages us to remember God’s sovereignty and that, regardless of the outcome, “Our good God rules the world.”
The Emmanuel Gospel Center suggests that we pray for the Church in Boston during this election season; and that there will be a display of love and unity among Christians even in the midst of disagreement. Pray that we can promote peace, compassion, and justice that transcends political parties. Pray for healthy dialogue that concerns kingdom values, and not just American values.
The Archdiocese of Boston encourages everyone to vote NO on #4. The Archdiocese is particularly concerned about the serious risks to youth that would follow enactment of this proposed law. We feel an obligation to do all that we can to prevent this from occurring. Click here for more resources, including a statement from Mass Medical Society, Massachusetts Chiefs of Police, and other organizations, who strongly oppose #4.
Additionally, the Massachusetts Council of Churches have provided a few some resources to help Massachusetts voters:
Ecumenical Ballot Question Guide
The Massachusetts Council of Churches have created this guide to be honest, specific, and to present the best in each side.
Prayer Services for Election Eve and Election Day –
Resource from the Massachusetts Council of Churches
As November 8 approaches, consider holding a prayer service in your community. The Disciples of Christ Council on Christian Unity has developed this beautiful Liturgy for an Ecumenical Prayer Service for Election Day or Eve. This communion liturgy might be useful to you in planning worship for November 6 or 13 as well.
Here are prayer services taking place in the Greater Boston area; check back with the Massachusetts Council of Churches’ Facebook page for an updated list, or email info@uniteboston.com to add your service here!
Boston
Tuesday, 11/8 Taizé Services 8:30 AM, 12:10 PM and 5:30 PM Trinity Church in the City of Boston
Brookline
Cambridge
Monday 11/7, at Christ Church:
-8am: Morning Prayer Service of Trust
-12pm: Midday Prayer Service of Silence and Intercession
-5:15pm: Evening Prayer Service of Repentance and Deliverance
-6pm: Contemplative Prayer Service of Silence and Intercession 6pm
Tuesday 11/8 at Christ Church:
8am: Morning Prayer Service of Unity and Reconciliation
Tuesday 11/8 – 9am to 8pm at Reservoir Church – Day of Prayer
Lexington
Monday, 11/7 7:00 PM Church of Our Redeemer
Medford
Monday, 11/7 7:00 PM Grace Episcopal Church
Waltham
Monday, 11/7 6:30 PM (communion) Christ Church
Watertown
Monday, 11/7 7:00 PM (interfaith service) Church of the Good Shepherd, Watertown
Finally, the Episcopal bishops in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts call for a vigil period of intense prayer from noon on All Saints Sunday, Nov. 6 through noon on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Please see below for 4 & 14 minute video summaries of the Institute for Christian Unity’s WEE Forum of this past May.
The forum was entitled, ‘The Moral Injuries of War Through the Eyes of a Christian’. Those who attended were moved by the stark and penetrating presentation of Eric Fair.
Eric is an author, Army veteran and former contract interrogator in Iraq. Eric’s presentation included reflections on his time at Abu Ghraib in Iraq and the impact of this experience on his Christian faith.