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September 11, 2023 at 2:04 pm in reply to: Meet Calvin Lee, UniteBoston’s New Communications Administrator #22953unitebostonKeymaster
Hello Friends of UniteBoston!
My name is Calvin Lee, and I am excited to serve alongside Kelly and Devlin as the new UniteBoston Communications Administrator!
This is the kind of fast day I’m after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts…
Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go.
I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
firm muscles, strong bones.
You’ll be like a well-watered garden,
a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You’ll be known as those who can fix anything,
restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,
make the community livable again.
-Isaiah 58:6-9, 9-12 (MSG)
Isaiah 58 has really come alive to me over the last few years, as I have been on an identity journey, centered around faith, race and justice.
I am a Jesus person.
I am a 2nd generation Korean-American cis male.
And I am journeying to better understand what both of those mean.
I am also an organizer and builder; and in 2020, I co-founded [GOSPEL], an initiative curating creative spaces to catalyze more for the American Christian Church.
I’m thrilled for the opportunity to continue building towards Christian unity and activation with UniteBoston! I believe that we, the Church, have everything we need today to play our part in God’s move to “break the chains of injustice” (Isa.58:6). And I believe that our participation in God’s liberation of ALL people is vital for the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer in John 17.
We live in a city with a painful history – much of which the Church has been complicit in and silent on. But in grace, we can freely lament that truth, and together reimagine the identity and purpose of the Church in our world today.
I’m grateful for UniteBoston’s commitment to the hard but necessary work of breaking down the divisions that keep the Body apart, and am eager to serve alongside Kelly and Devlin to “make the community livable again” (Isa.58:12)!
I live in Fields Corner with my wife, Sunny, and dog, Boaz. We love walking “Bo” along the beach, playing pickleball, and watching movies together. A few of my favorite films include Minari, The Birth of a Nation (2016), and Malcolm X by Spike Lee!
Thank you for your warm welcome, and God bless!
“UB is in a season where we are examining the places that have divided the Church so we can better understand what God’s call towards unity looks like. Calvin brings a passion for the Church to address areas of inequity and injustice, and cultivating a “radical togetherness,” both of which are aligned closely with our missional priorities this year. I am excited to dream and strategize with Calvin on the team!”
– Rev. Kelly Fassett, UniteBoston Executive Director
“UniteBoston is growing, and we are growing in all the right ways. Adding Calvin to the team does more than allow us to do what we have always done better, but it fortifies us to pursue a future that is bigger and brighter. Calvin is another great partner in this work of discovering the Christian Unity that Jesus prayed for and over us. I am so excited about UB’s future!”
– Rev. Devlin Scott, UniteBoston Managing Director
P.S. – Hiring Calvin as the communications administrator came alongside us promoting Rev. Devlin Scott as the Managing Director of UB! Read more about this here!
unitebostonKeymasterJoin us for a transformative experience rooted in the rich biblical practice of fasting. UniteBoston invites you to participate in a 24-hour period of fasting and prayer, dedicated to fostering spiritual growth and unity. Inspired by passages from the Bible, fasting involves a purposeful abstention from food and indulgences, allowing us to shift our focus towards connecting with God on a profound level. Together, we will embark on this journey of devotion, seeking guidance, expressing humility, and building stronger bonds of community. Let’s draw inspiration from moments like Jesus’ 40-day fast and the Israelites’ collective fasting during times of national significance. By setting aside physical nourishment, we aim to nurture our spirits and deepen our faith, while also praying for the mission, impart and collaborative opportunities of UniteBoston.
Join hands with us as we come together in a day of spiritual connection, reflection, and solidarity.
Ways to FAST with us:
You can fast one meal a day, one whole day of meals, or a particular food/drink. (sweets, coffee, soda, carbs, alcohol, etc.). Some may choose to do water/juice only for a day. Be sure to consult your doctor before you do.
Turn off all social media and news. Can you make it a full day? The idea is as little time online as you can. Get creative! Plan to go to the park, play board games, read books, build something, bake something, have dance parties, invite friends and family over and pray.
This fast means no movies/TV (NetflixTM, YouTubeTM, etc.) or shopping. Again, set yourself up for success. Don’t just create an empty space, fill that space with something good, productive, helpful, or meaningful! Fill it with prayer.
Ways to PRAY with us:
- Pray for wisdom for our team as we seek clarity on what is at the heart of our mission and decide on strategic priorities for our program year.
- Pray for mobilization of the body of Christ and for a renewed sense of God’s presence at our upcoming worship concert on September 30.
- Pray for the members of our Christian unity cohort as we seek to understand what is at the heart of our divisions and how we can live out Christian unity as a way of life.
- Pray for Calvin Lee, our new Communications Administrator as he jumps into this new role.
- Pray for our collaboration with The Send as we support this event in serving the city of Boston in a way that would leave the greatest positive impact.
- Prayer for the many churches coming together for the time for a citywide Alpha campaign that would off a safe place for hundreds of people to explore the Christian faith.
- Pray for this year’s Boston Flourish Conference and the initiatives who hope to support so that there might be flourishing for all in Boston.
- Pray for the thousands of next generation Christians who will be attending, that they would be activated on God’s mission fields locally and globally.
- Pray that the state’s foster care system would come on board to ease the process of people committing to foster care and adoption.
- Pray for a tangible sense of God’s presence and that people would walk away transformed.
unitebostonKeymaster“When I pray, ‘Lord, bring me into your oneness and align my will to yours,’ I find that this moves me toward others, even those that I disagree with, and it leads me to draw closer into relationship with Jesus.”
As Christians, what should our posture be towards those that we disagree with? Scott Brill is our guest blogger this week, providing some insights into navigating the tension between agreement and friendship that doesn’t end in stalemate. Scott is the director of The Initiative, where individuals “covenant together to live in an intentional initiative, practicing deep and growing friendship with God and others, that the love of Jesus might exceed all divisions.” Read below and watch the video to hear his insights on how the practice of cultivating friendship through disagreement embodies the way of the Trinity.
P.S. The Initiative is hosting a local retreat in Worcester on September 15 & 16. If you’re interested in learning more about how we can live out this unity as Christians, join us!
June 8, 2023 at 3:28 pm in reply to: Meet Who’s Behind UniteBoston’s “Again I Say Rejoice” Concert #19807unitebostonKeymasterGet excited, friends! UniteBoston is planning another outdoor worship concert this September to rejoice in the goodness and faithfulness of our God amidst today’s many challenges: “Again we say rejoice!” (Phil 4:4) This year’s concert will feature performances by top local Christian artists, God’s Chosen community choir, and a united worship band. Join us to rejoice in the Lord together in the heart of the city!
We have an incredible team of people who are producing this year’s concert – Meet the directors below and see what the theme of “together again” means to them!
Name: Craig Ramsey Jr.
Home Church: Mission Church COOLJC
Role: Community Choir Director
Why Craig is Excited About the Concert: “I’m involved with Unite Boston Fall concert because I enjoy watching people get opportunities to experience Jesus Christ in different ways. I’m excited to be a witness for His glory.”
Name: Alexis Monroe
Home Church: Bethel AME
Role: Production Coordinator
Why Alexis is Excited About the Concert: “The root word for ‘rejoice’ means to experience joy and that’s why I am excited to be a part of the Again I Say Rejoice concert! Joy cannot be stolen from us, so it’s time that we experience it communally and without limits.”
Name: Kevin Michel
Home Church: Restoration City Church
Role: Band Music Director
Why Kevin is Excited About the Concert: “I’m really excited and honored to be involved and serving as the Music Director along with the worship band. The reason why I’m involved because I love bringing worship to the community!”
Name: Bailey Kolapudi
Home Church: Reunion Christian Church
Role: Band Manager
Why Bailey is Excited About the Concert: “Paul says ‘AGAIN I say rejoice’ (Phil 4:4) because we usually need a reminder! Difficult times come in seasons and cycles. It’s important to remember we can still rejoice in the Lord. I’m excited to invite all of you to rejoice with UniteBoston. This concert will be a place to come as you are and lay down any burdens you’re carrying. We can’t wait to show you how we make a joyful noise!”
Name: Kelly Fassett
Home Church: Neighborhood Church of Dorchester
Role: UniteBoston Support
Why Kelly is Excited About the Concert: “As our team was praying about the concert this year, we sensed the need for boldness to proclaim the goodness of God and hope found in Jesus Christ despite the many challenges that so many are facing today. I am looking forward to seeing many friends and rejoicing in the Lord together with a diverse body of believers.”
unitebostonKeymasterAs women, we know the importance of self-discipline for achieving our goals in life, be it career, fitness or relationships. But what about our spiritual life? Spiritual disciplines exist for the sole purpose of building character conducive to Christ’s teachings, but we must be willing to make the journey.
-Rev. Moreen Hughes
Today, we want to share about a new book that was just released by local Pastor Rev. Moreen Hughes, entitled “A Woman’s Journey with God: Engaging in the Spiritual Disciplines.” As an associate pastor and women’s minister at Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton, Pastor Moreen is passionate about helping women become the best that God has created them to be. In her new book, she presents a set of spiritual disciplines to help women develop Christlike character and become the best version of themselves.
Click below to read an excerpt from her book. You can purchase her book here!
“Practices such as reading Scripture and praying are important – not because they prove how spiritual we are – but because God can use them to lead us into life.”
John Ortberg, The life you’ve always wanted: Spiritual disciplines for Ordinary People
In today’s culture, we are seeing a renewed interest in the spiritual disciplines. People are looking for the connectedness into those things that are meaningful and can bring them into greater relationship with God.
Having developed a personal interest in topics of ‘Christian spirituality’ and ‘Christian spiritual formation,’ I have researched and studied the impact of the spiritual disciplines in the lives of women specifically. These results, done in correlation with my doctoral academic studies, strongly suggest that those who regularly engage in practice of the disciplines have more of a spiritual consciousness and connectedness to Christ, than those who do not, including the formation of their character, spiritually and morally. The practicing of the spiritual disciplines has the potential to aid in the practice of God’s redemptive interactions within each of us.
It is my belief that for the inner self to be spiritually shaped and formed, and the mind to be renewed and transformed, it takes more than a casual knowledge of the Word of God, or an occasional engagement with the disciplines. These practices must become common place in the everyday lives of each of us. There must be a commitment to intentionally setting aside time and developing a lifestyle, which includes interaction with the Word, earnest daily prayer, engaging in the disciplines and an external demonstration of faith that will make one worthy of being called a ‘Christian’ – a disciple of Christ.
If change and spiritual formation is to be experienced on this Christian journey – It is not about saying so, but knowing so, and doing so.
Paul said in Philippians 3:10, that knowing Christ is the most important thing he could have ever done in all his life regardless of social standings or interactions, educational attainment, economical resources, or familial ties. We too have access to the principles for knowing Christ, but we must daily set aside the necessary time daily from our over-crowded schedules in order to do so. Refraining from always saying ‘yes’ to others and saying ‘no’ at times, allows us the time to say ‘yes’ to engage in the disciplines and gain a greater understanding of who God is.
Embarking on a spiritual journey is no easy task. It is an intentional pursuit that requires the individual to purposefully engage in those things that allows for the attainment of such. There is the preparatory stage. Preparing the heart, mind, and soul for the journey. Being on this Christian spiritual journey requires intentionally learning how to seek after the things of Christ.
Walking with Christ and engaging in the practice of the spiritual disciplines helps believers in all seasons and stages of life, including times of uncertainty and times of confidence. They revolve around our love for God and help produce Hope, Strength, Trust, Humility, Joy, and Compassion. They produce the ability to see and interact with others in ways God intends in loving our neighbor as self.
The practice of the disciplines produces desirable qualities necessary to emulate positive interactions with others, self and God. My belief is that when we are obedient and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, we become more like Christ. When we are more like him, we become closer to God feeling whole and connected.
Having a daily quiet time, praying regularly, fasting, and studying God’s Word are not things that people do naturally, they are not an automatic part of us, but they automatically come as a result of our spiritual maturity and when done with consistency.
In an era where instant gratification is the way that people often approach life, the very idea of discipline does not seem appealing to many. Yet, God invites us on a journey with him that involves discipline. This spiritual journey helps us to find out who we are in life and in Christ. The purpose is not to become mystical or find profound and theological answers, rather, it helps in an individual’s transformational process, moving them toward spiritual development, while journeying on a quest to consciously deepen their spiritual insights.
We are living in stressful times and there is concern that many persons including followers of Christ, are feeling the effects that are being manifested in the form of depression, anxiety, stress, and discouragement. These debilitating defects can be devastating and have the potential to lead a Christian out of the work ministry and away from the church. However, there is a school of thought that the spiritual disciplines can be beneficial and serve as an aid in helping to manage one’s emotions as well as serve as a deterrent in to helping persons to deal with the uncertainty of times.
When the focus is shifted away from self, maintaining that connection with God, family and the church can be achieved. I believe that when practiced correctly, spiritual disciplines can be useful as we strive to maintain focus and balance in our lives.
May our wills be lost in the will of God, as we seek to draw closer to him.
In ways that bring us into his presence – engaging in – the spiritual disciplines.
unitebostonKeymasterWe are excited to announce the promotion of Rev. Devlin Scott to Managing Director of UniteBoston. Nearly two years ago, Rev. Scott started at UniteBoston in the role of Communications Administrator. Since then, his involvement has expanded past the management of our social media, communications efforts and the UB Weekly Newsletter to vision casting, event planning and execution, as well as program writing and directing.
Devlin Scott is a relational leader dedicated to Christianity, committed to diversity and inclusion and passionate about people. As a cultural driver, he seeks to be active in the significant cultural conversations of our day. As a justice seeker, he speaks to the injustices in our society through charitable dialogue and courageous action. As a Gospel bearer, he seeks to exegete the social climate to find the relevant point to apply the message of hope. He lives out these values through serving with UniteBoston and also as Lead Pastor of NewCity Church in Newton.
Pastor Devlin describes that, “Working with UniteBoston has unleashed in me a passion for the city of Boston and how the church is already at work in incredible ways. I am excited to come alongside that work and contribute the best ways I can for the flourishing of the city.”
Pastor Devlin leading a devotional at the “Circle of Restoration” Retreat to Spectacle Island Rev. Scott’s role as Managing Director is to oversee program development and strategic partnerships. UniteBoston is blessed to have his skills and experience, and this new title reflects his contribution. Rev. Scott will continue to report to Rev. Kelly Fassett, whose title will change from Team Leader to Executive Director of UniteBoston to align to a new leadership model that represents the growth and future of this organization.
UniteBoston’s Staff: Kelly Fassett and Devlin Scott Kelly shares, “It’s been incredible to see the way that UniteBoston has grown the last few years, and I believe this is largely due to the talented leadership of Devlin. His voice, skillsets, and strategic input has enabled our organization to better embody and carry out our mission.”
Since UniteBoston was founded in 2010, we have strived to bring diverse Christians together across historic divides for the flourishing of our communities. In order to do so more intentionally and with greater impact, we now posture ourselves to:
- Nurture relationships across those historic divides,
- Create restorative spaces for those leading on the frontlines of racial justice,
- Deepen our relationship with and strengthen local Boston-area pastors while supporting their calling and ministries,
- Do our part to dismantle racism and break down its systemic impact,
- Cultivate the “new thing” God is doing in and through His church, and
- Support the holistic flourishing of the city.
This new leadership model will advance UniteBoston towards a bright future that supports these and more initiatives with diverse perspectives and critical thought for the betterment of the organization and greater flourishing in the city.
Rev. Kelly and Rev. Devlin engaging in conversation during a “fireside chat” about UniteBoston at the 2022 Fundraising Party The leadership team of Boston Flourish, a collaborative endeavor between UB and other local organizations We are excited that UniteBoston is growing, thus we are opening the role of Communications Administrator to assist with planning, developing, and distributing communications (email, blog, social media) that nurture greater connectedness and unity across Christians in Greater Boston. This part-time position is now open, and we invite you to share with those who might be interested in joining our team.
We are all UniteBoston. With our new leadership model, our growing team and your support, we will continue to nurture unity among diverse Christians through relationships for the flourishing of the city.
unitebostonKeymasterOn April 28-30, a conference called Satancon took place in Boston, which was to be the largest gathering of Satanists in history. At the same time, multiple Christian groups, including YWAM and Revive Boston, rallied together to host united evangelism and outreach. UniteBoston posted a call to pray for Boston on our social media, that as this group entered our city, they would encounter the transforming love of Jesus. There are so many testimonies coming out of this weekend, and this call to prayer was shared on Facebook 2,300 times! What the enemy meant for evil, God will turn it around for good!
Aaron Reeves has been serving with YWAM Boston for over a decade – Click below to hear him describe how God transformed hearts this weekend.
In case you didn’t know, this weekend (April 28-30) Boston hosted the largest Satanic Temple gathering in the world. As people who believe Boston is a beacon to the nations with the Hope of Christ, we could not remain silent or idle during this time! In January, as soon as we found out this event was planned, we began to ask the Lord how He wanted us to respond. He led us to partner with a ministry called “Revive Boston” – who were planning a 3 day worship and prayer conference over the same weekend as “Satan-Con” taking place. Our hope was to use this moment to wake up the church in our region and mobilize them into reaching the lost of our city!
As the weeks and days until the event drew nearer, God gave us incredible favor with the city and with our plans to accomplish what has turned out to be largest evangelism training and outreach Boston has seen in 20 years (maybe even more!). It was also the fulfillment of a dream that our director, Jeremy, has had for over a decade – to see worship, prayer and evangelism in every square in Boston! This is exactly what happened. Through the favor of the Lord we were able to secure 8 outreach locations, with permits, across a mile and a half stretch of downtown Boston. We planned to not only have evangelism at each of these locations, but a Prayer Station and worship team as well.
On Saturday, April 29, our entire staff and student body headed down into the city to train believers in evangelism. At this point, we didn’t know who would come to the training, and honestly we thought maybe 60-70 people would come. You should have seen my face as we opened the doors at 9 am and people flooded in, and by 10 am 240 people were in attendance of the training!
At 12:30 we organized all attendees into 8 different groups and set off to our outreach locations to share the Gospel, worship and minister in prayer to anyone and everyone we could.
I was the head organizer of this outreach and had the opportunity/responsibility to make sure each team got to its place, that their equipment for worship and prayer was set up, and they were in a good spot for ministry. This meant I got to walk/run all over downtown Boston all afternoon, checking in on teams and hearing story after story of how God was moving in real time on the streets of our city. Of course, I would stop and minister along the way, but walking through the city heart of our city on Saturday – you couldn’t make it 3 minutes without hearing worship, getting prayed for, or hearing the Gospel message! It was incredible! And all of this on the day that “Satan-con” was happening. God always wins!
We gathered everyone back at our meeting place at 4 pm to share testimonies and celebrate what God accomplished on the outreach. For over an hour people of all ages came and shared how God had used them, some leading a person to Christ for the first time, others seeing people healed, and even some interaction and ministry to satanists attending Satan-Con. Here are the final stats of this training & outreach:
240+ attended the training, ages 8 to 82 years old. Over 20 nationalities were represented. By the time we went on outreach, over 300 people joined us as we ministered to across 8 specific locations in downtown Boston. In 2 hours we saw 98 people get saved, and thousands ministered to and prayed for!
All Glory to Jesus for this historic day for our city and the Kingdom of God in Boston. This is why we do what we do!
Thank you for your continued prayer and support of our family and mission. We would not be able to accomplish things like this weekend without your partnership in prayer and finances. This weekend was a victory shared by all in the Kingdom – and we’re just getting started!
Carol’s Testimony: “Had a grand time going out with Revive Boston & Ywam Boston learning how to witness and evangelize to the people of Boston! I had one young man rededicate his life back to Christ! It was awesome! He was super sweet and it was well received. It’s always been my hearts desire to do this type of work, to GO OUT and share Christ and his redemptive freedom with people! So I felt really blessed to be a part of this great commission & to be alongside these two beautiful ladies who love God and share the same burden for souls. Besides the 300 in our group, I noticed SO many groups of Christian’s out and about, planting seeds of Christ’s love, praying for people and sharing the gospel. It was REALLY beautiful and definitely the will of God! Thank you, Father for all the many souls saved this weekend! Lets keep the fire burning!”
-Carol BlanchardunitebostonKeymasterConnected Mother’s Day by GLOO Happy Mother’s Day! Today we honor all of the mothers in our lives. Whether you come with hope or pain, in joy or in sadness, we see you. God sees you.
1. The Biological Mothers
“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.” 1 Samuel 1:27
We honor biological mothers because this is how God designed that each of us enters the world. We appreciate your sacrifices, acknowledge your pain, and thank you for instilling faith in us.
2. The Adoptive Mothers
“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” Ephesians 1:5
The process and intentionality of adoption is an honor of its own. You have chosen to adopt children and have a special calling to care for other children as if they were your own. We honor the sacrifices that you have made and recognize how we, too, have been accepted into the family of faith through Jesus Christ.
3. The Single Mothers
“[Hagar] gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” Genesis 16:13
Today we honor your faithfulness. Like Hagar who was forced into single parenthood; your circumstance may not be one you chose. As the church, we rally around you, we support you, and we recognize all that you do.
4. The Stepmothers
“But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16
Today we honor your faithfulness to God in loving children that you did not bear. Like Ruth, you have chosen not only to love and unite with a spouse, but to also love and unite with your husband’s children as your own. We celebrate your choices as a reminder of the choice all believers have made to commit to Christ and to Christ-followers.
5. The Foster Mothers
“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30
We honor your willingness to fill in the gaps, likely between a biological mother and an adopted one. You choose to show up for children however you can. We thank you.
6. The Expectant Mothers
“So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, ‘Because I asked the Lord for him.’” 1 Samuel 1:20
This time of pregnancy is often filled with anxiety, especially for the first time mothers who don’t know what to expect, and it can be especially challenging for those who have experienced miscarriage or
7. The Grieving Mothers
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
For those who’ve lost children or your own mother, today we see you. God sees you. We make room for your grief and the healing power of God’s love at every stage of life and loss.
8. The Grandmothers
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” 2 Timothy 1: 5
For the first time in many decades, our church is seeing mothers, grandmothers, and great- grandmothers all at the same time. Today, we celebrate the prayers and faith of grandmothers and great-grandmothers that allowed each of us to be where we are today.
9. Those Longing for Motherhood
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
We acknowledge your longing for children and honor your desires to the Lord. We pray for you and support you on your journey. God, show compassion to these mothers.
10. Our Church mothers
“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases…These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” Luke 8:1-3
To those who are mothers of all in our church, we thank you. You shepherd, guide, and care for us, and are models in the church. God recognizes the sacrifices you’ve made, and we do too.
April 19, 2023 at 9:56 am in reply to: “We Will Rise” : Opportunity for Prayer and Support for Faith Lutheran Church #22009unitebostonKeymasterToday, we are sharing an opportunity to support Pastor Robin Lutjohann and Faith Lutheran Church in Cambridge. Pastor Robin has been on the UniteBoston Board of Directors for the past five years, and their building endured a terrible fire on Easter Sunday. On Tuesday, the FBI determined that the fire was caused by arson. The building has been the spiritual home to a number of congregations and has hosted so many valuable community initiatives, such as a biweekly free supper, children’s groups, a community garden, and more.
There is a sign in front of their church that they put up during COVID stating “We will rise.” Let’s help him do that! Here are some ways that we can support him right now:
- Funds – You can contribute to the construction / re-building costs through their GoFund Me or giving directly on their website http://www.faithcambridge.org and selecting “Building Fund.”
- Office Space – They’re looking for an office space in Cambridge – or even just a room – that they could use as a temporary office for awhile. Their secretary travels in from outside the city so it is best if there is parking available too.
- Encouragement: You can send a note of encouragement and hope to Pastor Robin via email: robin.lutjohann@faithcambridge.org
- Pray – Please pray for the workers who will work on clearing rubble, securing the building etc.; the spirit, heart, and mission of the church, and their connection to one another and the broader community
Left – Faith Lutheran Church; Right – Baptismal font after the fire Thank you UniteBoston community – Let’s show Pastor Robin our love, care and support in this challenging season!
unitebostonKeymasterRev. Edwin Johnson, Director of Organizing for Episcopal City Mission, wrote this spoken word poem as part of his sermon at the 2023 prayer service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme of the prayer service was “Do Good, Seek Justice” (Is. 1:17) and we also heard stories testifying to how Christian unity can help overcome injustice from Rev. Jua Robinson (Boston Collaborative) and Savina Martin (MA Poor People’s Campaign). Watch the video and read his poem to hear Rev. Edwin describe the complexities involved in unity and justice work.
When I hear talk of Christians United,Every part of my being starts to get excited.With visions of loving communities ignited,With the passion for justice needed at this time.I imagine thousands no millions of people,So diverse in language they gotta use deepl,Pouring out from store fronts and shoutin’ from every steeple,Ready to take our world’s course and turn it on a dime.And then in the midst of that vision caressin’A part of me shifts and I start stressin’That instead of sharing and multiplying the blessin’We water things down just to get along.Though tied to a source more vast than oceans,we instead full obliged go through the motions.Treating our strategies like magic potions,So even as we do right it comes out wrong.If our work is to have it’s given latitude,it will require a change in collective attitude.One steeped in love, abundance and gratitude,that will grant us the power of our ultimate source.For then we will find the sustainability,that far out-lasts naked culpability.Or any particular approach’s capability,to do with power what can’t be done with force.So this mi gente is the unity I seek,one that will truly bless and lift up the meek.One that will grant us throughout the week,a resolve befitting of our sacred meal.So that way the picture of Christian unity,will be one we can celebrate with impunity.Will overcome the system’s inherent immunity,to bring closer a Kingdom that everyone can feel
About Rev. Edwin Johnson:
Edwin is a self-described smiling-dancing-Jesus freak. The product of two proud Episcopalians/Anglicans from Montserrat and Costa Rica; Edwin has had a deep appreciation of the broad flavor and diversity of our church, along with the great opportunities that exist to create Beloved Community. He is currently the Director of Organizing for Episcopal City Mission. Prior to joining the team at Episcopal City Mission he served as the Rector at St. Mary’s Church in Dorchester, a diverse, multilingual congregation committed not only to meeting and caring for Lazarus at the gate but also organizing around why there is such poverty and suffering in the first place. After over twelve years of Parish ministry, Edwin is excited to manifest his priesthood more broadly through the work of social justice while continuing his general church leadership around Beloved Community. While confronting the injustice and racism in our world is hard, Edwin has a lot of fun doing so alongside the members of his community and his family including his partner Susan and their sons Francisco and Santiago.
unitebostonKeymasterWhere is God moving in the city and in the Church? What is God’s invitation for UniteBoston this year? These are the questions that our staff and board prayerfully considered in a recent retreat. Together, we came up with six ministry priorities for this year – We are grateful to have you as part of our mission as we are all UniteBoston!
March 16, 2023 at 10:50 am in reply to: Turning Enemies into Friends: Reaching Across Church Divides in Northern Ireland #21773unitebostonKeymasterWhat does it mean to embody God’s call toward conflict transformation? Today, Lexi Carver shares some insights she gained on her journey studying peacebuilding in Northern Ireland. Lexi is a member of the Church of the Cross and is passionate about understanding how the Church can be a force for peace building rather than violence. Read below to hear her share about some people she met who are actively living out God’s call to “love your enemy (Mt. 5:44).
Last year, I was lucky to take a short class about conflicts in Northern Ireland for my studies in conflict resolution. I knew the Northern Ireland conflict wasn’t “over,” as reverberations were still felt by all who’d lost loved ones during the Troubles (the period of widespread violence that lasted from the 1960s into the 1990s), and many who still suffered from systemic injustices, safety concerns, and bitterness.
Even symbols were still a point of major contention, with flag-burning being something of an annual pastime, considered by some to be a “harmless” way to vent feelings of aggression and dislike of the “enemy” group.
A nationalist (pro-Irish) bonfire stack with the Union Jack and other British symbols burning on it. (Image Credit) A loyalist (pro-British) bonfire stack decked out Irish tricolor flags and other nationalist Irish symbols, which will be burnt at the loyalists’ annual summer holiday.
(Jtcorscadden, CC BY-SA 4.0; image credit Wikipedia Commons)The Irish nationalist/Republican residents were primarily Catholic, while the pro-British loyalist/Unionist residents were primarily Protestant. In visiting Northern Ireland, I wanted to know most of all how people drew on their faith in responding to violence, injustice, and ethnic division and discrimination when it occurred across ecumenical lines. So I went to Northern Ireland looking for the Church.
Spoiler alert: Much of what I saw wasn’t very pretty, but its strong parts glow brightly with the love of Christ.
As is often the case in conflicts and oppressive systems that operate on a nation-wide scale, the loudest voices are often ugly or impotent or full of excuses and nice buzzwords that don’t mean much. But the quietest voices are often the best ones to learn from.
I was frequently taken aback by how much of the church décor, sermons, and attitudes were political—even while some priests repeated a refrain insisting that the conflict was “not religious” in nature, as if this absolved them of responsibility. I left many interviews deflated by the clergy’s unwillingness to lead their parishioners in the challenging ways of Christ’s love, including ecumenical respect for their neighbors.
Union Jack flags hanging in an Anglican cathedral in Derry/Londonderry. A sign at the border of a loyalist area of the city that says “LONDONDERRY WEST BANK LOYALISTS STILL UNDER SIEGE. NO SURRENDER.” In addition to the controversy that swirls around flags, the name of the city is contested: it is “Derry” to its Catholic/Republican nationalist citizens, “Londonderry” to its Protestant/Unionist loyalist citizens, and called by the somewhat clunky but reasonably nonpartisan name “Derry/Londonderry” by those in the peacebuilding vocation. By the end of the week, I’d seen many corollaries in Northern Ireland to the sorts of injustice and religious nationalism that make headlines within the US, reminding me of oppression, cross-cultural blindness and obstinacy, and ingrained mistrust back home.
Perhaps the priests themselves, I thought dejectedly, weren’t great examples of reconciliation work. Some of the laity, however, were more open-hearted. I met an inspiring Catholic who’d been a therapist during the Troubles and practiced iconography in the Eastern Orthodox style to help her get through that difficult work:
Marina Sweeny, iconographer and therapist, explaining her iconography practices while holding an icon of John the Baptist. But I wanted to find someone who was leading reconciliation work between churches, and I knew this would need to involve the clergy or at least happen with their blessing. Finally, at Clonard Monastery in Belfast, I found what I was looking for.
The priest who welcomed me beamed with a Christly peace and joy. I discovered that he was one in a line of many at Clonard who intentionally avoided the common attitudes, prejudices, and hand-wavy non-solutions, and instead did the slow work of walking through difficult conflicts in close, loving relationships with their so-called “enemies”. His mentors and predecessors had been willing to lay down their lives for it, including a pair of priests – one Protestant and one Catholic – who had agreed many times that whoever outlived the other would bear the coffin and speak at the other’s funeral1. Another Catholic priest at Clonard had won the trust of both sides’ political leaders and helped to facilitate the 1994 peace agreement—the same one who was known for the then-radical act of performing last rites in the street for a pair of Protestant British soldiers who were killed when they attacked the Catholic funeral of an IRA member.
Fr. Alec Reid performing last rites for British Army Corporal David Howes in Belfast, 1988. By David Cairns (Image Credit) The darkest days of violence were over, the new priest told me, but the conflict remained; ongoing reconciliation was still needed. He told me sadly that many local Protestants and Catholics (both clergy and laypeople) had been furious with the monastery (and the Protestant churches they worked with) for their reconciliation efforts. Despite the fact that the most violent aspects of the conflict had died down some years ago, working with the other group was still viewed as traitorous. No matter; he continued his work. He had recently helped to organize inter-denominational prayer services (a more radical and fraught endeavor in that setting than it would be in the US). He spoke highly and tenderly of his Protestant counterparts, with whom he clearly had real, abiding friendships and genuine respect. When I asked if he would vote for Northern Ireland to join the nation of Ireland, he shook his head and said that even though he wanted it, he would not vote for it unless he believed his Protestant brethren could live peacefully with it. Perhaps one day, they would, but not now.
When I asked if I could take home any incense from the monastery, his face lit up: “Never have I had a Protestant visitor ask me for incense!” He generously insisted on giving me roughly an entire pint of it (thankfully, airport customs didn’t question me about the copious amounts of glittery powder in my luggage). Leaving Belfast that day, my heart was gladder: I’d found the Church as I’d hoped it would be, casting Christ’s light into the world beyond its own doors.
1 Fr Gerry Reynolds, a Catholic priest, and Ken Newell, a Presbyterian minister, were known for their extraordinary and tireless partnership in the work of reconciliation in Northern Ireland. For more about their work, I recommend the book Unity Pilgrim: The Life of Fr Gerry Reynolds CSsr by Gladys Ganiel.
2 Comic relief, while not always polite, is one way the locals deal with the tensions. This video from The Blame Game deals with flags and accents.
P.S. If you’re interested to hear more about a structured conversation model to help churches, individual Christians and communities to engage in conversations across deep divides with greater courage, equity, healing, and fruitfulness, click here to learn about the consulting work we offer on kingdom conversations.
unitebostonKeymasterThis year’s theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is “Do Good; Seek Justice” (Isaiah 1:17); chosen by the Minnesota Council of Churches. This year’s theme integrates a holistic understanding of justice, including how we can live our unity as Christians so as to confront the evils and injustices of our time, and in particular addressing the sin of racism.
The 2023 theme was developed with the assistance of a group of Christians in Minnesota, USA, convened by the Minnesota Council of Churches. Minneapolis, MN became a flashpoint for calls for racial justice and equity during the responses of communities to the George Floyd murder. This received world-wide attention and spurred on an awakening for the unjust reality that communities of color have faced for centuries and the change that is so imperative today.
Read below to hear about how UniteBoston’s staff members Rev. Devlin and Rev. Kelly have been wrestling with the relationship between unity and justice and implications for UniteBoston’s work in the city.
Above: Participants in the Boston Pray march for racial justice in June 2020 Rev. Devlin Scott’s Reflection:
Like the world we inhabit today, the worlds of both the Old Testament and New Testament were ethnically diverse and richly textured by an assortment of cultures, languages and customs. And, also like today, ancient peoples had a number of ways to distinguish between locals and out-of-towners, friends and enemies, the elite and the marginalized. Prejudice comes in all varieties- yesterday, today and tomorrow.
God uses prophets to call His people to a better standard than the one set around them. The Prophet Isaiah called the people to “Learn to do right; seek justice…(Isaiah 1:17).” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King prophesied that “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” And so many other voices call us to this same standard. The relationship between unity and justice is that of true “shalom” – peace; something that activates all of God’s people to participate, protect and promote right relationship between all people and creation.
I have sat in Christian spaces that promoted unity, but lacked justice. I think about the church where I was the only black staff member. I remember when I was given the reason our church wouldn’t acknowledge the atrocities around us (Travon Martin at the time) was because my white pastor didn’t want to offend the police in the congregation. Never mind me, a staff member of color. I have stood on stages and proclaimed mission statements that celebrated the diversity in the room, while I took home less pay than my white counterparts who were less educated, had less experience, and carried a lighter load for organizational impact. Prejudice comes in all varieties: yesterday, today and tomorrow.
This week of prayer is a moment for us to be convicted of Christ’s prophetic command, “Love your God with your heart, mind and soul, strength… love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37-39).This is the commandment made possible through the redemptive work on the cross that reconciled us to God (vertical) and to one another (horizontal). One is incomplete without the other. The two do more than complement each other; each is worthless, impossible, or false without the other. This concept was revolutionary in Jesus’ day and, I believe, we still have not quite tapped into this revolutionary love in application.
“Revolutionary Love” is about ally-ship. To be an ally is to take on the struggle as your own, to stand up even when you feel scared, to transfer the benefits of your privilege to those who lack it, and to acknowledge that, while you too feel pain, the conversation is not always about you. Is that not what Christ did with his life, death, and resurrection; not just for us, but as an example to us?
Each of us may not have directly participated in the atrocities of our ancestry, but we can accept responsibility. We may not be victims of the pain of the present, but we can mourn the wrongdoings, the loss of life, identity, and self-respect in order to be a part of the healing. We can be allies. We can be like Christ, by taking up our own undeserving cross for the sake of our neighbors. We can uproot the sin of self-preference and preservation that is inherently at the very core of humanity since the first Adam chose obsession over obedience.
I believe the Church is still the hope of the world; not because she is perfect but because she bears the name of the One who is. Therefore…we do good; seek justice.
Rev. Kelly Fassett’s Reflection:
Unity without justice at the heart of it is no unity at all.
This is something that I heard in prayer last spring as I was reckoning with some tough feedback we received as an organization. This feedback led me on a journey of interviewing leaders of color in the city, asking them about UniteBoston’s programs and communication and how we can better include and partner with communities of color towards holistic flourishing in the city.
One thing that surprised me in these interviews was people’s perception of the term “unity.” Throughout my life, unity has been a positive concept, conveying a coming together, peace and harmony. I was surprised when in multiple interviews, people of color described how off-putting the term “unity” was. One pastor said, “Unity”- with a giant eyeroll – “NO, thank you!” She added, “Unity often implies tacit agreement and everything lined up, tidy, and comfortable. Yet for Black people, unity often means that our culture and perspectives are erased.”
I then began to notice how often White people are at the forefront of “unity” initiatives and how persons of color tend to be at the forefront of “justice” initiatives. So this year, Devlin and I are intentionally seeking to clarify the “unity” in UniteBoston and also the relationship between unity and justice.
I am learning that unity and the oneness Christ calls us to is not an ethereal, surface-level concept of getting everyone in the same room, but is instead a deep work, requiring both truth-telling and restorative healing of wrongs. True Biblical unity involves strengthening interpersonal relationships and also dismantling sinful systemic power structures such as white supremacy. In this way, unity and justice are intrinsically linked.
Thus, I am beginning to see that the mission to “unite Boston” is much more deep and complex than I had ever realized. I am currently grappling to understand what this means for how we communicate, operate and serve as an organization. I don’t have many answers at this point, but I am learning that there are a lot of areas I don’t see clearly on my own. Whenever possible, I need to yield my power and privilege and follow persons of color to take the lead.
I want to close with this litany written by Dr. Yolanda Pierce who so clearly conveys the need to pause and sit in the complex realities of working for justice.
A Litany for Those Not Ready for Healing
Let us not rush to the language of healing, before understanding the fullness of the injury and the depth of the wound.
Let us not rush to offer a bandaid, when the gaping wound requires surgery and complete reconstruction.
Let us not offer false equivalencies, thereby diminishing the particular pain being felt in a particular circumstance in a particular historical moment.
Let us not speak of reconciliation without speaking of reparations and restoration, or how we can repair the breach and how we can restore the loss.
Let us not rush past the loss of this mother’s child, this father’s child…someone’s beloved son.
Let us not value property over people; let us not protect material objects while human lives hang in the balance.
Let us not value a false peace over a righteous justice.
Let us not be afraid to sit with the ugliness, the messiness, and the pain that is life in community together.
Let us not offer clichés to the grieving, those whose hearts are being torn asunder.
Instead…
Let us mourn black and brown men and women, those killed extrajudicially every 28 hours.
Let us lament the loss of a teenager, dead at the hands of a police officer who described him as a demon.
Let us weep at a criminal justice system, which is neither blind nor just.
Let us call for the mourning men and the wailing women, those willing to rend their garments of privilege and ease, and sit in the ashes of this nation’s original sin.
Let us be silent when we don’t know what to say.
Let us be humble and listen to the pain, rage, and grief pouring from the lips of our neighbors and friends.
Let us decrease, so that our brothers and sisters who live on the underside of history may increase.
Let us pray with our eyes open and our feet firmly planted on the ground
Let us listen to the shattering glass and let us smell the purifying fires, for it is the language of the unheard.
God, in your mercy…
Show me my own complicity in injustice.
Convict me for my indifference.
Forgive me when I have remained silent.
Equip me with a zeal for righteousness.
Never let me grow accustomed or acclimated to unrighteousness.
– Dr Yolanda Pierce
unitebostonKeymasterThrough hosting larger public gatherings like the UB concert, and also through collaborating with other organizations, 2022 was a year in which we continued our work as an incubator and catalyst for unity, reconciliation and shared mission, for the flourishing of the city. Read below to see UniteBoston’s top twelve highlighted photos & videos of 2022!
Highlight #12: Film screening and panel discussion on “A Reckoning in Boston” with Rev. Valerie Copeland, and film subjects Kafi Dixon and Tolga. This documentary explores the deep racial history between black and white communities within the city of Boston, including marginalization, gentrification and community violence.
Highlight #11: Prayer gathering during 1000 Fires Boston, where UniteBoston partnered with a variety of other churches and community organizations to host 106 “fires” of prayer for our city and neighborhoods.
Highlight #10: UniteBoston partnered with the New Democracy Coalition and other local partners to host a Juneteenth Jubilee Observance at City Hall Plaza
Highlight #9: In July, UniteBoston hosted twenty-five next-generation BIPOC leaders on a retreat to Spectacle Island to be renewed, recharge and reconnect with other like minded people who are “doing the work” in their various communities. Here, Pastor Devlin Scott shares a devotional on laying down our burdens.
Highlight #8: “Where do we go from here?” A Panel with Next Generation Leaders, including Christian Grant, Katie Lamirato, Andrea St. Louis, Fugi Acevedo and Jane Kyong Chun with Rev. David Wright as the moderator. They shared about the need for the Church to engage in the collective struggle against correcting oppression, to practice what we preach, to partner with anyone and everyone for the sake of a greater mission, and create space for difference rather than fearing it. Watch the full length video or a 3-minute highlight version.
Highlight #7: Interviewing Pastor Drew Thurman about the launch of Common Good Co., a coffeeshop and coworking studio in the Waltham area.
Highlight #6: Intergenerational Kingdom Conversation at Grace Chapel, where individuals engaged in structured conversation, listening and sharing about what it means for their generation to be part of the church.
Highlight #5: Celebrating Rev. Devlin’s one-year anniversary of being on staff with UniteBoston! We are grateful for all that he brings to our ministry and work in the city.
Highlight #4: Fireside Chat at the UniteBoston Fundraising Party. Here, Rev. Kelly and Rev. Devlin share how “nurture” is a key posture for UB’s work in the city, recent learnings around the need to uphold unity in diversity and root out white supremacy, and ministry priorities for this program year.
Highlight #3: Dreaming and Planning at a Fall Retreat with the UniteBoston Staff and Board. From Left to Right – Melinda Priest, Devlin Scott Ayeisha Dennise, Kika Ghobrial, Chuck Hall, Varnel Antoine, Kelly Fassett, Robin Lutjohann
Highlight #2: “Together Again” Concert. After a 2-year hiatus, UniteBoston’s 2022 worship concert brought us “together again” to worship Jesus in the heart of Boston. There were 15 different organizations hosting ministry tables surrounding the perimeter of the gathering, 30+ members of a community choir, and hundreds of attendees and passersby who stopped by for a portion of the evening to listen to the music, learn about the various organizations in the city, or receive prayer.
Jen Aldana sings it loud and proud at the 2022 “Together Again Concert. She shares, “The UniteBoston concert was awesome! It was a sure sign that the people of God are hungry for God’s presence and excited to worship Him as one church. It was a great night of celebration and unity. I loved meeting new faces and being reunited with old friends. Might I mention that the band was amazing! We had so much fun worshipping! Thank you UniteBoston for hosting such a great night!”
Highlight #1: Boston Flourish Conference. In November, UniteBoston partnered with other organizations to host a conference called “Boston Flourish,” which is a movement for dreamers and doers to activate and partner towards a Boston where everyone flourishes. Approximately 180 people came out to our day-long conference, and dozens of individuals signed up to be part of ongoing working teams to build capacity for local ministry efforts.
Lunchtime conversations at Boston Flourish. unitebostonKeymasterThis Sunday, we are featuring a blog written by Reverend David Wright, Executive Director of BMA TenPoint and former UniteBoston Board President. Read below to hear Rev. David’s word about God’s abiding presence, an encouragement for Christians in Boston in this new year.
“Emmanuel: God With Us” print by Mary Fleeson “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.“
– Isaiah 7:14“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
– Matthew 1:23When Judah was on the verge of destruction by its enemies God, through the prophet Isaiah, told King Ahaz to ask for a sign that the catastrophe would not happen. King Ahaz refused God’s offer, so Isaiah provided one anyway. Isaiah tells Ahaz –and us– that a virgin will give birth to a Child and His Name will be Immanuel.
As Israel is suffering under the oppression of the Roman Empire, Matthew reminds us of this sign. “God with us;” what an unimaginable prospect! The God Who is so holy, that people couldn’t approach the mountain on which He appeared for fear of death; the Creator of the Universe whose throne was Heaven and who rested His feet on the earth; the God who parted the Red Sea and allowed Israel to walk through on dry land; this same God is “with us!”
John picks up this theme in his Gospel and tells us, in so many words, that God took on flesh and lived among us. In the person of the Son, Jesus Christ, God walked with, talked with, and deeply engaged with us on a personal level. And this all starts with the virgin giving birth to Jesus; it all starts with Christmas.
While all of this is Good News, to be sure, the Greater News is that He is still with us! The Presence of God, through His Holy Spirit, now abides within and among us. No matter if we face the destruction that Israel faced during the time of Ahaz, or the oppression Israel faced in the days of Matthew, God is with us!
None of us have survived the Pandemic years unscathed. The pains and losses we have suffered –individually and collectively—are real. But the promise of God remains sure. He is with us. He has never left us, He has never forsaken us, and He never will! That is the promise of God. That is the beginning of Epiphany.
Whatever you are facing at this moment, whether good or bad, difficult or easy, remember that God is still with us. And no matter what we face, we can be of good courage because the One who is with us has overcome this world!
“All That is Good” Mural by Alex Cook, painted in partnership with The Boston Project Ministries -
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