Celebrating the 25th anniversary of General Synod's passage of the Open and Affirming resolution urging full inclusion of LGBT persons into the life and leadership of the church, nearly 140 participants gathered in San Diego, Calif., for the UCC's Coalition for LGBT Concerns Gathering July 14-17.
Carolyn Thompson, former board board member of UCC Disabilities Ministries, speaks during the workshop titled 'Perceptions of Disability: Myth & Reality' at the UCC's 2010 Coalition Gathering in San Diego. Photo Gregg Brekke
With the theme "Any Body, Everybody, Christ's Body," Coalition presentations and breakout groups addressed the topics of disability ministries, expanding the network and impact of ONA churches, LGBT immigration issues and transgender inclusion among other themes.
Worship punctuated each day with morning and evening gatherings that included a wide array of speakers and an ensemble choir led by David Lohman and Bill Thomas. Workshops, small group discussions and affinity gatherings allowed time for learning and reflection.
Eleonore Powell blows a kiss to the crowd while being honored with the Coalition's Pioneer award. Daughter Loey looks on at left. Photo Gregg Brekke
A closing banquet included the recognition of Eleonore Powell as a Coalition Pioneer for her years of support for the Coalition and her role as a "spiritual mother" to many of its members. Powell, 93, is the mother of the UCC's Executive for Administration and Women's Justice the Rev. Loey Powell.
The banquet's keynote address was delivered by UCC General Minister and President the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black. "Persistence is necessary – we need to keep at it…" he said noting the contribution the Coalition has made in efforts to make the UCC a more relevant church. "We need to think of ourselves as an extremely inclusive community – one that will hold onto that value even when it is challenged by power."
Carlos Correa speaks to immersion participants at the shanty-town on the outskirts of Tijuana, Mexico. Photo Gregg Brekke
Prior to the official start of the Gathering, 12 attendees participated in a border immersion experience through the UCC's Centro Romero Center located in San Ysidro, Calif. The group ventured into Tijuana, Mexico, to see and begin to understand some of the root causes of migration to the United States.
Standing on a hill overlooking a shanty-town in Tijuana, Centro Romero Program Coordinator Carlos Correa explained that most of the adult residents of the tin and cardboard constructed homes work in the foreign-owned factories, called maquiladoras, that loom over the shacks.
"This community is a non-existent community," said Correa, describing the unrecognized status of residents of the shanty-town which lacks water, electricity, schools, hospitals and fire or police services. "The only reason they are here is this land has no meaning or value to the government. If [the land had value], they would be bulldozed out of here in a heart beat."
Culminating the Gathering was the San Diego Pride Parade held Saturday on the streets of its Hillcrest neighborhood. Over 150,000 spectators watched the parade as floats, music performances, political activists, civic groups and churches showed their support for the LGBT community.
"Gathering was a chance to come together and hear stories of celebration, renewal, perseverance and courage," said Byron W. Adams of First Congregational UCC in Washington, D.C., and this year's event organizer. "These stories show us that we have come a long way down life's journey but we still have much traveling and hard work ahead to affirm the rights and lives of LGBT and straight brothers and sisters everywhere."
America's first foreign mission society, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) was organized by Congregationalists in Massachusetts in 1810. The United Church of Christ is commemorating the 200th anniversary of this predecessor to their global ministries, now called Wider Church Ministries.
Background The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was founded in 1810, the first organized missionary society in the United States. By the time of its centenary in 1910, the Board was responsible for 102 mission stations and a missionary staff of 600 in India, Ceylon, West Central Africa (Angola), South Africa and Rhodesia, Turkey, China, Japan, Micronesia, Hawaii, the Philippines, North American native American tribes, and the "Papal lands" of Mexico, Spain and Austria.
The Board's archive has an importance transcending church or missionary concerns. In particular, the voluminous letters of the missionaries from the field are fundamental sources for the history of the various places where the Board operated, as the Board's missionaries were often the first Westerners to document the languages and cultures of their hosts. Also included are records of organizations associated with the Board and miscellaneous manuscripts, largely personal papers and photographs of individuals connected with the Board. The archive is heavily used by scholars in history, anthropology, and linguistics, and by genealogists seeking details of their family history.
Are you looking to plan a Mission Trip for your church or church youth group? Every summer thousands of visitors come from all over the world to visit the beautiful seacoast town of Kennebunkport, ME. There are breath taking beaches, charming shops, sailing, hiking, horseback riding, and more. Kennebunkport Maine is a popular summer time destination for many visitors. There are also lots to do in terms of mission work in the community.
First Congregational Church in Kennebunkport believes in practicing gracious hospitality and welcomes groups looking for mission opportunities.
For more information on mission trips and mission projects please call (207) 967-3897 or email firstchurch@gwi.net.
Dear Central Atlantic Conference Sisters and Brothers,
Since her launch ten years ago, the Freedom Schooner Amistad has sailed to ports in the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean, telling the story of the 53 brave African captives who escaped from their chains and made their way to freedom. More than that, though, Amistad, has been a floating civil rights and human rights classroom, carrying on the legacy of our forebears in faith, breaking down barriers between individuals, races and nations and carrying as her cargo the seeds of change. Over the last decade, Amistad has visited several ports within the CAC. This past March, I was with Amistad, as she sailed into Havana, Cuba, flying the flags of the United Nations, the United States, Cuba, and our own United Church of Christ.
While returning from Cuba, Amistad experienced a major crisis when structural metalwork on her bowsprit failed (photos and details at (http://amistadamerica.net/Rig_Failure_3HUB.html). While the crew managed to control the situation and stabilize the rig with no further damage to the vessel, the repairs are proving to be both extensive and expensive, mounting to well over $50,000.00.
Amistad needs your help and the help of your church so that she can make these repairs and continue her mission of working for justice for all people. I encourage you to ask your missions committee to contribute to Amistad’s repair fund or to take a special offering at your church so that all of your members can have the opportunity to help keep Amistad sailing.
Please send contributions directly to Amistad America, Inc., 746 Chapel St. Suite 300, New Haven, CT 06510. If you have any questions, please contact me at 203-722-8328.
Thank you for your help as we continue to confront the past and transform the future together!
Con Amistad (With Friendship),
Rev. Paul Bryant-Smith
Senior Pastor, First Congregational Church of Norwalk, CT (UCC) and Amistad Volunteer Deckhand & Historical Educator
Your voice needs to be heard in support of the rights of gays and lesbians to serve openly in the Armed Forces by calling on Congress to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT).
DADT is legalized discrimination. No category of citizens of the United States should be regarded as second class and singled out for discrimination. All should be afforded equal opportunity and equal protection under the Constitution. More than 13,000 gays and lesbians have been discharged under DADT, and an uncounted number of others have left prior to completing full careers due to the pressures imposed by DADT.
Gay and lesbian members of the Armed Forces pay a terrible personal cost for their service. The continual denial of who they are as persons, maintaining lives of secrecy and separation from their service comrades, not being able to acknowledge their loved ones, and knowing that if they are killed or wounded their loved ones will not be notified nor be entitled to government care or benefits—these are costs borne by no other group.
The General Synod of the United Church of Christ affirmed the full participation of gays and lesbians in the military in a 1993 resolution.
New United Church of Christ General Minister and President Geoffrey Black (center) is congratulated at his installation Saturday, April 17, 2010, by Conference Minister John Deckenback (left) and the Rev. Arthur Keys, President of Arlington, Va.-based International Relief and Development. Keys is a former national UCC staff person and a member of the United Church of Christ of Seneca Valley in Germantown, MD. The installation took place at the Federated United Church of Christ in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Black assumed his responsibilities in October 2009 after ten years as Conference Minister of the New York Conference.
Check out the video below of Geoffrey Black's installation as President and
General Minister of the UCC held this past weekend in Cleveland.
It is with gratitude that I wish to express what an honor and privilege it was for our Chesapeake Association church members to be involved with the recent Baltimore City Crop Hunger Walk on Sunday, April 25, 2010. It is a true display of faith when different people gather in fellowship of helping others that may be in need. The reward that comes from such an event can never be achieved without a belief that people can, will, and do make a difference in this world. In our small steps, great strides have been made in the lives of others. Thank you for this opportunity to be of service and to form our faith into action. From our small steps, big strides may be achieved.
10. The ministry is a calling from God, but it is also a profession. Like other professions, ordained ministry requires a graduate degree (or an approved equivalency) as well as continued study. On a practical level, ministry is also a very hard job that involves constant relating to people, often at a vulnerable time in their lives. Like other difficult professions entailing great responsibility for the vulnerable (such as law or medicine), continuing education and ethical standards are essential so that the practitioner can take good care of those who benefit from the practice of the profession. Boundary Awareness Training is continuing education and provides a safe space for the discussion of ethical standards with other ministers who are “in the trenches.”
9. Does the thought of Boundary Awareness Training make you nervous or anxious? Why? WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?
8. It’s hard not to get burned out when so many people place demands on you. It’s not easy continually “making meaning” in a stressful world where very bad things happen to people. A CLERGY PEER GROUP CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE AND MINISTRY. Learn how to start one and find some congenial people to start one with. It’s fun to meet clergy from other associations.
7. If you can’t take a day and a half away from the parish to worship, fellowship with your peers and discuss clergy ethics in a changing world, then you’ve got a problem. If you are “too busy” or “too needed” to get away for a day and a half, then you need a week of boundary awareness training at least. YOU ARE NOT INDISPENSABLE! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING! YOUR MINISTRY SETTING CAN DO WITHOUT YOU FOR TWO DAYS EVEN!
6. The world is changing. Dating, communication and sexual mores are radically different today than even five years ago. Everyone can benefit from discussing social change with a mix of congenial colleagues whose social situations vary (single/ married, gay/straight, etc). Let’s explore ways to navigate the new boundaries of ministry together!
5. It’s true: women know that boundaries keep them safe. In my experience, it is usually men that complain about boundary awareness training because they view it as limiting their “freedom.” In reality, understanding appropriate boundaries keeps all of us safe.
4. If you are retired from active ministry, or employed in secular work, but still supply preach, or teach Bible study or lead groups in your home
church, you still need boundary awareness training, because you still wear the mantle of respect and power that comes with being ordained. To some individuals, your words and actions may be taken more seriously than others’, and you can unknowingly become involved in boundary issues. Please take the time to meet with your peers and talk about how to navigate being retired from ministry but not retired from ordained status. Also, you can be helpful to newer clergy who may need a mentor or a friend.
3. Insurance is an essential fact of modern life. As you may know if you have ever found yourself in a “fender-bender”, liability insurance is good to have, not to mention legally required! It’s the same with ministry. Our churches need insurance to prevent catastrophic loss, whether from a hurricane or pastoral misconduct. Our Insurance Board recommends boundary awareness training for all clergy and lay workers as a part of its “Safe Church for Everyone” initiative.
2. We all want to be the exception, don’t we. But guess what. YOU AREN’T.
1. In our UCC system of polity, the Association sets the standards both for ordination and for the granting and maintenance of standing. All CAC Associations have chosen to require Boundary Awareness Training for clergy who desire to keep their standing active. End of story. JUST DO IT ALREADY!
The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was founded in 1810, the first organized missionary society in the United States. By the time of its centenary in 1910, the Board was responsible for 102 mission stations and a missionary staff of 600 in India, Ceylon, West Central Africa (Angola), South Africa and Rhodesia, Turkey, China, Japan, Micronesia, Hawaii, the Philippines, North American native American tribes, and the "Papal lands" of Mexico, Spain and Austria.
Your voice needs to be heard in support of the rights of gays and lesbians to serve openly in the Armed Forces by calling on Congress to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). 
New United Church of Christ General Minister and President Geoffrey Black (center) is congratulated at his installation Saturday, April 17, 2010, by Conference Minister John Deckenback (left) and the Rev. Arthur Keys, President of Arlington, Va.-based International Relief and Development. Keys is a former national UCC staff person and a member of the United Church of Christ of Seneca Valley in Germantown, MD. The installation took place at the Federated United Church of Christ in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Black assumed his responsibilities in October 2009 after ten years as Conference Minister of the New York Conference. 
It is with gratitude that I wish to express what an honor and privilege it was for our Chesapeake Association church members to be involved with the recent Baltimore City Crop Hunger Walk on Sunday, April 25, 2010. It is a true display of faith when different people gather in fellowship of helping others that may be in need. The reward that comes from such an event can never be achieved without a belief that people can, will, and do make a difference in this world. In our small steps, great strides have been made in the lives of others. Thank you for this opportunity to be of service and to form our faith into action. From our small steps, big strides may be achieved. 
