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Dear Folks:
As the hallelujahs ring out this Easter week, I am in Cleveland, Ohio, where the UCC is headquartered. I am in a meeting with other UCC leaders representing the diversity of the UCC. What we are bringing forward is that there are many kinds of diversity within the UCC: racial, ethnic, native, LGBTQ, ability and access, conservative, liberal, rural and urban, English-speaking and speaking other languages, Congregational and Evangelical and Reformed and the fifth stream of Afro-Christian Churches. We are asking ourselves that if we say “all are welcome here” who is included—and who is excluded—in the word “all.”
I am proud of the ways our Conference has embraced some diversities. The majority of our churches are accessible, either all on one level or employing elevators or lifts between floors. More than half of our churches are Open and Affirming of LGBTQ or near-ONA. We are rural or one generation removed from rural. We have conservative congregations that love Jesus as much as our more progressive churches. We have members in our churches who immigrated here and have become naturalized, and although we are a primarily white denomination, we have people of color as worshipping members in many of our congregations.
It is a UCC value to stand in God’s love that was embodied by Jesus. We say Jesus Christ is the head of the church. When we stand in Christ’s love, we can bridge gaps between cultures, recognizing the people for who they are and moving from recognition to collaboration.
I love being in these settings where LGBTQ people sit across from conservative and traditionalist Faithful and Welcoming folks, native Hawaiians and Samoans sit across from Latinos, Filipinos converse with members of United Black Christians, Disabilities Ministries engage with the Council of Racial and Ethnic Minorities (COREM). The church’s diversity is on display when we gather in denominational settings. And there are many hidden diversities within our congregations.
How do you recognize and support the diversities in your congregation? How does your congregation reach out and support the diversities that are in your community?
One of the things I learned is that our churches return to their communities an enormous amount of service and ministry. It is important to see and name the diversities in our midst and tell the stories of salvation for marginalized people. The stories of food pantries and sock distribution are also important stories to tell with pride.
I wish you blessings of life and love in this Easter season.
Peace,
Pastor Tony
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