Empathy
by Marilyn Kendrix, Bridge Conference Minister
It’s Impossible to be a true disciple of Jesus without empathy.
As I sat these past two weeks watching the peaceful protesters all across America marching out their indignation and disgust, I felt good. Reading the Black Lives Matter signs being held high in the air by blond-haired, blue-eyed demonstrators made me smile and almost laugh out loud in delight. The crowds were black and white and brown, mostly young folks but some grey hairs also. The demonstrations were happening in the north and the south, on the east coast and in the west.
As I watched police talking civilly with individual black protesters, taking a knee with them, a courageous act of solidarity, I was brought to tears. It was a moment when true empathy was on display. And no wonder. Hardly anyone in our nation was able to watch the murder of George Floyd and not feel empathy for him and for his family who grieve his loss. And that’s good.
“But what,” say my white friends, “about the looting? Read more
Juneteenth 2020: And Still We Rise
Friday, June 19, noon-1:30: A UCC webinar
Juneteenth marks the official end of slavery in the U.S. June 19, 1865, and the recognition of African-American history and heritage. Join the United Church of Christ for moments of remembrance, education, celebration, and calls to action.
In this moment we are witnessing public lynchings and state sanctioned violence against black bodies. Together we must stop the murders of African descendant people! Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd are the latest victims of state sanctioned militarism, and white racists invoking the “Stand Your Ground” law in order to justify lethal gun violence against African Americans.
We are not OK. Read more and register
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 More from the United Church of Christ
UCC petition to end police violence
Officers issue statement on Racism
"Never Forget to Say Their Names" by Rev. Traci Blackmon, Associate General Minister
UCC Webinar: Protest During a Pandemic
Wednesday, June 24, 1 PM
Instead of becoming suppressed by the pandemic, the spirit of justice has arisen with fierce determination and become embodied in countless ways. This webinar will reflect upon how protest has manifested itself during this time and the lessons that can be learned for communities of faith dedicated to answering the unrelenting call of justice.
Co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt of the United Church of Christ Environmental Justice Ministry and the Rev. Michael Malcom of Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People's Justice Council. Read more and register.
'Stories, Songs, Solutions' will Highlight Poor People's Campaign Online Event June 20
by Hans Holznagel, United Church of Christ
The speakers in a June 9 United Church of Christ webinar said they get that some Christians feel sad and frozen in the face of today’s police violence, coronavirus and other problems – but then offered them a way to turn those emotions into action.
“Start right there in the sadness and the mourning,” said the Rev. William Barber, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) pastor who co-leads the national Poor People’s Campaign. Quoting scriptures that validate those feelings, he urged listeners: “Don’t try to get comforted. Don’t try to be okay … If you’re sad, if you’re mourning, that’s where you ought to be.” Then, “hook up with a movement that is willing to mourn, to march, to move and to fight for a new mandate and the transformation of this world,” he said. That is what the Poor People’s campaign is about, and it is pressing ahead despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Its planned mass assembly in the nation’s capital on Saturday, June 20, has moved online. People can register here. Read more
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Residents, Clergy Call For an End to Racial Injustice After Death of George Floyd
Participants Include CT UCC Pastors; From NBC Connecticut
As people across the state and the nation call for an end to racial injustice after the death of George Floyd, local clergy members joined together Monday to condemn racism and issue a call for national healing, residents gathered to rally and protest and a task force on police transparency and accountability laid out priorities for improving policing in Connecticut. Organizers have held protests and demonstrations in cities and towns across the country to express outrage over the death of Floyd...On Monday morning, several clergy members from local Congregational churches joined together on the steps of the First Congregational Church in Madison, in an expression of solidarity against racism and to unite in a call for national healing. Read more
Statement from Environmental Ministries Team
by Barbara Darling, Co-Chair
Massachusetts Environmental Ministries is deeply grieved and outraged at the murders of Rayshard Brooks, Tony McDade, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others. We join many environmental organizations in seeing clearly the profound interconnections between racial justice and environmental justice and climate justice, and we join them and our Conference leaders in encouraging folks to participate in a Juneteenth event as described elsewhere in this issue of Ever Flowing Streams.
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UCC Advocates Laud Supreme Court Decision Protecting Gay, Transgender Workers From Job Discrimination
by Connie Larkman, UCC
The United Church of Christ is celebrating a landmark decision from the U.S. Supreme Court Monday, June 15, that protects gay and transgender workers from discrimination in the workplace. By a vote of 6-3, the justices ruled that an existing federal law, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, forbids job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender status.
The Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer, executive for health and wholeness advocacy, is applauding this major victory for the LGBTQ+ community from a more conservative court than the one which upheld marriage equality in 2015. Read more
Learn More About the Haiti Partnership
Friday, June 19,1 PM
Learn more about the Haiti Partnership: Its history, its present moment and how you can get involved.
Bridge Conference Minister The Rev. Kent Siladi talks with Suzanne Swanson and Shirley Hardison of the Haiti Task Team. Sign up here.
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