Justice and Love

by Rev. James D. Ross II, Minister for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

“Justice is what love looks like in person.”

You likely have heard that oft-repeated adage by Dr. Cornell West. As West notes, Jesus urged his disciples to love their neighbors as themselves and throughout his ministry made clear the importance of this commandment.

As the Southern New England Conference's new Minister for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, I look forward to working with you to advance justice and love. I am excited about the many issues being addressed by our task teams and am working steadily to meet with task team members.

Rev. Ross Available to Preach

Would you like for Rev. James D. Ross II to join your congregation for a Sunday service? Rev. Ross would be thrilled to join you as a guest preacher or to participate in other ways. To arrange, please contact Karen Methot at methotk@sneucc.org or Rev. James Ross at rossj@sneucc.org

SNEUCC Annual Meeting to Focus on Justice

The Southern New England Conference's Second Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 8, is shaping up to be a dynamic day focused on how our new Conference is living into justice commitments - with lots of chances for folks to build community together even while joining together virtually.

Learn more and sign up here.

Each of Us Has a Role to Play in Changing the Narrative About Guns

by Rev. James D. Ross II, Minister for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

I want to begin with a thank you to the Biden Administration for focusing special attention on the dramatic increase in crimes committed against people of Asian descent and for devising multiple strategies to halt them.

While we await the implementation of these plans, we affirm the need for a multi-pronged approach to confront this contemporary reality rooted in the racist, painful, and often undiscussed history of our country.

UCC Leadership Expresses Relief, Resolve after Jury Returns Guilty Verdict in George Floyd’s Murder

All three counts – guilty. United Church of Christ leaders offer this statement and prayer after 12 jurors convict former police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd.

We share a collective breath of relief in the moments following the announced guilty verdict on all three counts against the now convicted murderer who recklessly ended the life of George Floyd.

There is no joy in this, instead a deep and profound sense of relief in knowing that a white police officer who killed a Black citizen with neither regard for the law nor his responsibility to uphold it will be held accountable. Read more

Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas

Climate Emergency Declaration Webinars Begin Next Week

Registration is open for four webinars, held each Wednesday in May, to support the Climate Emergency Declaration recently issued by the Bishops of the Diocese of Massachusetts and Diocese of Western Massachusetts. Each 75-minute webinar will focus on a plank of the declaration: Pray, Learn, Act, and Advocate. These interactive webinars, hosted by the Creation Care Justice Network and the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas (SNEUCC Missioner for Creation Care) will include presentations, discussion and suggested actions. Also from Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, a new 30-minute video: "Christians Advocate for Climate Health".

US Seeks Equity in Employment for People with Disabilities from Underserved Communities

The movement for disabilities justice touches every aspect of our church and society, benefiting everyone when the wisdom, gifts and witness of people with disabilities are included. ~ Connie Larkman, United Church of Christ (Celebrating the ADA)

The U.S. Department of Labor announced that, beginning April 12, it will open a two-week national online dialogue to gather ideas for ensuring equity in employment policies and programs for people with disabilities from historically underserved communities. This initiative will inform future policy, programs, funding opportunities. Those seeking to participate should register at RacialEquity.ideascale.com. Read more

How Churches Can Support Nuclear Weapons Ban

by Rev. Dr. Peter Kakos

If you have not yet heard, World War III, surreptitiously has begun.

Our enemy is not a singular nor cluster of nations, but the insidiously deadly Covid virus in all its ugly manifestations. So unique is this invasion, so widespread, that the world has yet to come to grips with the fact that this viral war militarily cannot be conquered, no matter how formidable the weapons. Those on the front lines today are not troops; they are medical personnel together with essential workers, many strained to the breaking point over the onslaught of critical care, especially in nations like Brazil. Read more

Supporting Programs for Equitable Vaccine Distribution

by Deborah Ringen, SNEUCC Minister of Health and Wellness

FEMA released an update April 5, 2021 highlighting Federal efforts to improve equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Funds were allocated for staffing, supplies, training, and transportation in 42 states, Washington D.C. five tribes and five territories. In addition, census data and the CDC social vulnerability index, were used to identify vulnerable populations to pilot Community Vaccine Centers, and Mobile Vaccine Distribution Units. Read more

Retreat Supports Anti-Racism Facilitators

Rev. Liz Magill, a trained racial justice facilitator for the historic Massachusetts Conference, is a core facilitator for Rhythms of Facilitation - a retreat for anti-racism facilitators by the Episcopalian faith-based Mission Institute, May 20-23.

The Mission Institute convenes, equips, and sends out a community of facilitators to accompany organizations and institutions in the work of identifying and dismantling white supremacy. Learn more

Daily Taize Morning Prayer for the ONA Family

Did you know the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ offers morning Taize prayer sessions? You are invited every Monday-Friday at 9 and 11 AM to this 'contemplative experience of psalms, scripture, silence, prayer and Taizé chant based on ancient forms of Christian daily prayer'. Each service is about 20 minutes. Visit the Coalition Facebook page for access: Open and Affirming Coalition UCC | Facebook

Your justice-related news, events, and reflections are welcome! Please submit to Editor Karen Methot for consideration: methotk@sneucc.org, by the fourth Monday of the month. We seek to publish on the fourth Thursday. Thank you!