Ever Flowing Streams: SNEC Justice News

Local Highlight for May

Brooke Canada

Everybody's Welcome at God's Table - A Story of Local Activism and LGBTQ+ Justice

by Michael Streib, Queer Justice Advocate for the Southern New England Conference, UCC

One of the things I often hear in conversations with our Open and Affirming Ministry Team and local congregations is their concern about developments in local governments. While many people within our conference feel relatively safe regarding LGBTQ+ legislation on a state level, there is a concerning trend of local anti-queer, anti-drag, and anti-trans activism. From book bans and other school board actions to prohibitions on local drag events, small groups are using local structures to push their anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and goals.

As a conference which has passed and affirmed resolutions on LGBTQ+ inclusion and justice – as part of a denomination that has been a national leader in advancing this priority - we aim to support the churches and individuals within our church that tirelessly work against these developments and towards spreading God’s message of justice and love for all. Brooke Canada offers us one powerful example. Read more

Show 'em Who You Are!

Reflection by Kathie Carpenter (she/her), ONA Coach and Co-Chair of the SNEUCC ONA Ministry Team

"Why do people always try to go where they’re not wanted?” It’s commonplace for queer and transgender people to feel like they don’t belong and are not accepted. Each encounter can give rise to a concern that something threatening may be coming. This is increased when people are at the intersections of more than one targeted identity.

People who carry homophobia, transphobia, and racism also carry briefcases of opinions about why those people are disgusting, not worthy, perhaps not even human. Sadly, the church - which professes to be the home of love and giving and understanding - can sometimes be really unwelcoming. Briefcases and church doors can both be closed. Read more

Announcing 2023 Justice Summit Preachers

The 2023 Justice Summit will take place October 7, in person in Boston and online. Register here

The 2023 Justice Summit on Trans and Nonbinary Belonging in the Church will begin and end with worship, each with a keynote preacher.

Rev. Nicole Garcia - Faith Work Director at the National LGBTQ Task Force - will preach at the opening worship service and will also lead a workshop on Raising a Progressive Christian Voice in the Public Square. Rev. Tyler Connoley - Conference Minister for the Central Pacific Conference - will preach at the closing and will lead a workshop on Genderqueer Heroes in the Bible. Read more h

June is Pride Month!

Check out our evolving SNEUCC Pride events calendar! Is your church sponsoring or participating in an event you wish to share? Tell us here.

UCC Pride Month Liturgy

Pride Sunday is the last Sunday of June, June 25th this year. Access worship resources here. Tag the Coalition or email your photos, as they'd love to see - and share - some worship spaces decked out in rainbow!

ALSO: Download free coloring pages of Black LGBTQ+ icons to help your church celebrate Pride : )

Faith for Pride Month 2023

#Faith4Pride is back this June, and SNEUCC is a co-sponsor! Join faith groups and congregations across the U.S. who are voicing support for LGBTQ+ rights. Sign up to become a co-sponsor or host an event at FaithForPride.org.

Action Alerts

Incredible Faith Mission: Boston Four week-long programs in July. Youth and intergenerational groups can sign up for one of four Sunday-Friday programs, in which participants will stay at Edwards House in Framingham, MA, and do daily service projects focused on addressing urban poverty in Greater Boston.

Upcoming Events

Annual Meeting to Feature Afternoon Breakout Sessions with a Justice Focus Saturday, June 17, 8 AM - 6 PM, at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA and online.

Environmental Justice

2023 Communities Responding to Extreme Weather Interfaith Summit: Stories of the Spirit June 4, 4-6 PM, live at Tufts University in Medford, MA and via zoom.

The Season of Positiva June 22, 7:30-8:30 PM. Part of the Lament with Earth series sponsored by the BTS Center.

Cross-Pollination Gatherings: Environmental Ministries June 19, 6:30 PM, online (monthly on the third Monday) For local church leaders involved in environmental ministries to exchange ideas, celebrate successes, and troubleshoot challenges.

Racial Justice

UCC Resource: A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Juneteenth from the Living Psalms Book.

The Southern New England Sacred Ally Quilt Tour A powerful quilt exhibition memorializing the words of George Floyd will be traveling throughout the Southern New England Conference this spring.

The Afro-Christian Convention: The Fifth Stream of the United Church of Christ May 30, 5:00 PM, online. The Congregational Library hosts an online discussion with authors Rev. Dr. Yvonne Delk, Rev. Brenda Bilips Square, and Rev. Dr. Henry T. Simmons about their book, which tells the story of the Afro-Christian Convention and the hostile environment of racism it faced.

Witness Stones Project, June 5,1:30 PM, Kingston Congregational Church, Kingston, RI. This church embarks on a partnership with the Witness Stones Project, Inc. to research and install the first Witness Stones in Rhode Island, honoring the lives of two formerly enslaved individuals from the local community.

Racial Justice Cross-Pollination Gatherings June 26, 6:30 PM, online (monthly on the fourth Monday) Intended for local church leaders involved in racial justice ministries. This is an opportunity to exchange ideas, celebrate successes, and troubleshoot challenges.

Our Newsletter

A New Format for Ever Flowing Streams

Do you like our new format? In response to your feedback, we now focus on one major issue a month and highlight the work of a local church or activist, along with using briefer descriptions of upcoming events. We'd love your feedback! Please tell us what you think here.

Wanted: Churches Working for Justice!

Is your church active in justice or outreach in the areas of anti-racism, immigration/refugee/asylum, environmental ministry, ONA, health and wellness, or disability ministry? Or maybe a member of your congregation is a justice warrior? Let us know your story! You may be featured in a future issue of Ever Flowing Streams. Contact us at methotk@sneucc.org

Ever Flowing Streams features stories focused on immigration, racism, climate change, ONA, health and disability. We want to hear from churches doing justice in these areas. Please contact Editor Karen Methot for consideration, by the third Thursday of the month for a usual fourth Thursday publication date. Thank you!