“Open the gates of justice! I will enter and tell the Lord how thankful I am.” Psalm 118:1
In America, the topic of race continues to be difficult to discuss in many social settings. Very few Christian churches are leading bold and courageous conversations, engaging in direct social activism, and participating in civil disobedience as a way to bring attention to and disrupt racist systems and structures.
The Christian Church is the catalyst for addressing historical and contemporary issues regarding the intersections of race and racism that continues to harm communities of color. Our church acknowledges and supports the equality of all humans. In 1993, The Nineteenth General Synod called upon UCC congregations in all its settings to be a true multiracial and multicultural church. [In 1996, the DOC formed its Reconciliation Ministry with the same goals.] Years later the call continues to go forth.
The call to be a multiracial and multicultural church is an acknowledgement that racial justice is the inclusiveness of all humans and never excludes anyone based on skin color, culture or ethnic origin. Our church stands in solidarity with the creation narrative in Genesis 1:26-27, which clearly outlines what matters to God—all of humankind and a just world for all. God created humankind in God’s image and likeness, women and men are image bearers, sharing equal status as human beings. God did not create race, racism, superior groups of humans, and hierarchical and hegemonic social structures. God does not sanction human suffering including America’s involvement in--
Written By Velda Love, Minister for Racial Justice for the United Church of Christ
The Christian Church is the catalyst for addressing historical and contemporary issues regarding the intersections of race and racism that continues to harm communities of color. Our church acknowledges and supports the equality of all humans. In 1993, The Nineteenth General Synod called upon UCC congregations in all its settings to be a true multiracial and multicultural church. [In 1996, the DOC formed its Reconciliation Ministry with the same goals.] Years later the call continues to go forth.
The call to be a multiracial and multicultural church is an acknowledgement that racial justice is the inclusiveness of all humans and never excludes anyone based on skin color, culture or ethnic origin. Our church stands in solidarity with the creation narrative in Genesis 1:26-27, which clearly outlines what matters to God—all of humankind and a just world for all. God created humankind in God’s image and likeness, women and men are image bearers, sharing equal status as human beings. God did not create race, racism, superior groups of humans, and hierarchical and hegemonic social structures. God does not sanction human suffering including America’s involvement in--
- Inhumane social confinement due to mass incarceration and surveillance of communities of color
- Global confiscation of another cultures land and resources
- Human trafficking and the enslavement and sexual violence and assault against women and children
- Deportation and the separation of families from immigrant communities
- Police brutality and militarized tactics and abuses resulting in the murder of people of color
- Using global armaments and acts of terrorism on innocent civilians domestically and abroad
- Supporting White Christian supremacy over and against non-Christian faith communities
Written By Velda Love, Minister for Racial Justice for the United Church of Christ
"God has not given us a spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, of courage and resolution, to meet difficulties and dangers; the spirit of love which will carry us through opposition.” 2 Timothy 1:7