On Sunday, May 18, many pastors across the UCC will be preaching on race in hopes of beginning a sacred conversation, a dialogue that is needed in our pews, our homes and the hallways of power across our country. After May 18, congregations are encouraged to develop a months-long process in order to set aside the necessary time and attention needed to structure a sacred conversation about race.
The UCC is holding this national dialogue in order to foster a spirit of healing and unity in our churches and communities. While much has been said during the past few weeks about the Rev. Jeremiah A Wright Jr., this dialogue among our members is intended to be a larger conversation, one not focused directly or exclusively on the recent controversy, but one certainly influenced by it.
Sacred conversations are never easy, especially when honest talk confronts our nation's painful past and speaks directly to the injustices of the present day. Yet sacred conversations can, and often do, honor the value of diverse life experiences, requiring an openness to hear each others' viewpoints. Growth often happens when honest conversations are communicated in a respectful environment.
In the coming days and weeks, this webpage will be a repository for resources to assist with preaching preparation and worship planning for May 18. In addition, you will soon find materials to assist your congregation with how to plan church-wide and community-wide dialogues that will enable "sacred conversations" to take place.
While May 18 is an opportunity for UCC pastors to preach collectively on a common theme, it's impossible for a sacred conversation on race to be a single-day event. Instead, pastors and lay leaders are encouraged to begin thinking how the coming months can be used to appropriately plan and organize your congregation's role in facilitating a sacred conversation on race.
Sacred Conversations E-list Receive periodic information, as available, on resources to assist your congregation’s efforts to organize and promote sacred conversations on race.
