‘Find Hope Now’ initiative launched in Southern New England to promote radical inclusion

The United Church of Christ Southern New England Conference has launched a new initiative – Find Hope Now – aimed at promoting a gospel of radical inclusion that lets people know that no matter who they are, or where they are on life’s journey, there is a place of hope that will welcome them.

The first stage of the initiative launched just in time for Pentecost – considered the birthday of the Christian church – with a social media ad campaign taking place on Facebook and Instagram. The ads are designed to invite people to visit a new website, FindHopeNow.org. The website features stories of hope from SNEUCC churches, including video testimonials, and invites people to find a church in the Southern New England Conference. It also includes answers to frequently asked questions, such as, “Can churches really be both Christian and LGBTQIA friendly?” and “What if I’ve been rejected by a church before?”

Looking for hope

“There are so many people looking for hope, so many people looking for a church that might speak to them,” Rev. Darrell Goodwin, executive conference minister, said on Pentecost Sunday as he announced the new initiative. “Today I was with one of our churches celebrating 300 years and brought Find Hope Now up to them. And throughout coffee hour, so many people came to tell me how they had found hope at that church, how it had been a light in the middle of some darkness in their lives, particularly a woman who is living with a disability who came up to me and said: ‘I’ve heard that wherever you, no matter who you are, where you are in life’s journey, you’re welcome here. And this is the first church where the ‘you’ actually included me.”

Tiffany Vail, director of media & communications for SNEUCC, said there are two things folks can do to help the initiative succeed:

• Send stories of hope, to be incorporated into the website later on. We are looking for video testimonials and quality photos with stories of ministries happening in our midst. Send them to Tiffany Vail.
• Share the social media ads that are on Facebook & Instagram when you see them.
   

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