First Church

Swirling around the Presidential election campaign has been a controversy over race, the United Church of Christ, and Trinity U.C.C. in Chicago. Is this an embarassment for the U.C.C. or for First Church? Many are saying, no, it is an occasion to reflect on and to proclaim our message and our identity.

Our presiding minister John Thomas and the Collegium of Officers of the U.C.C. have called for a "Sacred Conversation on Race" in a full-page advertisement in USA Today. (The ad was supported by special contributions from many members.) Thomas suggested May 18, 2008 as a special day when sermons could be offered on this subject.

Kendrick Norris began our local discussion with his sermon "First Church and Race" on April 20. (Other dates had prior commitments.)

As a resource, we point to Connecticut Conference Minister Davida Foy Crabtree's pastoral letter of April 23 . The national UCC web also has resources at http://www.ucc.org/sacred-conversation/, including a UCC Pastoral Letter on Racism.