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Why our Church Apologized To Hawai’i By Charles McCollough Before the Congregational
missionaries arrived in Hawai’i, foreigners (traders, whalers and
adventurers) had already brought alien commerce, alcohol, guns, and,
most devastatingly, diseases for which Native Hawaiians had no
immunities. Western diseases reduced the Hawaiian population by an
estimated 80% between 1778 and 1858.1 In a very different way, the
first missionaries gave their lives to bring Christianity to
Hawai’i. Our apology came out of a later time and new
perspectives. More.
Samoans and the U.S. Militaryby Kirsten Schamberg of the Chicago Tribune and carried by the Honolulu Advertise on March 21. LEONE, American Samoa — In a village on this beautiful South Pacific island, the Junior ROTC instructor asks his cadets to step forward if they have decided what to do after graduating from high school in the spring. Of 12 seniors, half march ahead to say they already have committed to a branch of the U.S. military. Three more indicate they are considering it. The last three say they're interested, but have failed the entry tests. more... UCC Responds to Killings in the Phillipines One in the Body of Christ: Statement in Response to Killings in the Philippines The
body of Christ in the Philippines, in all its expressions, has been
broken by the reality of violence, intimidation, and extra-judicial
killings, committed under the increasingly repressive presidency of
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, under the cynical pretense of
counter-insurgency. We mourn for the tremendous loss of life and
leadership in communities across the Philippines that has occurred
since 2001, more...
For more information on the situation on the Phillipines click here.
UCC Supports work of ERUB Our thanks to the UCC Collegium of Officers for the letter of support and solidarity. Special thanks to Local Church Ministries and Justice and Witness Ministries for their financial support. (more...) Your Multiracial and Multicultural ChurchA Pentecost Prayer for the United
Church of Christ Still Speaking God, on this, our 50th celebration of
Pentecost, we admit our struggle to become Your multiracial and
multicultural Church. We confess our sins of racism and do repent,
seeking to refrain from all acts of racial
discrimination and bigotry. Heeding Your call to do justice, love kindness and
walk humbly with You, we ask for Your prophetic words, Spirit of Justice,
that we might advocate for public policies
which respect the rights and dignity all people of
all colors. Mindful of our ignorance, Spirit of Truth,
give courage to those who reveal our racial and
ethnic prejudices.
Open our hands and hearts, Spirit of
Generosity, that we might be more compassionate and equitable
in the sharing of resources and the exchange of
graces among all our churches, including those new to our
communion. Spirit of Wisdom, embolden us to create inclusive
ministries, providing equal access to all who are called to
ministry. Continue inviting our seminaries to teach the rich
diversity of the many culturalheritages and theological
traditions
from our vast array of racial and ethnic
constituencies. And bless us with Christian unity, Spirit of
Connection. As we spend our diverse theological and liturgical
riches in worship, may we always speak in many
languages with one heart – Yours. Amen. Resource: Written by Rev. Kathryn Schreiber for Pentecost 2007. Inspired by the UCC’s Multiracial, Multicultural Church Pronouncement adopted at General Synod 19 in 1993. |
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