SubscribeUCC: Obama’s Racist Church Is ‘A Great Gift’
A chilling press release from the United Church of Christ via Worldwide Faith News:
CHICAGO’S TRINITY UCC IS ‘GREAT GIFT TO WIDER CHURCH FAMILY’
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: The Rev. J. Bennett Guess Director of Communications United Church of Christ Phone: (216) 736-2173 E-Mail: guessb@ucc.org
Friday, March 14, 2008
United Church of Christ leaders respond to ‘media caricatures’ of congregation
Cleveland, OH - In the wake of misleading attacks on its mission and ministry, Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ is being lauded by United Church of Christ leaders across the nation for the integrity of its worship, the breadth of its community involvement and the depth of its commitment to social justice.
“Trinity United Church of Christ is a great gift to our wider church family and to its own community in Chicago,” says UCC General Minister and President John H. Thomas. “At a time when it is being subjected to caricature and attack in the media, it is critical that all of us express our gratitude and support to this remarkable congregation, to Jeremiah A. Wright for his leadership over 36 years, and to Pastor Otis Moss III, as he assumes leadership at Trinity.”
Thomas says he has been saddened by news reports that “present such a caricature of a congregation that been such a great blessing.”
“These attacks, many of them motivated by their own partisan agenda, cannot go unchallenged,” Thomas emphasizes. “It’s time for all of us to say ‘No’ to these attacks and to declare that we will not allow anyone to undermine or destroy the ministries of any of our congregations in order to serve their own narrow political or ideological ends.” …
Among Trinity UCC’s crowning achievements, Thomas says, is its work with young people.
“While the worship is always inspiring, the welcome extravagant, and the preaching biblically based and prophetically challenging, I have been especially moved by the way Trinity ministers to its young people, nurturing them to claim their Christian faith, to celebrate their African-American heritage, and to pursue higher education to prepare themselves for leadership in church and society,” Thomas says.
‘Exceedingly gracious’
The Rev. Steve Gray, the UCC’s Indiana-Kentucky Conference Minister, describes Trinity UCC as a “jewel.”
“It’s everything a Christian community is supposed to be,” says Gray, who has been working with Trinity UCC for the past three years to develop a new UCC congregation in Gary, Ind. “Trinity has given well over $100,000 in support of its partnership with us, and in 15 months of regular meetings with Jeremiah Wright, we always found him to be a man of gracious hospitality, humor, generosity, who paid attention to detail but also a man who does not call attention to himself.”
Trinity UCC has been involved in planting more than 15 new congregations, according to the UCC’s Evangelism Ministry in Cleveland…
‘Extraordinary outreach’
The Rev. Bennie Whiten, retired Massachusetts Conference Minister who prior served for 15 years as associate director of Chicago’s Community Renewal Society, says, “Trinity was one church that we could always rely on to respond almost immediately. They have been very, very involved in the community in so many meaningful ways.” …
Whiten, a member of Pilgrim UCC in Oak Park, Ill., is especially taken with Trinity UCC’s commitment to the need and importance of quality theological education. More than 60 members of Trinity UCC are currently enrolled in seminary and pursuing masters-level degrees. Moreover, the congregation pays for students’ tuition costs.
“They firmly believe in the UCC’s commitment to an educated, seminary-trained clergy,” Whiten said, “and they have probably had more people feeling the call to ministry than any other church in the denomination.”
The Rev. Susan Thistlethwaite, president and professor of theology at UCC-related Chicago Theological Seminary, says Trinity UCC is a model church in the way it supports its people in discerning and cultivating their gifts for ministry, both lay and ordained.
“Another thing I really appreciate about Trinity is that its ministries are always directed both inward, toward the congregation itself, and also outward in supporting other congregations ecumenically and supporting community organizations that are dedicated to lifting up the wider society,” Thistlethwaite says. “We have had so many fine students come through Chicago Theological Seminary who were helped to discern their call to ministry through this church’s dedication to serving the wider church.”
‘Jesus and justice’
The Rev. Kenneth L. Samuel, pastor of the 5,300-member Victory UCC in Stone Mountain, Ga., says he is impressed that trinity UCC “promotes spirituality and piety while also being emphatic about social justice.” …
“Trinity was really one of the churches that inspired me to want to affiliate with the United Church of Christ,” Samuel said. “My church was originally National Baptist and Southern Baptist, but it was the critical-thinking that [Trinity] brought to this work, the justice work, that helped me to want to become a part of the denomination. I have no regrets about that.”
Samuel says that, during Wright’s 36-year ministry at Trinity, Wright has not been afraid to tackle difficult topics, while staying equally committed to preaching “Jesus and justice.” …
‘Speaks well for us’
Carol Brown, national president of United Black Christians and a member of Cleveland’s Mt. Zion UCC for more than 50 years, describes Trinity UCC as “the flagship church of the United Church of Christ.”
“I think it’s very interesting that a minority group within a denomination can have the largest church, support the most ministries and give the largest number of OCWM [mission] dollars,” Brown says. “That speaks well for us as an accepting, open and affirming denomination. Especially, as a justice-oriented church, [Trinity UCC] sets a standard for all the denomination that all are welcome.”
Brown, who worships at Trinity UCC when in Chicago for meetings, says she is most taken by its exuberant spirit.
“It’s certainly a very welcoming church, and it’s certainly very reaffirming of the faith when people join in such large numbers when there’s an altar call,” Brown says. “It’s something that you don’t see in the average church. God is certainly at work there, and it’s exciting when you see that many people stand up to witness to their faith and step forward.”
Given the racism, hatred and despicable ignorance spewed as a matter of course by Mr. Wright, it is quite appalling that the UCC would give him such unquestioning support.
I wonder how many of their members are aware of what is actually going on with their donations.
(And again it should be pointed out that the young man who “pats” Mr. Wright on the back in the clip is Trinity’s highly trained new pastor, Otis Moss, III.)
16 Responses to “UCC: Obama’s Racist Church Is ‘A Great Gift’”
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March 16th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Racism is alive and thriving in the…..HOOD. But that can’t be, can it? I’ve been told by the Lame Stream Media all my life that prejudice is a product of White people. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
March 16th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
If this is what a “mainstream Protestant” denomination believes is a “great gift,” I’m glad I’m Catholic!
March 16th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
“people join in such large numbers when there’s an altar call”
What is an altar call?
Seriously.
March 16th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I’m glad I’m Catholic!
March 16th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
SR;….”If this is what a “mainstream Protestant” denomination believes is a “great gift,”…..”
Unbelievable! It would appear that the UCC isn’t as “United” as the name would suggest. One of my clients is a small UCC congregation in East-Central Missouri and I have been under contract with them many times for various renovation and repair and maintenance projects. I’m always taken by how caring and dedicated this congregation is. They have standing committees for social issues groups such as Pro-Life, Food for the Poor, Sheltered Workshops, and many others. Through my business association with this congregation I have forged many friendships and know them to be socially and politically conservative. In recent conversations, none of the members I have spoken with are comfortable with Wright’s version of the United Church of Christ. Most are embarrassed by the association. Maybe it’s just the conservative Mid-western values at work here, but those with whom I’ve spoken are disgusted with Wright and his affiliation with “their Church”
And yes, I’m glad to be Catholic also. Never would Catholicism tolerate a renegade such as Wright, let alone praise him for the despicable hate he espouses.
March 16th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
What is an altar call?
Usually at the end of a service, a call is given (alter call) to anyone who feels compelled to accept Christ into his/her life.
March 16th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
1sttofight
Thank you.
But, if I hadn’t accepted Christ I wouldn’t be in church.
March 16th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
“Mission
Mission Statement: What Trinity Is About
Trinity United Church of Christ has been called by God”
Does this mean God doesn’t want the rest of us?
March 16th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
U NO HOO ,
I understand what you are saying. but some folks need a little extra push.
Personally i went to revivals in my younger years to meet girls.
Somewhere along the way I found Jesus.
Then I met Mrs. 1st and it all sorta came together.
Sempter Fi.
March 16th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
“Mission…the church universal”
That would be the Catholic Church. There was “Unity” then guys like Jeremiah came along.
March 16th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
No offense intended to non-Catholic Christians.
In fact some of my best friends are/were Protestant, like my father.
And I spent 9 years in Scouting in Trinity Congregational UCC.
But words mean what they mean.
Be careful what you say your words can be used against you.
Right Mr. Wright?
March 17th, 2008 at 12:23 am
Matthew 12:36
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment
March 17th, 2008 at 3:49 am
One of the things that astounded me most was that little bit of body language Rev. Wright used to illustrate what President Clinton “gave” to Monica Lewinsky. Has anyone ever seen a priest or minister act in such a crude and undignified fashion? I’ve never even heard one make a personal attack before. Perhaps the Reverend should have gone into late-night comedy instead of the ministry. That “faith group” has a very different concept re what goes on in the “House of God”.
March 17th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
U No Hoo,
Some churches, like Assemblies of God for instance, believe in “accepting Christ into your heart,” in a completely separate context from what you and I might think of as “accepting Him”. It’s part of the whole denominational thing. We went to one of these churches when I was little. There’s a lot more to it, as I recall, but I’ll let it be.
March 27th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
In this bulletin the reverend goes off on a rant about gays, Israel and divestment, yada, yada, yada, all in response to a letter he received from their General Synod about gay marriage:
http://www.cmaucc.org/EMRJeremiahWright2.pdf
Social Policy Statements on LGBT Concerns
by United Church of Christ National Bodies
Since 1969 various national settings of the United Church of Christ have addressed the concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in church and society, calling for welcome, inclusion and justice. On this page you will find a comprehensive list of the pronouncements, resolutions and other actions adopted by the General Synod, Executive Council and other UCC national bodies. You will also find links to the texts of these actions.
List of Actions
2005, “Equal Marriage Rights for All”, 25th General Synod
2004, “Call to Action and Invitation to Dialogue on Marriage”, Executive Council
2003, “Affirming the Participation and Ministry of Transgender People within the United Church of Christ and Supporting their Civil and Human Rights”, 24th General Synod
2003, “Reaffirming the United Church of Christ’s Denouncement of Violence Against Lesbian and Gay People and Calling for the Inclusion of Transgender people within that Anti-violence Statement”, 24th General Synod
2003, “The United Church of Christ and the Boy Scouts of America”, 24th General Synod
1999, “Prevention of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth Suicide”, 22nd General Synod
1999, “Affirming and Strengthening Marriage”, 22nd General Synod
1998, “Passage of Hate Crimes Legislation”, Executive Council
1997, “Fidelity and Integrity in all Covenanted Relationships”, 21st General Synod
1996, “Equal Marriage Rights for Same-sex Couples”, Directorate of the Office of Church in Society
1996, “Equal Marriage Rights for Same Gender Couples”, Board of Directors of the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries
1993, “Resolution Calling on the Church for Greater Leadership to End Discrimination against Gays and Lesbians”, 19th General Synod
1993, “A Call to End the Ban against Gays and Lesbians in the Military”, 19th General Synod
1991, “Resolution on Virginia Privacy Laws”, 18th General Synod
1991, “Resolution on Affirming Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Persons and their Ministries”, 18th General Synod
1989, “Resolution Deploring Violence against Lesbian and Gay People”, 17th General Synod
1987, “Resolution on the Right to Privacy”, 16th General Synod
1985, “Resolution Calling on United Church of Christ Congregations to Declare Themselves Open and Affirming”, 15th General Synod
1983, “Report of the Task Force for the Study of Human Sexuality”, 14th General Synod
1983, “Resolution Recommending Inclusiveness on Association Church and Ministry Committees within the United Church of Christ”, 14th General Synod
1983, “Resolution in Response to the Concerns of Same-gender Oriented Persons and their Families within the United Church of Christ”, 14th General Synod
1983, “Resolution on the Institutionalized Homophobia within the United Church of Christ”, 14th General Synod
1980, 81, “Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and Revision”, Executive Council
1977, “Recommendations in Regard to the Human Sexuality Study”, 11th General Synod
1977, “Resolution Deploring the Violation of Civil Rights of Gay and Bisexual Persons”, 11th General Synod
1975, “Resolution on Human Sexuality and the Needs of Gay and Bisexual Persons”, 10th General Synod
1975, “A Pronouncement: Civil Liberties without Discrimination Related to Affectional or Sexual Preference”, 10th General Synod
1973, “Human Sexuality and Ordination”, Executive Council
1969, “Resolution on Homosexuals and the Law”, Council for Christian Social Action
http://www.ucc.org/news/chicag.....cc-is.html
The United Church of Christ National Bodies go after the Boy Scouts but leave this reverend unchecked. One can only surmise they agree with the “God Damn America” stuff or did they not know either…
March 27th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
“Our hope is not built on faith-based dollars, empty liberal
promises or veiled hate-filled preachments of the so-called
conservatives. Our hope is built on Him who came in the
flesh to set us free.”
http://www.tucc.org/pdf/rey_5-2006.pdf
Well at least he got something wright. lol