Ministries

Changing the World… One Person at a Time

The UCC engages in a wide-range of ministerial concerns and passions to further the quality of life and the religious experience for people. While we minister in name of Jesus, we recognize not everyone believes the same way we do. I once read something to the effect that God is too big for one religion—we live in a diverse world with many systems belief, and the folks at Central seek to foster that experience and knowledge among its members, guests, and visitors.

To get a full listing the UCC ministries, go to www.ucc.org. Here are a few UCC ministries we at Central believe to be important in our lives and the people we seek to help:

Disaster Response—from Hurricane Katrina to Iraq, all victims of natural and human-made disasters need support

Global Ministries—“Global Ministries partnerships are based on trust, mutual respect, common visions for a just creation, and shared faith in God. Through our relationships with global partners we become aware of the realities of life for communities around the world. We share mutual concerns with our partners when the integrity and dignity of creation and of the communities our partners inhabit are compromised.” (CGMB resolution on Globalization and Just International Relationships, http://www.globalministries.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=142&Itemid=33)

Justice—the issues:

CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Human Rights
Children and Youth
Criminal Justice
Racial Profiling
LGBT Justice
Health Care
Media Justice
Our Faith Our Vote Campaign
Public Education
Sexuality Education
Women's Issues

ECONOMIC JUSTICE

Federal Budget and Appropriations
Coffee Project (Fair Trade)
Caste Discrimination and Fair Trade
Consumerism
Gulf Coast Initiative
Labor Sunday
Low-wage Work
Labor Unions
Rebuilding Rural America

GLOBAL CONCERNS

Colombia
East Timor
Globalization
International Trade and Investment
Iraq
Jubilee Debt Relief
Marshall Islands
Sudan (Responsibility to Protect Campaign)
United Nations

INTEGRITY OF CREATION (ENVIRONMENT)

Holt Family Petition
Earth Revival

PEACEMAKING

Conscientious Objection to the Military
Decade to Overcome Violence
Declaration of Peace
Just Peace Church Pronouncement
Nuclear Weapons

RACIAL JUSTICE

Affirmative Action
Anti-Racism
Anti-Racist Church Pronouncement
A Church for All People: Becoming a Multiracial and Multicultural Church Bible Study
Multi-Racial Multi-Cultural Church Pronouncement
Multi-Racial Multi-Cultural Glossary
"A New Church/A New World" Resource
Negative Stereotyping
Racism Declared a Sin

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender—to make a rough generalization, the UCC is conversably more sensitive and welcoming of the GLBT community than most main-line Christian denominations. CCC makes a concerted effort to be supportive in this area, both because of its ONA Statement of Faith and its commitment to the community and it parishioners. JP is a diverse neighborhood, and many of Central’s members and friends are active in the GLBT community.

Here are some links to local organizations that do work within the GLBT community:

Fenway Community Health Center—“for more than thirty-five years, Fenway Community Healthhas been working to improve the physical and mental health of our community, especially those who are traditionally underserved like lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, women, those living with HIV/AIDS, and people from communities of color. The Fenway Institute works to increase the health of the larger community through research, education, outreach and health policy advocacy.”
The Friends of GLBT Youth—The Friends of GLBT Youth, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating homophobia and transphobia in order to allow all young gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project—GPDVP is a grassroots, non-profit organization founded by a gay male survivor of domestic violence and developed through the strength, contributions and participation of the community.
Greater Boston PFLAG

Media Justice—“Since its founding in 1959, the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ (OC, Inc.) has been a leading force in the struggle to ensure that women, persons of color and low-income persons have equal access to ownership, production, employment, and decision making in media. OC, Inc.'s work grows out of the United Church of Christ's historic commitment to civil rights, and our belief that social justice cannot be achieved without a media system that reflects our diverse histories and struggles. OC, Inc. promotes justice in media through legal challenges, policy advocacy, grassroots organizing, and public education.”

Racial/Ethnic Ministries—the City Mission Society of Boston is a local organization Central Congregational Church supports. “The City Mission Society is a social justice organization that promotes a just society for all people by uniting communities and transforming individuals through service, education, and advocacy. Our programs help youth and adults achieve their full potential while providing opportunities for congregations and communities to engage in social action and change. This work is supported by the Metropolitan Boston Association of the United Church of Christ, congregations, individuals, and foundations.”