Email from Rev. John H. Thomas, of UCC
I just thought I'd share the email I received for the Rev. John H. Thomas, President of the United Church of Christ. The UCC is planning to purchase a full-page ad in the NYT--in part to describe who we are, and in part to defend and stand together with the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.
I'm so proud of the UCC.
Dear Laura Jordan,
Home: NewsletterLet's buy a full-page ad!
Dear Laura,
We want to place a full-page ad in The New York Times - perhaps as early as next Wednesday - to proclaim the truth about who we are as the United Church of Christ. Will you help make this a reality?
One week ago, I received a call from the Rev. Tom Stiers of Riverside Church in Manhattan, who said his congregation was sending a check for $6,000 for the purpose of supporting the purchase of a prominent, full-page ad. He encouraged us to invite others to join this effort.
The vision for the ad is to speak proactively to the breadth and diversity of our denomination, while also acknowledging the hurt that many in our country have experienced in recent weeks, including the members of Trinity UCC in Chicago.
This will be an occasion to explain the uniqueness of our polity, to acknowledge the freedom of our pulpits, and to affirm the rights of our members to agree or disagree in love. The statement will speak to our oneness in Christ, who strengthens us to be agents of justice, peace and reconciliation.
Of course, the cost will be significant, perhaps in excess of $120,000. That's a lot of money. But the potential positive impact of such a statement is worth much, much more.
People are looking at the UCC like they never have before, and that's why it's critical that we respond proactively and tell our church's story. Otherwise, we will let others continue to define us in narrow and distorted ways.
We have a few days to raise a significant amount of money. Can we count on your support?
The Rev. John H. Thomas
General Minister and President
United Church of Christ
P.S. Click here for more information about how to give online or to send your check by U.S. mail.
I think it's an admirable effort. If you don't mind my asking, what audience are you trying to reach with this ad? Any particular demographic? Age, income level, geography, party affiliation, etc.
March 28, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Um....I don't really have any kind of strategy here, if that's what you're asking. I'm just sharing the email I received today from the UCC (I attend a UCC church).
I thought it might be of interest to bloggers here since the Trinity UCC has been in the news a lot lately (due to the Jeremiah Wright videos).
The UCC is prepared to stand by the Trinity UCC members--we don't want them to feel they have to stand alone to absorb all of the outrage directed at them as a result of all the national attention brought on fear, distortion, and misunderstanding.
March 28, 2008 8:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think a lot of people either don't know or seem to have forgotten that Trinity is not some fringe outfit, but part of the UCC. I suppose it's more politically expedient to disregard a mainstream, nationwide church than to contextualize Rev. Wright within the bounds of reality.
March 28, 2008 8:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I don't know if UCC is considered mainstream :-) ...but you're right. Which is why I'm so glad the UCC is willing to put its full reputation behind Trinity.
UCC is FEARLESSLY vocal regarding social justice.
March 28, 2008 8:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I'm an atheist and I have some people who are UCC in my family (also from TX). By way of being Christian, you're already very mainstream from my perspective and the UCC folks in my fam are very, very normal people.
March 28, 2008 9:16 PM | Reply | Permalink