Ministry is often described as a mutual relationship between pastor and congregation, but it’s easy for both the pastor and the congregation to forget to see themselves as partners.

It feels as if the end of our time together is coming very quickly. I am very aware that I will be with you for just four more Sundays, after today. As I read the lectionary readings for this week,I decided to take a break from Matthew and his love ofjudgment, to focus on the kinder, gentler words of Paul, in his letter to the church at Philippi.

The events in Charlottesville challenge us to become aware of our exclusionary attitudes, to remember who we are – Christ’s body in the world – and to be transformed by our encounter with the frightening reality of white supremacist hatred into witnesses to God’s love for all God’s people. With this in mind, I would like to share with you a pastoral letter from the Officers and the Council of Conference Ministers of the United Church of Christ.