Love and justice out front at UCC Norwell
On Sunday, June 8th after worship, 60+ spirited folks gathered on the front lawn to “rise up for love and justice.” We were greeted with many happy honks and waves from cars passing by. At times cars would slow down, perhaps to read some of the many colorful signs, causing everyone behind them to slow down for just a few minutes and take a look. In the meantime, we enjoyed the fellowship of being together in a spirit of love and friendship.
On the previous Friday evening, folks of all ages gathered in the church’s fellowship hall to create signs. Equipped with markers, paints, poster paper, wooden sticks, staplers, and lots of creativity – fueled by a pizza supper – we had fun getting ready for our standout. We were inspired by posters already created by the youth of our church – each of the messages and images reflecting a spirit of love and justice for all.
UCC Norwell has a long tradition of sharing love in our community and working for justice for all. In 1989, we became a Just Peace Covenant Congregation, which calls for UCC churches to address systemic injustice using non-violence and Just Peace practices.
In 1999, we voted favorably to become an Open and Affirming (ONA) church, the United Church of Christ’s designation for congregations that make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.
As the founding church of South Shore Habitat for Humanity and a longtime supporter of ASAPROSAR (a rural health organization in El Salvador) as well as many other local and global missions, we’re always working to create a culture of sharing love by building community. You can find us around town at Rehoboth House, the Norwell Food Pantry, and picking up donated groceries at Stop & Shop as part of our Food Circle program, founded in 1994 by church member Sewall Champion, to name a few. Our mission and outreach ministry team oversees the disbursement of our financial resources as well as donations of members’ time and talents to 18 non-profit organizations.
Other individual members of our church have started organizations that make a difference, like Karen and Neil Farmer’s founding of A Simple Gesture – with help from Marybeth Shea and Geoff Gordon – a nonprofit organization that organizes door-to-door food collection providing a steady supply of food to the Norwell Food Pantry. Recently Paul and Susan Domey-Allen introduced us to L Street Mission in Brockton and its mission to develop relationships with people to help overcome addictions and restore lives, to which church members and friends now donate food and time with the guests at L Street on Saturdays.
The idea for Sunday’s “Rise Up for Love & Justice” standout was conceived by the racial/social justice ministry team as part of its effort to counter the increasing impact of Christian nationalism in the U.S. We stand on the teachings of Jesus, which center on love of God and neighbor, including everyone – regardless of religious beliefs or affiliations. You can learn more about “THIS Is Christianity – Love All Ways” at https://thisischristianity.org.
And we hope you’ll join us at our next standout. All are welcome!
Learn more about the pronouncements and organizations mentioned above:
