Sermon: Multicultural, Multiracial - The UCC at 50 Series - Part 4

Even though when our founding General Synod met fifty years ago, the overwhelming majority of those present were men from a European heritage, the seeds of a richer more diverse community of faith were already present, not only in the diversity of worship and theological traditions of the Congregational Christian and Evangelical and Reformed churches, and not only in the handful of the voting delegates who were from African American, Native Hawaiian and other racial- ethnic communities, but also from the rich history of racial advocacy that was part of our Congregational Christian heritage.

As early as 1700 Congregationalist minister, Rev. Samuel Sewall laid the foundation for the abolitionist movement when he wrote the first anti-slavery pamphlet in America titled, "The Selling of Joseph."

Former slave, Lemuel Haynes, was ordained as a Congregational minister in 1785. Not only was he the first African-American pastor ever ordained, but he was the first African American pastor to serve a predominantly white congregation.

Then, in 1839 when enslaved Africans broke their chains and seized control of the schooner Amistad and were arrested and held in a Connecticut jail while the ship's owners sued to have them returned as property, Congregationalists leaders were instrumental in organizing a campaign to gain their freedom. Due to their persuasive arguments, the Supreme Court eventually ruled that the captives were not property, and they were set free.

Throughout the Civil War many of our spiritual ancestors played vital roles in the Absolutist and Anti-Slavery Movements and the Underground Railroad. Following the war their American Missionary Society set up more than 500 schools to educate freed slaves -something that was, incidentally, still against the law. Because of the church's passionate advocacy for the rights of African American people, both slave and free, many African Americans became members of Congregational or Christian churches.

As the population of our country became more diverse, so did our church; Filipino, Samoan, Korean, and Hispanic congregations have formed and joined the UCC -each offering vital and distinctive ministries of worship, prayer, and justice.

As we have sought to widen our family of faith we have been challenged to move from ministry to people of other cultural and ethnic backgrounds to ministry with people of all races and all cultures. It has not always been easy, but through the power of the Pentecost Spirit in 1993, the General Synod adopted the pronouncement titled "Becoming a Multiracial and Multicultural Church." This pronouncement called on the UCC "in all its settings to be a true multiracial and multicultural church." In other words, to struggle to truly hear and receive the gifts of all people, listening to their stories, honoring their way of being, and giving witness to the richness of life that can only be experienced when all voices are heard and all people are welcomed.

In May 1998, in Rosemont,Illinois, representative leaders from local congregations, associations, conferences, seminaries, and national agencies who represented the wide diversity of our denomination were invited to an event called "Pentecost '98." They shared stories and gifts; developed and supported leadership; and sought to discern the Spirit's leading for this multiracial and multicultural church in the twenty-first century.

It was an extraordinary gathering of God's people, rich in varieties of worship and powerful witness, but the most memorable moment happened when all participants were invited to pray the Prayer of Jesus, in their own native language and tradition. As each prayed, hearts filled with awe and they experienced Pentecost happening in their midst as the Holy Spirit moved through and among them. In that moment we took one more step into becoming who in the depths of God's heart we are: the Church of Jesus Christ in its fullness and brilliance, a church of the extravagant welcome.

To me, the miracle of Pentecost -then and now- was that the disciples could step outside of their own tradition and experience and proclaim God's love -in a language other than their own- to those gathered in Jerusalem. Because the disciples allowed the Spirit to empower them, those who heard and understood God's love in a way that was just right for them, were baptized, bringing who they were, their unique gifts and experiences into the community of faith and the church of Jesus Christ was born. So it is every time we allow the Spirit to move in us and through us.

A number of years ago, when I was serving a congregation in Wisconsin, a Puerto Rican family came to me and asked if they would be welcome in our predominantly Anglo congregation. It saddened me deeply that they had to ask. But I understood why they did. Trusting my assurance they came. Now, in their culture a pastor is called upon to be much more involved in a family's life. So whenever a difficult decision needed to be made or when they faced a new situation, they would call and invite me for a meal. I learned to eat many wonderful new foods and I came to know people of deep and powerful faith. The first December they were in our community they invited me to their home to tell me about their New Year's tradition of anointing with oil and prayer for each member of the family. Then they asked me if I would do that for them. "Well," I said, "I've never anointed anyone with oil. Tell me how you do it and what you expect and I'll do my best."

At the agreed upon Sunday, I told the congregation that following our worship we would have a special service of Blessing for George and Nancy and their children. I had already asked the team charged to care for the spiritual needs of the community to join me, but I opened it up to anyone else who wanted to stay. Three or four people did. It was one of the most powerful times I had ever experienced as each member of the family knelt and we all laid hands on them and I anointed each one with oil and prayed a prayer of blessing and empowerment.

Word must have spread about the experience, because the next January, when I made a similar announcement more than 20 people stayed. The following January, when our congregation had gone through a very difficult period of conflict and many members of the congregation had chosen to leave, I was at a meeting and someone said, "I think we need to do a service of anointing with oil and prayers for each and every member of the congregation." To a person, every one agreed. Once we knew how we would do this, we prepared the congregation by announcing for several weeks what we would be doing, so that anyone who wanted to opt out could do so. The sanctuary was full. The service was truly amazing as the Spirit moved in our midst, touching healing, holding and empowering each and every one of us, all because we dared to step beyond what we knew to experience the rich gifts of another culture, another tradition.

As we dare to allow the Spirit to empower us, we are blessed beyond our wildest dreams. May the Spirit that moved on that first Pentecost continue to move in us through us and among us so that we will truly become what in God's heart we already are -a beautiful rainbow of love! Amen.