Following Sen. Barack Obama’s decision on May 31 to disaffiliate with Trinity UCC in Chicago, the Rev. John H. Thomas, UCC general minister and president, released the following statement:
Obviously, we are saddened that Barack and Michelle Obama have decided to resign their membership at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. And we are hopeful that, as they discern their future church membership plans, that they will consider retaining their United Church of Christ membership in another UCC congregation.
We recognize that this has been a difficult, painful decision for the Obamas -- and a deeply personal one. It is also sad news for many members of the UCC, who grieve when anyone chooses to leave our fellowship, especially under such public and painful circumstances. We are reaching out with pastoral concern for the Obama family, as well as for the Rev. Otis Moss III, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr, and for the members of Trinity UCC.
It’s also important to name the painful reality that many candidates and public officials now find it nearly impossible to be an active member of a particular religious community, given our divisive political culture. Faith is rooted in community. Persons in public office should have the same opportunity, as the rest of us, to experience the worship, prayers and close personal friendships that congregational participation affords.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
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12 comments:
I understand why he had to make that move and I am praying that God keep His arm of protects around his family. May be now the media will leave the church alone.
I doubt it. The media, or more to the point, Obama's (and our) more unscrupulous opponents, will now use his resignation as "proof" that the UCC is "controversial" or "radical" or whatever it is that they find objectionable. I too understand why he felt he had no choice - like the hoo-ha over the flag pin, these attacks were waged as a distraction - but the attackers will only be emboldened now.
It just makes me very sad for him and his family. We will be praying for them, and still holding them in our hearts as part of our church family.
I think it's time Rev. Thomas and UCC accept responsibility as well. It's true, TUCC is the largest and biggest contributor to UCC. TUCC is part of our UCC community, but they aren't being respectful of the rest of us UCC members. Freedom of thought and expression is one thing, but not blatant disregard. It's almost like they WANT to undermine Obama's chances. For TUCC to allow Fr. Pfleger to go off on that rant was totally irresponsible. I think it was a wise decision for the Obama's to resign their membership from TUCC. One of the reasons I joined UCC here in AZ is they encourage people to think for themselves. But that doesn't mean political posturing and blatant racist, sexist comments in church. We are there to receive the message of Christ, which is love and forgiveness.
This denomination is in La-la land, truly. What part of Pfleger's "sermon" in which he mocked Hillary Clinton has a place in any church. And what congregation is so "proud" of such crap as both Wright and Pfleuger preached that they stream it live and applaud the comments. And what denomination has white district leaders who attend a church like Trinity and "don't have a problem" with some of the anti-white sentiment that is clearly preached from the pulpit and happily received by that congregation.
I am white, a UCC member, support Obama and am all for prophetic preaching--but there was nothing prophetic in the guest preacher's rant on Hillary.
I believe in the "In essentials unity; in non-essential diversity; and in all things charity" of UCC, but at some point the people in the pulpit need to be held accountable. To speak truth to power is one thing. To mock someone (who is actually on the same side as Obama, no less) in the way these two preachers have done is something else.
Pfleger, and to some extent Wright (I saw his entire sermon on 911 and did not find anything inappropriate, altho his press club talk and attitude were incredibly self serving-it literally screamed F--- You Obama).
If the UCC expects its churches to have an "extravagent welcome" then it should have an extravagent message--to include whites in black churches and blacks in white churches--and not be preaching antiwhite sentiment--justice yes; but that is not what the guest preacher brought to the pulpit. Otis Moss really owes any white visitors an apology, not applause for Pfleger.
and as a previous blogger below stated, TUCC and its leaders have no concern for the denomination at large. The preaching i have heard from this church indicates that their prejudices are not so different from the Southern Baptists, just directed at a different group.
The republicans will not have to prove anything about the ridiculous thinking or extremism of the UCC--the videos (in their entirety) of the preachers, and the national UCC's response clearly demonstrate that all by themselves.
If we are truly a church of extravagant welcome then recent events ought to compel us to self-reflection about how we can grow beyond the allowing any church, UCC or otherwise, to serve as a forum for hateful talk or divisive discourse. Our called pastorate and their congregations should consider pledging that our pulpits will be "hate free zones" where no person, sect, group, or interest shall be subject to demeaning words or divisive speech. For my part, I hope Minister Thomas will accede to the requests that have been made to him for the national church to take the lead in that effort.
Our commitment to be a denomination of extravagant welcome ought to compel us to engage in robust discussion of how the church should witness in a climate of declining civility and increasing polarization. Perhaps our called pastorate and the churches they serve should go on record, declaring themselves "hate free zones." For my part, I hope Minister Thomas will accede to requests made to him for the national church to take the lead in seeking commitments that "no way, no how" will our pulpits be stained by demeaning, divisive, or hateful speech from pastors, congregants, or guests.
david weintraub: The media, or more to the point, Obama's (and our) more unscrupulous opponents, will now use his resignation as "proof" that the UCC is "controversial" or "radical" or whatever it is that they find objectionable.
Mo: What part of Pfleger's "sermon" in which he mocked Hillary Clinton has a place in any church... Pfleger, and to some extent Wright (I saw his entire sermon on 911 and did not find anything inappropriate, altho his press club talk and attitude were incredibly self serving-it literally screamed F--- You Obama).
If the UCC expects its churches to have an "extravagent welcome" then it should have an extravagent message--to include whites in black churches and blacks in white churches--and not be preaching antiwhite sentiment--justice yes; but that is not what the guest preacher brought to the pulpit.
ernie beal: Our called pastorate and their congregations should consider pledging that our pulpits will be "hate free zones" where no person, sect, group, or interest shall be subject to demeaning words or divisive speech. For my part, I hope Minister Thomas will accede to the requests that have been made to him for the national church to take the lead in that effort.
I think the previous comments have summarized many of the initial concerns really well. The recent controversies at Trinity will hurt and confuse some who recognize and work to rebuke and remove the historic legacy of racism that persists in both institutional and personal forms because it will seem as if they are being undermined from within. There is a difference between speaking truth to power and going for a cheap pop from an audience (that is, getting a chorus of cheers by telling a crowd what they already believe and want to hear).
I thought that the UCC was getting some good press with their inclusiveness campaign and being cleared by the IRS. It isn't that good press is what really matters, but you can't get your message out if people aren't willing to listen to you. I wish the leadership and the local congregations wisdom and compassion in finding a way to use this mess for constructive purposes.
It is sad that the Obamas were forced to leave a church family where they have strong ties.
The only ones to blame are Jeremiah Wright and Otis Moss. I include Rev. Moss in the fact that he allowed Fr. Pfleger to access the pulpit and spew more hatred.
As a former UCC member, an Obama supporter, and a Catholic, it embarrasses me that such language and hatred came from the mouth of a priest, who took vows to be Christ-like in every way. I am very upset with the Archdiocese of Chicago that this man is still being permitted to even carry the title "Father".
Hmmm.. let's see, they make fun of women and whites... help a whole congregration become hate filled... what does it take for those in denial to see what is goin on?
I am a former UCC member who joined another denomination (Episcopal) because there was no UCC church in the area. I have tremendous respect for what the UCC has done with its courageous support of human justice, despite the bigotry that surround so much of these questions.
But on the Trinity UCC - Jeremiah Wright - Fr. Fleger - Barack Obama situation, the UCC leadership has confused understanding with excusing. Bigotry, demogoguery, and racial hatred have been expressed in Trinity's pulpit. To understand why is one thing; to excuse it is something different. It does, in fact, become moral indifference.
Please, UCC leadership, condemn hatred and demogoguery wherever they are expressed, even if they are expressed in churches that minister primarily to group that have been historically (and currently) suppressed. Yes, try to understand them why people fall into the trap of hatred. But never excuse them.
And, unfortunately, that is what you seem to have been doing.
As a Republican who probably will not vote for Obama I was still excited nonetheless that a member of the church I was baptised in could very well become President. The whole affair saddens me even though I despise the rhetoric of Wright et al and do not find it Christ like.
I am quite worried about the impact of this on our church and am offended by remarks by Obama's opponents about our church.
Leaning more on the Libertarian side of Republicanism there are many positions of the UCC I do not agree with. But I most comfortable with our theology and our inclusiveness of others, as well as our historic involvement in justice issues such as fighting slavery and standing up for the civil rights movement.
On another note, many years ago my local UCC church died and was turned over to another congregation. The nearest UCC churches are 8-10 miles away; being active otherwise in my community I sure wish there was a local church family to join. have tried to shoehorn myself into Disciples of Christ as well as Presbyterian congregations but it doesn't feel the same. Please keep this in your prayers.
What amazes me (perhaps I shouldn't be so amazed) is that I have yet to hear Rev. Thomas express his opinion, or give any pastoral guidance, as to whether ANYTHING that was said or done by Rev. Wright, Fr. Pfleger, TUCC, etc. is outside the boundries of what should be tolerated in a Christian church.
Please Rev. Thomas, we are looking for some pastoral leadership here. Is Fr. Pfleger's "sermon" an example of a "sacred conversation"?
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