This Sunday is a very important day in the life of the United Church of Christ. As we begin our Sacred Conversation on Race many pastors will choose to focus their sermons on the issue of race. This will be a time when the pain of our history meets the hope of our future - as a church and as a nation.

What will follow in the days and months ahead will undoubtedly open wounds for many, but we also search for healing and reconciliation in the midst of the grace of God's Holy Spirit.

Many across the church have already begun having these sacred conversations in formal ways, and many others are seeking meaningful ways to set these dialogues into motion. Undoubtedly, there are numerous ways to engage the issue, and there are scores of excellent experienced facilitators.

We encourage serious and thoughtful consideration be given to the organizing of your sacred conversations. Therefore, a new resource - Steps for Starting the Conversation – has been developed to assist our congregations.

Recognizing that this Sacred Conversation on Race should not be a one-time event, the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries, in working with the denomination's other Covenanted Ministries, will provide ongoing assistance and resources for the journey.

We seek God's blessings during this Pentecost experience.

The Rev. M. Linda Jaramillo
Executive Minister
Justice and Witness Ministries

P.S. We have created a special YouTube group site where UCC churches and pastors can upload sermons from May 18 to share with others. We encourage you to video your pastor's sermon for others to see!