We live in very challenging times!

Dear Congregation,

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1:2

I think this greeting is just as appropriate and meaningful to use today to you members and friends of CCC as it was when the Apostle Paul used it to begin his letter to the saints of the church almost two thousand years ago. We live in very challenging times as did they. Although many things are obviously very different, some things, sadly, are not. There is still injustice, still wars, still persecution, still hunger. I could go on. And so we followers of Jesus Christ do well to be reminded that we are receivers of God’s grace and peace enabling us to be faithful as those early Christians were.

Two of the ways that CCC and its representatives have been, and are being, faithful are by attending the Final Prayer Vigil at Alligator Alcatraz Immigrant Detention Center last Sunday and by being an Open and Affirming Church.

As you can see in the pictures below Bianca, Mike Garcia, and I were part of the Final Prayer Vigil. After 47 continuous Sunday afternoon prayer vigils all detainees have been removed and the facility is closing down. The sustained efforts of people of varied faiths and representing many different groups and individuals, including the Miccosukee and environmentalists, have mattered. Although the struggle for immigrant justice continues what was done here made a difference. Thanks be to God!

A second way that CCC continues to be faithful is by living out our designation as an Open and Affirming Congregation. On July 12, 2003, our church, after study and prayer, received that designation at General Synod in Minneapolis, MN. Our certificate states, “The United Church of Christ Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns celebrates Christ Congregational UCC-Miami, FL ‘Having publicly declared a welcome into the full life and ministry of its church to persons of lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientation.’”

Representing the church, we are allies of PFLAG, Bianca and I have been part of PRIDE AT THE Capitol, and the church has generously supported Equality Florida. We continue to stand for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community under the law. Members of that community are a blessing to our congregation.

This Sunday we will celebrate Open and Affirming Sunday in worship with a special service. Our Praise and Worship Team will be present with inspirational music, so be sure to come early at 10:45 am for the gathering music. You will each receive a pride flag to wave! You’re invited to wear bright rainbow colors.

We’ll continue our celebration with a Food & Faith lunch afterward, then Juan Posso will lead us in a joyous Drum Circle. Plan to be present to feed both body and spirit.

See you Sunday!

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Candy