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On most Sundays, Rev. Tony Coleman delivers sermons at the First Congregational Church of Memphis, surrounded by colorful art and a diverse congregation. Known as First Congo, the church is more than a place of worship; it houses a food justice ministry, a bike co-op, and a hostel. Rev. Coleman describes the sanctuary as the "center of gravity" for the church.
In January, United Church of Christ (UCC) National staff visited Memphis for an interfaith service and meeting. During this visit, General Minister and President Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson invited Coleman to preach at the upcoming General Synod in Kansas City, Missouri.
Rev. Thompson remarked on Coleman's impactful message, saying he is "a leader that the broader church should get to know," adding that he "will bring a prophetic message for the church in these times." Coleman was both humbled and surprised by this invitation.
Coleman will deliver his sermon during the closing worship service of the General Synod on July 15. Registration for this denominational gathering is currently open.
Rev. Coleman first encountered UCC during his college years at Williams College in Massachusetts. The unique approach to nurturing hope and community drew him in, leading him to pursue divinity school and eventually intern at First Congo under then-Senior Pastor Rev. Cheryl Cornish.
Cornish had guided First Congo through significant changes, including becoming Open and Affirming in 1991. The congregation embraced artistic expression within worship spaces, transforming their sanctuary into a vibrant canvas.
Rev. Coleman emphasizes building community over adherence to beliefs in his pastoral work: “Church has to set building community and a sense of belonging over trying to nurture adherence to certain beliefs,” he said.
First Congo's congregation includes artists, activists, and individuals involved in its food justice ministry—many drawn to its inclusive environment. “I often refer to it as the island of misfit toys,” Coleman said.
The church's mission is especially vital amid what Coleman describes as a "loneliness epidemic" and divisive political climate: “People come to church...for good news,” he noted.
The UCC Missouri Mid-South Conference sponsors the upcoming General Synod alongside another conference. Conference Minister Rev. Mary Nelson commended Coleman's ability to ground discussions in faith: “Rev. Tony Coleman is...one of the best preachers in the UCC today.”
As July's General Synod approaches with its theme "Into the Deep," Coleman reflects on commitment within communities: “We’re in a time when every single norm and boundary is being tested."
For many seeking hope, Coleman believes it remains central to church work: “So many of us are looking for hope...that’s our business.” He sees parallels between current events and biblical stories as opportunities for churches today.
“I feel lucky that I get to make that my work,” he concluded.
