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In Cleveland, Ohio, from April 23 to 25, the United Church of Christ (UCC) convened leaders for a visioning retreat named "A Tent of Our Own Making." The event brought over 50 representatives from various ministries within the denomination to discuss the future of an inclusive and diverse church.
The UCC, known for its progressive stances on several high-profile issues like climate change and LGBTQIA+ rights, acknowledges that not all its congregations align with the national church's views. Under the leadership of Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, General Minister and President of UCC since August 2023, the church aims to embrace its diversity. She described the UCC as a “big-tent church,” representing a multitude of beliefs and ideas.
The retreat featured panel discussions and conversations centering around challenges and aspirations for the church. Rev. Shari Prestemon spoke on her experience in Global Ministries, emphasizing the need for inclusivity in church representation, saying, “I was representing something that I was not expecting to represent that day.”
Rev. Toni Hawkins highlighted efforts by the Southwest Conference to “decenter whiteness,” a priority set before her role as the first Black American leading the Conference. She remarked, “Decentering whiteness will allow us to be able to embrace diversity.”
Thompson shared her vision of a big-tent church, drawing from a personal story, and emphasized the collective effort needed for progress. She stated, “We don’t get to step back and have one person put the tent up, because the rest of us can’t figure it out.” She urged participants to remain open-minded and listen actively to one another.
Challenging the church to prepare for its current calling, Thompson said, “Are we ready for this Jesus we keep asking about?” The discussions are set to continue with broader participation as the UCC seeks to redefine its narrative and engage inclusively.
Rev. Thompson concluded with a call to trust in divine guidance, assuring the leaders, “Trust that God has brought you here for a reason.”
