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Dealing with race head on
BY SUSAN M. COVER
Staff Writers Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 05/19/2008

BY SUSAN M. COVER

& JOEL ELLIOTT

Staff Writers

Those who attended local United Church of Christ services on Sunday said they are sad it's necessary to revisit the topic of race, but glad their church is dealing with the issue head-on.

The Rev. Kimberly Murphy of the Winthrop Congregational Church and the Rev. Kenneth L. Smith of the First Congregational Church in Waterville challenged those who attended services not to be quiet.

They listened.

Waterville church members said the sermon, and the emphasis that the UCC is placing on racial reconciliation, was refreshing.

"It is wonderful in that it is empowering people to stand up for what they believe, and I think we need that more," church member Cindy Wright said.

At a coffee following the Winthrop service, Wendy Dennis said the "foundation of our church is peace and justice for all."

"Obviously all issues of justice are important for us to discuss, even if they are the same issues that have been dealt with before," she said.

The national office of the United Church of Christ, which has 5,700 affiliates across the country, called for all churches to talk about race Sunday in part because of comments made by Chicago pastor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, a former UCC pastor.

Wright, who once served as pastor to presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, made comments about race and the U.S. government that sparked a firestorm of debate.

In Waterville, Smith said he will no longer keep silent when he sees discrimination, and exhorted parishioners to speak up as well.

"Looking back, I can tell you that I have benefited in many ways because of white, male privilege," he said.

He told of personal experiences with racial discrimination, including times when, as a bank manager years ago, he was required to note a loan applicant's race before referring it to the approval committee.

Murphy said the Winthrop church has a long history of "speaking out against injustice."

"Do we embrace the spirit of our ancestors and begin to learn anew what our own prophetic voices sound like?" she asked. "This is only the beginning. We will talk more, trust me."

Murphy recalled a pastor from the 1800s who spoke out about the injustices of slavery. The Rev. David Thurston, whose portrait hangs in the back of the church, was forced to leave the church because of his strong views. She encouraged modern day prophets to speak up for what they believe in.

Murphy also said she initially struggled with the topic of race when the national church asked that they begin "a sacred conversation" about the topic.

But those who attended her service said the story about Thurston's courage rang true.

"To me it's a very sad thing to fight over," said Peter Coulton of East Winthrop. "I guess we have to still keep talking."

Waterville church member Ray Phillips said it's good for the UCC church to focus on the issue.

"I've listened to a lot of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's sermons in the past two weeks -- in their totality -- there's a lot to agree with, although he does go over the edge at times," he said.

Susan Cover -- 623-1056

scover@centralmaine.com

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