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In yesterday’s paper I read that my church, United Church of Christ, has been eliminated from the Pentagon’s list of approved faith denominations in what seems to be their latest attempt to control the religious freedom of our military.
This is the same church that was founded by the Pilgrim/Puritan community after they immigrated to America to escape religious persecution. This is the church that was active in the abolitionist movement, and later, the civil rights movement. This is the church that today welcomes all, has women in the pulpit, and remains on the front lines in the fight for human rights for everyone. This is the church of past Presidents John Adams, Calvin Coolidge and Barack Obama.
The local church, founded in 1822, was Ravenna’s first church. The bell in the steeple rang when President Lincoln made a brief whistle stop on his way to Washington and again when his funeral train made its last trip to Illinois.
Our church has participated in hundreds of charitable efforts over the past 204 years and continues these acts today. We have been involved with other local congregations in feeding the food disadvantaged for over 20 years. We help support the Center of Hope and the Raven Packs program and many other local charities. Two of our members founded the Portage County chapter of Habitat for Humanity and we still have volunteers actively helping at local builds.
Members of my family have been baptized, married and buried by pastors of The First Congregational Church, UCC of Ravenna for over 70 years. Our members have tried our best to be examples of the Christian faith in this community and beyond and I think we have succeeded.
As I write this I have noticed a theme. Fleeing immigrants, involvement in the anti-slavery movement, support of civil rights action, acceptance of all, recognition of women’s rightful participation, are all issues in constant contention today. Our denomination has not been afraid to take a stand. Could that be why our “faith code” will no longer be stamped on the dog tags of our military personnel?
I hope that all the faith communities that made the cut and are still recognized, will join us in asking our elected officials to intervene on our behalf and correct this situation.
—Jane Moser, Ravenna
Letter to the editor
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