August 13, 2025

Dear Friends in Christ, 

I’ve shared with you concerns I have about Christian Nationalism, the idea that we should be a Christian nation filled with laws based on some fundamental Christian interpretations of Scripture and beliefs.  So it was, I became concerned when our NH Conference Minister, Gordon Rankin, posted a note to churches warning us to be careful of “new strings” being attached to  Federal Nonprofit grants that churches may use to strengthen building security.  (You can read his note  in this newsletter.)

Then,  I read of a Texas legislator, James Talarico, a young rising politician who wears his Christianity on his sleeve.  But, not in expected ways.  For instance, as a Christian, he opposes a new Texas law requiring prominent display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.   And, yes he opposes it on religious, not political grounds! 

Interested in learning more, I looked up Talarico on Wikipedia  and read this description: 

“Talarico is ‘deeply religious’ Christian… (who) has cited his faith and the teachings of Jesus as the reason for launching his political career (and) describes politics as ‘another word for how we treat our neighbors’…  He is (also) an outspoken critic of  Christian Nationalism and has called it a “cancer on our religion.”

Intrigued, when I learned he’d recently been interviewed by the popular, controversial podcast host, Joe Rogan, I “tuned in.”  I encourage you to do so, too (Episode #2382).  For, theirs is an interesting, timely conversation about Christianity, church, and politics in our day.  And, they cover a lot more ground than what you might imagine.

Blessings of Living in Our Time and times, Pastor Ed

Federal Non-Profit Security Grant News

In past years, many of our churches have been able to take advantage of Federal Nonprofit Security Grants to help with strengthening the security of their buildings. Such grants have proved valuable to our churches. This past week Attorney Heather Kimmel, General Counsel for the United Church of Christ, wrote to all conferences to informs us that the terms and conditions for receiving federal grants have changed.  Attorney Kimmel writes: “I know that some of our churches have received and relied upon HHS grants, FEMA grants, and other types of federal grants to support their ministries. I know that some churches are planning to apply for federal grants under the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Please encourage your churches to carefully review the terms and conditions of any federal grant they are choosing to apply for, with their own legal counsel. The terms and conditions for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program now require recipients and subrecipients of the funding, among other things, to cooperate with immigration officials, not engage in or promote programs that engage in DEI, DEIA, or “discriminatory equity ideology” within the meaning of the Executive Order, in violation of anti-discrimination laws, and not participate in discriminatory prohibited boycotts relating to Israel. HHS is also requiring certification of compliance with not engaging in DEI activity.” We want all our churches to be aware that if you agree to receive federal grant money at this time, and your church is engaged in such things as Open and Affirming, racial justice work, and immigration and refugee support, there could be consequences that include, but are not limited to, needing to repay all such funds. I would strongly encourage the leadership of any church that is considering receiving federal grant funds that you review the terms and conditions with your church’s legal counsel.  Gordon