September 18, 2026

Hello beautiful church,

“Social Justice Church.”

That’s what churches sometimes get labeled when they tend to care about social issues concerning inequity, inequality, injustice, and the like.

But why?

When did caring about what happens in the lives of people around us become a particular kind of Christianity?

Why wouldn’t we care about the life and world around us? Why wouldn’t we be curious about what we can do to make an impactful difference in people’s lives?

When we look at the gospels, we certainly see spiritual renewal. But we also encounter a call to a certain way of living—with all sorts of subversive and uncomfortable ethics that we don't always quite have an imagination for…yet.

And I wonder if labeling congregations “social justice churches” sometimes reveals that what we are actually missing is a little healthy biblical and theological imagination.

So, this Sunday, September 20^th, we are following the lead of the UCC in its observance of Just Peace Sunday.

While I am away this weekend, you will have the honor of hearing from Professor Susan Cushman, a professor, scholar, and soon-to-be MDiv graduate. Susan is also a member of our congregation here at GCCC and has spent her career teaching and researching issues of justice, gender, and equality.

And while we won't have time for the full rundown, she is inviting us to take another look at the parable of the vineyard workers.

I have had the privilege of sitting with Susan at length as we have talked about questions of justice and God’s generosity, and looked at our modern-day world through biblical lenses to discern where and how we might be useful.

I am genuinely excited to have her in our pulpit this Sunday.

I hope you will join Professor Cushman and the rest of the congregation for Just Peace

Sunday. I will certainly be joining you online.

Blessings,

Maria