Letter to Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright And Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III Trinity United Church of Christ

April 3, 2008

The Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, and
The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III
The Saints who are Trinity United Church of Christ
400 West 95 th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60628

We, your UCC brothers and sisters in and around New York City , the Metropolitan Association of the New York Conference, want you to know of our deep concern, abiding support, faithful solidarity, encouragement and love. We cannot imagine the difficulties that media misrepresentation of your ministries and faith community have occasioned. As our Conference Minister, the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, has pointed out, this is one more instance in a long line of U.S. history's vilification of African Americans who raise their voices against injustice, oppression and inequality.

Hopefully, you are steadfast in the power of the mission you have accomplished on God's behalf. Perhaps, as well, there is solace in recognizing your role in prompting Senator Obama's historic “A More Perfect Union,” one of the most significant speeches on race and religion ever spoken by a U.S. elected official.

Among our people in New York , there has been an outcry of frustration over the misrepresentation of the ministries of Rev. Wright. We have appreciated Rev. Wright's visits to Riverside 's pulpit over these last years, and we admire the mission, ministry and service of your congregation.

There has been real concern here that the United Church of Christ stand in solidarity with Rev. Wright, Rev. Moss and the whole Trinity church family. The Association has communicated the national setting's attempts to do so and the difficulties encountered in getting media attention for news that is balanced, nuanced or positive. Yesterday's statement in the New York Times should go a long way to reassure our people and inform others.

We promise you all, finally, that individually and from our pulpits, we are doing what we can to set the record straight and to represent fairly the faithfulness of your vital witness. We are also organizing a dialogue on race and religion among members of the United Church of Christ and others at the Congregational Church of Manhasset on Long Island . Please know that we commit to you our prayers, encouragement and any help you may ask.

Yours in the struggle and in Christ,

The Rev. Dr. Ruby Wilson
President, Board of Directors
Metropolitan Association

The Rev. Michael W. Caine
Southeastern Regional Conference Minister, New York Conference