Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie

Merry Christmas

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:5 NRSV)

Dear friends,

We note during this difficult time for our nation and the world that there is hope. Let this Christmas be remembered as the time that good people of faith gathered with together with others - regardless of their faith tradition - to set the captives free, as Jesus taught. Too many people are held captive today by poverty and hunger, racism and oppression, war and human caused changes to our environment. In this season of darkness we must summon new hope, and shine a light that brings justice to places where sin thrives on darkness and indifference.

In Peace,

Rev. Chuck Currie

Response To PBA president's Daryl Turner Statement

The president of the Portland Police Association, the police union, has released a statement arguing that those protesting for reforms of unjust systems of policing and criminal justice are to blame for the tragic killing of two NYPD officers.

As I said over the weekend, the murders of those two public servants were an attack on all Americans. PBA president Daryl Turner's rhetoric is reckless.

The PBA has been a long-time opponent of reform. The union has protected officers who have dishonored the Portland Police Bureau. There are too many examples of the PBA putting the union before the city of Portland and the civil rights of our citizens.

Officer Turner is free to express his opinions as a union representative. But we need leaders in Portland right now who respect civil rights, respect the citizens of this city, and are willing to begin the hard work of starting a process to bring reconciliation between police and the citizens they are sworn to protect.

I think all Portlanders recognize the sacrifice made by the Portland Police and we honor that. At the same time, we should not be disrespected as a city by the PBA president who is willing to tear Portland further apart when we need to be brought together to fix serious issues that impede justice in Portland.

Rev. Chuck Currie

Our Obligation Is To Build A Better America

It is generally a good assumption that any attack on a public servant is an attack on all of us.  That was certainly the case yesterday when NYPD officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were shot dead by an assailant who earlier shot his ex-girlfriend.  Liu and Ramos represented the diversity and promise of America.  Ismaaiyl Brinsley claimed to be killing in revenge for police misconduct.  Proponents of reform of America's dysfunctional criminal justice system have argued during mostly non-violent demonstrations for legislative changes and court remedies.  Violence has no place in this movement.

Sadly, NYPD Patrolmen's Benevolent Association president Patrick Lynch laid blame for the deaths of Liu and Ramos on not just their killer but directly on NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has supported reform, and other conservative voices on Sundays televisions programs have indicted President Obama and AG Holder - along with clergy and non-protesters...anyone who questions the system as it stands.  This is reckless rhetoric.

The system as it stands is broken.  We treat African-Americans differently in the criminal justice system then we do whites.  Women are targets of domestic violence in a society that allows such violence to occur often with impunity.  Cops can be shot down by people that never should have had access to guns because they are so easy to obtain in the NRA's America.

Right now we need to be about the building of a stronger America where the structural injustices of race are addressed and the hard work of reconciliation is engaged.  There is too much violence.  There is too much hatred.  Our obligation is to build a better America.  The deaths of Liu and Ramos will just be two more meaningless murders otherwise.

Addressing Emerging Issues With A Prophetic Voice Through Social Media

Monday, Dec. 15th | 3pm Eastern / Noon Pacific

The media often calls clergy and lay leaders to respond to social issues, such as gun violence, racism and marriage equality. Too often the media only invites more conservative religious to share their views with the public. Join us on December 15th for a webinar, which will teach participants skills to use social media as a tool to promote progressive Christian messages in ways that are both ethical and effective – tools that will help capture attention from traditional media. Sponsored by Justice and Witness Ministries, United Church of Christ and presented by Rev. Chuck Currie, Director of the Center for Peace and Spirituality and University Chaplain at Pacific University, you do not want to miss this helpful training.

Register now.

.@MayorPDX should remove @PortlandPolice officers who posted "I am Darren Wilson" pics from duty. #furgeson #pdx pic.twitter.com/ebmW2EWV6N

— Rev. Chuck Currie (@RevChuckCurrie) November 24, 2014