Pastoral Letter: MLK Jr. Event 2025

Beloved Members and Friends of First Congregational Church of Akron,

We write to reflect on the recent Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Coalition Scholarship Event hosted in our sanctuary by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Coalition. Centered on the theme of “Protecting, Educating, and Nurturing Youth,” this event was a powerful testament to hope and justice. Together, we honored Dr. King’s enduring legacy of love, compassion, and unity, while celebrating the awarding of three $1,500 scholarships to local students—an investment in a brighter, more equitable future.

Yet we, along with many others, continue to feel deeply troubled by the words shared by one of the event’s speakers. While this speaker expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with others, including the Akron Public School Superintendent and the Chief of Police, they openly contradicted this openness by dismissing First Congregational Church, the event’s host, and declaring, “I know I won’t be invited back.” During his remarks, he proceeded to target the LGBTQ+ community and disparaged those whose beliefs differed from his. This behavior ignored the identity of our congregation as an Open and Affirming church, unfairly portraying progress for marginalized groups—such as the LGBTQ+ community—as conflicting with Christianity’s role in our shared public lives.

Such a stance is particularly troubling in the context of honoring Dr. King, whose work focused on addressing systemic inequities and advocating for the marginalized. Dr. King’s vision of progress sought to repair generations of exclusion and harm, a vision far from being fully embraced in society today. Yet even more troubling was the speaker’s acknowledgement that his words would cause harm, presenting them as “what the Bible says” when they were, in fact, personal interpretations that betrayed Christ’s inclusive and loving message. Instead of fostering dialogue and understanding, his words deepened divisions and inflicted pain.

As scholarship recipient Zora Natrice Brown so eloquently championed, echoing the philosophy of nonviolence that Dr. King espoused, “The Christian virtues of mercy, love, and forgiveness should stand at the center of our lives.” Her words remind us of the profound call to extend empathy and support to all who are marginalized. Nonbinary individuals, those who are transitioning, and all people who identify with the LGBTQ+ community deserve to experience these virtues in action, as we strive to create a community rooted in love, inclusion, and acceptance for all.

To those who were hurt, we offer our heartfelt apology. Please know that your pain is seen, your worth is honored, and your voice matters deeply to this community. We are committed to taking intentional steps to ensure that all who enter this sacred space feel safe, valued, and affirmed. Dr. King’s life reminds us that when we stand together in love and respect, we can build a world that reflects God’s vision of justice and peace. Let us recommit to being a church where all are welcomed and affirmed, and where the dream of a more just and compassionate world is alive in our words and actions.

May we move forward with renewed hope, choosing love over hate and unity over division, as we continue to embody the values of Christ’s inclusive and boundless love.

With love and hope,

Rev.s Bobby Burtt (they, he) and Jeff Jackson (he/him) 

Ministers of First Congregational Church of Akron