Forrest Church

Forrest Church was a prominent Unitarian Universalist minister, author, and theologian, known for his progressive and inclusive views, which were influenced by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and William Ellery Channing. He was a strong advocate for social justice, human rights, and environmental protection, often drawing inspiration from the works of Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Rachel Carson. Church's ministry was shaped by his experiences at Harvard University, where he studied under James Luther Adams and Robert N. Bellah, and his involvement with organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. His commitment to interfaith dialogue and cooperation led him to engage with leaders like Desmond Tutu, Dalai Lama, and Pope John Paul II.

● Early Life and Education

Forrest Church was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Frank Forrester Church III, a United States Senator from Idaho, and Bethine Clark Church. He grew up in a family that valued public service and social responsibility, with his father's work influencing his own interests in politics and social justice. Church attended Harvard University, where he studied philosophy and theology under the guidance of James Luther Adams and Robert N. Bellah, and was also influenced by the works of Paul Tillich and Reinhold Niebuhr. He later attended Harvard Divinity School, earning his Master of Divinity degree, and was ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister in 1978 at the Unitarian Church of All Souls in New York City.

● Career

Church's ministry spanned over three decades, during which he served as the senior minister of the Unitarian Church of All Souls in New York City, a position previously held by William Sloane Coffin and John Haynes Holmes. He was a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and economic equality, often drawing inspiration from the works of Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King Jr., and Cornel West. Church was also a vocal critic of the Iraq War and the War on Terror, and was involved in various peace activism efforts, including work with Amnesty International and the American Friends Service Committee. His commitment to interfaith dialogue led him to engage with leaders from various faith traditions, including Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism, and to participate in events like the Parliament of the World's Religions.

● Theology and Writings

Church's theological views were shaped by his Unitarian Universalist background and his interests in process theology and liberal theology, which were influenced by the works of Alfred North Whitehead, Charles Hartshorne, and William Dean Howells. He was a prolific author, writing over 20 books on topics such as theology, philosophy, and social justice, including works like The Cathedral of the World and Love and Death. Church's writings often explored the intersection of faith and politics, and he was particularly interested in the role of religion in promoting social change and human rights, as seen in the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther King Jr., and Oscar Romero. His books were widely praised by scholars and theologians, including Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, and Karen Armstrong.

● Personal Life

Church was married to Allison Stokes, and they had two children, Emily Church and Lincoln Church. He was a strong advocate for family values and community building, and was involved in various community development initiatives, including work with the United Way and the Salvation Army. Church was also a passionate supporter of the arts, and was involved in various cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York City Ballet. His love of music and literature was reflected in his friendships with artists like Leonard Bernstein, Isaac Stern, and Garrison Keillor.

● Death and Legacy

Forrest Church passed away on September 24, 2009, after a long battle with esophageal cancer. His legacy continues to inspire social justice activists, theologians, and community leaders around the world, including figures like Barack Obama, Angela Davis, and Cornel West. Church's commitment to interfaith dialogue and human rights has left a lasting impact on the Unitarian Universalist community, and his writings continue to be widely read and studied by scholars and theologians, including those at Harvard University, Yale University, and the University of Chicago. His memory is honored through various initiatives and awards, including the Forrest Church Award for Human Rights and the Unitarian Universalist Association's Social Justice Award. Category:Unitarian Universalist ministers