Dean's UCC connection

[Cheswick2.0]

http://www.spiritucc.org/newsletter/ucc.html

Reprinted from the September edition of UCC News (http://www.ucc.org)
<snip>

One of those beliefs led him to stand up for and sign Vermont's civil union legislation that provides samesex couples with the same rights and privileges as heterosexual couples. "It was a simple matter of right and wrong. Even though it was politically risky, it was the right thing to do," Lee says. "Gov. Dean signed the bill without fanfare, without letting those who opposed it use the signing ceremony as another opportunity to be divisive."


Dean, who grew up Roman Catholic, was introduced to Burlington's First Congregational UCC by his then-landlord while Dean was completing his medical residency in Vermont. Dean's wife, Judith Steinberg Dean, who also is a doctor, is Jewish. Their two children have been raised with exposure to both traditions by observing Jewish and Christian holidays.

<snip>


Dean, 54, has been a member of the UCC for 21 years, and Lee says Dean's church membership and faith are important to him. "During the time of my ministry, I have experienced Howard as a supportive and faithful member of the congregation," Lee says.


One way Dean has shown that support was after the first round of President Bush's so-called tax rebates for "middle-class Americans." The congregation's board of trustees suggested that members of the church, who were able, consider donating part of those funds to ministries for the poor. "One of the first letters I received in response to that appeal was from the Governor of Vermont's office, with a check for his entire tax rebate," Lee says.


<snip>


Laurie Bartels
United Church News

[mrgorth]

1. I was RC

but started going to our local UCC church. I thought Dean was a congregationalist but I knew the 2 were linked. Cool.

[Cheswick2.0]

2. Hi mrgorth

I have attended both. Now I am a member of Presbyterian USA. There is not much difference between any of them. I would be happy in any of the congregations.

[mrgorth]

9. It's funny being RC

I just have this abbhorence of fundamentalism. I was very disturbed when I noticed that the UCC had the same flag (I assume it's a protestant flag...white, blue field, red cross) that the baptists do. My wife suggested a presbyterian church and we had friends that were presbyterians but, this is a pretty big jump for me. The irrRev. Ian Paisely calls his church some version of presbyterianism and he's one of the most horrible men in the world.

[Cheswick2.0]

12. I am not familiar with the Rev Paisely

He is probably PResby reformed or American. They are the fundy offshoots formed when Prebyterian USA refused to condemn the ordination of women and the membership of homosexuals and other evil liberal/inclusive acts of Presby USA.
The original Presbyterian church in this country is ideed another branch of the same tree as the congregationalists.

[mrgorth]

14. Ian Paisely

http://www.dup2win.com/ianpaisley.asp

[janx]

3. Rock on, Gov. Dean, with the Congregational Church!

I should go back to it someday soon. I was raised in it but haven't gone in years.

[Cheswick2.0]

4. Good morning janx

I posted this to counter the ridiculous Dean has a religious problem spin. Congregationalist is the church of my mothers family for many generations. I always feel at home there.

[janx]

8. Well I'm glad to see something positive on the board today.

Thanks for posting it. I didn't know that Gov. Dean had been a member for 21 years. Other articles usually emphasize his split with the Episcopalians and make it sound as if he joined the Congregational Church very recently.

So your post was both optimistic and informative.

[NashVegas]

5. Dean Was Not a Catholic

Episcopalian, IIRC.

[Cheswick2.0]

7. not according to this person

But she could have made a mistake. Does it really matter?

[mrgorth]

10. He was

RC at some point. I heard him say it on 60 minutes.

[janx]

11. He was in fact baptized in the RCC--

but that was a long time ago...

[mzmolly]

13. He was both to my understanding...

Catholic first, then Eposcopalian then UCC. At least thats what I've read.

I was wavering between UCC and other church *provided I get my arse to church at all*

However, Im now sold UCC is the way to go. ;)

Back to sebaticle, just wanted to comment.

:hi:

[dkf]

6. Great statement that captures the essence of what Gov. Dean is about

"That response, Lee says, is Dean's faith at work. "At the core of Howard Dean is a passionate commitment to seeing society respond generously and effectively to those who are in need," says Lee. Dean exhibits "a sense of impatience with those who would play loose with that." Lee says that, for him, that's like a breath of fresh air."