Remembering Irwin Smallwood, a media justice champion

The UCC Media Justice Ministry lost a longtime friend earlier this spring when W. Irwin Smallwood, a legendary North Carolina newspaper editor, died on March 9 at the age of 98. Smallwood was a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ and served for a time as a board member of our organization when it was known as the Office of Communication, Inc., or OC Inc. 

He was also a lifelong champion for media and social justice. Sara Fitzgerald, UCC Media Justice Board Treasurer, prepared this moving blog post in Irwin’s memory.

 

A prayer for the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program

On April 30, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) began shutting down after Congress failed to save its funding. The last, partial payments will end on May 31. Congress needs to extend funding for the program before it is too late.

Rev. Kelli Parrish Lucas, Pastor of First Congregational Church in Rock Spring, Wyoming, offered a moving prayer for families impacted by the end of this essential program. “Let us pray: Christ, you taught us to help those who are poor, to reach out to those who are struggling, and bring them along so that all your children might be part of the human community.” 

Read and reflect on the full prayer here.

 

REMINDER: Mark your calendars!

The 42nd Annual Parker Lecture and Awards Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, D.C.!

Stay tuned for more details, including ticket information, sponsorship, our 2024 lecturer, and honorees!

Click here to learn more about this special event.

 

Support the fight for media justice with a donation today!

For more than 60 years, the United Church of Christ has been at the forefront of media justice because we know we can't achieve social justice without media justice. But we can’t do it alone. 

Will you make a donation today to sustain our movement?

 
United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry (UCCMJM)
100 Maryland Ave., NE Suite 330 | Washington, District of Columbia 20002
202.904.2168 | info@uccmediajustice.org
 
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