The Rev. William Sloane Coffin in the United Church of Strafford circa 1983. Photo by Jon Gilbert Fox.

Please plan to attend and help spread the word about this celebration of Bill’s life, work and words.  We will be keeping his legacy here alive and reflecting on how we are doing at fulfilling the prophetic role he modeled and called the church to embody.  Here is the schedule so far.

Friday, March 22nd

• 7:00 PM Bach Concert, Annemieke McLane, piano and Emily Taubl, cello with refreshments to follow.  Admission by donation.  They will be performing Bach’s First Cello Suite, First keyboard/piano Toccata, the Italian Concerto and Gamba sonatas.

(Bill would have loved this concert, and he performed as pianist in similar concerts in this sanctuary, so while this is not directly affiliated with him it is a very fitting way to begin our celebration.)

Saturday, March 23^rd

• 1:30 PM The First Annual William Sloane Coffin Address, The Rev. Jim Antal

The Rev. Jim Antal is a denominational leader, climate activist, author and public theologian. He serves as Special Advisor on Climate Justice to the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. Antal’s book, CLIMATE CHURCH, CLIMATE WORLD, was featured on Earth Day 2018 in the Chicago Tribune.  From 2006-2018, Antal led the 350 UCC churches in Massachusetts as their Conference Minister and President. In 2017, Yale Divinity School honored him with the William Sloane Coffin Award for Peace and Justice.  Before leading the UCC in Massachusetts, for 20 years Antal was a local UCC pastor in Shaker Heights, Ohio and Newton, Massachusetts. In the mid-80s he served as Executive Director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (USA), an interfaith pacifist organization.

• 2:30-3:00 PM Reception

• 7:00 PM William Sloane Coffin on Film  featuring the documentary film An American Prophet

Sunday, March 24^th

• 10:00 AM Worship

Featuring a filmed or audio sermon by Bill, some of his favorite hymns, anthems and piano pieces

• After Refreshments: A Circle Conversation, open to all, expressing what we appreciate and remember about Bill and also asking, “What would Bill do in our day and what does his spirit call us to do?”

Please share this information with your church, organization and friends.  Here is a flyer you can post or send:

William Sloane Coffin 2019 Program