Rev. Colin Bossen, senior minister at Houston’s First Unitarian Universalist Church, has publicly rejected his partner’s statements accusing Camp Mystic—a Christian girls’ camp devastated by deadly Texas floods—of being “white-only.” His partner, Sade Perkins, made the remarks during the rescue operation following the flood, asserting the camp excluded nonwhite children and that media empathy was race-based.
Bossen issued an apology to his congregation and the grieving Camp Mystic community, emphasizing that Perkins’ views did not represent him or the church. He pledged to support recovery efforts and address emotional harm caused by the comments. The church’s board president also clarified that Perkins held no official role and her remarks conflicted with the institution’s values focused on inclusivity.
As Camp Mystic focuses on rescue and healing from the disaster that claimed dozens of lives, this public repudiation highlights broader debates emerging when personal opinions intersect with institutional trust and ongoing tragedy.