New Hampshire church promotes domestic violence awareness year round October 2, 2012
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but the topic is something that Community Church of Durham (N.H.), UCC thinks about year round. The congregation has supported A Safe Place, a Portsmouth-based organization that works to prevent and eliminate domestic violence, for more than 2 decades.
West Chicago minister continues 30 years of immigration reform activism October 2, 2012
The Rev. Denise Griebler was on a bus with about 60 undocumented immigrants, chained at the wrists, ankles and waist. She was praying with them in Spanish right before the bus left for O’Hare International Airport, where the prisoners would board a plane and be dropped off at the Mexico border with $20 from the Mexican Embassy and the clothes on their back.
Jesse Jackson celebrates legacy of Everett Parker with UCC's Office of Communication, Inc. October 1, 2012
The Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, the UCC’s general minister and president, had the privilege of introducing the Rev. Jesse A. Jackson as the lecturer for the 30th annual Everett C. Parker Ethics in Communication Lecture in Washington, D.C. And as Black pointed out, he also had the privilege of not having to follow Jackson at the podium.
Faith,In project gives love to Cleveland in a staff day of service September 28, 2012
"We give a visible witness to the spirit that resides in us [when we] embrace the place where we are," said the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black.
Consider that statement by the United Church of Christ general minister and president the theme of the day as nearly 200 members of the UCC national staff lived their faith, loved their community in a work day dedicated to service projects.
Ecumenical leaders begin work for LGBT advocacy at summit September 28, 2012
After spending several days together to discuss inclusion of LGBT people and foster ways to collaborate, religious leaders from five mainline Protestant denominations left the UCC national offices optimistic that the meeting will bear fruit as they find ways to work together to advocate for LGBT rights.
Wyoming UCC celebrates National Coming Out Day despite local obstacles September 26, 2012
The United Church of Christ of Casper, Wyo., is busy preparing for its ninth annual National Coming Out Day celebration Oct. 11. While Rev. Dee Lundberg describes the event as a "fancy potluck," for her and her congregation, it's really much more than that.
Powerful shared experiences strongly link UCC's Council for Youth and Young Adult Ministries September 26, 2012
It was billed as business meeting, a weekend training and immersion experience for nine members of the UCC’s Council for Youth and Young Adult Ministries (CYYAM). A group of young people between 13 and 30 learning to lead by example, gathering at Centro Romero to prepare for General Synod 29.
A renewed Common Lot magazine reaches out to all UCC women September 26, 2012
The new-look Common Lot magazine is packed with vibrant photography, wonderful writing, and a wealth of information. But these are just a few of the reasons why the magazine’s publisher, the Rev. Loey Powell, believes it will speak to a range of readers who flip through its pages when the issue is distributed at the end of September.
The ministry of the UCC’s Bill Johnson celebrated in grand send-off service September 25, 2012
A celebration of four decades of ministry was the centerpiece of Sunday’s send-off service for the Rev. William R. Johnson at a church he helped plant in Lakewood, Ohio. At Liberation United Church of Christ, there were smiles, tears and well-wishes for Johnson, the first openly gay person ordained by a mainstream denomination, and reflections on the strides in equality for LGBT people.
Tennessee UCC joins Fast for the Earth movement September 21, 2012
The Fast for the Earth initiative is gaining momentum and Pleasant Hill (Tenn.) Community Church has signed on. On Sept. 23, 25 of the congregation's members will declare their fasting plans and receive blessings in a special worship service to kick off the two-week event.
Chicago pastor helps tell the real story of poverty in America September 20, 2012
Poverty is the theme of The Line, a 30-minute documentary that premiers Oct. 2. In the film, Rev. Julian DeShazier of University Church Chicago UCC discusses the role churches can play in combatting poverty, while real Americans discuss the struggles they experience living below the poverty line.
Everett Parker's influence still impacts today's media September 20, 2012
The landscape of media communications has changed in the 30 years since the inaugural Everett C. Parker Ethics in Telecommunications Lecture. But the influence of Parker’s groundbreaking work is still significant today.
Hawaii UCC supports foster children through outreach program September 19, 2012
Project Visitation relies on community volunteers, like the First United Protestant Church UCC in Hilo, Hawaii, to help organize visits for siblings separated by the foster care system and provide safe locations for the visits.
Offer prayers for peace on Friday, September 21 September 18, 2012
This Friday, September 21st, join people of faith all over the world, take a moment from daily life, and offer up prayers for peace.
UCC announces leadership changes to Church Building and Loan Fund September 18, 2012
A new leadership model and staff transitions will take place within the United Church of Christ’s Church Building and Loan Fund at the start of October in an effort to expand how the fund benefits UCC congregations.
Ms. Connie N. Larkman Managing Editor & News Director Publishing, Identity, and Communication Local Church Ministries/Office of General Ministries 700 Prospect Ave. Cleveland,Ohio 44115 216-736-2196 larkmanc@ucc.org
