Commentary: La Mesa UCC’s Welcome Home Ministries fills a void
September 17, 2012
On Sept. 9, the United Church of Christ of La Mesa (Calif.) welcomed home one of its own – Thomas Skinner and his service dog, Scrubs. Tom had recently returned from a cross-country bicycle ride to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Virginia church luau honors Hawaiian senator in a spirit of multiculturalism
September 17, 2012
In a celebration of a relationship that goes back centuries, Hope Church UCC in Alexandria, VA hosted a luau on Saturday, in an evening of feasting and fellowship complete with Hawaiian food, music and dance and most important, an esteemed guest of honor.

Missouri UCC changes name to reflect beliefs
September 17, 2012
What's in a name? For the newly-branded Peace United Church of Christ in Webster Groves, Mo., a name is everything. Formerly the Evangelical UCC of Webster Groves, the church changed its name in a ceremony Sept. 9 to better reflect its open and affirming environment and its progressive style of worship.

UCC officers stand with fired GM workers in Colombia
September 17, 2012
The national leaders of the United Church of Christ are showing solidarity with and support for a group of injured automobile workers staging a hunger strike in Colombia to protest unfair labor practices.

Unified governance task force moves forward
September 14, 2012
As a specially-appointed task force hammers out details for the United Church of Christ’s transition to a unified board of governance, UCC leaders involved in the process have experienced a sense of hope and excitement in their collaboration.

Massachusetts UCC environmental ministry team takes climate change seriously
September 14, 2012
Deborah Baldwin and her Environmental Ministry Team have been busy. The members of the seven-person committee from the Congressional Church of Needham (Mass.) United Church of Christ have combined their passion for protecting the planet and have really started making some visible changes.

UCC joins other faith leaders to oppose Ryan budget
September 14, 2012
In response to Rep. Paul Ryan’s comments Friday morning on his budget proposal, Sandy Sorensen, director of the United Church of Christ’s offices in Washington, D.C., and other faith leaders took an opposing view, saying the plan is neither “faithful or fair.”

North Carolina UCC receives heart defibrillator through health and wellness program
September 14, 2012
Parkway United Church of Christ is now ready to take action if someone in the building shows signs of a heart attack. Through the North Carolina Council of Churches' Strive to Revive program, the Winston-Salem congregation qualified for free automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training, and the Rev. Craig Schaub made sure his church took advantage of the opportunity.

Passion for justice, extravagant welcome help advance UCC, Fellowship partnership
September 13, 2012
With a shared vision for standing up for underrepresented people, and a mutual passion for extravagant welcome, leaders of the United Church of Christ and the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries came together on Wednesday to begin the next chapter in a partnership of justice work, and to form a foundation for a long-standing relationship.

UCC member supports artistic diversity through National Black Female Photographers Day
September 13, 2012
What started out as a small group on Facebook has grown into an association of more than 450 women across the United States. Black Female Photographers will host its first national event Saturday, Sept. 15, and UCC member Zoraida Lopez can't wait to take part.

Through First Serve-Serve First project, First Congregational Church shows Faith,In Hudson
September 12, 2012
On a perfect fall Sunday in Hudson, Ohio, more than 600 volunteers from First Congregational Church went out to show their community some love.

The Amigos of the UCC's Penn Northeast Conference strive to raise awareness of international mission work
September 12, 2012
To say that Roger and Karen Heim are ambitious would be an understatement. The couple, members of Hope United Church of Christ in Allentown, Pa., is currently in the midst of a three-year, $300,000 project to build a multi-use clinic in one of Guatemala's most remote villages.

UCC leaders stand with ecumenical partners in advocating for poverty programs
September 12, 2012
United Church of Christ leaders the Rev. Geoffrey Black and the Rev. Linda Jaramillo joined other Christian leaders Wednesday, Sept. 12, asking for a "circle of protection" around vulnerable people and government programs vital to assisting the poor.

UCC member fulfills new mission with clothing line
September 11, 2012
The success of Jan Erickson’s clothing company began with a simple mission – to assist one of her fellow church members recovering from a stroke. Today her Colorado company and clothing line, Janska, is on the rise.

Wisconsin UCC fulfills community need for comprehensive sexual education
September 10, 2012
Members of First Congregational UCC in Eau Claire, Wis., first proposed the idea of offering comprehensive sexual education to middle school students a few years ago. At the time, the idea fizzled because of lack of interest. But times have changed, and two nine-session classes are being offered this fall.

Mission:1 money still coming into UCC
September 10, 2012
Money pledged to fight hunger during the United Church of Christ’s Mission:1 campaign, an all-church initiative last November, is still coming in to the national offices, with more than a quarter of a million dollars already distributed or earmarked for famine relief or food-related injustice.

UCC leaders applaud Dems for platform support of marriage equality
September 6, 2012
Leaders in the United Church of Christ from all corners of the country are applauding the Democratic Party’s historic move this week, becoming the first major U.S. political party to support gay marriage.

Long Beach clergy campaign for worker's rights on Labor Sunday
September 5, 2012
Long Beach, Calif., residents will vote in November on the issue of a living wage. Even though this proposal has been on the table for years and large hotel chains are doing what they can to fight it, getting "Measure N" on the ballot was an important milestone, one an area UCC pastor hopes will result in much needed change.

UCC leaders in Greece planning WCC World Assembly
September 4, 2012
The Rev. Geoffrey Black, along with the UCC's ecumenical officer, the Rev. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, is attending the World Council of Churches Central Committee meeting. He is one of 115 delegates of the WCC committee, gathering in Crete over a nine-day span, planning for next year’s WCC World Assembly in Busan, South Korea.

Faith,In project fuels hope for growth in members and mission in St. Louis
September 4, 2012
A pastor from the St. Louis area, immersed in assisting the marginalized in his neighborhood, is hoping that the Faith,In project provides a community spark that fuels further outreach. After all, the slogan of the UCC initiative – live your faith, love your community – is what Bethany Peace UCC in Spanish Lake, Mo. is all about.