Missouri youth schedule weekend retreat of hands-on earth care during Mission 4/1 Earth
March 21, 2013
Young people from five United Church of Christ churches in Southside St. Louis will be joining forces to imagine God's dream for the earth, and work to make it reality in a weekend retreat during Mission 4/1 Earth.

UCC-owned hotel in Cleveland to get restaurant upgrade
March 20, 2013
The UCC’s Local Church Ministries Board of Directors voted last week to approve a loan of more than a half-million dollars to renovate a space for a new restaurant inside the church-owned Radisson Hotel. The venture will offer a better dining experience to visitors of the UCC and Cleveland’s Gateway District.

Commentary: Un Nuevo Dia, A New Day
March 19, 2013
What did the Rev. Bernice Powell Jackson take away from the CIW March in Florida? Memories of amazing grit, humility and determination of women, men and children that inspire and touch us all.

UCC immigration advocate leads prayer at Washington, D.C., rally
March 19, 2013
The Rev. Mari Castellanos, the United Church of Christ's policy advocate for domestic issues, gave the invocation at the Rally for Immigrant Women, Youth & Families March 18 in Washington, D.C.

Upstate New York church promotes enjoying the earth while caring for it
March 18, 2013
Earth Day has been a serious event for Zion United Church of Christ of Taborton in Sand Lake, N.Y. since the Rev. Robert Loesch joined the congregation seven years ago. This year, with Earth Day falling right in the middle of Mission 4/1 Earth, the group is particularly excited.

Wisconsin United Church Camps battle invasive plant life through reforestation project
March 18, 2013
In an effort to put an end to the devastation caused by invasive plants, Pilgrim Center and Moon Beach United Church Camps are conducting reforestation projects to help restore the area's natural habitat and bring the woods back to life.

UCC Conference effort to repeal death penalty pays off in Maryland
March 18, 2013
The Central Atlantic Conference is finally able to celebrate its work around advocating for abolishing the death penalty, as Maryland repealed a law Friday and will send the bill to the governor's desk for signature.

National radio show to honor Atlanta UCC member
March 15, 2013
Douglas Hooker, executive director of the Atlanta Regional Commission and member of First Congregational Church UCC, is one of six people that the syndicated ecumenical radio program Day 1 will recognize for commitment to their churches and community.

Mission 4/1 Earth to help plant trees in Haiti
March 15, 2013
Through a partnership with the Lambi Fund of Haiti, which began in 1994 to promote sustainable agriculture and reforestation in the country, United Church of Christ members can help put a little green back in Haiti’s landscape.

UCC LGBT advocates applaud Ohio senator's support of marriage equality
March 15, 2013
United Church of Christ LGBT advocates applaud Republican Senator Rob Portman's announcement that he is now a supporter of marriage equality.

UCC members join 200-mile march in Florida for fair labor conditions
March 15, 2013
Today, church leaders and members are walking in solidarity with the CIW once again on a 230-mile "March for Rights, Respect, and Fair Food" through Florida, ending with a rally on Sunday outside a company that won't bargain with the coalition.

Newtown UCC minister, interfaith leaders urge stricter gun laws
March 14, 2013
Newtown Congregational Church minister the Rev. Matt Crebin sees the approaching debate on gun violence as a moral issue. He and other faith leaders from the small Connecticut town wrote an open letter to U.S. Senators.

Campaign for new and renewing congregations to kick off at General Synod
March 14, 2013
Leaders of the United Church of Christ have identified the development of new congregations as a vital missional and fundraising priority in the future of the church. To underscore that commitment, a kick-off fundraiser, TESTIMONY!, scheduled during General Synod 2013, begins a major campaign to raise $1 million for church planting and renewal across the UCC.

UCC’s Neighbors in Need program sets new benchmark for grants
March 14, 2013
The UCC's Neighbors in Need program had a record-breaking year in 2012, with the highest number of grant recipients and the most money distributed to congregations and hunger-related ministries than ever before.

Vermont UCC's Kenyan connection is a Mission 4/1 Earth global tree planting partner
March 13, 2013
Through this connection, participants can purchase a tree to be planted in Kenya for $1 as part of the Mission 4/1 Earth goal to plant 100,000 trees worldwide.

UCC congregations to participate in World Wildlife Fund's Earth Hour March 23
March 13, 2013
As part of Earth Hour, a global initiative of the World Wildlife Fund, UCC congregations are planning inspiring celebrations to show their collective commitment to the planet.

W. Mark Clark to become chief administrative officer for UCC national offices
March 12, 2013
Recognizing the leadership and organizational insight of W. Mark Clark, the United Church of Christ’s national offices have appointed Clark to continue his work in a new role as the UCC’s chief administrative officer.

Massachusetts church sees spiritual opportunities in Lenten Carbon Fast
March 12, 2013
For the past 28 days, members of First Churches of Northampton (Mass.) have been actively engaging in ways to decrease their use of fossil fuels as part of the Annual Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast. But the Rev. Todd Weir hopes they will last long after Lent and maybe even develop into changes in lifestyle and mindset.

Eden Seminary president shares vision for the ‘future of the church’
March 11, 2013
The United Church of Christ is ready to live differently, stepping into an uncertain but exciting future, according to the president and professor of preaching and worship at Eden Theological Seminary. The Rev. David Greenhaw was the keynote speaker during a final joint gathering of the UCC’s individual ministry boards this weekend in Cleveland. A new United Church of Christ Board (UCCB) replaces the current structure on July 2, 2013, following the close of the UCC’s General Synod in Long Beach, Calif.

California project promotes environmentalism and healthy eating with school gardens
March 11, 2013
Students in grades 2-5 tend the garden after school through the Rev. Joe Zarro's Healthy Vines program, where they learn and have fun by getting their hands dirty in the great outdoors.