[My seminary professor] said, 'Our purpose is to bestow worth and value on those who don't value themselves or aren't valued by society, or both.' When he said that, any small doubt I had about becoming a minister disappeared."

The Rev. William Belko, retiring pastor of Northport Trinity UCC near Lake Leelanau, Mich., reflecting on his 38 years of ministry. (Leelanau Enterprise, Sept. 15)

You cannot talk about the biblical text without getting political. A pastor is required to apply the text to political realities, and sometimes you have to say things against political policies."

The Rev. Steve Johnson, speaking about the UCC's "100,000 People for Peace" campaign and his efforts to ask his parishioners to join him in signing the UCC's "Pastoral Letter on the Iraq War." (Press & Sun Bulletin, Binghamton, N.Y., Sept. 13)

When we work together, we are a stronger witness for Christ. So while churches can work by themselves, we know that we are together in that covenant and can learn from one another."

The Rev. Anne Shedden-Willis, pastor of Crossroads Community UCC in Melbourne, Fla., in a lengthy feature story on UCC's 50th anniversary. (Florida Today, Sept. 14)

Please join us in supporting an organization that helps to promote acceptance, love and respect in our local community."

City Councilman Evan Low of Campbell, Calif., in an e-mail to constituents, after an anti-gay slur was painted on the sign outside Campbell UCC, an Open and Affirming congregation. (San Jose Mercury-News, Aug. 22)