2025 in review: Ten hope-filled stories from UCC News

While 2025 was a year with many challenges and set-backs, there was also great hope to be found in the way that communities and individuals showed up to center some of the values so central to the United Church of Christ – extravagant welcome, justice, and love.

As the year comes to a close, UCC News has compiled ten stories from throughout this year that resonated widely and shined a light on how congregations, ministries, and individuals have meaningfully and creatively lived into the practice of hope.

1. Thompson addresses the danger of nationalism at German gathering: Stop calling it ‘Christian’

The United Church of Christ’s General Minister and President, the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson stressed the need to “speak out around the misinformation and disinformation that is aligned with Christianity” at the 39th Deutscher Evangelischer Kirchentag where over 100,000 people gathered in Hannover, Germany. Additionally, Thompson responded to many significant events and experiences throughout the year in her blog, On My Mind Today, which she began in February.

2. UCC clergy running for political office feel a calling to do more in their communities  

The need for civility and greater community engagement is a common theme through the campaigns of several UCC clergy running for city, state, and U.S. government positions who were featured in this story. Some view this work as an extension of their ministry.

3. Congregations step up their mental health initiatives, creatively turning unused spaces into places of connection

Churches have been responding in varied and creative ways to the anxiety that one Pennsylvania pastor described as “hanging over so many people.” This story shared the efforts and impacts of three congregations intentionally engaging mental health awareness and resources.

4. Heading ‘Into the Deep’ at General Synod 35

Over 40 UCC News stories captured the worship, business, fellowship, and witness of July’s General Synod 35. Highlights include: an emotional ‘No ICE Raids’ prayer service and rally; GMP Thompson’s call to the UCC’s embodied future; the election of the Rev. Shari Prestemon as UCC Associate General Minister and Co-Executive of Global Ministries; and the Rev. Jennifer Butler speaking on the Bible as a handbook for resisting tyranny. Several resolutions passed, including emergency resolutions responding to needs surrounding immigrants, migrants, and refugees; the genocide in Palestine; and government funding cuts. A full recap of General Synod is available here.

5. ‘Be prepared’ is more than a scouting motto, it’s a call for congregations to become havens of hope in times of need

In the aftermath of hurricanes and flooding across the country local Wisconsin clergy and leaders stepped up to proactively respond. Other stories shared how four UCC churches focused on building capacity for community needs in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton and revisited the response to Hurricane Katrina on its 20-year anniversary.

6. Unified, rooted, rising: UCC carried message of God’s love to World Pride

With bright colors, charisma, and messages of God’s extensive love, folks from across the UCC were a strong presence at this summer’s World Pride in Washington D.C. They worshiped, marched, and celebrated God’s love for LGBTQ+ people.

7. Samaritans and ranchers: Voices of people who regularly meet migrants at U.S.-Mexico border

In this video story, UCC News joined over 250 people from across the country to visit the border as part of a Common Ground on the Border event and documented several voices and experiences there.

“It really is a very full experience, and people come away with a deep appreciation of not only the border, but also the situation along here that is causing so much suffering with the border,” said the Rev. Randy Mayer, lead pastor at Good Shepherd UCC and co-founder of the Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans.

8. This is a resurrection model’: How two small, aging Wisconsin churches are building new space and community ties

As many churches have reconsidered how to best use their buildings, this is the story of how two congregations set out on a path of re-visioning church ecumenical relationships, community engagement, and a large rebuilding project that the pastor describes as “bad business … great resurrection.”

9. ‘Reminded of our calling’: National interfaith leaders gathered on MLK Day to herald a hopeful path forward

2025 began with strong vision as interfaith leaders of denominations and faith groups around the country came together “for such a time as this.” Thompson spoke about the crucial need to unite around an inclusive vision and “our ability to come together and say ‘no more’ to injustice.” Video highlights are available here.

10. Conference Ministers tell Congress: ‘Love Knows No Borders’ in week of advocacy, public witness

“Love Knows No Borders” was the theme of an October when when UCC Conference Ministers gathered in the nation’s capital for a week of advocacy training, public witness, and meetings with elected members of Congress. They held a public witness where each conference minister shared stories from members of their communities – from ministers being assaulted during peaceful protests to trans family members fearing for their safety daily – that demonstrated impacts of the administration’s policies of exclusion and fear.

“Our faith compels us to speak out against injustice. Advocating for the dignity and rights of immigrants and LGBTQ individuals is a testament to our belief in a God who champions love over hate, compassion over indifference, and unity,” said the Rev. Freeman Palmer, Central Atlantic Conference Minister.

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