Narrative Budgets: Telling your Story by the Numbers
2024-07-24 19:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
A narrative budget translates the line items of a traditional budget into a story of how your congregation makes a difference in the world. It can be a helpful tool for a stewardship campaign or annual meeting. By telling the story of our congregations’ impact, we can inspire generosity in our donors.

Nurture the Soul: Navigating Election Do’s & Don’ts for Churches - Be Prophetic, Not Partisan!
2024-07-25 15:30 - 16:30
The United Church of Christ’s mission calls us to “welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.” As a denomination committed to such values and justice for all, we must speak boldly in the public square through public policy advocacy – as well as election engagement – that collectively shapes our common life together. These two activities are part of what we understand as “politics”. In a country where there is significant confusion and misinformation about the constitutional relationship between church and state, some choose to shy away from politics all together. Yet, politics can not only be seen as part of our civic duty as citizens, but also an activity of righteous resistance and discipleship as Christians. Jesus’ ministry and message had significant political implications for his time – as it does for us today!
However, in our hyper-partisan climate today, clarifying how we engage in politics is critical. Churches and clergy must abide by IRS guidelines to protect 501c3 (tax-exempt) status. It is critical that we are well informed about what we CAN (and can’t!) do as churches in the political sphere and particularly around the 2024 election.
Join a discussion with Heather Kimmel, the United Church of Christ’s General Counsel, and Rev. Michael Neuroth, Director of the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy, on the “Do’s & Don’ts” for congregations around the election – “Be Prophetic, Not Partisan!”
This webinar is part of the Nurture the Soul series and the UCC’s Our Faith Our Vote 2024 Campaign – “Vote with Love!”

Nurture the Soul: A conversation with member ministries of the UCC Council for Racial and Ethnic Ministries (COREM)
2024-08-01 15:30, 2024-08-08 15:30, 2024-08-15 15:30
The Council for Racial and Ethnic Ministries (COREM) is a ministry of racial and ethnic groups of the United Church of Christ – United Black Christians, Ministers for Racial Social Economic Justice, Pacific Islander Asian-American Ministries, Colectivo de UCC Latinx Ministries, Council for American Indian Ministry and United Samoan Ministries. COREM advocates for the racial and ethnic concerns within the United Church of Christ.
Please join Rev Roberto Ochoa as he has conversations with leaders from three member ministries of COREM as each ethnic/racial ministry shares to the wider church their vision and mission for a just world for all.
On August 1st, Roberto will be joined by Ms. Eppie Encabo, Moderator of the Pacific Islander and American Asian Ministries (PAAM), Rev. Mitchell Young, Vice Moderator, and Kahu Rennie Mau, Moderator of Hawaiian PAAM as they share the success of PAAM’s most recent convocation held in Hawaii in June.
On August 8th, Roberto will be joined by Ms. Zillah J. Wesley, President of the United Black Christians (UBC) and Ms. Deborah Dee Brayton, Vice President in which they will discuss the various events and activities by the UBC in 2024 and plans for 2025.
On August 15th, Roberto will be joined by Rev. Yinessa Romero, Moderator of the Colectivo de UCC Latinx Ministries and Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros, Vice Moderator as they review the Colectivo’s activities in the 2024 leading up to a planned gathering of UCC Latinx leaders later in the year.

Defending the Sacred
2024-08-14 13:00 - 14:00
For the Apache and other Indigenous peoples, Oak Flat is a sacred site akin to Mount Sinai. It is currently under threat of being mined for copper by Resolution Copper, a subsidiary of the multinational mining companies Rio Tinto and BHP. A legal effort to block the transfer of public land for the project was denied by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The case is now being appealed to the Supreme Court. Join us to hear from those who have been engaged in the struggle to defend Oak Flat as it enters this crucial stage:

Wendsler Nosie, Sr., Former Chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe
Sarah Augustine, Executive Director of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery
Rev. Carol Rose, Co-Pastor of Shalom Mennonite Fellowship in Tucson, Arizona

Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

Community Safety Training Series
2024-08-19 20:00 - 21:00, 2024-09-09 20:00 - 21:00, 2024-09-23 20:00 - 21:00, 2024-09-30 20:00 - 21:00
How can congregations build an ecology of community safety that is rooted in care, investing in each other, believing in each other, and trusting each other and the rhythms and cycles around/within us? What community safety practices can we engage in now that also help us build the world we long for? Our experienced trainers will expand on our “Ecology of Community Safety” guide to offer practical skills, psycho-social care practices, planning tools, and analysis of current conditions, all towards practicing new ways of creating safety within our own congregational contexts.
This series is hosted by the United Church of Christ’s Love of Church FaithINFO team, and is open to all faith traditions.

Nurture the Soul: Filling the J.A.R. of God’s Economic Justice: Jubilee, Abundance, Reparations
2024-08-22 15:30 - 16:30
God commissions us to establish economies built around deeply-rooted justice, universal equity, and sustaining compassion so that all might thrive. We are to manifest the canceling of debts, the meeting of needs, and the return of stolen land and wealth. Join a conversation with Rev. Seth Wispelwey, UCC Minister for Economic Justice on the concrete ways churches and individuals are newly empowered in this work with the United Church of Christ.

3 Best Practices for Stewardship in Congregations
2024-08-28 19:30 - 20:30
We will discuss the three practices most likely to increase giving in a local congregation: teaching about generosity, pastoral leadership, and online giving options. The webinar will examine why these practices matter and discuss how to implement them in a congregation.

Nurture the Soul: Labor in the Pulpit
2024-08-29 15:30 - 16:30
God Gave Us One Day of Rest, Unions Gave Us Two
Labor Day is not just a time to celebrate working people and their contributions to our society; it is also a time to remember the struggle workers endured to achieve the many benefits we now enjoy. Labor Day provides a unique opportunity for faith communities and organized labor to rediscover their common bonds: social justice, democracy, equality, the dignity of all people, economic and racial justice, fair treatment in the workplace and the right to form unions. Join a conversation with Rev. Seth Wispelwey, UCC Minister for Economic Justice as we reflect on how this Labor Day can be a launchpad for churches to address current conditions of working people and reaffirm commitments to worker justice every day in these trying times until all are thriving.

OWL Taking Flight: Learning About Bodies Book Series
2024-09-04 12:00 - 13:00
Dorian Solot and Marshall Miller join us to talk about their new book series for young children. Dorian Solot and Marshall Miller are the authors of the Our Whole Lives K-1 (2nd ed.) curriculum, and the picture books for young children All About Vulvas & Vaginas and All About Penises (learningaboutbodies.com).

Climate Action Assembly
2024-09-04 13:00 - 14:00
The UCC Council for Climate Justice hosts Climate Action Assemblies every two months to focus on efforts related to the implementation of past General Synod resolutions. In this Climate Action Assembly, we will hear a briefing on the UCC’s current Vote for Climate Hope Campaign as it enters a critical stage. Climate Action Assemblies are open to all members of the UCC.

A Refuge in Times of Trouble: Faith Communities as Resiliency Hubs
2024-09-11 13:00 - 14:00
As the climate crisis leads to more extreme weather events, faith communities can play a vital role as places of refuge and resiliency. For example, a house of worship with solar panels, battery storage, air conditioning, and an air filtration system can provide a place for community members to come during heat waves, power outages, or unhealthy air quality days. Faith communities not only can serve as drop-in centers, but they can also serve as evacuation zones, emergency shelters, and resource hubs in times of trouble. In this webinar, we will learn more about the cutting edge of how faith communities are embodying a love of neighbor in very tangible and needed ways. We will hear from those leading the way in their local communities to make this happen:
-Bekah Estrada, Southern California Director, Interfaith Power & Light
-Rev. Dr. Kevin Earley, Senior Pastor, Community Church of Atlanta
-Gary White, Environmental Justice Ministry Leader, Congregational Church of San Mateo
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is brought to you by the United Church of Christ, Alabama Interfaith Power & Light, and the People’s Justice Council.
The co-hosts will be the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt, the Environmental Justice Minister for the UCC, and Katie Howe, the UCC’s Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery.

Nurture the Soul Special Offering: "Toxic polarization and partisan divides: Holding on to Faith, Hope, and Love this election season"
2024-09-12 15:30 - 16:30
Toxic polarization is a spiritual crisis. In this polarized moment, powerful social forces push us to think people across our divides are evil, extreme, or even subhuman, causing a breakdown of community and trust. Calling toxic polarization a spiritual crisis means it is a problem that exists not just in society but in our hearts, harming us from the inside out. This is a question of who we are as people, not just what kind of democracy or society we’re going to have. The good news is that our faith calls us to a higher standard, teaches us how to live together in daily life, and gives us tools to rebuild community and trust. The One America Movement organization supports faith leaders and faith communities as they put their moral and spiritual resources to bear against toxic polarization. In this UCC Our Faith Our Vote (Vote with Love!) webinar, we will hear from Chandra DeNap Whetstine, Chief Operating Officer at One America and a UCC Member in Discernment, along with Abigail Cipparone, UCC Domestic Policy Advocate, on the dynamics of toxic polarization and how Jesus calls us to respond. In short, we will explore together how to hold on to faith, hope, and love this election season! Join us!

Nurture the Soul Special Offering: God’s Love Knows No Borders
2024-09-18 15:30 - 16:30
An ecumenical delegation comprised of 10 faith leaders will bear witness at the southern border, from September 12-16. This border immersion experience is offered by the UCC Rio Grande Valley as a way for groups to get a clear picture of the challenges faced at the Texas-Mexico border, and ways to support this life-saving work. The Central Pacific Conference Immigrant Welcoming Network organized faith leaders from four UCC conferences, the ELCA, UMC, UCC Colectivo de Latinx Ministries and the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice in Oregon.
Panelists Include: Rev. Tyler Connoley (CPC Conference Minister), Rev. Ali Lopez, Pastor of UCC Rio Grande Valley, Pastor Keren Rodriguez IMIRJ Organizer/UMC in Aloha, Oregon, and Pastor Lucas Shurson, Faith Lutheran, Caldwell, ID, NW Intermountain Synod of the ELCA (Southern Idaho).

Living Our Extravagant Welcome, A Two-Part Series
2024-09-19 15:30 - 16:30, 2024-09-26 15:30 - 16:30
Part One, September 19, 2024 – The “Purple Church” In a denomination like the United Church of Christ, what does it mean to lead a purple church, a church with members from across the political spectrum, in the midst of a culture that is increasingly divided and siloed? Our panelists will explore how this works in rural and suburban settings of the United Church of Christ, as well as how such ministry can be a calling for our denomination.
Part Two, September 26, 2024 – Multiple Religious Belonging We are witnessing an increase in our culture of individuals and families who practice and/or identify with more than one faith tradition. Is there room in our congregations to welcome and embrace these people and families? How does this look in different settings of the church. Our panelists will speak about this present and growing reality in our churches from various perspectives and discuss how it is part of our sense of expansive welcome.

Race to the Polls: Preparing the UCC for the 2024 Election
2024-10-01 15:30 - 16:30
Almost every ballot measure and candidate policy platform have implications for racial justice because racial disparities are woven into every part of our political system and common life. No matter what your political views are, in the 2024 election we all will be making choices that either maintain the status quo of racism or create greater equity and justice. In the UCC, we have the resources of our faith and the covenants we share in our General Synod Resolutions to help guide us, but with all the information swirling around us, it can be hard to discern what and who will actually help us build a more just world for all. So we hope you’ll join us for this webinar where we will prayerfully engage in care-full conversation to discover the ways our faithful commitments to intersectional justice and collective liberation can guide our voting and campaigning in this vital moment for democracy in the United States. A special offering from the Racial Justice Ministries and Join the Movement.

OWL Taking Flight: Let’s Talk Month with Advocates for Youth!
2024-10-02 12:00 - 13:00
Lauren Barineau from Advocates for Youth joins us to talk about Let’s Talk Month. How do we talk to kids about sexuality and why is it important?

Nurture the Soul: Exploring Access Sunday: A Discussion with UCC Disabilities Ministries
2024-10-03 15:30 - 16:30
The second Sunday of October is designated Access Sunday in the UCC calendar, a day for celebrating the disability community and advocating for greater access. Each year, the UCC Disabilities Ministries Board produces resources for Access Sunday, including a complete liturgy, original music, and scripture commentary. Come join members of the UCCDM Disability Theology Committee as they discuss the meaning and purpose of Access Sunday, the 2024 resources, and how to start celebrating Access Sunday at your local church!

Project 2025 as a Threat to God's Creation
2024-10-09 13:00 - 14:00
Project 2025 is a compilation of policy proposals and a presidential transition project launched by the Heritage Foundation. The proposed policies would have far-reaching implications from bolstering the US military to cutting social welfare programs. In this webinar, we will look specifically at what Project 2025 would mean for environment justice.
Our panelists will include:
-Xavier Boatright, Deputy Legislative Director for the Sierra Club
-Rachel Cleetus, Climate and Energy Policy Director for the Union of Concerned Scientists
-Abigail Cipparone, Domestic Policy Advocate for the United Church of Christ
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

Nurture the Soul: Discovering Wellness Ministries in your Congregation
2024-10-10 15:30 - 16:30
This webinar will explore the variety of Wellness Ministries programs in UCC churches. Wellness Ministries resources will be illustrated. You will be invited to share ideas and questions in this interactive session.

Nurture the Soul Special Offering: Healing the Body Politic(s)
2024-10-16 15:30 - 16:30
Ever wonder why there is so much political discussion about our bodies? Why the emphasis to legislate limitations on diversity? Why the need to confine our bodies to assigned roles, behaviors, and relationship styles? This panel discussion will discuss how people of faith can respond to the wide variety of political assaults of what appears to be an anti-body movement because, this election season, our bodies are on the line.

Nurture the Soul: Wellness Ministries Intergenerational Holiday Happenings
2024-10-17 15:30 - 16:30
Reduce loneliness and deepen a sense of community within your congregation by organizing intergenerational gatherings during Thanksgiving and Advent. We will share three different types of activities and answer your questions about how to plan and advertise your events.

Our Economic Leverage
2024-10-23 12:00 - 13:00
As people of faith in the United States, we have seen how boycotts have been effective over the years in creating social change (e.g. the Montgomery Bus Boycott). How can we best use those, and what are some other economic measures we can use today to ensure our personal money and our church’s money is being spent in a way that aligns with our faith values? How can we leverage our resources to offer solidarity to Palestinian partners for the long term, especially in these times?
Join us as we hear from two colleagues who are directly engaged. From the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and the YWCA of Palestine, you’ll hear from Muhanad al-Qaisi about the ways we can invest in the long-term stability of Palestinian farmers who are being threatened by Jewish settlers and the Israeli military in the West Bank. You will also hear from Matthew Illian about some best practices the United Church Funds uses to ensure that church investments are in line with our faith values and what questions to ask about your own investments.

Nurture the Soul: Christian Zionism in Our Churches
2024-10-24 15:30 - 16:30
Over the past century, Christian Zionism has been used to justify first the immigration of Jews to Palestine and then, with the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, justification for the unquestioning support of Israeli policies of occupation and apartheid. So what even is Christian Zionism? How does it appear in our churches? What are some different lenses we can use to examine the scriptures that underpin it?
Rev. Dr. Donald Wagner, retired Presbyterian pastor and theologian, and Rev. William T. Young IV, pastor of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ, will share with us how they unpack and challenge Christian Zionism in their contexts.
