United Church of Christ

Getting Ready for Earth Sunday: Resources for Congregations
2022-04-13 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
With the recently released report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the dire situation faced by our world has never been clearer. In such a moment, leadership from communities of faith is sorely needed. Thankfully, Creation Justice Ministries has created an ecumenical resource that will assist churches in answering the call placed upon us in this moment. The resource is entitled “Weathering the Storm: Faithful Climate Resilience.” It specifically helps churches respond to the question, “How can our churches be hubs of resilience, helping our neighbors weather the physical and spiritual storms of the climate crisis?” The resource can be used year-round and is also particularly useful in preparing for Earth Sunday (April 24th). In this webinar, Avery Davis Lamb, Co-Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries, will introduce the resource and talk about specific ways churches can deliver a powerful message and experience on Earth Sunday.
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.

Maundy Thursday
2022-04-14 15:30 - 16:30
On Maundy Thursday we commemorate the day on which Jesus Christ shared a meal, prayed, and was taken to trial before he was crucified. Members of the National Staff lead worship, offering prayers and inviting Holy Communion from wherever we are. Please ready supplies participate in Communion as you are comfortable.

Repairing the Breach: Climate Justice, Land, Debt and Reparations
2022-04-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
In preparation for Earth Day, come learn the link between climate Justice, land, debt and reparations. We will examine the challenges faced by our global partners AND the innovative ways they are tackling them.

Mental Health and Wellness: Worship Resources for All
2022-04-21 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The sacred stories of our faith traditions offer us hope and encouragement for everyday life. When it comes to mental health and wellbeing, we invite you celebrate the power of faith to positively influence the mental health of our communities. May is Mental Health Month and we invite you to include in your worship services these mental health and wellness resources because in doing so, you are providing critical spiritual care for the flourishing of God’s people.

The Faith of Prophets: Lessons for the Climate Crisis
2022-04-23 10:30 - 12:45 | Zoom
The best-selling Catholic writer Joan Chittister has written, “What this world needs most right now is a new generation of prophets.” This is especially true as we confront the climate crisis today. Yet, we can no longer wait for others to be the prophets that were needed yesterday. We have to find the prophet in each of us. We are the ones who can make a profound difference right now. To answer the urgent call for prophetic action today, this event will focus on what the Hebrew Prophets can teach us as well as what current prophetic leaders have to say. The event will consist of three parts:

Opening Keynote via Zoom: “Why Prophets Matter Today” by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt, Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ (10:30 am to 11:30 am ET).
Panel Discussion via Zoom: “Prophetic Action Today” with the Rev. Michael Malcom from the People’s Justice Council, Nellis Kennedy-Howard from Honor the Earth, and Hector Arbuckle from the Ames Climate Action Team (11:45 am to 12:45 pm ET).
Local Action in Your Own Community: Create and deliver a community climate collage to the district office of your Congressional Representative or Senator. (Learn more at: https://bit.ly/PropheticAction)

This event arose of the 37th Ames UCC Annual Theologian in Residence program. The National Setting of the United Church of Christ, the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ, and the Central Association of the Iowa Conference have all partnered with Ames UCC to make this event a national and regional offering during the celebration of Earth Month. Additional organizations supporting this event will soon be named.
Registration for this event covers both the opening keynote and the panel discussion. Registrants will receive links to recordings of the event afterwards.

Resurrecting Hope: Embracing Harm Reduction and the Leadership of People Who Use Drugs
2022-04-28 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join Rev. Traci Blackmon, Rev. Erica Poellot and Harm Reduction and Overdose Prevention Ministries for a service of celebration of justice-seeking harm reduction love. People who use drugs are beloved by God, called into ministry, and are resurrecting hope and new life with communities impacted by substance use and overdose.

May OWL Taking Flight: UCC and UUA: Addressing Anti-LGBTQ+ Initiatives
2022-05-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us for a roundtable discussion about where OWL fits into national LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts. Guests will include UCC and UUA LGBTQ+ advocates from across the country.

Love Your Neighbor: Get Them Internet
2022-05-05 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Thursdays for the Soul: A webinar series to care for the whole church. Topics are wide Fill your souls by helping others: bring the UCC’s leadership in tech and media justice home to your community. Today, if you don’t have the internet, it’s almost impossible to get a job, health care, housing, food, an education, worship or even see your grandkids. The advocacy of the United Church of Christ’s 60-year-old Media Justice Ministry helped create a new federal program that offers low-income families up to $30/month off their internet bill–or up to $75 in tribal areas. Join us to learn about easy, concrete ways to ensure your neighbors are not left behind and left out.

Climate Migration: Responding with Faith, Care, and Equity
2022-05-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Migration stemming from the damage done to our climate is underway right now as the lives of people around the world are being uprooted and disrupted. From sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific Islands to Alaska and Louisiana, we are seeing the present consequences of drought, extreme weather, and rising sea levels. According to a recent UN climate report, 20 million people have been displaced each year since 2008 due to extreme weather that is often exacerbated by the climate crisis. While climate-related migration is bound to increase, there is much we can do as people of faith to both mitigate the severity of the climate crisis and reduce worsening inequities amid forced displacement. This webinar will feature those working to address climate migration from a place of deeply held values:

Drocella Mugorewera, Executive Director for Bridge Refugee Services
Tomas Matom Ramirez, Guatemalan Immigrant of the Indigenous Maya Ixil People
Rev. Irene Hassan, Minister of Refugee and Migration Services 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.

Celebrating Pacific Islander & Asian American History Month
2022-05-12 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
May is Pacific Islander & Asian American History Month and the United Church of Christ is privileged to be affiliated with PAAM (Pacific Islander & Asian American Ministries). In the last few years harassment and violence towards the AAPI communities have increased, especially during the covid pandemic. Join Rev Roberto Ochoa, UCC Associate for Congregations of Color/Ethnic Identified Congregations as he engages in candid conversations with Ms Lynne Hanamoto, Moderator of PAAM, Southern CA/NV region and Rev Mitchell Young, PAAM SC/SN Ambassador and Pastor of Plymouth UCC in Montebello, CA about the history, celebrations, and challenges facing UCC PAAM congregations and communities.
#StopTheHate!

Mental Health Sunday
2022-05-15
May is Mental Health Month. Celebrate this on Sunday, May 15th.
Click for Resources

Resisting Apartheid: Promoting Justice and Planting Olive Trees
2022-05-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
In 2021 and 2022, major human rights organizations such as B’Tselem, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International have documented and named Israeli practices and policies as Apartheid. Palestinians, including some Disciples and UCC partners such as the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the Palestinian YMCA and YWCA, have been speaking in these terms, for much longer. As more and more institutions and people are identifying Israeli practices and policies as apartheid, what does it look like on the ground, and why is important for the global church community to speak about the legal and ethical aspects in these terms?
Mr. Nidal Abu Zuluf, Director of the Joint Advocacy Initiative, will share about how Israeli policies are consistent with the international legal definition of the crime of apartheid, the ways that Palestinians are affected on a daily basis, and how you can support creative Palestinian non-violent resistance to those policies.
Nidal Abu Zuluf is the Director of the Joint YMCA/YWCA Advocacy Initiative (JAI). Nidal is a co-author of the Palestinian Kairos Document and serves as a member in its Steering Committee and in the Executive Committee of the Global Kairos of Justice Collation. He is the Founder of the Palestinian Youth Ecumenical Movement which is a member of the WSCF (World Student Christian federation). Until recently Nidal served as the Coordinator of the National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine (the NCCOP).

Refugee Sponsorship, Asylum Accompaniment, and Sanctuary Church: How Can My Church Practice Responsible Hosting?
2022-05-18 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Participants will learn the key differences between types of migrant hosting and be invited to consider what gifts their church offer contextually to host a migrant family as they transition to life in the United States.
This webinar is part of a special series of Thursdays for the Soul webinars focused on twelve Just World Covenant programs in the United Church of Christ. On the third Thursday of each month, one of these programs will be featured. Learn more at: www.ucc.org/just_world_covenants

Living Out Contemplation and Action
2022-05-19 15:30 - 16:30
Come hear about and join in the movement of UCCers beginning to become a church of “contemplatives in action,” inspired by the General Synod 2021 resolution. Presenters include Rev. Matt Carriker and Rev. Darrell Goodwin. Rev. Carriker is co-author of the “Becoming a Church of Contemplatives in Action” Resolution, Pastor of Agape Spiritual Community in Waltham, MA, and just released his first book, “Giving Christianity Back to Agape Love.” Rev. Darrell Goodwin is the Executive Conference Minister in the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ. As the chief vision-keeper, communicator and strategist, Rev. Goodwin is responsible for guiding the Conference in its positive and transformative impact in our world. He also represents the Conference in ecumenical, interfaith and public gatherings and events.

Matching Gift Challenges
2022-05-25 19:30 - 20:30 | Zoom
7:30pm to 8:30pm Eastern Time (6:30pm to 7:30pm Central)
A major gift from a single donor, or a small group of donors, can be leveraged to inspire gifts from a wider circle of donors. Learn practical ways to use a gift to issue a “challenge” to your congregation to support your own ministry or that of a partner organization of your congregation.
Register in advance for this meeting:

Make Visible II: Queer Singers Unite!
2022-05-26 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
In a world with increasing vulnerabilities and an onslaught of public messaging and policy making coming against trans and queer youth, womxn, and people who love and support them, celebration and affirmation will continue to be one line of resistance. Join Minneapolis based artist Rachel Kurtz as she shares her new single “All the Gay Kids,” and Tucson based artist Tracy Howe with their new single “I Am Becoming.” The two will talk about touring churches, celebrating journeys and being queer womxn artists. This will be a delightful Thursday for the Soul.

Autism-Inclusive OWL
2022-06-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join Amy Johnson, Melanie Davis, and OWL trainers Shellie and Ramon Selove to learn how to make OWL programs welcoming and inclusive of neurodiversity. Ramon is autistic, and he and Shellie have a young adult autistic son who attended OWL programming. The Seloves will share first-hand experiences that will help facilitators lead OWL programs that are enjoyable and meaning for all participants.

World Refugee Day Ecumenical Worship Service
2022-06-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
June 20 is World Refugee Day. UCC Refugee and Migration Ministries, in collaboration with the Presbyterian Church USA and the Disciples of Christ, will host a live, ecumenical online worship service June 1 at 2 p.m. (Eastern), then make the recording and related resources available to local congregations June 20 or another day of their choice. This service will include litanies, prayers, and reflections on global mass migration and bring us together to inspire in us a faithful and loving response.

All Together: Insights from Strengthening the Church
2022-06-02 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Gleaning wisdom and possibilities from new church planters and revitalizing churches on how to adapt and do ministry through shifting times. This webinar sets out to explore how “All Together” we can strengthen our church. This webinar will engage new church planters that have received grant funding from Strengthening the Church offering, we will hear the impact of Strengthening the Church offering from a Conference Minister and gain insights from a church coach who supports the work of new church plants in the United Church Of Christ through Strengthening the Church funding.

Discerning and Deciding: Bold Climate Action
2022-06-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
According to a recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world has less than three years for its greenhouse gas emissions to peak and head into a relatively rapid decline. Careful discernment is needed on where people of faith and conscience should place their time and energy in organizing for the policies that will lead us to a more just and hospitable world. Should the focus be on climate legislation currently being considered in Congress? Should the focus be upon presidential emergency powers? To help answer these questions, this webinar will feature three leaders in the climate movement:

Keya Chatterjee, Executive Director of U.S. Climate Action Network
Miranda Ehrlich, Federal Field Director for the Sierra Club
Jean Su, Energy Justice Director for the Center for Biological Diversity

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.

Faithful Election Engagement in a Time of Increased Voter Suppression
2022-06-09 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The United Church of Christ’s Our Faith Our Vote Campaign is our ongoing commitment to equip you with the tools for nonpartisan faithful engagement in our democratic process. The campaign is made up of three main components; voter registration, issue education, and voter empowerment.
Join us as we explore faithful election engagement in a time of increased voter suppression. This session will offer a variety of resources as you support your community and congregation.

Open and Affirming: the Power of Covenant
2022-06-16 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
This webinar is for UCC congregations taking their first steps towards an Open and Affirming covenant, and for existing ONA churches looking for new ways to live into their ONA commitment. We’ll focus on “covenant” as the basic value of our movement, and the reason we’ve become the largest and fastest-growing LGBTQ-affirming church movement in the world. We’ll share best practices we’ve learned from growing ONA churches, including intersectional advocacy, and ways a church can design an ONA conversation that builds consensus and strengthens relationships.
This webinar is part of a special series of Thursdays for the Soul webinars focused on twelve Just World Covenant programs in the United Church of Christ. On the third Thursday of each month, one of these programs will be featured. Learn more at: www.ucc.org/just_world_covenants.

Juneteenth: Revealing Hidden Histories
2022-06-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Remembering the day that news of emancipation reached the last outpost of enslaved people in Texas, Juneteenth acknowledges God’s sacred people of African descent. Sacred acknowledgment is recognition of birthplace—the cradle of civilization on the continent of Africa. Sacred acknowledgement is celebration of cultural expressions as first peoples, free people, multilingual, multiethnic, and multi-talented artisans, scientists, creators, builders, navigators, writers, thinkers, and orators. Sacred acknowledgement is remembering and honoring the generations of untold stories that are waiting to be revealed within these sacred bodies.
Amidst growing efforts to suppress the truths of our history, join the United Church of Christ for our Juneteenth 2022 Celebration as African and African American descendants
— geniuses of spoken word and cultural oral traditions—reveal hidden histories so we might take up our roles in the unfolding story of God’s liberating love.

Manual on Church Update
2022-06-23 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join Rev. Dr. Chris Davies and members of the Manual on Church Working Group for a conversation on where we have been, and where we are going with the document of Best Practices and Covenental Connections. Attendees of this conversation will get a sneak peak into the newly developed Marks of Faithful and Vital Congregations, and be invited into the trials of “how will this work for your setting?”

Prayer and Preparation: Introduction to Rapid Response and Embodiment Practices
2022-06-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
As the legislative attack on trans and queer persons continue, hate groups have been emboldened to act publicly. In recent weeks armed militias, neo-nazis and violent white supremacists have disrupted public PRIDE festivals and library programing featuring queer people. We anticipate this kind of organized and armed disruption to continue. Join Rev. Tracy Howe, Minister for Congregational and Community Engagement for an introduction to rapid response and embodiment practices to help local church members prepare and respond for this kind of violence. Topics such as risk assessment, intervention, communication and organizing in these scenarios will be addressed.
Audience: Local church lay leaders and authorized ministers. ONA congregations.
Trainer: Rev. Tracy Howe, Minister for Congregational and Community Engagement

Digital Ministry Summit
2022-06-27 | Zoom
We need digital ministry leaders today…
As we enter the third year of a worldwide pandemic we continue to realize that digital ministry is real ministry and it is essential for the future of the church in our world. As faith leaders we can naively hope to return to “the way things used to be” or we can intentionally and strategically create digital ministries that engage our congregations and the world around us with the good news of love and justice. The Digital Ministry Summit provides an in depth look at hybrid worship, online church, virtual community, and more. Through interviews with leading digital ministry faith leaders, the Digital Ministry Summit equips faith leaders and congregations with the ideas, inspiration, philosophy, and theology to start or enhance the digital ministry in your context.
Join us for this five day summit, learn with 20 leading digital ministry experts, and explore new possibilities for digital ministry, hybrid worship, and online church in your context.
The Digital Ministry Summit is for you if…

You want to learn the “how to” and the “why to” of digital ministry.
You want to hear best practices from digital ministry leaders.
You want to create a sustainable digital ministry for your congregation.
You want to improve your online/hybrid worship experience.
You want to proclaim the good news of love and justice by any media necessary.

Register

An Afternoon of Theatre with the Just Peace Players
2022-06-30 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The Just Peace Players are a group of interfaith religious leaders who write and perform plays on peace and justice themes. They perform live and virtually for local congregations and Association gatherings throughout the New England area and beyond. Join us as the Just Peace Players perform and discuss their ministries for the wider church and interfaith communities.

OWL Taking Flight: Amazing Amaze!
2022-07-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Dr. Rachael Gibson, Amaze Education Senior Program Manager at Advocates for Youth will join us for a lively conversation about their amazing resources. Join us as we explore the challenges and rewards of providing public-facing sexuality education.

Wartime Threat: Increased Fossil Fuel Production at Home
2022-07-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
The fossil fuel industry is using the war in Ukraine to push for ramping up production in the United States. As a result, communities on the frontlines of the industry face the wartime threat of more pollution and more harm to their health. In this webinar, we will learn about the history that shapes the threats faced, and we will hear directly from those fighting at the grassroots to protect their families and communities. Featured speakers will include Roishetta Ozane from Healthy Gulf, Lois Bower-Bjornson from the Clean Air Council, and David J.X. González from the University of California-Berkeley.
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.

Blessed Youth
2022-07-07 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join Rev. Dr. Chris Davies as she interviews Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund, Minister for Disabilities & Mental Health Justice, Health & Wholeness Advocacy at the United Church of Christ and author of the newly released book, Blessed Youth: Breaking the Silence about mental Health with Children and Teens. They will discuss challenges, hope, and practical resources.
