United Church of Christ

Nurture the Soul: Love of Children 3-Part Series
2024-06-06 15:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
The landscape of children’s and youth ministry has been quickly changing over the last decade and these changes were accelerated with the pandemic and other social justice issues. As a result, many of us are wondering how to effectively provide services to and ministry with young people. This webinar series is an opportunity to learn more about today’s youth culture, how we can support them in their faith formation as well as gain some practical skills to equip our leaders to walk alongside of them.

Episode II: Volunteer Engagement in our pandemic informed world has changed and continues to evolve. Volunteering is different, and people view their time differently. Churches, non-profit organizations, and companies are slowly receiving volunteers that commit to their organization long-term. And yet, a thriving, sustainable Children’s Ministry is founded on a healthy group of volunteers. So how do we as leaders support, serve and connect with volunteers in our pandemic informed ministry settings? Please join us for a purposeful conversation as we explore how to build relationships with our volunteers and motivate them to return. Volunteers enter service with expectations for how their time will be used or how the opportunity aligns with their passions. This conversation will allow us to explore how to engage a volunteer’s passions and build connections to lead to long-term volunteer commitment.

OWL Taking Flight: Raising Kids Beyond the Binary
2024-06-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Jamie Bruesehoff, author of Raising Kids Beyond the Binary: Celebrating God’s Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children, joins us to discuss her book, in which she helps us dream of a church and a world transformed by the bold celebration of all children.
Jamie Bruesehoff is an award-winning LGBTQ+ advocate, speaker, and mother of three, including a transgender child. Jamie has twenty years experience working with youth and adults in and outside the church, she strives to create a world where LGBTQ+ people thrive.
Your Hosts: Rev. Amy Johnson is the UCC (United Church of Christ) Minister for Sexuality Education & Justice and part of the Gender and Sexuality Justice Ministries Team in the National Ministries of the UCC. Dr. Melanie Davis is the UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association) OWL Program Manager within the Lifespan Faith Engagement in the UUA.

Cleveland Pride
2024-06-01 10:00 - 2024-06-02 19:30 | Zoom
Saturday, June 1 – Marching in Pride with Heartland/Living Water/National Staff at 10:00am ET
Sunday, June 2 – Worship at Pilgrim Congregational UCC at 6:30pm ET (in-person and virtual)

Nurture the Soul: Love of Children 3-Part Series
2024-05-30 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The landscape of children’s and youth ministry has been quickly changing over the last decade and these changes were accelerated with the pandemic and other social justice issues. As a result, many of us are wondering how to effectively provide services to and ministry with young people. This webinar series is an opportunity to learn more about today’s youth culture, how we can support them in their faith formation as well as gain some practical skills to equip our leaders to walk alongside of them.

Episode I – Thick Trust: Taking Young People’s Longings and Belonging Seriously
The inner and outer lives of Gen Z and Alpha are complex and layered. The way young people form bonds and make meaning is changing as the world grows more complicated daily. As leaders, allies, and co-conspirators, we must take seriously the need to build layered positive relationships with young people that help them grow and flourish. This webinar will provide practical ways to build “trust capital” with young people and have brave conversations

Gaza Today: Perspectives from Palestinian Christian Partners
2024-05-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
As Israel’s war on Gaza continues, more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in the past seven months, many more are injured, and thousands are unaccounted for. Most of the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza are suffering starvation, desperate for medical care, and are displaced from their homes and communities which have been targeted and destroyed.
Our Palestinian partners remind us that the history of crisis in Gaza did not begin on Oct. 7, 2023. It is a history that goes much deeper.
Join us in this webinar to hear from partners who are deeply involved in serving the community in Gaza and speaking with clarity on what is required. Nader Abu Amsha is the Executive Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches’ Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees. DSPR has been present in Gaza for three-quarters of a century and continues to serve its community in Gaza despite the many challenges. The Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac is pastor of the Christian Lutheran Church in Bethlehem and Dean of the Bethlehem Bible College. He has spoken to the world, challenging mainstream framing of the war, and urging Christians to engage authentically. They will share a perspective not generally heard.

Black Churches Leading with Solar: Incentives, Financing, and Stewardship
2024-05-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Livestream
With the federal government paying for at least 30% of the cost of solar installation, if not 40 to 50%, many congregations that own their own building can no longer afford to not go solar. One of the benefits of going solar is a lower electricity bill, which means an increase in churches revenue. An increase in revenue is an increase in security and ministry. It is also a way to show good financial and environmental stewardship. Yet, the upfront cost of going solar can often be a hurdle for some congregations. This is where advantageous financing can play an important role. In this webinar, we focus on Black churches leading with solar. We will hear experts discuss everything one needs to know about government incentives and solar financing.
The Rev. Michael Malcom from the People’s Justice Council and the Rev. Dr. Ambrose F. Carroll from Green The Church will host this webinar that will feature these panelists:
-Dr. Anthony Kinslow II, CEO, Gemini Energy Solutions
-Patricia Eggleston, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago
-Rebecca Perera, Chief Credit Officer, Cornerstone Fund
Even if one cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, all those who register will receive a link to a recording of it.
Co-Hosted by the United Church of Christ, Green The Church, the People’s Justice Council, and Alabama Interfaith Power & Light.
Co-Sponsored by Blessed Tomorrow, Creation Justice Ministries, Green Chalice of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Interfaith Power & Light, Third Act Faith, Unitarian Universalist Association, and United Black Christians.

UCC and the Mental Health Journey: It’s the WISE Thing to Do
2024-05-23 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The World Health Organization definition of mental health is “state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well, and work well, and contribute to their community… it is a basic human right.” The Mental Health Network W.I.S.E. program, (welcoming inclusive, supportive and engaged) provides a path for congregations, associations, conferences and nonprofit organizations to join to reduce stigma and promote mental well-being. Come learn how to become W.I.S.E. and hear the stories of those who have taken this journey.

Together for Tomorrow: Planned Giving in the Local Congregation
2024-05-22 19:30 - 20:30
While a significant wealth transfer occurs as each generation passes, many congregations and ministries remain unprepared to promote planned giving options. Only 5% of people leave a charitable bequest even though nearly a third of people would if asked or invited to consider one. This workshop will share key concepts and help you create an action plan for your congregation or ministry to promote planned giving.

Strengthen the Church Offering
2024-05-19
Strengthen the Church offering is traditionally taken on the first Sunday of Pentecost. This year it will be on May 19, 2024. Order your offering theme materials and make a donation here.

Menstrual Health and Justice for All
2024-05-15 15:30 - 16:30 | Livestream
Women’s and Gender Justice is releasing a new toolkit to help congregations plan menstrual health and hygiene period pack projects to address the needs for people in transitional situations such as natural disasters or homelessness. Join Dr. Sherry Warren, Minister for Women’s and Gender Justice, as she speaks with partners in menstrual justice from Church World Service and introduces the new period pack toolkit.

People on the Move
2024-05-08 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
The number of people forcibly displaced from their homes and communities is at an all-time high, now over 100 million people worldwide, and continues to grow. Due to violence and conflict, natural disasters, climate change and other social, political, and economic factors, people have been uprooted and are seeking safety and security elsewhere. Our partners in the Middle East and Europe are directly involved in assisting people who have left their homes, responding to their needs and providing assistance and care. In this webinar, we will hear from partners which are directly involved and from people who have been impacted, to hear their experiences and stories. Following up from a regional consultation held in Rome this January, please join us to hear from colleagues at the Forum for Development, Culture, and Dialogue (Lebanon and Syria), the Afghan Association for Women, and Mediterranean Hope (Italy) to learn about their work and current realities.
Sponsored by: the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI), the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Reformed Church in America, and Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ.

Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest Award Ceremony
2024-05-04 16:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
The UCC recently conducted a Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest. UCC children and youth were invited to draw, paint, or color about the world and the environment in which they want to live. In this award ceremony, we will view the art of the finalists and announce our winners. The art from the overall winner will be featured on “Climate Hope Voter Pledge Cards” that church members throughout the UCC will collect during the summer and fall before Election Day.
Even if you cannot make the actual ceremony, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording afterward.

Climate Action Assembly
2024-05-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Every two months the UCC Council for Climate Justice hosts a Climate Action Assembly to further collective efforts on three endeavors launched this year: the Freedom from Plastics Campaign, the Electrification Checklist Initiative, and the Vote for Climate Hope Campaign. Each of these programs is rooted in recent General Synod resolutions.
In this Climate Action Assembly, we will have Judith Enck as a special guest speaker. Enck is the President of Beyond Plastics. She will talk about Extended Producer Responsibility legislation that state governments are considering as a means to reduce plastic pollution. We will additionally hear updates on the Electrification Checklist Initiative and the Vote for Climate Hope Campaign. Finally, time will be set aside for attendees to interact with each other through one-on-one conversations for fostering relationships and sharing about climate justice efforts.
Climate Action Assemblies are open to all members of the UCC.

A Good Pitch - Understanding the Hopes of Our Donors to Create Change
2024-04-24 19:30 - 20:30 | Livestream
Once a upon a time, donors gave out of a sense of obligation and loyalty. Today, most donors care about the impact they make in the world. How do we understand the motivations of our donors? What kind of change do they want to make in the world? Andrew Warner will talk about five basic ways donors look to create change. We will discuss ways to discuss your congregation’s impact on your community.

2024 UCC Annual Earth Summit
2024-04-20 13:00 - 15:00
The UCC’s second annual Earth Summit will feature celebrated author and activist Bill McKibben delivering the Jim Antal Keynote Lecture with the title, “Energy from Heaven or Energy from Hell?” The two and a half hour summit will additionally feature a panel of grassroots leaders, the announcement of the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award winner, a celebration of the UCC’s newest Creation Justice Churches, and a video showcasing the environmental ministries of our host congregation, The Church of Christ at Dartmouth College. This event will be both in-person and live streamed via Zoom. Along with The Church of Christ at Dartmouth College, cohosts include the UCC’s Council for Climate Justice, the National Setting of the UCC, and the New Hampshire Conference of the UCC. Even if one cannot make the event at its scheduled time, all those who register will receive a link to a recording of the event.

Nurture the Soul: Building Up a New World with Fellows from Across 5 Conferences
2024-04-18 15:30 - 16:30
The needs are great, and the stakes are high in the work of justice building. The good news is most of our local churches are already equipped more than they know. In fact, many local churches might find renewal and growth by revisioning and reprioritizing what it means to be engaged in ongoing justice work and using a more intersectional analysis as to where they will have transformative impact. For the past two years Rev. Tracy Howe designed a fellowship to intensively train a handful of leaders and nurture the support necessary for sustained engagement in the complex and urgent issues facing our world. Through this leadership program 5-Fellows, worked to develop organizing strategies, programing and educational opportunities regionally, according to specific needs and contexts in which the fellows live. Come and learn more about their experiences and glean from the wisdom of their dedication to build congregation and community engagement.

Advocacy 101: Communal Care of Trans Siblings
2024-04-17 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries for the beginning of their new series featuring Advocacy 101 topics throughout the remainder of the year! For the month of April, we’ll move through the Love is Louder Tool Kit featuring Communal Care for Trans & Non-Binary Siblings. In this webinar, you’ll be introduced to gender & sexuality terms, the issues in front of us today, and ways to cultivate communal care in your context.

Nurture the Soul: Building Congregational Community Safety
2024-04-11 15:30 - 16:30 | Livestream
Join us to learn more about how congregations can 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.
With our guest thought leaders and faith practitioners, we explore the “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.

Earth Sunday Resource: Addressing the Plastics Crisis
2024-04-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Livestream
Everywhere we look in our culture you will find plastic. It surrounds our food, it makes up our technology, and it is a standard element in our household items. Unfortunately, it is also overflowing from our landfills, floating in our waters, and polluting our soil. More and more, you can even find it in our own bodies and those of other living creatures. Creation Justice Ministries has created an Earth Sunday resource designed to help congregations think more deeply about the ways that plastics impact our lives and God’s creation. It is also intended to equip people of faith to take actions to address this epidemic in faithful and practical ways. The title of this new resource is “Plastic Jesus: Real Faith in a Synthetic World.” Join us as we hear from the lead author of the resource Derrick Weston.
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.

Navigating Interfaith Relations in the Midst of Global Conflict
2024-04-10 11:30 - 12:30 | Livestream
Over the past few months since the escalation of violence in the Middle East, we have seen a rise in both anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim rhetoric and actions, including here in the United States. For some congregations that have nurtured interfaith relations over the years, the crisis in the Middle East has presented a challenge: how to remain faithful to a Christian witness for justice and peace, accompanying Palestinian partners while also maintaining relationships with Jewish and Muslim neighbors locally.
Join us in this webinar to hear from two UCC local church pastors about their interfaith relationships and responses to hateful actions in their communities; and from staff of the Shoulder to Shoulder campaign, of which the UCC and Disciples are founding members, who will provide some strategies and tools to help navigate interfaith relationships in these times of increased hatred.

OWL Taking Flight: Reproductive Justice Advocates
2024-04-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us for an interfaith panel of reproductive justice advocates.

The Need for Justice Leaders Within Congregations: Episode 2
2024-03-21 15:30 - 16:30 | Livestream
Join us in this 2-part series as we meet with the founders of the Justice Leadership program. We’ll explore why there is a need for justice leaders in congregations and how we are all leaders. We’ll also delve into the themes they cover during their fellowship such as: the pervasiveness of the worldview of Domination and how that has impacted life as we know it; the necessary shift from a congregational self-care primary mission to cultural transformation mission for the good of the world and the Church; and understanding Christianity as centered in Justice and the powerful Biblical Narrative.
Rev. Richard Gamble (he/him) is a founder and the executive director of the Justice Leadership Program. He is also the senior pastor at Keystone United Church of Christ. Rich has been involved in faith-based peace and justice work for over forty years. He has worked as an activist, a community organizer, and as the executive director of a community organizing agency. He also has worked as an advocate and as the director of an advocacy program and co-chair of the board of an advocacy agency.
Eliza Penick (she/her) is a program director for the Justice Leadership Program. She has worked in non-profit education, fundraising, program development, and community engagement for fifteen years, with a particular passion for food sustainability and sovereignty. Her sources of joy are family, urban homesteads, mountain biking, and the exploration of art, play, and new places.

The Need for Justice Leaders Within Congregations: Episode 1
2024-03-14 15:30 - 16:30 | Livestream

How Long Till Justice?: Flint, Jackson, and Red Hill
2024-03-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
In April, the 10th anniversary of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan will be marked. Yet, justice, in many forms and by many measures, has remained elusive. For instance, not a penny of the $626 million settlement has been distributed to residents. Just as the struggle for justice in Flint continues, so it also continues in other communities that have experienced water crises. In recent headlines, we learn of how large corporations exploited and deceived towns like Jackson, Mississippi with false promises of fixing their water infrastructure. Meanwhile, the EPA continues to find water contamination in homes near the US Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oʻahu as health problems persist and residents battle with landlords over rent collection. This webinar will focus on what justice would look like in Flint, Jackson, and the communities near Red Hill. We will also focus on what it will take to achieve that justice. Our webinar will feature residents and leaders from each of the three communities.
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.

Thriving in Rural and Small-Town UCC Churches & Ministries
2024-03-07 15:30 - 16:30, 2024-02-29 15:30 - 16:30, 2024-02-22 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
A recent United Church of Christ survey found that over 60% of UCC congregations have small memberships, mostly found in rural and small-town settings. Join us for this 3-part Nurture the Soul series featuring the vitality and thriving experiences of rural and small-town church settings. UCC church members and pastoral leaders share their personal experiences of life in rural and small towns and the innovative ways of doing church and ministry in these settings and their essential contributions to the wider UCC.

Embodying Women & Gender Justice Year-Round
2024-03-06 15:30 - 16:30 | Livestream
Join National staff to engage intentionally UCC Women’s Week in love and just action. We’ll share stories of our shared work and why commitment to Womyn around the world matters prophetically. You’ll also learn tangible ways to join us in the work of Women and Gender Justice!

Climate Action Assembly
2024-03-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
The UCC Council for Climate Justice will be hosting a Climate Action Assembly to hear updates on the three endeavors launched for this year: the Freedom from Plastics Campaign, the Electrification Checklist Initiative, and the Vote for Climate Hope Campaign. Each of these programs is rooted in recent General Synod resolutions. Climate Action Assemblies are open to all members of the UCC.

Yes, Your Kid
2024-03-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Livestream
Join us as we welcome Debby Herbenick, author of Yes, Your Kid: What Parent’s Need to Know about Today’s Teens and Sex. Dr. Herbenick is an award-winning, internationally recognized sexuality researcher, a professor at the Indiana University School of Public Health, and lead investigator of the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior.
