United Church of Christ

OWL Taking Flight: Trauma-Informed Sexuality Education
2021-04-07 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
In recognition of April as Sexual Trauma Awareness Month, our April 7, 9 PT/Noon ET OWL Taking Flight webinar will provide recommendations for how to be a trauma-informed sexuality educator. Join us for this important topic.

The State of Black Bodies in the US
2021-04-06 15:30 - 16:30
Dean Kelly Brown Douglas is Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary and Professor of Theology at Union. She also serves as the Canon Theologian at the Washington National Cathedral and Theologian in Residence at Trinity Church Wall Street. Her groundbreaking and widely taught book Sexuality and the Black Church: A Womanist Perspective (1999) was the first to address the issue of homophobia within the black church community. Her latest book, Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God (2015), examines the challenges of a “Stand Your Ground” culture for the black church. The publication of her next book, Resurrection Hope: A Future Where Black Lives Matter, is forthcoming.
Join us as Dean Douglas invited us to consider the current state of Black liberation in this country and how we must contend with the myth of Anglo-Saxon Exceptionalism.

Maundy Thursday
2021-04-01 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. This year pastors from across the denomination read the scripture through a new lens.

Commission on the Status of Women
2021-03-31 14:00 - 15:00
Global movements are necessary to affect change. The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. CSW65 just closed out. What were the outcomes of the event? How can women impact global advocacy and be more involved in the fight for women’s justice? What is the role of the church in advocating for justice for women and girls? Join us for this important conversation.
The Wednesdays with the World webinar series will be highlighting the ways in which the quest for justice is intersectional and global, allowing UCC members greater opportunities for increased awareness of global concerns and highlighting options for advocacy and action.

Stories Rooted in Love that Dismantle Stigma
2021-03-30 15:30 - 16:30
Stigma perpetuates the harm that people experience in their communities and in their world. The Gospel calls us to be communities of love and healing. Join the UCC’s Health and Wholeness Advocacy Team for stories and actions rooted in love that help to dismantle stigma.

Lessons from the Hebrew Bible: The Enduring Resilience of African Descended Women
2021-03-25 18:00 - 19:30
This webinar will highlight two significant days in March on the UN International Decade for People of African Descent calendar:
UN International Day for the Elimination of Racism and UN International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Using the book of Job as a scriptural focus, the panelists will provide critical reflection on these significant UN Decade days from the perspectives of women of African descent committed to liberation, healing, and transformation of biblical narratives.

The History of Afro-Christian Churches in the UCC with Rev. Yvonne Delk
2021-03-25 15:30 - 16:30
In 1957, when the Evangelical and Reformed church and the Congregational and Christian churches formed the United church of Christ, there was a fifth stream that fed into our formation, the Afro Christian Church. While it maintained a Christian identity, it was an independent and separate organizational structure comprised of the Afro Christian Convention, five conferences, 150 churches, 25,000 members, 185 ordained ministers and licentiates. Join us as we hear of this rich legacy from Dr. Yvonne Delk a daughter of the Afro Christian tradition and spiritual leader in our midst.

Journey to the Waters: A Service of Remembrance and Healing
2021-03-24 10:00 - 11:30
The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is one of few days that honors the memory of the millions whose lives were interrupted and disrupted by the Transatlantic Slave Trade. This service will create space for the honoring of many whose names are unknown, individuals who were not funeralized or ritualized. The service is designed as a time for lament as we remember the resilience, courage, resistance, ingenuity and rebellion of Africans who were brought forcefully into the Americas. Through song, dance, poetry and prayers – we will remember.
In recalling the memories of those who have passed on, there is the acknowledgement that the atrocities of 400 years of movement of Africans into the Americas abroad ships designed to move people as chattel. These memories compel us to ensure that we eradicate the legacies of the enslavement of Africans that continues to manifest as racism, Afrophobia and other forms of discrimination.
The service gathers the international and interfaith communities to honor the dead, to pray for healing, to celebrate the joy of African descendant people, and to affirm the commitment to eliminate the legacy of injustices that linger.
The waters are healing. The waters are an essential part of human life. The waters hold the bodies and memory of the dead. We journey to the waters to remember and to heal.

Building Supportive Networks in Faith Formation
2021-03-23 15:30 - 16:30
In April 2020, the Wisconsin Conference UCC began offering a weekly drop-in support Zoom for faith formation leaders, both lay and clergy, to provide a safe space for faith formation leaders to talk about how they were navigating the extraordinary and sudden changes to how they engaged in this ministry. Within a short time, the group expanded to include faith formation leaders from other conferences and other denominations. This has become a community that not only shares ideas and resources, but also shares its challenges and frustrations as well as celebrates its joys and successes. Join us for a conversation about the value of building supportive networks in faith formation.

Celtic Worship
2021-03-18 15:30 - 16:30
A blessing from the 19th century compendium of Gaelic prayer, the Carmina Gadelica:
The guarding of the God of life be upon me,
The guarding of loving Christ be upon me,
The guarding of the Holy Spirit be upon me,
Each step of the way,
To aid me and enfold me,
Each day and night of my life.
In this ongoing season of Lent and as we gather ourselves in for all to follow; pour yerself a cup of tea, wouldja, and join in on the day after St. Patrick’s for some traditional Celtic music by Laureano Sanchez and worship led by Rev. Dr. Chris Davies, Rev. Brendan Curran, and Chaplain Lynn Cooper.

Fukushima: Living in the Shadow of a Nuclear Disaster
2021-03-17 14:00 - 15:00
Join us for a discussion of the painful legacy and a prayer commemorating the 10th anniversary of the “triple disaster” in Japan. Featuring an interview with Terumi Kataoka, Representative of the Aizu Radiation Information Center in Fukushima Prefecture.

Doctrine of Discovery Hawaii
2021-03-16 15:30 - 16:30
In their own voices, Hawaii will discuss the destructiveness of the Doctrine of Discovery past and present on their people and how it differs from the experiences of present day Americas.

A Lenten Hour of Prayers and Reflections
2021-03-11 15:30 - 16:30
Join us as UCC pastoral leaders offer up Lenten prayers and reflections from their ethnic roots and perspectives. A spiritual journey for all of God’s children.

Climate Savior or Neocolonialist?: Assessing Biden from an Indigenous Christian Perspective
2021-03-10 13:00 - 14:00
The environmental movement has widely lauded the actions taken by the Biden-Harris administration in addressing the climate crisis through early appointments and executive orders. Yet, there is a larger context to consider as indigenous leaders continue fights against pipelines domestically and Syria is bombed internationally. In this webinar, Mark Charles, a dual citizen of the US and the Navajo Nation, will provide an indigenous Christian perspective on Joe Biden’s presidency. Mark is a co-author of the book, “Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery.” In 2020, Mark ran as an independent candidate for the US presidency.
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.
Special thanks to the sponsorship of the Cornerstone Fund in making this webinar possible.

Beyond the Children’s Moment: Children’s Ministry Today
2021-03-09 15:30 - 16:30
Come for a conversation of Children’s ministry in 2021. How are we seeing people connect to the children in their congregations and beyond? What tenets of faith formation do we hold towards our children when faith becomes digital? Join the Association of Christian Educators and Faith INFO Team Lead Chris Davies, with esteemed panelists across the UCC discussing how they engage Children in the life of the church.

The State of Women
2021-03-04 15:30 - 16:30
As we begin Women’s History Month, we are joined by leadership from the World YWCA and the Cleveland YWCA to discuss the state of women globally. Women continue to live at the margins across the world often unemployed, underemployed, and fighting for human rights and dignity. We will discuss some of the issues facing women and children, including sexual and gender-based violence, digitalization, and the impact of COVID on young people. These are three critical issues (of many) that we are feeling especially and globally relevant since the pandemic.

Living by Faith: Overcoming Hurricanes in Nicaragua and Honduras
2021-03-03 15:00 - 16:30
Global Ministries partners from Nicaragua and Honduras will share their assessment of damages due to Hurricanes Eta and Iota in November 2020. They will also share the ways they have been working to provide for the needs of their communities and the present and the future of disaster relief in their countries.

OWL Taking Flight: "Five Tips For Selecting Fantastic OWL Facilitators!"
2021-03-03 12:00 - 13:00
Join Dr. Melanie Davis, UUA OWL Program Manager, and Rev. Kelly Burd, UCC OWL Trainer and local pastor, for tips about how to choose great OWL facilitators. What qualities should you be looking for? Who is the best fit for your congregation or organization? Join us to find out!

The State of Creation
2021-03-02 15:30 - 16:30
What is necessary to halt the deleterious effects of climate change in the 21st century? Join Rev. Brooks Berndt, Minister for Environmental Justice, UCC and Jim Antal, author, public theologian, Special Advisor on Climate Justice to the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Antal will address:

The current state of climate change.
The impact of the roll-back of over 100 EPA regulations and disengagement from the Climate Accord: Needed reforms.
The role and responsibility of people of faith.
Actions we can engage both as individuals and as communities in 2021

Join us in a formal address from Rev. Antal as well as some dialogue moderated by Rev. Brooks Berndt about what we can do together to ensure God’s creation thrives in 2021 and beyond.

Recovering Spiritual Practices of Enslaved Africans
2021-02-25 15:30 - 16:30
Join us for a conversation about African spiritual practices and the church. The spiritual practices of Africans were problematized in the enslavement and colonization of African people. Those brought into the Americas as enslaved people carried with them heritage, culture and spiritual practices that were interrupted with the introduction of Christianity and the vilification of African traditions. Is the “table” wide enough to make room for the ways in which African spiritualities are accompanying African descendant people on their spiritual journeys? How can we honor people and traditions shrouded by the imposition of racism and afrophobia?

Church-Based Reparations
2021-02-23 15:30 - 16:30
There is growing call among many US religious groups to explore financial reparations as part of amends through financial investments and long-term programs benefiting African Americans.
We will explore the theological grounding for reparations and will share learnings, mistakes, suggestions for next steps and practices for engaging the work. Join us for an ecumenical panel discussion of representatives of various predominantly white congregations and entities who have engaged in reparations.

The State of the Poor
2021-02-19 15:30 - 16:30
Who and what is hurting our poor and low-income siblings? Join Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, the President & Senior Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach, and Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, as he addresses the State of the Poor in America in 2021. Rev Barber will address:

The current state of poverty in the US
The Poor Peoples’ Agenda: Needed reforms
The role and responsibility of people of faith

And leave us with actions we can engage both as individuals and as communities, as well as some dialogue about what we can do together to ensure that we all have what we need to thrive in 2021 and beyond.

Equity and Equality in the Movement for Racial Justice
2021-02-16 15:30 - 16:30
Racial justice continues to be a concern for African descendant communities globally. The onset of COVID-19 in early March has affected people across the globe but in the US people of color, particularly Black people, have been disparately affected resulting in heightened racial ethnic disparities and inequities. The movements for justice is complex and includes the call for equity and inclusion – issues which are essential to bring changes in church and society. Join Aundreia Alexander, Associate General Secretary for the National Council of Churches, Adele Halliday from The United Church of Canada and Karen Georgia Thompson as they discuss the role of the church in creating a just world for all.

MLK Day of Service
2021-02-15 18:00 - 2021-02-16 20:00
MLK Day of Service
February 15 & 16, 2021
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Two, 2-hour sessions
“By the time we reached the counter, we’d already won.”
–Dr. James Lawson, Theologian & Tactician of Non-Violence within the Civil Rights Movement

Join Chuck Alphin, Certified Kingian Non-violence Trainer, in two, 2-hour teach-in sessions as we explore:
– The Myths and Facts of Nonviolence
– Types and Levels of Conflict
– Six Principals of Kingian Non-violence
– Six Applications of Kingian Non-violence
Event fee: $35

Celebración Afro-Latine En Palabra y Oración
2021-02-11 15:30 - 16:30
The Latina, Latino, y Latine identity is rich in cultural diversity. Join us as we celebrate and honor the Afro-Latine influences and experiences in word and prayer.

Evangelical Christianity and the Climate Crisis
2021-02-10 13:00 - 14:00
With its size and its collective power, evangelical Christianity has had a significant presence in the political, cultural, and religious landscape of the United States. As such, it becomes critically important to understand evangelical Christianity today in relationship to the climate crisis. How do evangelical Christians regard the climate crisis? What are the political implications of this? To address these questions, we will be joined by a panel of speakers who will give attention to the trends as well as the diverse perspectives to be found within evangelical Christianity. Among the speakers will be:

Dr. Robin Veldman, author of “The Gospel of Climate Skepticism: Why Evangelical Christians Oppose Action on Climate Change”

Kyle Meyaard-Schaap, National Organizer and Spokesperson for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action

This webinar is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt of the United Church of Christ Environmental Justice Ministry and the Rev. Michael Malcom of Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.
Sign-up now to join the webinar! Even if you can’t make its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording of it.

Incorporating Innovation into the Life of the Church
2021-02-09 15:30 - 16:30
What’s a Theory of Change and why does it matter for local church ministry? If you’d like answers to these questions you didn’t ask, tune into to this webinar to learn more about UCC’s new ministry initiative in collaboration with the United Church of Canada and the Disciples of Christ. You’ll hear from a couple participants who have just gone through the most recent Theory of Change workshop as well as the project lead, the Rev. Phiwa Langeni, who is the Ambassador for Innovation and Engagement in the UCC’s Center for Analytics, Research & Development, and Data (CARDD).

The State of the Church
2021-02-04 15:30 - 16:30
After decades of ecological disasters, years of political division and disruption, and now one year into the throes of a global pandemic, we invite two denominational leaders and theologians to reflect together on what is the role, condition, and emerging mission of the Church.
Spend an hour with Bishop W. Darin Moore, Bishop of the AME Zion Church, and the Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ

OWL Taking Flight: Parents and Caregivers As Sexuality Educators
2021-02-03 12:00 - 13:00
Our February Taking Flight webinar will feature Robin Slaw, credentialed religious educator and author of “Parents and Caregivers as Sexuality Educators, Small Group Ministry.” This 10-session program helps adults explore their roles as the most important sexuality educators their children will have. Robin will give an overview of the program and share tips for using it online.
The current version has a Unitarian Universalist perspective, and a United Church of Christ adaptation is progress. The program can be adapted for other faith traditions and secular settings. This is a wonderful learning opportunity to all who support adults caring for children.
Time will be available for general interest Q/A related to Our Whole Lives and at-home resources.

The State of Rural Churches and Communities
2021-02-02 15:30 - 16:30
In rural and small towns, the church is often a focal point for the spiritual and social well being of a community. During these times of health, economic, and social uncertainties facing the U.S., how are UCC congregations serving rural and small towns, and what are they doing to meet the needs of their communities?
In the United Church of Christ, rural and small congregations make up 60% of the denomination and are the backbone of the UCC.
Join Roberto Ochoa, UCC Program Associate for Congregations of Color/Ethnic Identified Congregations as he moderates a panel of Conference and pastoral leaders as they bring voice to the celebrations, challenges, and the needs of leading UCC congregations in a rural/small town setting.
