The Global Rise of Religious Nationalism: Implications & the Church’s Response
2026-04-12 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Religious Nationalism occurs when a religious tradition, political agenda, and national loyalty combine to harm those of different faiths. By privileging one community and discriminating against others, it can lead to oppression, violence, and social exclusion, especially targeting people of other religions or ethnicities. This misuse of religion undermines society and obscures its positive contributions.
Join us for this important dialogue as we seek to better understand the global realities of Religious Nationalism and discern how the church called to respond.
Religious Nationalism is not only shaping political and religious landscapes in the United States—it is emerging as a powerful force in countries around the world. How is this movement spreading globally? What theological, political, and social dynamics are fueling it? And how are churches called to respond?
The United Church of Christ welcomes Rev. Phillip Peacock, General Secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, a leader in global ecumenism, justice advocacy, and Reformed theology. Drawing on his international experience, Rev. Peacock will examine how Religious Nationalism appears in different cultural contexts around the globe, while Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson will provide perspective on its impact in the United States.

Steadfastness and Empowerment: Palestinian Women and the YWCA of Palestine
2026-04-15 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
As the world has watched a US- and Israeli-led war against Iran over the past several weeks, the impact has been felt directly in other parts of the Middle East as well, and has overshadowed Israel’s war against Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.  The impact of the last two and a half years of war, and over 58 years of occupation, and almost eight decades of displacement have been felt deeply by Palestinian families, including and especially by Palestinian women.  But women have also been at the forefront of resistance to the challenges Palestinians have faced.  For over 130 years, the YWCA of Palestine has offered a witness of hope and empowerment – for women and for Palestinian society more broadly. What have those impacts been and how have Palestinian women been affected?  What roles have Palestinian women claimed in the midst of these challenges? And in what ways has the YWCA of Palestine continued to enable women and youth to demand, exercise and protect their economic, social and political rights? In this webinar, join us as we welcome Ms. Mayadah Tarazi, the YWCA of Palestine’s Operations, Human Resources and International Relations Manager, and Ms. Selina Abdullah, the YWCA of Palestine’s Grants, Reporting and Compliance Manager, two young women who exemplify the Palestinian characteristic of Sumud, or steadfastness.  They will discuss the current lived reality, how Palestinians have faced that reality, and the ways that the YWCA of Palestine has responded.

Meet the Nominee
2026-04-16 17:45 - 19:00 | Zoom
Ahead of the special meeting of General Synod Thirty-five which will take place on May 9, this is an opportunity to meet the nominee for the position Associate General Minister, Love of Church. General Synod Assistant Moderator Susan Cartmell and Search Committee Chair Rev. Cean James will introduce the nominee, Rev. Jennifer Sowell, who will then offer some remarks. The majority of the time is dedicated for Q&A with the nominee.

Future of Faith: Faith in Chaotic Times
2026-04-20 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Faith practices, even leadership during “normal” times can be difficult but in times of chaos, we might find ourselves asking different questions. In this webinar, we’ll explore how being faithful is an embodied practice that prepares us to not respond with fear or “old ways of being”, but to anchor ourselves to communities that commit to cultivating trusting and compassionate practices to meet our spiritual and practical needs. By modeling faith over fear, we can transform crises into opportunities for resilience and abundance.

Economic Justice and the Special Mission Offerings
2026-04-21 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
Join Seth Wispelwey and Rachel McDonald to talk about the intersection of our giving and economic justice. Explore how the Special Mission Offerings, an all-church commitment of the UCC to designated gifts throughout the year, highlight concepts like mutual aid and responsibility for our neighbor. Participants will deepen their understand of money beyond occasional moments of generosity into a lifelong practice of justice.

Let’s Talk About It | Mental Health Sunday
2026-04-23 15:30 - 16:45 | Zoom
Reports from SAMHSA and CAHMI in recent years have shown that approximately 1 in 4 Americans have had a diagnosable mental health condition. With this prevalence in mind, discussing mental health experiences in a way that normalizes conversation and care—particularly from the pulpit—is vital to healthy and holistic spiritual care. The UCC annually recognizes the third Sunday in May as Mental Health Sunday, and this year it lands on May 17, 2026. But what even is Mental Health Sunday, why should you host one, and how do you go about planning a worship service dedicated to mental health? You are invited to join Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund (UCC National Staff) and members of the UCC Mental Health Network’s Board of Directors as they discuss implementing Mental Health Sunday in your own ministry context.

2026 Earth Summit
2026-04-25 13:00 - 15:30 | Zoom
The theme for the fourth annual Earth Summit is “A Future with Hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). To ground and inspire us as people of faith in difficult times, the Jim Antal Keynote Lecture will be delivered by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Samuel, a renowned advocate and organizer for justice who serves as the pastor of Victory for the World Church in Decatur, Georgia.
This two-and half-hour summit will additionally feature a panel discussion entitled “Power to the People: Energy Justice for an Equitable Future.” Celebrations at the summit will include the announcement of the winners for both the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award and the Climate Hope Art Contest for children and youth. Moreover, we will recognize our newest Creation Justice Churches and our first Climate Hope Affiliates.
Cohosts for the summit include the National Setting of the United Church of Christ and First Congregational Church of Atlanta.
The summit is jointly sponsored by the five financial ministries of the United Church of Christ: Cornerstone Fund, Church Building and Loan Fund, Insurance Board, Pension Board UCC, and United Church Funds.

A Conversation with Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson and Rev. Jennifer Sowell
2026-04-29 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-04-30 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Leaders who come together to nurture community often discover a shared vision rooted in how they live the values and mission they serve. This April, Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, warmly welcomes Rev. Jennifer Sowell, nominee for Associate General Minister for the Love of Church to have a conversation and lean into the Programmatic Priorities of the NMUCC in a two-part series.
During the April 29, 2026 dialogue at 6:00 PM EST, they will explore key programmatic priorities shaping the work of the NMUCC, including the cooperative work of Strengthening the Church across the UCC; Leadership Development, with a focus on cultivating faithful, skilled leaders to serv in a variety of contexts; and Climate Action, highlighting the church’s commitment to faith-based environmental justice, sustainability, and a just transition for all creation.
Then, the second conversation on April 30, 2026, at 1:00 PM EST, they will continue to discuss the programmatic priorities, including Spiritual Formation and ongoing learning rooted in faith, inclusivity, and theology; Reshaping the Narrative, exploring the narratives and stories of the UCC’s nearly seventy-year history; and Decolonization, focusing on the initiatives and efforts towards social change.
Register today to listen in and learn more about how these leaders love the church, lead with purpose, and grow into God’s unfolding vision.

Kairos Palestine: “Faith in a Time of Genocide”
2026-05-04 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
In the midst of Israel’s ongoing 2½ years of genocide in Gaza and intensified military and settler violence in the West Bank, part of a decades-long occupation, Kairos Palestine, a Palestinian Christian ecumenical movement of creative resistance, issued its second seminal document, “A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide,” in November 2025.  The document follows Kairos Palestine’s initial document, “A Moment of Truth – A Word of Faith, Hope and Love from the Heart of Palestinian Suffering,” from Dec. 2009.  What does the second document say about the current reality?  What does it call on us as US Christians and churches to do to offer a positive witness of solidarity for Palestinians in the struggle for justice?
Join us for a webinar featuring Rifat Kassis, the General Coordinator of Kairos Palestine, and Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hope in Ramallah, Palestine, and Founding Director of the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice, a center affiliated with the Bethlehem Bible College.  Mr. Kassis and Rev. Isaac are co-authors of the Kairos Palestine II document, and both are contributing authors to Rooted in Faith and Justice: Christian Calls to Conscience & Cries for Peace in Palestine.  Together, they will help us to dive deeper into the reality of Palestinian Christians today, their witness and context, and what is required of the global Christian community to accompany them.

This Month at the UN
2026-05-05 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-06-02 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-07-07 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
Join us the first Tuesday of each month at 2pm to learn more about what the UCC does at the United Nations! Hear updates from the UCC Main Representative to the UN, Donna Bollinger, on program updates, our interfaith and ecumenical partners, and upcoming events. There will be time set aside during the meeting so that we can hear from YOU on these topics and how we can help to amplify the work our local congregations and partners are doing in the community.
All are invited to join us in conversation! You only need to register once and then will be able to join us for any of our monthly meetings through the next year. Register here!

Our Whole Lives Taking Flight: Sex Ed For All Month with the UMC!
2026-05-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us as we welcome Rev. Heather Gottas Moore with the United Methodist Church to talk about how Our Whole Lives in the UMC is one way we are all celebrating Sex Ed for All Month this year. Hear the grass roots story about how the UMC is embracing Our Whole Lives and be inspired to spread the word!

Proclaiming “Love Knows No Borders”: Moving from Desolation to Action
2026-05-07 15:30 - 16:45 | Zoom
Join the United Church of Christ National Setting for an engaging and timely webinar exploring our “Love Knows No Borders” resource, a powerful witness and resource offered to equip congregations to respond to the continued attacks on immigrants, refugees, and LGBTQIA siblings. Grounded in the Gospel call to welcome the stranger, Love Knows No Borders (LKNB) resources offer theological reflection, policy analysis, and practical strategies for advocating for our migrant siblings.
This webinar will highlight voices from UCC national staff and leaders from UCC COREM ministries to share stories of how communities are being impacted and growing points of collaboration on immigrant justice, humane border policies, and the role of faith communities in confronting systems of exclusion and harm.
Together, we will:
• Explore the biblical and theological foundations for immigrant justice
• Examine current U.S. immigration policies and their human impact
• Highlight opportunities for advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels
• Share tools for congregational engagement, storytelling, and public witness
Whether you are new to advocacy or looking to deepen your congregation’s commitment to welcome, this webinar will provide actionable insights and inspiration to live out a love that truly knows no borders.

Special Meeting of the 35th General Synod
2026-05-09 17:45 - 21:00 | Zoom
The United Church of Christ Board has called for a special meeting of the 35th General Synod, in order to elect the next Associate General Minister, Love of Church. This special meeting will begin with a time of worship, including a reflection from an ecumenical guest. After worship, the moderator team will call the business meeting to order and proceed to the vote on nominee Rev. Jennifer Sowell. All are invited to share in this special moment in the life of the church as it is streamed to ucc.org.

The Ongoing Nakba and Prospects for Peace and Justice for Palestinians
2026-05-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
For the past eight decades, since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Palestinians have experienced what they call the “ongoing Nakba” (or catastrophe) – displacement and dispossession, and denial of rights.  Wars and occupation, expulsion and land appropriation have all been part of what Palestinians have been victims of.  Since 2023, a genocide in Gaza and intensified military and settler violence in the West Bank, in addition to the impact of the 2025 and 2026 US and Israeli wars on Iran have shattered Palestinian life and society even more.  In a time when nationalisms are on the rise worldwide, Israelis and Palestinians both continue to assert national claims and rights on a land inhabited by 7.5 million Israeli Jews and a similar number of Palestinians.  Peace seems as elusive as ever.  What is the state of the quest for peace and justice there today, after 2½ years of a devastating war and decades of false starts?  What solutions are possible to address the injustices that prevail?
In this webinar, join Jonathan Kuttab who will discuss with us the current reality in a context of regional war, genocide and occupation in Palestine, and prospects for peace with justice.  Jonathan is the Executive Director of Friends of Sabeel-North America (FOSNA); a practicing attorney, and co-founder of al-Haq, a prominent Palestinian human rights organization; and a Palestinian Christian who was among those who developed a Palestinian theology of liberation.  He is the author of “Beyond a Two-State Solution,” and is a contributing author in Rooted in Faith and Justice: Christian Calls to Conscience & Cries for Peace in Palestine.

Emotional and Spiritual Care Resources Post Disasters
2026-05-14 15:30 - 16:45 | Zoom
Katie Howe, Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery will be joined by two members of the Emotional and Spiritual Care Team, Rev. Dr. Martha Jacobs, and Rev. Jackie Thornton to discuss how this team can support clergy, chaplains and other spiritual caregivers post-disasters. When disasters strike, we realize that our clergy, chaplains and other spiritual caregivers are the ones that are providing spiritual care to their communities, and the UCC’s Emotional and Spiritual Care Team wants to support these individuals in a variety of ways. In this webinar, we will discuss some of the recent ways that we have responded, as well as review some of the new resources available on our webpage for those who have been impacted by disasters.

Future of Faith: Small Town - Full Building
2026-05-18 15:30 - 16:45 | Zoom
First Congregational Church of Benzonia United Church of Christ strives to create a united community in Christ’s Love. Instead of focusing on the lack of children in the church on Sunday mornings, we shifted our focus to getting community groups and other organizations into the building throughout the week. We share our hospitality and love by opening our doors (and parking lot) to various groups in our community. From hosting 12-step programs, to tutoring, to Single MOMMS, and the Father Fred Back to School Shoe Event (just to name a few!), we are living into our community.

Youth Lead: Faith, Identity, and Calling with Raven Trammell
2026-05-26 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The next generation of faith leaders is already reshaping what community and calling can look like. Join us for a conversation with Raven Trammell, storyteller, speaker, and founder of Culture Shift, a creative project exploring spirituality, identity, and purpose through storytelling.
After experiencing a traumatic brain injury during his college basketball career, Raven returned to photography and storytelling, something he first discovered as a child, as a way to preserve memory and make meaning of life’s turning points. Today he shares his journey, including his experience as a trans person navigating faith and identity, to encourage others, especially young adults, LGBTQ+ people, and Black and Brown communities, to live fully into who God created them to be.
This one-hour conversation will explore resilience, faith, identity, and the ways new generations are imagining spiritual community beyond traditional walls.

Our Whole Lives Taking Flight: Queer Love + Liberation Round Table
2026-06-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us as we welcome these folks for a discussion about Queer Love and Liberation:
-Schmian Evans, Minister for Women and Gender Justice, United Church of Christ
-Rev. Derek Terry, Acting Executive Director, Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ
-Mylo Way, Youth and Emerging Adult Ministries, Unitarian Universalist Association
-Rev. Mykal Slack, Assistant Minister for Lifelong Faith Formation, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville

Defending Dignity: Addressing Policy Attacks on the LGBTQIA+ Community
2026-06-04 15:30 - 16:45 | Zoom
Each day in the news, we hear of new efforts by state and federal policymakers to dehumanize our LGBTQIA+ siblings. Amid this ever-evolving landscape, it can be challenging to keep up with all the twists and turns of LGBTQIA+ policy and attacks. Join this briefing from the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy, Georgia Equality, and the ONA Coalition to learn about policies at the state and federal level that threaten the LGBTQIA+ community. Come hear and share stories of resilience in the face of such attacks and ways you can raise your voice in the public to proclaim – “Love is Louder!”

World Refugee Day Ecumenical Service
2026-06-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
“To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul.” –Simone Weil
Join us Wednesday, June 17th, 6:00-7:00 pm ET, for an online ecumenical worship service in observance of World Refugee Day. With the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program frozen since January 2025 and resettled refugees facing an onslaught of diminishing protections and expanding threats, it is more important than ever to gather in lament, solidarity, and celebration of the right to seek refuge. With contributions from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Church of the Brethren, Presbyterian Church (USA), Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the United Church of Christ, we will worship through prayer, art, music, and reflections from pastors with their own stories of migration. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35)

Juneteenth Commemoration 2026: In Troubling Times Consult the Ancestors!
2026-06-18 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Juneteenth marks the official end of the enslavement of African descended people in the U.S. The original legal declaration was signed into law by Abraham Lincoln January 1, 1863, which instituted The Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day nationally, and Emancipation Day in Texas, and became an official holiday in the State of Texas in 1980. President Joe Biden officially signed into Law Juneteenth as a National Day of Remembrance, June 17, 2021.
Racial Justice Ministries of the United Church of Christ invite you to engage in prophetic remembering to confront the challenges of our time. Nurturing a movement toward justice for all is a sacred call for liberators and freedom fighters to seek wisdom from Old and New Testament Prophets who stood up against the empires of their day and to gain inspiration from modern prophets who lead the resistance to oppressive tyrannies, ideologies, and theologies. Racial Justice Ministries and wisdom teachers of the United Church of Christ National Ministries invite you to listen and learn how to thrive during national and global threats from authoritarian leaders.

Digital Evangelism: Creating Community with Social Media
2026-06-24 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
In this digital age, how do we find meaningful connections with each other and our wider communities? Join us as we explore ways to support each other, amplify our messages of love, and encourage growth across ever-changing digital landscapes. We’ll share tips and tricks for quick content creation, our favorite progressive Christian influencers, resources, and more! Bring your questions!

PRIDE Worship Service | Whoever Welcomes You Welcomes Me
2026-06-28 15:00 - 16:30 | Pilgrim Congregational UCC in Cleveland, OH and Online
You’re invited to join Rev. Dr. Bentley deBardelaben-Phillips, Minister and Team Leader for Education for Faithful Action Ministries for a powerful and affirming Pride Worship Service—streamed LIVE or experienced in person—on Sunday, June 28 from 3:00–4:30 PM at the historical Pilgrim Congregational UCC in Cleveland.
Sermon Title: Whoever Welcomes You Welcomes Me
Scripture: Matthew 10:40–42; Genesis 22:1–14
This spirited service will also feature uplifting, inspiring music.
✨ All are welcome. ✨

Commemorating 250 Years of Pluralism: Reimagining our Sacred Call
2026-07-06 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, we stand at a critical evolutionary crossroads. The promise of American pluralism has never been a static artifact of the past, it is a living, breathing covenant that each generation must expand, deepen, and renew. This interfaith webinar invites spiritual activists, faith leaders, and justice-seekers to move beyond mere religious tolerance and provide tools to engage in deep, active pluralism. We acknowledge that our nation’s founding ideals were marred by systemic exclusion, colonization, and slavery, and yet, we also honor the fierce legacy of prophetic resistance that has continuously pushed us toward true liberation.
Join us as we explore how our diverse spiritual traditions can unite to dismantle modern Religious Nationalism and commemorate 250 years of multi-faith resilience – the true fabric of American Pluralism. We will learn from ecumenical and interfaith leaders through stories, ritual sharing, and the creation of a dreaming space for the next 250-years where every community flourishes under a shared canopy of equal dignity and collective liberation.

Faith, Leadership, and Organizing for This Moment
2026-07-16 03:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
How do faith leaders, organizers, nonprofits, congregations, and community advocates sustain themselves while responding to the urgent challenges of this moment? Join Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker from the Center for Faith Lived Organizing for a timely dialogue exploring how today’s social, political, spiritual, and community realities are shaping new approaches to leadership, organizing, public theology, and transformative community engagement.
The conversation will highlight THRIVE 2026 — Eden’s groundbreaking one-day conference for nonprofit leaders, clergy, organizers, educators, congregational leaders, community advocates, and laypeople seeking practical tools, spiritual grounding, and transformative leadership development for today’s world. Participants will also hear about a new scholarship initiative designed to support a cohort from the UCC in participating in a certificate program, helping expand access to leadership formation grounded in justice, spirituality, and organizing.

Don't Throw That Away: Why Archiving Our History Matters!
2026-07-30 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
We all know there is one room in a church filled with memories – from documents to old hymnals to whatever item found its way there and we know the temptation to throw it all way! But our Church records are more than just words on dusty paper; they are windows into the past that illuminate the history of a community and convey the mission of the church. Church records span the entire history of your church, and no matter the age, are important to be preserved. But knowing what to preserve can be daunting work, especially if those with institutional knowledge have moved on. Join the Congregational Library & Archives’ archivists Billy McCarthy and Zachary Bodnar for a program focused on the first tangible steps a church can take to begin organizing their existing records and ensuring the long-term preservation of the records they produce today.
