United Church of Christ

The Importance of Continuing Education in Sex Ed
2023-01-04 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join us for a conversation with Dr. Tanya Bass, Founder of the NC Sexual Health Conference and Training, LLC, who will share her research on sex educators and continuing education.

Near the Brokenhearted
2022-12-22 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The Christmas Season is primarily known for Hope and Joy, focused on community and familial gatherings of celebration and thanksgiving. However, for some, the winter holidays season may be difficult due to personal loss and grief. Please join us for a special Christmas service in which we acknowledge pain and mourning during the holiday season and lift up prayers for hope, peace, and affirmation that God “is near the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged) for Mental Health
2022-12-15 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The United Church of Christ adopted the WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged) for mental health covenant as a denomination in 2015 as part of our commitment to mental health justice. Join representatives of the UCC Mental Health Network for practical resources for what UCC members and congregations can do to become WISE for mental health and create a more just world for all.
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. One the third Thursday of each month, one of these programs will be featured. Learn more at: www.ucc.org/just_world_covenants.

The Midterms and Beyond: A Path for Climate Justice
2022-12-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
When it comes to climate justice, how do we make it out of the wilderness and arrive at the promised land? In this webinar, we will discuss the results of the midterms with an eye to what is possible in 2023 and beyond. A full discussion of the midterms entails more than looking at a final scorecard of congressional contests. It entails assessing the power of young voters and voters who care about the climate crisis. It entails tracking the successes of state ballot initiatives. It entails bringing a lens of justice to multiple, overlapping struggles in our society. A full and broad conversation of the midterms is needed in order to cast a vision and a plan for how our movement can grow and thrive.
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.

Gift Giving and Worker Justice
2022-12-07 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
Learn ways you can give gifts AND participate in establishing just wages and worker safety standards for migrant workers and building the wealth of small business owners internationally and nationally. Milk with Dignity/Migrant Justice and Equal Exchange will provide ways for you to connect with their programs both as churches and individuals.

Global H.O.P.E. Blue Christmas Service
2022-12-05 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
Join us on Monday, Dec 5, 3pm ET for a virtual worship service with Team Global HOPE at UCC National Ministries for a Blue Christmas worship service. Blue Christmas services traditionally provide space for those who don’t feel so “merry and bright” during the holiday season.
This service seeks to recognize and stand in solidarity with the experiences of those aggrieved or displaced by disaster or forced migration in 2022, from Kentucky, to Ukraine, and beyond. We remember that we are called to stand in solidarity with the captive and the oppressed, and work together with God’s guidance to create a just world for all. UCC Clergy and choirs engaged in humanitarian ministries across the denomination will be providing reflective liturgy, music, and preaching during this event.
This event will be recorded for later availability or use in local Blue Christmas events.

World AIDS Day of Prayer and Remembrance
2022-12-01 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
In 1988, December 1st was declared to be World AIDS Day, a day to remember those living with HIV/AIDS, honor those who have died and to raise awareness around prevention and testing. Globally, there are more than 38 million people living with the disease, while another 40 million have died since the first diagnosis in 1981. Though there have been great strides in treatment, HIV/AIDS still claims as many as 860,000 lives per year.
Please join UCC and ecumenical leaders as Thursdays for the Soul presents a World AIDS Day of Prayer and Remembrance.

World AIDS Day 2022 Interfaith Service
2022-12-01 13:00 - 15:00 | Livestream
World AIDS Day 2022 Interfaith Service
Thursday, December 1, 1:00 pm Eastern U.S.
In-Person: Church Center of the United Nations 777 United Nations Plaza New York, New York 10017
Live Stream: YouTube.com/@hivfaith Facebook.com/ushivfaith
Every day that a person is living with HIV is a World AIDS Day and on Thursday, December 1 we will gather in person and virtually for an interfaith World AIDS Day service. Visibility will be the focal theme of the service, emphasizing the vital importance of seeing the marginalized within the marginalized of those living with HIV. The feature reflections from the marginalized within the HIV+ community- including Black women, long-term survivors, formerly incarcerated persons, persons of transgender or nonbinary experience, and other community members. Planning partners include leadership from the US Faith & AIDS Coalition, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, HIV Vaccine Trials Network, and the Lutheran Office for World Community.
https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/justice-local-church-ministries/justice/health-and-wholeness-advocacy-ministries/ucan/ucan_world-aids-day/

Celebration of Harvest and Ministry in Yunnan Province, China
2022-11-30 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Join the East Asia and Pacific office and representatives of Yunnan Provincial and Baoshan City Christian Councils as they discuss local harvest traditions and highlight social service and ministry programs serving the prevalent minority communities of this mountain province in western China.
There will be a special presentation by the Little Well Church choir that features members of the Miao community performing traditional Thanksgiving songs. We will also join Baoshan Christian Council via live stream as they promoting HIV/AID awareness in the community for World AIDS Day on December 1.

Becoming a Creation Justice Church
2022-11-17 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Creation Justice Churches is a program of the United Church of Christ that guides congregations in discerning how they can best embody a commitment to care for God’s creation. As Christians, this is our first calling in the Bible. It is also a calling that has been integral to the DNA of the UCC as a denomination and the historic role played by the UCC’s Commission for Racial Justice in launching the environmental justice movement. In the face of the climate crisis, the Creation Justice Church program has provided a path of active hope for a growing number of congregations. As the UCC’s Minister for Environmental Justice, the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt will introduce the program and host the following church leaders who have helped lead their church into becoming Creation Justice Churches:

Barbara Smith-Bacon from First Congregational United Church of Christ in Sarasota, Florida
Rev. Robert Grabill from the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College
Rev. Nancy Leckerling from First Congregational Church in Guilford, Connecticut
Claire Stiles from Lakewood United Church of Christ, St. Petersburg, Florida

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: just world covenants

Writing as a Spiritual Practice
2022-11-10 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
A daily pause.
A moment of wonder.
A simple invitation to insight.
With deep understanding of the human spirit, each poem by Tina Datsko de Sánchez touches the reader’s core with its rich imagery and holy metaphors. Join us as Tina reads poetry from her latest release, Swimming in God, shares insight on her writing process and how she finds inspiration, and invites attendees to craft ecstatic poetry of their own through writing prompts. We invite you to come to this webinar with your favorite writing implement and an open heart.
Swimming in God is available at thepilgrimpress.com, at your favorite online book seller, or on order with your local bookstore.

Centering Africa at COP27
2022-11-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
In November, leaders from the world’s nations will be convening at COP27, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. While this summit has been described as “the African COP,” activists from the continent have asserted that they are already being shut out. In this webinar, we will center the climate concerns and issues faced by Africa, the continent that bears the least responsibility for the climate crisis yet is most vulnerable to its destructive impacts. A prominent concern for African nations at COP27 is the matter of who will pay for the increasing losses and damages inflicted by the climate crisis. Over the past 50 years, climate exacerbated drought has led to a loss of an estimated $70 billion in the Horn of Africa and southern Africa, while the cost of rising sea levels is projected to reach $50 billion by 2050 for islands and coastal areas. Of far greater significance than what can be expressed in monetary amounts is the enormous loss of life that has occurred. Over the past 50 years, drought led to the loss of over a half million lives, while flooding has claimed the lives of 20,000. Among the featured panelists for this webinar will be Dr. Tinashe Gumbo from the All Africa Conference of Churches and the Rev. Michael Kalito from Theological Education by Extension in Zambia (TEEZ).
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.

White Christian Nationalism and the Midterm Elections
2022-11-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Livestream
As congressional hearings into the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol end and in the shadow of the rise of the Neo-Nazi organizations in our nation, the mid-term election is proving to be as contentious as ever. Equally, candidates around the country are trafficking white Christian nationalism. With each passing election, fringe political ideas become more and more mainstream. Simultaneously, white supremacist ideas at work in Christian practices must be contended with.
On November 6th, 2022, at 7pmET/4pmPT, Valley and Mountain Fellowship’s Center for Fatih, Art and Justice, in partnership with the UCC’s Join the Movement toward Racial Justice Initiative will host a dialogue between Rev. Dr. Obery Hendricks, author, Christians Against Christianity: How Right-Wing Evangelicals Are Destroying Our Nation and Our Faith and Dr. Anthea Butler, author, White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America. The topic is White Christian Nationalism and the Midterm Elections. The dialogue will be moderated by the Right Rev. Dr. Edward Donalson, III, author #BlackLivesMatter: Toward an Intersectional Theology. The event will be live streamed.

United Church of Christ Ambassador Training with Blessed Tomorrow
2022-11-05 11:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
Americans are growing more concerned about climate change. As they witness and experience impacts on their health, livelihoods, and communities, they are increasingly looking for guidance on solutions, from people in their daily lives – including faith leaders like you. This training will equip you with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and resources to speak and act confidently on climate change and solutions.
With this training, and a cohort of like-minded leaders, you will be able to engage your congregations and congregants, colleagues, the public, and policymakers to inspire climate solutions that help protect our families and communities now, and ensure a prosperous, just, and secure future.
This webinar will be recorded via Zoom and the links for the recorded webinar will be provided to all who register. Individuals interested in becoming Blessed Tomorrow Ambassadors must attend the webinar and then sign the agreement.
The training will run on Saturday, November 5 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM ET, and will include several breaks throughout.
If you have any questions before registering, please contact FaithAmbassadors@ecoAmerica.org
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact FaithAmbassadors@ecoAmerica.org

Spirituality and Pop Culture
2022-11-03 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
As Christmas becomes increasingly secularized, how do we talk to our congregations about the holiday? And how has the popular view of Christmas changed over time? The answer may come from depictions of Christmas in popular movies and TV shows.
Join author and religion journalist John A. Zukowski as he talks about his book Christmas on the Screen, which explores the spiritual and cultural implications of Christmas movies and TV shows.
This session will point out how popular culture has changed how Americans feel about Christmas. It’s an opportunity to both use and critique images of Christmas in popular culture as we head toward another Christmas season.
Christmas on the Screen is available at thepilgrimpress.com, at your favorite online book seller, or on order with your local bookstore.
100 Spiritual Movies to See Before You Die is available to pre-order at thepilgrimpress.com

Sex on Wednesday with Martha Kempner
2022-11-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us as we welcome Martha Kempner! Martha is a writer and sexual health expert. She writes about sexual behavior, contraception, STDs, and her efforts to raise sexually healthy girls in a sexually unhealthy world. Her articles and newsletter, Sex on Wednesday, explain new research, provide commentary on current events, analyze social trends, and bust myths.

How to Protect Your Digital Information: A Practical Discussion of Digital Privacy
2022-10-27 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
In light of the Dobb’s decision having a firm grasp of digital privacy is all the more important. Knowing who has access to your online life, from period trackers to grocery apps and social media, and what companies can do with that information is critical. This session will help empower and inform folks to take practical steps to protect their digital privacy and provide context about what is happening in the digital privacy space.

Planned Giving to Support Mission and Ministry
2022-10-26 19:30 - 20:30 | Zoom
7:30pm to 8:30pm Eastern Time (6:30pm to 7:30pm Central)
While 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. Through this webinar, you will learn key concepts and create an action plan for your congregation or ministry.
Register in advance for this meeting:

Immigrant Welcoming Congregations Working for Human Rights and Dignity for All
2022-10-20 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
This webinar will be led by faith leaders and impacted leaders in the field who are doing on-the-ground community organizing with UCC congregations on border issues, immigrants’ rights, Sanctuary, refugee resettlement, and the accompaniment of asylum seekers as part of the greater struggle for human rights and dignity for all people. Presenters will share stories of how anti-immigrant policies are hurting our community members and offer examples of how to create concrete methodologies to educate and move your congregation to effectively engage on the issue of immigration. Participants will leave with a step-by-step process of becoming an immigrant welcoming and/or Sanctuary congregation.
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.

Planning Your 2023 Volunteer Service Trip
2022-10-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Volunteer Service Trip…Mission Trip…Work Trip…
Traveling to places in need to perform hand’s on service is a long tradition in the United Church of Christ. With Covid restrictions waning, this fall is the right time to start planning your 2023 Volunteer Service Trip.
This webinar will include: ideas and planning suggestions, new UCC curriculum to deepen youth trips into Faith Formation experiences, and practical pieces for creating a positive and productive experience.
All are welcome!

Get Your Student Loan Debt Cancellation Questions Answered
2022-10-17 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Have questions about the latest news with student loan debt cancellation, processes, and upcoming deadlines? Join us Monday, October 17, 2022 from 3:30pm-4:30pm to hear directly from senior officials of the Federal Student Aid Office of US Department of Education, Student Borrower Protection Center and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Intergenerational Advent Planning
2022-10-13 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join members of the Association of United Church Educators (AUCE) Board of Directors as they share about faith formation during Advent. There will be ideas for intergenerational Advent activities, Advent resources, ways to collect ideas. We’ll also touch on intergenerational ministries, creative planning strategies, and practices of online faith formation.

The Inflation Reduction Act: How It Can Benefit Faith Communities
2022-10-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) changes the landscape of what’s possible for faith communities when it comes to solar and energy efficiency. For example, did you know that this new law now makes it possible for nonprofit organizations to receive a direct payment from the federal government that equals 30% of a solar installation’s cost?
Yet there is much about the law and how it can benefit faith communities that requires careful attention and navigation. Moreover, there can be an alphabet soup of technical and financial jargon that one must confront when it comes to understanding PPAs, SRECs, ITCs, and more.
How is a faith community to discern what is the best way to finance solar or energy efficiency upgrades?
For this webinar, we will sort through what faith communities need to know, while also looking at successful examples and practices. Panelists for this webinar will be assembled in collaboration with the UCC Cornerstone Fund, a long-time advocate for climate-care church energy projects.
If you can’t join us live, still sign up and we will send you the recording and resources!
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.
REGISTER

Releasing, Blessing, and Sending Rev. Dr. Chris Davies
2022-10-11 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join officers and staff of the United Church of Christ in a Service of Release as we give thanks for the ministry of Rev. Dr. Chris Davies, Team Leader and Minister, Faith INFO, as she transitions from her role at the national setting to do a new thing.

The Small Church Story Project in the Maine Conference
2022-10-06 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Intrigued by reports of small, rural, congregations who are creating new ways of “being church’, Rev Douglas Dunlap and Rev Susan Craig formed The Small Church Story Project in 2015. Their efforts are to gather the stories of such congregations of the Maine Conference to share with churches small and large, wherever these may be, in the nation or the world. Also to counter the narrative that small churches have no other future than that of closing and how small size can be turned to advantage which leads to spirited worship, vibrant fellowship, and responses to Christ’s call to serve that are engaging, effective, and heartening.
Join us as Rev Roberto Ochoa meets with Rev Dunlap and Rev Craig to find out more about the Small Church Project and to hear the stories of small, rural, congregations making a difference in their communities of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

A New Breed of OWL: Formatting for K-1 and Beyond!
2022-10-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us as we welcome Mary Benard, Publicity Director for the UUA, to discuss our new easily updatable format for OWL, beginning with OWL for K-1, 2nd ed. We’ll also get a glimpse into our new OWL Portal, which we hope will be operational in 2023.

Climate Hope Cards Art Contest
2022-10-04 - 2022-11-29 | Zoom
We find ourselves in the midst of ongoing climate and environmental justice crises. The future sometimes seems uncertain and even frightening. Yet as people of faith, we are called to heed prophetic voices and fight for a livable planet.
Calling all UCC children and youth: Draw or paint about climate hope, environmental justice, or protecting the Earth. Sunday school class and youth group participation encouraged.
Last day to submit art (11/29/2022)

Preparing for Advent 2022: Days to Come
2022-09-29 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The United Church of Christ partners with The United Church of Canada to offer a collection of resources for the Advent season. From devotionals to candle lighting rituals, for individuals and for communal worship, we will have resources ready for your faith communities. Join us for an overview of the collection and a preview of a new song!

Partners in Building 2022
2022-09-29 | Zoom
Partners in Building (PIB) is a multi-day training event where leaders from congregations are invited to attend and engage in various informative presentations and workshops facilitated by the UCC Church Building & Loan Fund.
PIB connects pastors and other church leaders with information on how to repurpose, finance, and manage church-owned property through presentations and workshops.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from and engage with experts on a variety of topics: Navigating Land Use, Repurposing Resources for Mission, Faith Based Entrepreneurs, Fund Raising, Hybrid & Online Ministry, and so much more.
Join us virtually on September 29-30.
Registration is only $49 for this two-day event and includes access to the recordings of the presentations.

Narrative Budgets: Telling your Story by the Numbers
2022-09-28 19:30 - 20:30 | Zoom
7:30pm to 8:30pm Eastern Time (6:30pm to 7:30pm Central)

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.
Register in advance for this meeting:
