Lee Zeldin's EPA
2025-10-08 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
As the EPA Administrator, Lee Zeldin has sought to dismantle environmental protections with unwavering dedication and devotion. From a proposal to rescind the Endangerment Finding that gave the EPA legal authority to combat climate change to sweeping announcements of rollbacks to rules that safeguard the public from air and water pollution, Zeldin has been a man on a mission that is at odds with the EPA’s stated mission of protecting human health and the environment. To help us understand the significance of Zeldin’s actions as well as the challenges they will face, we will hear from the following panel of experts:
-Ann Carlson, Founding Director, Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the UCLA School of Law
-Jen Duggan, Executive Director, Environmental Integrity Project
-Chitra Kumar, Managing Director of Climate & Energy, Union of Concerned Scientists
Even if you cannot make the live event, still register, and we will send you a recording.
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.

Disability Justice in Congregational Contexts Part II: What is Disability Justice
2025-10-09 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
In Part II, we’ll explore the creation of the Disability Justice movement by queer and trans disabled folx of color. We’ll also discuss and explain the 10 Principles of Disability Justice, which serve as the foundation and roadmap for congregations seeking to live into disability justice.

What's Next Series: How Art Deepens and Enriches Worship in Divided Times
2025-10-13 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join us for another edition of our What’s Next Series, a series curated to help us ask what we can do in divided times. We’ll be joined by Rev. Marshela Salgado for an engaging online conversation exploring how art can deepen and enrich worship. Rev. Salgado will share about the work that her congregation has done to promote various forms of art in worship, from art shows to various worship series: Theology of Broadway, [Pop]Culture Theology, Banned Books and more. Together, they’ll discuss practical ways to weave visual, musical, and creative expressions into the worship experience that inspire connection, reflection, justice, and community. This workshop will offer both theological insights and hands-on ideas for integrating art in ways that speak to the heart and spirit of your congregation.
The What’s Next series began prior to the 2024 election cycle and is designed to help educate us around the big questions of our faith. This special offering is curated to push back on the political ideology and divide that has become this nation’s “religion”. To live into the Still Speaking G-d, we are the embodiment of who and what we are called to be to one another – whether it be spiritually, culturally, and lovingly during a time when we are being pulled apart at the seams. Part of this embodiment is examining the ways that art speaks and moves us towards expression and collectiveness.

Disability Justice in Congregational Contexts Part III: How Do We Live into Disability Justice
2025-10-16 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
In Part III, we will take what we have learned about disability, ableism, and disability justice and discuss ways to apply it in a congregational context. Topics will include the Accessible to All (A2A) process, celebrating Access Sunday, and an introduction to disability theology. Attendees will leave with concrete tools for helping their congregations undo ableism, increase accessibility, and celebrate disabled leadership and disability wisdom.

Women & Gender Justice Ministries Listening Sessions
2025-10-22 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-10-29 15:30 - 16:30
As the United Church of Christ continues to live into its call to justice, your voice matters. Join one of two listening sessions to share your experiences, hopes, and needs around women and gender justice within the life of the church and broader community. Your feedback will help shape future workshop, webinar, and resource-sharing offerings. Join the Minister for Women and Gender Justice in conversation as we listen for the Spirit’s leading.

Let the Children Come
2025-10-23 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Through the Love of Children program we are exploring ways to create spaces where children are welcomed and embraced to come as they truly are. One of the most important places children gather is during worship/Sunday morning. Three of our current Love of Children cohort members will share experiences and best practices on how to create safe and welcoming spaces for children in the local church and beyond. We hope you will gain some insights on child development, the need for inclusive spaces that meet the developmental needs of young people and hear some exciting things that you can try in your own congregation. Panelists will also speak to how the Love of Children cohort has strengthened their ministry and welcome others to apply for the 2026 cohort.

The Future of Faith: The Sacrament of Interfaith Friendship
2025-11-03 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
In this divisive moment, we are called to both go forth and build meaningful connection across lines of difference and to tend to our spirits and communities. Join us for a conversation this intersection between magnifying the sacramental beauty of interfaith friendship and doing the inner work we all must do to sustain ourselves.
So many of us are living in the most divided times we’ve known collectively. Between fascism, genocide, war, famine, environmental collapse, and uncertainty about our relationships and what we are called to be in such a time – we find ourselves deepening or returning to our faith. Our “Future of Faith” series is curated to help us learn from the thought leaders who are exploring these themes and is an invitation to come into a dreaming space where all of G-d’s creation can be cared for – a space where we can know that collective dignity, love, kindness, and respect is honored and how our different perspectives of faith can build up a better world!

OWL Taking Flight: Inclusive Our Whole Lives Programs
2025-11-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Dan Long, Student Services Supervisor, Special Education in the Seattle Public Schools, joins us for a conversation and expansive view of inclusion and accommodations for participants.

Land, The Series in 3-Parts: Protecting and Caring for the Historic Christian Lands of Armenia
2025-11-06 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
A handful of churches within the United Church of Christ identify as ethnically Armenian congregations. Come hear from one Armenian UCC pastor about the Christian treasures of the lands of Armenia, from ancient Mount Ararat to medieval monasteries to contemporary churches serving refugees from the 2020 war with Azerbaijan. After losing the territory of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) in that war, Armenia is crying out for justice and for partners in protecting its territorial sovereignty. In this webinar, you will also learn about the hope-giving ways that the non-profit organization the Armenia Tree Project is looking to the future by making environmental investments in the land.

What's Next: Countering Project 2025 with Love: One Year Later
2025-11-10 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join the UCC Washington D.C. Office for a conversation on Project 2025 and how the policy landscape and the UCC’s faith-based responses have evolved over the past year since the election. By revisiting our resource “Countering Project 2025 With Love: A UCC Response,” this webinar will explore enduring commitments and new challenges across issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, immigration justice, international peace, and more. We will also introduce our new toolkit for faithful advocacy, offering practical ways for individuals and congregations to help build a just world for all. Whether you’re new to the conversation or have been following from the start, this webinar will equip you with both context and tools to put love into action today!

Book Release Celebration: Climate Justice, Climate Hope
2025-11-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
The Reverends Michael Malcom and abby mohaupt have released a new book that acknowledges the stark horrors of climate change while building hope and moral-spiritual agency for a brighter future. Bringing decades of leadership experience in interfaith efforts toward environmental and climate justice, they guide readers along pathways toward a clear-eyed but energizing vision of different ways of being. Join us to hear from the authors about the writing of the book and the insights it has to offer.
The Rev. Michael Malcom is the Executive Director of the People’s Justice Council and Alabama Interfaith Power & Light. The rev. abby mohaupt is the director of the Garrett Collective at Garrett Seminary.
Even if you cannot make the live event, still register, and we will send you a recording.
This event will be hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt, who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ.
NOTE ON TIME: This event will take place an hour later than the monthly Creation Justice Webinar cohosted by Berndt and Malcolm.

Land, The Series in 3-Parts: Part II: Small Town and Rural Communities
2025-11-13 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Land: A Three-part Series: Our relationship to land varies, not only geographically but spiritually as well. This 3-part series will examine the role Christianity has had in our relationship to land and how those relationships inform how we live, work and worship alongside others.
Part II – Small Town and Rural communities are often uniquely tied to the land. Join us as we learn from 3 members of the Small Town and Rural Coalition (STAR) on how being stewards to the land inform how they believe in God and how this connects them to one another.

Future of Faith: Resisting Overwhelm in Tumultuous Times
2025-11-17 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
So many of us are living in the most divided times we’ve known collectively. Between fascism, genocide, war, famine, environmental collapse, and uncertainty about our relationships and what we are called to be in such a time – we find ourselves deepening or returning to our faith. Our “Future of Faith” series is curated to help us learn from the thought leaders who are exploring these themes and is an invitation to come into a dreaming space where all of G-d’s creation can be cared for – a space where we can know that collective dignity, love, kindness, and respect is honored and how our different perspectives of faith can build up a better world!
Concerned about clergy burnout, Rev. Nicolette developed a boundary training called “Centered Preaching in Tumultuous Times” that she taught for the first time in May 2025. Many are drawn to the UCC because of our passion for social justice. However, pastors who feel called to address the relevant issues of the day are being overwhelmed by unending waves of newsworthy events. Join us for a conversation with Rev. Nicolette as we talk about the joys and challenges of preaching in this time, the importance of developing sustainable preaching habits, and some of the hard lessons she has learned along the way so we can continue the work we’ve been called to do.

Land, The Series in 3-Parts: Part III: Stacked Stories and the Doctrine of Discovery Today
2025-11-20 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Land: A Three-part Series: Our relationship to land varies, not only geographically but spiritually as well. This 3-part series will examine the role Christianity has had in our relationship to land and how those relationships inform how we live, work and worship alongside others.
Part III – In this webinar, Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel and Land History Consultant and tribal-rights attorney Jessica Intermill will explore the legal and theological underpinnings of the Doctrine of Discovery. They will explore the texture of the doctrine in today’s world with a deep dive into the social geography of Minneapolis, and then answer guest questions about the role of the Doctrine today.

Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil
2025-11-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Worship Bulletin
Trans Day of Remembrance embodies our belief in the power of memory in the naming of Trans beloveds we have lost to violence. In a world moment, where division continues to be highlighted, the Church can offer a place of celebration and honoring of God’s uniqueness and gifts within humanity. Join the United Church of Christ November 20th, 7-8:15 PM, to share space in remembering our trans siblings and celebrating the divine within them. We encourage community gatherings, Church groups, conferences, and more to join together in viewing this service with us.
Preaching: Rev. Dr. Lawrence T. Richardson (he/him/his) serves as the Associate Conference Minister for Church Vitality and Transitions in the Michigan Conference UCC. Rev. Richardson is a member of the United Church of Christ Board of Directors. Lawrence worked for 10 years as a consultant with church leadership and consulting group, Convergence; served as an adjunct faculty member at both United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and Luther Seminary and was a media trainer for Auburn Seminary. Lawrence served for 20 years as a local church pastor, digital evangelist, and church planter. A transgender advocate, Lawrence received the Humanitarian Award from Black Transmen Inc. and was a Trans 100 List honoree. Lawrence loves reading, trying different cuisine, traveling, and spending time with loved ones. He is delighted to be here with you today.
Music & Spoken Word provided by The Many: Drawing on indie pop and gospel influences, The Many makes music to help give voice to faith and doubt, questions and fears, laments and longings, music that speaks to a non-violent God, a Jesus who is with us and for us, and to a Spirit that can’t be easily defined or controlled. It’s music for a movement of resistance to hatred and division, for reconciliation and restoration, and music that always reminds us “we are on this earth to love.”

Abolition, Advent, and Apocalypse: The New Old Story of Freedom and Practicing New Worlds into Life
2025-11-24 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
As we approach the season of Advent this year, many of us find ourselves vacillating between feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, faced with rapidly changing political and social landscapes, with violence and repression on the rise. Yet, Advent’s stories of awaking and preparing, waiting and longing, expecting and dreaming offer us visions to move us, values to ground us, and practices to empower us to bring love to birth in this world. Come hear from contributors to this year’s Abolition Advent Calendar about their work to help us reach back to the wisdom of our scriptural and abolitionist pasts and make a way out of no way into hope.

This Month at the UN
2025-12-02 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-06 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-02-03 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!

Joy as Resistance with Neal D. Presa
2025-12-04 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The season of Advent invites us to embody joy. Yet, the times in which we live may challenge joyful experiences, practices, and encounters. Worship helps bridge recognition of the current reality with hope for the future…making space for joy. Join Cheryl A. Lindsay, UCC Minister for Worship and Theology for an Advent conversation with Neal D. Presa, author of Worship, Justice and Joy: A Liturgical Pilgrimage.

*This event will be streamed live on YouTube and Facebook. No registration necessary.

Faith-Rooted Anti-Authoritarianism
2025-12-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
In countries like Zambia, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Hungary, and Brazil, churches have played a vital role in pro-democracy movements that have challenged authoritarianism. Maria Stephan, who co-authored “Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict” with Erica Chenoweth, will be joined by others in this webinar to share important lessons and insights for faith communities in the United States.
Even if you cannot make the live event, still register, and we will send you a recording.
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.

Joy Through Hope (pre-recorded)
2025-12-11 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Hope forms as a response to need, struggle, and dreams of a better future. Hope serves as an antidote to fear, motivation to continue forward, and fuel for joy. Rejoice with us as conference ministers and national staff share stories and reflect on sparks of hope in the life of the church.

United Church of Christ & United Church of Canada 10th Year Anniversary Online Worship
2025-12-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
The United Church of Christ (UCC) and the United Church of Canada (UCC Canada) entered into a formal full-communion agreement in 2015, following unanimous votes by both denominations. This full communion was affirmed by the UCC General Synod in June 2015 and by the UCC Canada General Council in August 2015, and was further celebrated through a joint worship service on October 17, 2015.
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary this year, we gather for an online worship service rejoicing in the deepening partnership between our churches. We invite you to join us online—and to share the livestream with your congregations and communities—so that churches and members across both denominations can participate together in this joyful celebration. Together, we celebrate the joy of our shared ministry, affirm our continuing commitment to one another, and look with gratitude and excitement toward all that God is calling us to do—side by side—in the years to come.

An Advent Message from the Rev. Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr.
2025-12-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Get a sense of what Climate Hope Affiliates is all about while hearing from the Rev. Benjamin Chavis, Jr. Chavis is often credited with coining the phrase “environmental racism.” He played a leading role in three of the most important events in the formation and development of the environmental justice movement: the Warren County civil disobedience campaign, the publication of the landmark report on toxic waste and race, and the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit. Join Climate Hope Affiliates for its monthly national webinar on Saturday, December 13th at 1 pm ET/12 pm CT/11 am MT/10 am PT. Chavis will deliver an Advent message.

Joy Through Lament: A Blue Christmas Worship Service (pre-recorded)
2025-12-18 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Joy honors sorrow and sadness, pain and despair, regret and grief. We invite you into a space that recognizes that “good cheer” may not be attainable for all. Lament allows us to acknowledge our authentic emotional condition while commemorating the Incarnation/Birth of Christ and being comforted by Emmanuel/God With Us.

OWL Taking Flight: What's Faith Got to Do With It?
2026-01-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
What does faith have to do with sex ed? Join us to hear why two faith organizations continue to partner to provide comprehensive, inclusive and faith-based sexuality education.

Climate Action Commissioning Service
2026-01-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
As we enter a year of critical importance in the struggle for climate justice, the UCC is holding a Climate Action Commissioning Service. Gather with us as we faithfully prepare ourselves to take action in the coming year. The theme for this service and for the 2026 Climate Hope Art Contest is “a future with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Our preacher will be the Rev. Jim Antal, author of “Climate Church, Climate World” and Special Advisor on Climate Justice to the UCC General Minister and President. Even if you cannot make the live event, still register, and we will send you a recording.

Reading Into the New Year: Not Just for Kids Children's Book Edition
2026-01-22 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join author Becky Manfredini and illustrator-writer, Meredith Gould, as they discuss their decades-long friendship that culminated in developing a children’s book series published by The Pilgrim Press: Slug and Snail Search for Home, Slug and Snail Search for Love, and Slug and Snail Search for Peace. They’ll share the inspiration for creating the main characters, Slug and Snail, two BFFs who search for the meaning of home, love, and peace.
The series focuses on these basic concepts for building a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development, and will be explored during the webinar. Becky and Meredith will share how their lifelong love of books is one element at the core of their collaboration. They’ll also focus on finding inspiration, creative processes, and how they worked individually and as a team to create a compelling storyline, through showing and telling.
Reading Into the New Year webinar series is a longer series where at the start of every year, Nurture the Soul partners with Pilgrim Press to invite you to lead a book discussion in your own congregational or community settings in 2026.

Reading Into the New Year: Drag Queen Preacher, The Power of Identity
2026-01-29 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join us for a webinar with Rev. R.R. Tavárez, the author of Drag Queen Preacher! Including themes of his Afro-Latino culture, queerness, faith, doubt, and a radical emergence as a drag performer, this minister takes us on a journey. Through the elegance of poetry and prose we are invited into a beautiful reckoning where we find our story, refuse to be invisible, and dare to become more human.
Our 2026 Reading Into the New Year series will highlight books that were released by Pilgrim Press in the 4th Quarter of 2026 and the 1st Quarter of 2026. We hope that each episode invites you to lead a book discussion in your own congregational or community settings in 2026!
