United Church of Christ

Lessons from the Hebrew Bible: The Enduring Resilience of African Descended Women
2021-03-25 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
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.

Stories Rooted in Love that Dismantle Stigma
2021-03-30 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
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.

Commission on the Status of Women
2021-03-31 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
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.

Maundy Thursday
2021-04-01 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
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.

The State of Black Bodies in the US
2021-04-06 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
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.

OWL Taking Flight: Trauma-Informed Sexuality Education
2021-04-07 12:00 - 13:00 | 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.

Towards a Sustainable Future
2021-04-07 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
The Sustainable Development Goals or Global Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”. The SDGs were set in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by the year 2030. The work of justice and ministry in the church are critically tied to sustainable development. Join this conversation about how these global goals are paving the way to a sustainable future.
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.

Let’s Talk About Abortion
2021-04-08 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Abortion Access is an issue of faith! The United Church of Christ has had a strong history of supporting access to safe and healthy abortion since before Roe V. Wade. UCC Clergy have been advocating for the women and people who need abortions for decades! Join for a conversation with Elaina Ramsey, Ohio Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Sandy Sorenson, United Church of Christ DC Team Leader, and Rev. Dr. Chris Davies, advocate for abortion access in Ohio. This conversation will be moderated by Rev. Jes Kast.

Telling Our Story(ies)
2021-04-13 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The United Nations declared the International Decade for People of African Descent, 2015-2024. Around 200 million people identifying themselves as being of African descent live in the Americas. Many millions more live in other parts of the world, outside of the African continent. These are descendants of enslaved Africans brought in the region to multiple countries, with multiple stories of resilience, rebellion and resistance. Telling the story(ies) is important and requires a comprehensive narrative as we strengthen the call for justice.

What's Fair?: The U.S. and Responsibility for the Climate Crisis
2021-04-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Historically, the United States has released more global warming pollution than any other country, and it remains the world’s second highest emitter. With its wealth and power, what are the moral obligations of the U.S. in confronting the climate crisis? In short, what’s fair? Three leaders in the effort to address this question will present in this webinar:
-Sivan Kartha, Senior Scientist, Stockholm Environment Institute
-Jean Su, Energy Justice Program Director, Center for Biological Diversity
-Susannah Tuttle, Director, North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light
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.

#StopTheHate – A Call to Prayer and Action
2021-04-15 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
#StopTheHate – A Call to Prayer and Action by the Pacific Islander/Asian American Ministries (PAAM) of the United Church of Christ Angry! Outraged! Upset! There are no words to reflect what is happening in our Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Brutal attacks on the elderly and vulnerable are increasing. And these are not robberies. Just hate crimes and in broad daylight. The latest report from just one center monitoring AAPI crimes list over 3,700 incidents from March 2020 to February 2021.
Join the United Church of Christ for an expanded edition of Thursdays for the Soul as leaders and members from the UCC Pacific Islander & Asian American Ministries (PAAM) offer prayers, reflections, and song for collective lament, grieving, a call of national repentance, hope for healing and forgiveness. Followed by a panel presentation and discussion calling for action on how UCC congregations and the wider church can help respond to counter the increasing harassment and violence aimed at our AAPI siblings, sisters and brothers.

Getting Ready, Getting Rooted Part I
2021-04-20 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join General Synod Worship Director, Rev. Tracy Howe, planning team members, liturgists, artists and others who are helping to develop the spiritual foundations as well as the worship, music and arts programing for this historic virtual gathering. In this two-part series, Tuesday for Nurture will explore the practical considerations in developing this massive project, many of which translate to the local church as well. What does it mean to create trauma informed liturgy? What is does disability justice look like in the virtual environment? How does the expectation of General Synod worship pasts inform what we are creating? Featuring sneak peaks of original music commissioned for General Synod as well as other art and cultural offerings!

Spiritualities and Powers
2021-04-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
The spiritualities of colonized peoples survived and are being recovered by new generations. The project of decolonizing Christianity and dismantling Empire is one that must confront the realities of spiritualities that give life and flourish in spite of past and present oppression. How are these surviving and contributing to resilience and justice?
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.

Getting Ready, Getting Rooted Part II
2021-04-22 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
In part II, of Getting Ready, Getting Rooted – Thursdays For the Soul, General Synod Worship Director, Rev. Tracy Howe, planning team members, liturgists, artists and others will look at formation and how the spiritual journey and sub themes of the General Synod worship services were developed. Featuring sneak peaks of original music commissioned for General Synod as well as other art and cultural offerings!

The State of Global Refugees, Migrants and Asylum
2021-04-27 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The world currently has a crisis as people are on the move for a variety of reasons. Learning about the push and pull of migration, increases the ability to be advocates for changes and policies, with the changes in administration. Join this conversation for an update on the ways in which communities of faith are involved in addressing the issues facing refugees, migrants and asylum seekers and the ways in which churches are resettling these families and individuals.

Gonna Trouble the Water: A Live Reading and Book Discussion
2021-04-29 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
To deny water is to deny life. On Thursday, April 29th, join author Miguel A. De La Torre and contributors to Gonna Trouble the Water as they discuss the sacred nature of water and the ways it is weaponized against non-white communities. Gonna Trouble the Water: Ecojustice, Water, and Environmental Racism de-centers “water as commodity” and centers the dignity of water and its life-giving character.
Gonna Trouble the Water is available at thepilgrimpress.com and wherever your favorite e-books are sold.

Mind the Gap: Motherhood
2021-05-04 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
In this four-part series, we will address the need for economic justice. Over the next four months we will explore Motherhood, Working and Wage Justice, Debt and Health Equity.
Join us for part one on the topic of Motherhood with Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., co-lead sponsor of the Momnibus bill in the US House of Representatives and member of House Financial Services and Education and Labor Committees. The conversation will continue with ways that you and your congregation can participate in advocating for paid family leave for all workers beyond the pandemic and the global movement for equity and justice for women and girls. Let’s spend our time honoring mothers by advocating for them effectively!

OWL Taking Flight: Consensual Non-Monogamy and Faith: What can we learn from a Canadian Unitarian Council Survey
2021-05-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us to explore what UCC churches and UU congregations can learn from a Canadian Unitarian Council report on how to be welcoming and inclusive of polyamorous people and families in every aspect of congregational life, recognizing that consensually non-monogamous individuals and families are part of our faith communities as members, friends, clergy, and staff.
Guests: Vyda Ng, Executive Director, Canadian Unitarian Council; Rev. Michael Crumpler, Director of LGBTQ and Multicultural Programs, UUA; and Gabriela De Golia, UCC seminarian.

State of Global Racial Justice
2021-05-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
Racism, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination are on the rise globally. Afrophobia refers to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards black people or people of African Descent around the world. It is a perceived fear and hatred of the cultures and peoples of Africa and the African diaspora. Casteism prejudice or antagonism directed against someone of a different caste. These are global problems diminishing the human rights of the world’s population. Join us for a conversation on the state of racism and discrimination globally.

Sisterhood: The Work Our Soul Requires
2021-05-06 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Our togetherness is rooted in the spirit of Ubuntu – I am because you are, and because you are, I can be also. Join African American Women in Ministry (AAWIM) for a candid conversation with an intergenerational panel of women from our select Sister Circles. In the spirit of Ubuntu, these sisters will share from a personal lens the essentiality of sisterhood in these unprecedented times. We are hopeful all will be enriched by this conversation and equipped with resources to continue on this sacred journey during this season of recovery.

Where Do We Go From Here: COVID-19 in 2021
2021-05-11 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Please join Rev. Traci Blackmon and Nicolette A. Louissaint, PhD, executive director and president of Healthcare Ready: a 501(c)(3) organization that focuses on strengthening the United States’ healthcare supply chain preparedness and response before, during and after natural disasters and disease pandemics. Dr. Louissaint will share with us the current state of the virus and vaccinations nationally, as well as considerations community for re-engagement and long-term recovery post vaccination.

A Celebration for Mother's through Filipino Culture
2021-05-13 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Honoring ancestors is an important aspect to Filipino culture and the United Church is blessed to have Filipino identified congregations within the denomination and many are active members of the Pacific Island and Asian American Ministries (PAAM) of the UCC. Join Faith Community Congregation of Oakland, CA as they lead us into a very special Filipino style worship of family participation, prayers and music honoring Mothers and Matriarchs. A Mother’s Day Event for UCC congregations and the Wider Church. Come learn more about our Filipino siblings in the UCC as they share their spiritual joy in Christ for all.

Purple Church
2021-05-18 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The United Church of Christ contains people with a wide spectrum of theological belief, and political alignment. People who choose to be in a church that holds difference of opinion often do so with a few different strategies of love, and conflict management. On this conversation, we will hear from leaders of Purple Churches, or churches that have members across the theological/social/political lines, about how they show up authentically with each other in the midst of difference.

The Middle East in Transition, and the Future and Role of its Christians
2021-05-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
The counties of the Middle East region continue to experience major social, political, and economic shifts with uncertain outcomes. What is sure is that the people of the region have been impacted in significant – and even tragic – ways. The Christians and churches of the region have not been exempt from these shifts. What is their future? What has been their role in responding to needs, and what will their role be in what is to come? Join us to hear from the General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches, Dr. Michel Abs, as he offers his insight into the context and his vision for the place of Christians in the future.

Wisdom for the Church: Antoinette Brown Awardees Speak
2021-05-20 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
In 1853, Antoinette Brown was the first woman ordained into the Christian ministry in modern times. Throughout her lifetime, she was a passionate advocate for women’s leadership in church and society. Since 1975, the UCC at General Synod has recognized clergywomen with the Antoinette Brown Award, celebrating their trailblazing leadership and innovative, catalyzing ministries. Due to the pandemic, our biennial leadership event was cancelled for 2020, this session will allow us to provide the recognition we were unable to provide earlier.
Join the Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization (MESA) Ministry Team and the 2019 Antoinette Brown Awardees – Rev. Liddy Barlow, Rev. Dr. Marti Baumer, Rev. Eileen Norrington, and Rev. Dr. Valerie Bridgeman of WomanPreach!, Inc. for a celebration of Antoinette Brown’s birthday and the trailblazing ministries of these extraordinary women.
Moderated by Revs. Sheila Guillaume and Courtney Stange-Tregear

TikTok Ministry: Faith, in the World
2021-05-25 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
TikTok Pastors Rev. Timoth Sylvia and Rev. Sarah TevisTownes lead congregations and have literally millions of engagements online. Join the United Church of Christ for a conversation about TikTok, how ministry is happening creatively, and a celebration of the ways our Faith moves outside of the buildings and traditional expectations upon it.

Disabilities, Mental Health, and Racial Justice
2021-05-27 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Join international disabilities scholar Rev. Dr. John Swinton and UCC’s Minister for Disabilities and Mental Health Justice Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund for a theological and practical conversation about God’s calling for us to create communities of radical belonging and liberating love. We will explore the intersections of disabilities justice, mental health justice, and racial justice. We will share suggestions for how faith communities can live out this call for radical belonging, liberating love, and justice.

The State of Seminary Education
2021-06-01 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
After a year of dramatically-increased digital engagement, new ministries and new leadership is emerging everywhere! How has the increased open access to theology shifted the landscape of credentialed theological education? What new models help ground spiritual communities theologically, and how are our seminaries preparing current and future leaders of the Church? Join the presidents of the UCC-affiliated seminaries for a robust conversation moderated by Rev. Elizabeth Dilley, Minister and Team Leader of the Ministerial Excellence, Support, and Authorization (MESA) ministry team in the national setting.

OWL Taking Flight: HIV/AIDS-What We Can Learn from the Framework for Dialogue
2021-06-02 12:00 - 13:00
Join UCC and UUA national staff in a conversation about the importance of faith voices in the fight against HIV stigma.

Testing Justice: the Divide of COVID-19 Vaccine Access Globally
2021-06-02 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every country around the world. Yet, we’ve seen developing countries shut out from vaccine access, while developed countries have horded supplies to make vaccines along with manufactured doses. This divide has impacted our global partners and will continue to impact them for years to come.
The Rev. Michael Kalito, Training and Capacity Development Manager at the Theological Education by Extension, Zambia, will give a theological reflection on COVID-19 and the uneven and inequitable rollout of the vaccine. Each Area Executive will then speak to specific challenges facing our partners in their region.
