United Church of Christ

Love of Children Partner Event - Context Matters: The Impact of Social Context on Emotional Growth
2025-02-05 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Online
This presentation will give youth workers, parents and educators a chance to examine the context and environment within which our children are developing socially and emotionally. The goal of this seminar is to offer a framework for understanding the WHY so we can identify the WHAT and HOW when we are working to support youth today. Participants will also be invited to think about how their own context can show up in their interactions with youth and ways to be mindful of those impacts.

Nurture the Soul: Reading into the New Year: Rooted in Faith and Justice
2025-02-06 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Are you struggling to understand the complexities and injustices in Israel/Palestine? Rooted in Faith and Justice offers a powerful and enlightening perspective through the eyes of Palestinian Christian leaders and thinkers. Join us for this webinar to become empowered to host your own book study and delve into a conversation around the realities and possibilities of liberation.

Elon Musk, Oligarchy, and Climate Justice
2025-02-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Over and over again, the Bible tells of prophets who confronted rulers and the rich with an eye toward justice. Today, the ultra-rich hold enormous political power in the United States, and the implications are many, especially when it comes to the pursuit of climate justice. As the world’s richest man and as someone once hailed as a climate savior, Elon Musk has told the President that “we don’t need to rush” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As people of faith, what are we to make of this situation in which a small number of wealthy individuals have a tremendous influence over the future well-being of humanity and all of God’s creation? More importantly, what are we to do? The following panelists will help us address these questions:
-Edie Rasell, author of “The Way of Abundance: Economic Justice in Scripture and Society”
-KeShaun Pearson, Executive Director of Memphis Community Against Pollution
-Joseph Geevarghese, Executive Director of Our Revolution
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.

My Soul Looks Back And Wonders How I Got Over: Wisdom Of The Elders For Such A Time As This - A 3 Part Series
2025-02-13 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-02-20 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-02-27 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
In this three-part webinar, two elders of the Afro-Christian tradition will share how the African Spirit of Ubuntu has sustained their lives, and why it offers a source of nurture for our souls at such a time as this. Each session will center on one value of Ubuntu as we discover ways to put our collective wisdom into practice.

Gender & Sexuality + Our Faith
2025-02-18 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
God seeks love OUT LOUD in our tending to ourselves and one another! Join Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries to learn, grow and embrace Gender & Sexuality + Our Faith in action!

What's Next Rooted in Faith and Justice: A Vision of Liberation with Jonathan Kuttab
2025-02-24 15:30 - 16:30
For decades, Palestinians have sought freedom and justice, including recognition of their rights and self-determination. Their struggle is at the heart of Palestinian Liberation Theology, developed in the late 1980s by Palestinian Christians, and set forth in the Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek’s groundbreaking book, Justice and Only Justice. Jonathan Kuttab was among those Palestinian Christians whose discussions led to the emergence of this paradigm. Mr. Kuttab, a Palestinian Christian and a lawyer, is also a co-founder of Al-Haq, the first Palestinian human rights organization. Join us in this webinar to hear Mr. Kuttab speak about the genesis and development of Palestinian Liberation Theology and the founding of the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center; and efforts to advocate for and defend the human rights of Palestinians. Mr. Kuttab will speak about liberation from theological and political-legal perspectives, including an alternative vision to a two-state solution. He will also share reflections on the genocide and war of the past 15 months.

Thriving Through Moments of Unrest
2025-02-25 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries to explore ways to thrive through moments of unrest and building communities of care.

What's Next Disarming Leviathan: How We've Become Entangled in the Worship of Nationalism and Political Power
2025-03-03 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join us for an enriching conversation with Pastor and Author, Caleb Campbell, the author of “Disarming Leviathan”. As Christian Nationalism has become an established feature of the American landscape, how does Rev. Campbell’s writings in “Disarming Leviathan” help prepare us to confront it with compassion and hospitality, and with the truth of the good news of Jesus. We’ll be in deep conversation with Rev. Campbell on his journey, how the book came about, and the practical steps of loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Womxn Are Here: Inspiring Generations Onward
2025-03-04 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join Gender & Sexuality Justice for a special Womxn’s Month offering featuring intergenerational womxn’s voices from across the United Church of Christ. Together we’ll discuss the work of womxn in the UCC by sharing stories, hope and what this moment calls for in seeking justice and care for all.

OWL Taking Flight: Sex Ed and Disability Justice
2025-03-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join Our Whole Lives leaders in a discussion about sexuality education and disability justice.

Christ in the Rubble: A Conversation with Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac
2025-03-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac received a lot of global attention with his Christmas 2023 Nativity scene showing Christ surrounded by the rubble of Gaza. He has now expanded on that Christmas message with a forthcoming new book Christ in the Rubble: Faith, the Bible, and the Genocide in Gaza. In this book, Rev. Dr. Isaac challenges mainstream Christians’ uncritical embrace of the modern State of Israel and challenges us to realign our beliefs and actions with Christ – who can be found not among perpetrators of violence, but with victims buried under the rubble of war.

Climate Action Assembly
2025-03-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Every two months the UCC Council for Climate Justice hosts a Climate Action Assembly to discuss actions and programs related to recent General Synod resolutions. This assembly will focus on federal advocacy efforts and future planning as we approach the next General Synod in July. Climate Action Assemblies are open to all members of the UCC.

Nurture the Soul's Reading Into the New Year: "Who Told You That You Were Naked" with Rev. Dr. Beverly Dale
2025-03-06 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Both self-help guide and spiritual inspiration, “Who Told You That You Were Naked?” is packed with meditations that are biblically grounded and tangibly liberating. Each meditation includes a prayer and prompts for reflection, with themes focusing on purity culture, sacred-sexual bodies, and ethics without repression. This book takes the body’s experiences seriously and honestly, wrapping readers in love where they are wounded, inviting holistic reflection on the faith that informs our living, and encouraging movement to (re)connect the spirit and the flesh. We will get to spend time in the text and enjoy an enlightening conversation with Rev. Dr. Beverly Dale during this hour-long webinar.

Love of Children Partner Event - Storytelling with Spirituality
2025-03-12 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
Through lecture, exercises, and discussion we will explore how both biblical and personal stories can become a “thin place” for encountering the Sacred and the depths of our human experience.

America in Search of a Soul
2025-03-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
In a 1976 sermon entitled, “America in Search of a Soul,” Howard Thurman creatively imagined God declaring, “I’ll set up somewhere a school and I’ll call that school America.” Knowledge, experience, and noble ideals were imparted to the children of the school, but eventually came a moment of reckoning as “the soul of America” sought “to realize itself in the life of America.” Thurman declared, “Now, school is out. School is out, and it’s been out for some time.” Thurman prophetically understood that the soul of America was threatened by “the Cult of Inequality.” Today, we face our own moment of reckoning in the face of the crises of inequality and climate. Among the panelists who will help us unpack both the threats and the opportunities before us as people of faith will be the Rev. Cameron Trimble and the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal.
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.

Rooted in Faith and Justice: Palestinian Women in the Struggle
2025-03-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Women have played a critical role in the struggle for Palestinian rights and liberation, and have also been victims of the realities of occupation, displacement, and violence over the decades. Mira Rizeq continues to be a leader in Palestinian civil society and is uniquely able to share about the place of women in this struggle. Join this special webinar as Mira, President of the World YWCA and immediate past General Secretary of the YWCA of Palestine, speaks with Rev. Shari Prestemon, Acting Associate General Minister of the United Church of Christ and Co-Executive of Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ. They will discuss Mira’s chapter in Global Ministries’ new book, Rooted in Faith with Justice, and more.

Nurture the Soul What's Next: Befriending Loneliness
2025-03-17 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Loneliness was brought to the spotlight in 2023, when the Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, declared loneliness as an epidemic in post-COVID America.
What does that mean for us now and how might it contribute to the divide we are living through now in the United States and beyond?
What role does loneliness play when remembering the “good old days” in all aspects of our lives, including our religious lives where our memories are of full pews and offering baskets and even Sunday Schools?
Our guest, the Rev. Dwight Lee Wolter, will explore and help to raise awareness around loneliness, give us some tools to empower change and move to transform loneliness to a portal of access to empathy, solidarity, creativity, community-building and (you will soon see) fun!

Blessed Minds: Breaking the Silence about Neurodiversity
2025-03-20 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Is your church truly welcoming to all of God’s children? Many churches are unintentionally exclusive toward people whose brains work differently. Join Rev. ellie hutchison as she will be in discussion with Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund, advocate, pastor and Author of “Blessed Minds: Breaking the Silence About Neurodiversity,” Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund. We’ll explore some theological insights into neurodiversity as part of God’s good creation, how to help churches embrace the gifts of neurodiversity and become a place of belonging for all and finally, we’ll briefly touch on how to create a neuro-inclusive worship experience.

Special Offering: Into the Deep - General Synod 101
2025-03-31 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Every two years, General Synod brings together faithful members of the United Church of Christ for inspirational worship, fellowship with friends (old and new), and public witness including through engagement with the business of the church. In July 2025, we are excited to welcome thousands from across the country for General Synod 35 in Kansas City, Missouri – and Nurture the Soul is helping to get you there by introducing a 4-part series that goes deep into General Synod and why we hope to see you all there.
Part 1 – General Synod 101 will help us better understand what Synod is and why it is so important that you show up! We’ll have a time for Q&A so you can ask the questions that’ll help you better prepare for our time together this summer.

OWL Taking Flight: Teen Sexual Assault Prevention with SafeBAE
2025-04-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us for a conversation with Shael Norris, Founding Executive Director of SafeBAE, the only US national survivor-founded, youth-led organization working to prevent sexual violence among teens.

Love of Children Partner Event - The Meaningful Inclusion of Children in Worship: Theology and Practice
2025-04-02 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
Corporate worship is the work and the joy of the people of God, and when the body of Christ gathers, we are incomplete without the active presence and meaningful participation of children and youth. What can this engagement look like (feel like, sound like, smell like, taste like) in liturgy, and why does it matter to the formation of people of all ages? Canon Wendy Claire Barrie will lead this webinar exploring the theological whys and practical hows of incorporating children and youth into congregational worship.

2025 Climate Hope Art Contest Ceremony
2025-04-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Join us as we celebrate the art of our 2025 finalists for the UCC’s Climate Hope Art Contest for children and youth. The theme this year was “Planting Seeds of Hope.” UCC children and youth are invited to draw, paint, or color works of art that bring this theme to life. In the ceremony, we will see the art of all our finalists. We will have winners for different age groups and an overall winner who will receive an all-expense paid trip to visit Washington, DC with a parent or guardian. The winner will advocate with the offices of their congress members, tour the Capitol, and learn how they can bring their faith values to life in the halls of power. The winning art will additionally serve as the logo for UCC Climate Hope advocacy work throughout 2025.

Into the Deep: The 5-Ws of Synod Resolutions
2025-04-07 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Every two years, General Synod brings together faithful members of the United Church of Christ for inspirational worship, fellowship with friends (old and new), and public witness including through engagement with the business of the church. In July 2025, we are excited to welcome thousands from across the country for General Synod 35 in Kansas City, Missouri – and Nurture the Soul is helping to get you there by introducing a 4-part series that goes deep into General Synod and why we hope to see you all there.
Part 2 – During the 5-Ws of Synod Resolutions, we’ll hear from representatives that will help us better understand: the role of Resolutions from the perspective of our D.C. offices; what they mean for our local congregations; the Resolution process; and stories from those who’ve written Resolutions and those who’ve acted in the role of Committee Chair. We’ll also be introduced to the Resolutions that will be presented this summer.

Into the Deep: Womxn 2 Womxn Series Part I
2025-04-08 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join us for an intimate workshop and learning community space for womxn as we journey toward Synod together! We’ll grow together and share communal space in an open-meeting format. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to build community and gather.
Rev. Jes Kast and Tehilah Eisentadt will join us to offer wisdom and connection around being a womxn, loving God and neighbor well.
The Rev. Jes Kast is a progressive minister, constructive theologian, and gardener. Raised in Michigan, Jes took her second call to ministry in New York City. After the 2016 election, she longed to share healing and desired a slower way of life. Those passions, among many others led her to taking a call as the settled pastor at Faith UCC in State College, Pennsylvania where she now resides with her wife, Dr. Jessy, and together they have two cats and puppy named Charlie.
Tehilah Eisenstadt is an educator, activist, rabbinical school student. Her focus is on deepening the emotional resonance of educational experiences, creating interfaith relationships designed for creating a more empathetic world, enriching leadership pipelines through staff mentorship in Jewish organizations throughout the US, raising up silenced voices, and enabling Jews who felt they didn’t belong to connect with Jewish community. In 2023, she launched Wonder and Repair, through which she develops approaches to community-building and care that incorporate best practices in trauma-informed education and ritual. Tehilah is enrolled full-time at Academy for Jewish Religion, a trans denominational rabbinical school. She is also a full-time member of East End Temple’s leadership in NYC. Prior to this,Tehilah spent 15 years serving as Director of Education in synagogues, day schools, and JCCs across the denominational spectrum throughout New York City’s five boroughs. She has been honored to consult for Clal (national Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership), Charlie’s Colorform City (Netflix) and Cordoba House – Muslim Sunday School. Tehilah spent 11 years organizing Bring Back Our Girls NY (which officially joined global BBOG efforts in 2020) and 12 years as a non-denominational Mikva guide with ImmerseNYC for women and non-binary folx.

Transformative Faith in Toxic Times
2025-04-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Too often, our theology of God’s power has been shaped by images of dominion and control, mirroring human systems of exploitation and extraction. But Scripture reveals a different kind of power—one that flows through relationships, nurtures life, and brings healing to both people and planet. Creation Justice Ministries has released a new resource in time for Earth Sunday that explores life-giving theologies in conversation with those leading at the grassroots of a faith-rooted movement. In this webinar, Derrick Weston of Creation Justice Ministries will introduce the new resource entitled “The Power of God: From Extractive Theology to Transformative Faith.” The Rev. Shawn Anglim of First Grace United Methodist Church in New Orleans will share about the transformative work of a local coalition that created a solar-powered microgrid across the city to serve as backup energy for storm-ravaged communities. Allen Johnson from Christians for the Mountains will talk about the power of faithful advocates in relation to the struggle to stop mountaintop removal for coal extraction.
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.

Interfaith Comprehensive Faith-Based Sexuality Education Partnerships: Our Whole Lives in the Global South
2025-04-10 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education has been a partnership between the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association for over 25 years. Because faith components are available to integrate with sexuality education material, Our Whole Lives offers a unique opportunity to bridge faith and sexuality education through dismantling shame and stigma and embracing relationship, community, and empowerment.
Over the past eight years, various international faith groups have requested training and materials in order to share the Our Whole Lives approach in their communities. Through creative relationships with the Church of Sweden, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, INERELA (https://inerela.org), the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines, Our Whole Lives trainers have provided several trainings and pilot projects that have enabled interfaith groups to engage in transformative experiential learning and to integrate the learning in a wide range of local and regional contexts.
This event will include panelists who have participated in some of these events who will share the international impact of these trainings and materials.

Into the Deep - Accessibility, Safety, and Welcoming Spaces
2025-04-14 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Every two years, General Synod brings together faithful members of the United Church of Christ for inspirational worship, fellowship with friends (old and new), and public witness including through engagement with the business of the church. In July 2025, we are excited to welcome thousands from across the country for General Synod 35 in Kansas City, Missouri – and Nurture the Soul is helping to get you there by introducing a 4-part series that goes deep into General Synod and why we hope to see you all there.
Part 3 – Join us for these Special Offerings, “Into the Deep” as we explore how we are planning to support the deepening and strengthening of relationships along with connections to one other, with our ecumenical, global and interfaith partners, and with God during General Synod 35.
During this webinar, we’ll hear from leaders on how we plan an accessible, safe, and welcoming Synod. We’ll learn more about how we create brave space through networking and communal opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community and moments of intentional intimate connections for women within the wider church and those seeking ways to be in community through a justice action lens; how we’ve created several places where children (birth through 12) and youth (rising 6th graders through recent high school graduates) to have their own unique faith formation experiences while also taking in the lessons of the wider church; and, the ways we’re living into our commitments to be Accessible-to-All (A2A) and WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged) for mental health that include a Community Care Space as well as an Access Team available to support access needs.

And They Shall Be Consoled: Connecting Eco-grief and Maundy Thursday
2025-04-17 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The grief we feel toward melting ice, heating cities, and dying species is woven throughout the activities of daily life. This Maundy Thursday, join interfaith Rev. Lauren Van Ham as we learn about eco-grief and consider how our ministries can be strengthened through our honest acts of lament and care for the living system on which we all depend.
