Clergy Conversation Series on Addiction & Families: Family Matters/Families Matter - Part I
2025-09-11 15:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join us for a 3-part series on Addiction & Families: Family Matter/Families Matter. Part I, Language Matters: Defining the Words We Use. In this webinar, we (Erica Poellot and Dee-Dee Stout) discuss how our language around substance use has changed and why this is crucial for us to understand before having deeper conversations about addiction. Words such as recovery, addiction, dependence, substance use disorders, enabling/codependency, harm reduction, and more will be covered. We may also discuss some of the history & myths of harm reduction and abstinence-only treatment. There will be time for Q&A with the panelists after each session!

What's Next Series: The Re-Member Yourself as a Sacred Creator
2025-09-15 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
This series began prior to the 2024 election cycle and is designed to help educate us around the big questions of our faith. 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.
Join poet, artist and Creative Formation practitioner, Ally Markotich, to re-member yourself as a sacred creator. During our time together, Ally will share about her own story of coming back to herself as creative and inspire you to claim your colorful prowess. Become aware of common cultural and personal myths that hold us back from our innate creativity and learn simple ways to reweave creativity into your story. Bring a pencil and some color (markers, colored pencils or paint) as Ally will complete our gathering by guiding us through a simple 4-step visual prayer process to awaken insight. Come and experience the “ahas” creativity can bring when engaged as a spiritual practice for your life.

Clergy Conversation Series on Addiction & Families: Family Matters/Families Matter - Part II
2025-09-18 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Part II – For this 2nd part of this 3-part series, we’ll continue to learn from Erica Poellot & Dee-Dee Stout as they open this conversation with these questions: How do we support our loved ones without enabling their drug use? Or does that even really matter? Join us as we take a deep dive into the many options families have today beyond the traditional intervention that not only is rarely effective but often has lasting negative effects which can devastate families sometimes forever.

Clergy Conversation Series on Addiction & Families: Family Matters/Families Matter - Part III
2025-09-25 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Part III – Practicing Harm Reduction for Clergy and Lay Leaders: How Changing Our Minds Helps the People We Love & Serve (and Ourselves). For Part III, we’ll hear from Erica Poellot & Dee-Dee Stout as they look at the broader issue of countertransference in clergy’s work with families and others when it comes to drug use, especially illicit drug use. How does this phenomena interfere with our work? How can it help us? What are the tenets of harm reduction & harm reduction psychotherapy that anyone can use as part of an overall loving, Christ-centered approach to people who use drugs of any kind? We’ll discuss how a harm reduction approach can give us a better and more effective way to work with those who problematically use drugs and their families and keep us aligned with our hearts.

Celebrating Neighbors in Need Grant Recipients
2025-09-30 15:00 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join Rachel McDonald, Generosity Officer Our Church’s Wider Mission and Special Mission Offerings and Christine Lucarelli, Minister for Granting and Scholarships to learn about the Neighbors in Need grants and hear from three grant recipients. Hear about the ministries supported through these grants, including a breakfast program for children, a LGBTQIA+ safe space, and a network of accessible food pantries. The grants that strengthen these initiatives from Anchorage to Chattanooga are funded gifts to the Neighbors in Need offering. Join to be inspired for your own local ministries and to build enthusiasm for the all-church Neighbors in Need offering many congregations will collect on October 5th.

OWL Taking Flight: Sex Ed in the South
2025-10-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Tanya Bass, Southern Sexologist and Our Whole Lives Trainer, will join us for an engaging discussion about the importance of Sex Ed in the South.

Disability Justice in Congregational Contexts Part I: What is Disability and What is Ableism?
2025-10-02 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
You’re invited for a 3-part series to go deeper into the All Church Read, “Building Up a New World: Congregational Organizing for Transformative Impact,” focusing on Chapter 5, “Disability Justice in Congregational Contexts” with current and former members of the UCC Disability Ministries Board.
In Part I, we’ll explore the complexities and different models of disability to better understand and define disability as it relates to lived experiences. We’ll also explore ableism — the system of oppression experienced by disability communities. This understanding will serve as a foundation for parts II and III of the series.

Future of Faith: Grace in the Wilderness
2025-10-06 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. Join New Hampshire Conference Minister Rev. Gordon Rankin for an engaging conversation around the future of faith in their local and regional contexts and discover how finding grace in the wilderness can be a counter-cultural practice of living into our faith expressions.

Understanding Gender: Beyond the Binary
2025-10-07 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
This webinar offers an accessible introduction to gender and gender variance, exploring how understandings and embodiments of gender have shifted across time and cultures. Together we will consider how stereotypes and assumptions shape our views, glimpse diverse expressions of gender across history and the globe and listen for what God might be saying to us in this moment. Ultimately, we will reflect on the call to draw the circle wider and build communities of true belonging.

Lee Zeldin's EPA
2025-10-08 13:00 - 14:00 | 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 | 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.
