United Church of Christ

Repairing the Breach: Climate Justice, Land, Debt and Reparations
2022-04-20 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
In preparation for Earth Day, come learn the link between climate Justice, land, debt and reparations. We will examine the challenges faced by our global partners AND the innovative ways they are tackling them.

Maundy Thursday
2022-04-14 15:30 - 16:30
On Maundy Thursday we commemorate the day on which Jesus Christ shared a meal, prayed, and was taken to trial before he was crucified. Members of the National Staff lead worship, offering prayers and inviting Holy Communion from wherever we are. Please ready supplies participate in Communion as you are comfortable.

Getting Ready for Earth Sunday: Resources for Congregations
2022-04-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
With the recently released report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the dire situation faced by our world has never been clearer. In such a moment, leadership from communities of faith is sorely needed. Thankfully, Creation Justice Ministries has created an ecumenical resource that will assist churches in answering the call placed upon us in this moment. The resource is entitled “Weathering the Storm: Faithful Climate Resilience.” It specifically helps churches respond to the question, “How can our churches be hubs of resilience, helping our neighbors weather the physical and spiritual storms of the climate crisis?” The resource can be used year-round and is also particularly useful in preparing for Earth Sunday (April 24th). In this webinar, Avery Davis Lamb, Co-Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries, will introduce the resource and talk about specific ways churches can deliver a powerful message and experience on Earth Sunday.
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.

Make Visible
2022-04-07 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Come join Thursdays for the Soul showcasing ministry and leadership- amplifying Trans preachers in the United Church of Christ. Transgender people are beloved of God, called into ministry, and changing the world for the better every single day. Come and worship with us, featuring Rev. Louis Mitchell, Pastor Rene Slataper, Rev. Jamie Lee Sprague-Ballou and the music of Rev. Tracy Howe.

Volunteer Ministries Celebrates National Volunteer Month: Stories, Tips, and Ideas to Honor and Inspire the Volunteers in your Church
2022-04-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
Churches run on volunteer power…but current conditions make volunteering harder. What can the UCC spaces do to support the essential role of volunteers? What do volunteers do in the wider church?
This event is for people who are interested in volunteer service and people who work with volunteers. Hear stories from full-time deployed Partners In Service about the meaning of volunteer service in their faith and lives. Learn ways to lead and encourage a volunteer community from the Milwaukee General Synod Volunteer Coordinator. Get some ideas for celebrating the volunteers in your congregation before the program year concludes.
With Rev. Elena Larssen, Minister for Volunteer Engagement, this event is a chance to learn about the historic Volunteer Ministries of the UCC and reflect on volunteer opportunities that may be calling you to service, while picking up some inspiration for volunteerism in your congregation. All are welcome!

OWL Taking Flight: Building an OWL Program From the Ground Up
2022-04-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us to hear from UCC and UU Congregations who have successfully implemented OWL in their congregations. What worked and what didn’t? Bring your questions!

MLK Vietnam Speech 55 Years Later
2022-04-02 16:00 - 18:00 | Zoom
The United Church of Christ is sponsoring “MLK Vietnam Speech: 55 Years Later.” Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King will join a host of friends and comrades as we celebrate her father’s historic speech entitled “Beyond Vietnam.” But we are not just looking back – we will be casting a vision of a world where we “study war no more!”
Join us to be inspired and take action in these troubling times- live, in person at Riverside Church NYC or via stream

A Conversation with Calvin Synod UCC
2022-03-31 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
A Celebration of UCC Ethnic Identified Cultures and Congregations.
A worshipful expression of the diversity of cultures that make up the United Church of Christ.

Celebrating 100 Years with Back Bay Mission: Making Good Trouble on the Coast of Mississippi
2022-03-30 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
Join the executive director of the UCC’s historic Back Bay Mission for a celebration of 100 years of service “making good trouble” in Biloxi, Mississippi. Back Bay is known for hosting up to 800 volunteers a year to repair homes, serve the unsheltered, and create positive systemic change in a highly diverse coastal city. Back Bay is the only UCC imprint in the state of Mississippi, and holds a distinction as the #1 destination for UCC “Partners in Service” volunteers.
Come to learn, celebrate, and participate as Rev. Elena Larssen, UCC Minister for Volunteer Engagement, interviews Ms. Sara Smith, ‘Home at Last’ Case Manager to unsheltered people, and Rev. James Pennington, Executive Director, about the history and future of this beloved humanitarian and activist institution as it enters its second decade of ministry.

One Great Hour of Sharing
2022-03-27
One Great Hour of Sharing® is one of four special mission offerings of the United Church of Christ. This Lenten Offering supports the disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the United Church of Christ within Wider Church Ministries.
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Preparing for Youth & Young Adult Summers
2022-03-24 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Looking toward the summer is always an exciting time as we plan mission trips, camps and other faith-filled activities. Join members of the UCC national staff and faith partners to learn about some of the exciting opportunities that are available for the Summer 2022 season for youth and young adults. It’s never too early to start planning.

"San Romero of las Americas: Let's Celebrate A Martyr of Justice & Peace"
2022-03-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
“Join us in celebrating the legacy of justice of San Romero of las Américas. Archbishop was assassinated by death squads during the civil war of El Salvador. He was killed at the altar on March 24th, 1980. He stood against the government repression of the people of El Salvador. In 2018, Pope Francis canonized as a saint.”

Restoring Nature: What People of Faith Can Do to Heal the Earth
2022-03-23 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Restoring Nature: What People of Faith Can Do to Heal the Earth
Douglas Tallamy’s books have awakened thousands to the problem of wildlife decline and the solution that resides in habitat restoration. This is a solution of which you and your faith community can be a part. The solution can be as close as your backyard or the property surrounding your place of worship. In this webinar, Tallamy will outline the crisis faced and what we can do in response. The green teams and green thumbs of faith communities will learn not only about cultivating native plants in the landscapes around them, but also what can be done to create a transformative movement full of actions ordinary people everywhere can take. To care for God’s creation, we can start by simply stepping outside the doors of where we gather for worship to make the most of our sacred places. In this webinar, Tallamy will raise our awareness and equip us to make a difference in our world.
This webinar 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. Carol Devine who serves as the Minister of Green Chalice for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Contemplatives in Action - Mindfulness in the UCC
2022-03-17 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Pause, breathe, and come learn about how the UCC is joining the mindfulness movement. Following the Contemplatives in Action Resolution, passed at the 2021 General Synod, a working group of clergy, students, and lay leaders have been meeting regularly to pray and meditate on how to incorporate more contemplative practices into our UCC communities. The Christian tradition is rich with stories from those with direct experience of the Holy Spirit, but many find the more esoteric side of spirituality to be intimidating or inaccessible. We are here to tell you, there is so much more to meditation than silence. Join us, and expand your mind.

Virtual Church House Commemoration
2022-03-13 14:30 - 16:00 | Zoom
The last worship service ever to be held in the United Church of Christ’s Amistad Chapel will take place Sunday, March 13, 2022. The entire church and the public are invited to join in online.
The service will be streamed live from the unique worship space in downtown Cleveland.
Because of COVID-19 precautions, only worship leaders will be present in person.
Register to join us live via Zoom. If you can’t join us live, please register so we can send you a link to the recording!

Learn more about this beautiful worship service of movement, inclusiveness, and collaboration.

Midwifing Grief
2022-03-10 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Rev. Jamie F. Eaddy is a Pastoral Theologian, Spiritual Care Practitioner, Loss Navigation Specialist™, and Death Midwife. She requested to discuss communal grief and steps useful in navigating grief for both clergy and laity. After two years of ongoing collective trauma and change, Rev. Eaddy will offer key strategies for individuals and communities in moving forward with grace and care for each other.
jfrederika.com

The U.S. Military and Environmental Justice
2022-03-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
The United States military is one of the world’s biggest polluters. As an institution, it leads the world in oil consumption and emits enormous amounts of greenhouse gases. To grasp the environmental impact of the U.S. military, however, requires us to go beyond statistics and numbers. One must listen to those from the communities directly affected. This webinar will provide an overview of environmental justice concerns pertaining to the U.S. military while also centering the voices of those engaged in the struggle to stop the pollution of the Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on the island of Oahu. Faith communities will not only learn about the issues, but also how they can take action for justice. Featured panelists will include:

Wayne Tanaka, Executive Director of the Sierra Club in Hawaiʻi
Danny Tengan, Disaster Coordinator for Hawaiʻi Conference of the United Church of Christ
Lorah Steichen, Outreach Coordinator for the National Priorities Project

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.
The Just Peace Network of the United Church of Christ is a co-sponsor of this event.

UCC Rural Voices of Worship and Praise
2022-03-03 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Rural identified congregations of the United Church of Christ provide a vital role for the spiritual and physical wellbeing of their communities, often with innovative ways of limited resources . Join us for an hour of inspiring worship and praise by rural identified congregational leaders and pastors as they celebrate UCC ministries in rural areas.

Our Whole Lives for Older Adults
2022-03-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Our Whole Lives for Older Adults got rave reviews before the pandemic hit, but how can you offer it without putting elders at risk from in-person gatherings? Offer an online adaptation! This OWL Taking Flight webinar will introduce an option that will pique interest in a complete in-person program when safety allows.

Confronting Bias in Search and Call
2022-02-24 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Our churches want to do better in addressing implicit (and explicit!) bias in their search and call practices, but they often don’t know where to start. Or, they’ve made a good start, but now they want to take next steps. Or, they struggle to retain staff leadership when microaggressions threaten the well-being of their ministers. Join members of the MESA team and staff and members of First Congregational UCC in Washington, DC as they share wisdom and experiences in moving towards anti-racist and other anti-bias practices in search and call.

Descended From the Promised Land: The Legacy of Black Wall Street
2022-02-23 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
In honor of Black Histories/Futures Month, and just over one hundred years after the notorious massacre in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, aka Black Wall Street, we are honored to host a screening of the short film DESCENDED FROM THE PROMISED LAND: THE LEGACY OF BLACK WALL STREET that draws a century-long thread from 1921 to 2021, revealing the lingering economic, psychological and emotional impacts of the Tulsa Massacre through the lens of descendants. Descendants Byron Crenshaw, Jacqueline Blocker and their family members reach back to uplift the stories of their ancestors, the success they created, the promise they fulfilled, the horrors they endured and the resilience they showed. Invoking the deep entrepreneurial spirit of those who created one of the greatest Black communities this country has ever known, Byron and Jacqueline imagine a path forward to recapture the Black joy that once permeated Tulsa’s Black Wall Street. A panel discussion with descendants featured in the film will follow the screening

The Politics of Persecution: Middle Eastern Christians in an Age of Empire
2022-02-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Christians in the Middle East are the proud descendants of the first followers of Jesus, continuing in the traditions of Christian churches, some of which date back to the early centuries of Christianity. Despite their status as numerical minorities, and living through a variety of difficult circumstances, they persist in their presence and offer a vibrant witness to their faith. Discussion about them has become highly politicized, to their detriment.
The Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb is founder and President of the Diyar Consortium, which includes Dar al-Kalima University, partners of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ through Global Ministries. Rev. Raheb is a Palestinian Lutheran pastor and thinker from Bethlehem, preeminent contextual theologian, and author of more than forty books, including The Politics of Persecution: Middle Eastern Christians in an Age of Empire.”
Join us on Wed., Feb. 23 to hear Rev. Raheb speak about his newest book, which addresses the situation of Christians in the Middle East, and discuss it with him. He will present a less-familiar narrative about Christians in the Middle East, challenging us to reconsider how we think about our siblings in faith. Rev. Raheb’s book is available though Baylor University Press (https://www.globalministries.org/rev-mitri-rahebs-new-book-rebuffs-western-perceptions-of-persecuted-christians-in-the-middle-east-and-retells-their-story/), and we strongly encourage you to find a copy and read it before the webinar so you can engage with Rev. Raheb in the discussion.

Becoming Abolitionists
2022-02-17 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
What is abolition, and why should we care, as Christians? Derecka Purnell, ESQ, will offer her expertise in conversation with Rev. Traci Blackmon. She is a Harvard Graduate and scholar-in-residence at Columbia Law School. Recently published author of the book, Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom, Derecka works to end police and prison violence by providing legal assistance, research, and trainings in community based organizations through an abolitionist framework.

Where Do We Go From Here
2022-02-10 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The United Church of Christ is a denomination that seeks to live out Christ’s call to create a just world for all. While the mission remains, the ways in which we do ministry adapt over time.
What will that look like in 2022 and into the future? How does the UCC continue to extend God’s love to all people, working alongside the beloved community to create the world God imagines for us?
Join the Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, General Minister and President of the UCC, and the Rev. Traci D. Blackmon, Associate General Minister for Justice and Local Church Ministries, for a conversation about this denomination on the move.
We’re excited to see what God has in store for us!

When Disaster Strikes: Faith Communities Responding with Equity and Justice
2022-02-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Faith communities are often on the frontlines of responding to climate-related disasters. More than a spirit of goodwill is required to effectively respond and minister in such critically important times. Because disasters often expose, widen, and exacerbate the gaps of pre-existing disparities, it is essential that communities of faith prioritize and hold fast in their commitments to equity and justice. This webinar will equip faith communities with the knowledge and awareness required to act in accordance with our values. Our featured speakers will be:

Marcus T. Coleman, Jr., Director of the DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Office of the FEMA Administrator
Marcie Roth, Executive Director and CEO for the World Institute on Disability
Rev. Fred Meade, Senior Instructor for the National Disaster Interfaiths Network

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.

United Black Christians Celebration of Black History Month
2022-02-03 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Members of the United Black Christians of the United Church of Christ, invite you to an hour of praise and worship in commemoration for Afro Descendant/Black History Month.

OWL Taking Flight: Presenting - Under Your Wing Video Series for Parents and Caregivers of Young Children
2022-02-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us for the debut of a new OWL resource: “Under Your Wing” a video series for parents and caregivers of young children.

Vibrant Re-Entry And Voter’s Rights Desmond Meade
2022-01-27 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Please join Rev. Traci Blackmon and Desmond Meade, a formerly incarcerated civil rights activist and recent McArthur Genius Grant Awardee, as they discuss the church’s role in welcoming returning citizens. Desmond Meade’s work centers on restoring voting rights to formerly incarcerated citizens and removing barriers to their reentry in every aspect of vibrant life. His voice was a key component of the restoration of voting rights to thousands of Floridians.

Let us Worship as One Body
2022-01-20 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join us as we welcome Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay as the Minister for Worship and Theology for the national setting of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Cheryl is no stranger to the UCC. She pastors a local congregation in Wellington, Ohio and in 2020 and 2021, she served as a writer of Sermon Seeds, the one of the most utilized resources of our denomination. Join us as she lets us in on what to expect in 2022!

Storytelling and Racial Justice
2022-01-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Share Stories. Open Hearts. Create Movement.
As people of sacred stories, we know the power of narratives to build compassion and inspire action. Our stories help us know who we are and help us imagine who we can become. Drawing on a diverse panel of storytellers, this interactive webinar will inspire you with moving stories, equip you with storytelling tools, and empower you to use your own stories to Join the Movement toward Racial Justice.
