Future of Faith: Is Religion Bad News for Human Rights?
2025-08-14 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Why at times is religion so dishonest when it gets things wrong, the instinctive reaction is protect the institution, don’t tell the truth. Has religion been the catalyst for war and division and if so what conversations do we need to have to rectify that?
A Nurture the Soul special offering, Future of Faith: 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. This 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.

Decolonizing Mental Health and Empowering Holistic Wellness
2025-08-28 15:30 - 17:00 | Zoom
Join us for an introductory conversation that invites faith leaders into a transformative and lifelong process of letting go of supremacist theologies and monocultural care paradigms of mental wellness. This webinar will explore the intersections of mental wellness, spiritual formation, and liberative care that affirms the dignity of each being. Rooted in an Internal Family Systems framework centered on the lived realities of BIPOC communities, participants will learn how intrapersonal healing can catalyze collective healing and renewal. By integrating cultural humility, prophetic theology, and trauma-informed practices, faith leaders can reshape spiritual care praxis and co-create communities grounded in justice, belonging, and sacred restoration.

OWL Taking Flight: Building a Trans/Nonbinary-Inclusive Teen Library
2025-09-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join Melanie Davis and Sloane Kazim for a discussion about how to make sure your library at home, at church, in your community–is inclusive of trans/nonbinary representation. Now, more than ever, this matters!

Climate Action Assembly
2025-09-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
The UCC Council for Climate Justice will be hosting a Climate Action Assembly to further the connectedness and action in the UCC for pursuing climate justice. In this gathering, we will hear from the Rev. Jim Antal about the upcoming national day of action on September 21st called Sun Day. We will also hear from Rebeca Perera, the Chief Credit Officer for the Cornerstone Fund, on the present and future outlook for churches going solar after the reconciliation bill. Additional updates will be given about Creation Justice Churches and Climate Hope Affiliates.

Dumpster Fire Ethics: Rethinking How We Follow Jesus
2025-09-04 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
In times of social, political, and economic crisis we need new ways to think about morality and ethics to make sure that our ethical approaches serve the moment and compel us into just and healing action. Sociologist, liturgist, and sacred music composer Amanda Udis-Kessler offers us a new way of thinking about ethics that is consonant with the commitments of progressive Christianity and that helps us follow Jesus in times of violence, cruelty, and corruption. This ethical approach has implications for our spiritual development, personal growth, church practices, and justice work. Join us for a conversation with Amanda about her 2024 Pilgrim Press book Abundant Lives: A Progressive Christian Ethic of Flourishing.

Emerging Strategies to Fight AI Data Centers
2025-09-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Emerging threats demand emerging strategies. The rise of AI data centers has been a driver in the rise in power demand and increasing greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Moreover, the advanced cooling systems required by these data centers necessitate high levels of water consumption which can have serious ecological consequences, especially in places of water scarcity. Finally, the technological components of AI data centers require the extracting of rare earth minerals in addition to generating enormous amounts of electronic waste. The justice concerns intertwined with these issues are many when one considers the racial and economic disparities in bearing the cost of everything from increased utility bills to the harms of climate change. To address what is at stake and point us toward emerging strategies, we will hear from following featured guests:
-Anthony Rogers-Wright, The Black Hive of Movement for Black Lives
-Nayyirah Shariff, Flint Rising
-Wanda Mosley, Black Voters Matter
-Lindsay Harper, Arm in Arm
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.

Clergy Conversation Series on Addiction & Families: Family Matters/Families Matter - Part I
2025-09-11 15:30 - 16:30 | 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.
