United Church of Christ

World Refugee Day Ecumenical Worship Service
2022-06-01 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
June 20 is World Refugee Day. UCC Refugee and Migration Ministries, in collaboration with the Presbyterian Church USA and the Disciples of Christ, will host a live, ecumenical online worship service June 1 at 2 p.m. (Eastern), then make the recording and related resources available to local congregations June 20 or another day of their choice. This service will include litanies, prayers, and reflections on global mass migration and bring us together to inspire in us a faithful and loving response.

Autism-Inclusive OWL
2022-06-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join Amy Johnson, Melanie Davis, and OWL trainers Shellie and Ramon Selove to learn how to make OWL programs welcoming and inclusive of neurodiversity. Ramon is autistic, and he and Shellie have a young adult autistic son who attended OWL programming. The Seloves will share first-hand experiences that will help facilitators lead OWL programs that are enjoyable and meaning for all participants.

Make Visible II: Queer Singers Unite!
2022-05-26 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
In a world with increasing vulnerabilities and an onslaught of public messaging and policy making coming against trans and queer youth, womxn, and people who love and support them, celebration and affirmation will continue to be one line of resistance. Join Minneapolis based artist Rachel Kurtz as she shares her new single “All the Gay Kids,” and Tucson based artist Tracy Howe with their new single “I Am Becoming.” The two will talk about touring churches, celebrating journeys and being queer womxn artists. This will be a delightful Thursday for the Soul.

Matching Gift Challenges
2022-05-25 19:30 - 20:30 | Zoom
7:30pm to 8:30pm Eastern Time (6:30pm to 7:30pm Central)
A major gift from a single donor, or a small group of donors, can be leveraged to inspire gifts from a wider circle of donors. Learn practical ways to use a gift to issue a “challenge” to your congregation to support your own ministry or that of a partner organization of your congregation.
Register in advance for this meeting:

Living Out Contemplation and Action
2022-05-19 15:30 - 16:30
Come hear about and join in the movement of UCCers beginning to become a church of “contemplatives in action,” inspired by the General Synod 2021 resolution. Presenters include Rev. Matt Carriker and Rev. Darrell Goodwin. Rev. Carriker is co-author of the “Becoming a Church of Contemplatives in Action” Resolution, Pastor of Agape Spiritual Community in Waltham, MA, and just released his first book, “Giving Christianity Back to Agape Love.” Rev. Darrell Goodwin is the Executive Conference Minister in the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ. As the chief vision-keeper, communicator and strategist, Rev. Goodwin is responsible for guiding the Conference in its positive and transformative impact in our world. He also represents the Conference in ecumenical, interfaith and public gatherings and events.

Refugee Sponsorship, Asylum Accompaniment, and Sanctuary Church: How Can My Church Practice Responsible Hosting?
2022-05-18 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Participants will learn the key differences between types of migrant hosting and be invited to consider what gifts their church offer contextually to host a migrant family as they transition to life in the United States.
This webinar is part of a special series of Thursdays for the Soul webinars focused on twelve Just World Covenant programs in the United Church of Christ. On the third Thursday of each month, one of these programs will be featured. Learn more at: www.ucc.org/just_world_covenants

Resisting Apartheid: Promoting Justice and Planting Olive Trees
2022-05-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
In 2021 and 2022, major human rights organizations such as B’Tselem, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International have documented and named Israeli practices and policies as Apartheid. Palestinians, including some Disciples and UCC partners such as the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the Palestinian YMCA and YWCA, have been speaking in these terms, for much longer. As more and more institutions and people are identifying Israeli practices and policies as apartheid, what does it look like on the ground, and why is important for the global church community to speak about the legal and ethical aspects in these terms?
Mr. Nidal Abu Zuluf, Director of the Joint Advocacy Initiative, will share about how Israeli policies are consistent with the international legal definition of the crime of apartheid, the ways that Palestinians are affected on a daily basis, and how you can support creative Palestinian non-violent resistance to those policies.
Nidal Abu Zuluf is the Director of the Joint YMCA/YWCA Advocacy Initiative (JAI). Nidal is a co-author of the Palestinian Kairos Document and serves as a member in its Steering Committee and in the Executive Committee of the Global Kairos of Justice Collation. He is the Founder of the Palestinian Youth Ecumenical Movement which is a member of the WSCF (World Student Christian federation). Until recently Nidal served as the Coordinator of the National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine (the NCCOP).

Mental Health Sunday
2022-05-15
May is Mental Health Month. Celebrate this on Sunday, May 15th.
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Celebrating Pacific Islander & Asian American History Month
2022-05-12 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
May is Pacific Islander & Asian American History Month and the United Church of Christ is privileged to be affiliated with PAAM (Pacific Islander & Asian American Ministries). In the last few years harassment and violence towards the AAPI communities have increased, especially during the covid pandemic. Join Rev Roberto Ochoa, UCC Associate for Congregations of Color/Ethnic Identified Congregations as he engages in candid conversations with Ms Lynne Hanamoto, Moderator of PAAM, Southern CA/NV region and Rev Mitchell Young, PAAM SC/SN Ambassador and Pastor of Plymouth UCC in Montebello, CA about the history, celebrations, and challenges facing UCC PAAM congregations and communities.
#StopTheHate!

Climate Migration: Responding with Faith, Care, and Equity
2022-05-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Migration stemming from the damage done to our climate is underway right now as the lives of people around the world are being uprooted and disrupted. From sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific Islands to Alaska and Louisiana, we are seeing the present consequences of drought, extreme weather, and rising sea levels. According to a recent UN climate report, 20 million people have been displaced each year since 2008 due to extreme weather that is often exacerbated by the climate crisis. While climate-related migration is bound to increase, there is much we can do as people of faith to both mitigate the severity of the climate crisis and reduce worsening inequities amid forced displacement. This webinar will feature those working to address climate migration from a place of deeply held values:

Drocella Mugorewera, Executive Director for Bridge Refugee Services
Tomas Matom Ramirez, Guatemalan Immigrant of the Indigenous Maya Ixil People
Rev. Irene Hassan, Minister of Refugee and Migration Services for the United Church of Christ

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.

Love Your Neighbor: Get Them Internet
2022-05-05 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Thursdays for the Soul: A webinar series to care for the whole church. Topics are wide Fill your souls by helping others: bring the UCC’s leadership in tech and media justice home to your community. Today, if you don’t have the internet, it’s almost impossible to get a job, health care, housing, food, an education, worship or even see your grandkids. The advocacy of the United Church of Christ’s 60-year-old Media Justice Ministry helped create a new federal program that offers low-income families up to $30/month off their internet bill–or up to $75 in tribal areas. Join us to learn about easy, concrete ways to ensure your neighbors are not left behind and left out.

May OWL Taking Flight: UCC and UUA: Addressing Anti-LGBTQ+ Initiatives
2022-05-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us for a roundtable discussion about where OWL fits into national LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts. Guests will include UCC and UUA LGBTQ+ advocates from across the country.

Resurrecting Hope: Embracing Harm Reduction and the Leadership of People Who Use Drugs
2022-04-28 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
Join Rev. Traci Blackmon, Rev. Erica Poellot and Harm Reduction and Overdose Prevention Ministries for a service of celebration of justice-seeking harm reduction love. People who use drugs are beloved by God, called into ministry, and are resurrecting hope and new life with communities impacted by substance use and overdose.

The Faith of Prophets: Lessons for the Climate Crisis
2022-04-23 10:30 - 12:45 | Zoom
The best-selling Catholic writer Joan Chittister has written, “What this world needs most right now is a new generation of prophets.” This is especially true as we confront the climate crisis today. Yet, we can no longer wait for others to be the prophets that were needed yesterday. We have to find the prophet in each of us. We are the ones who can make a profound difference right now. To answer the urgent call for prophetic action today, this event will focus on what the Hebrew Prophets can teach us as well as what current prophetic leaders have to say. The event will consist of three parts:

Opening Keynote via Zoom: “Why Prophets Matter Today” by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt, Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ (10:30 am to 11:30 am ET).
Panel Discussion via Zoom: “Prophetic Action Today” with the Rev. Michael Malcom from the People’s Justice Council, Nellis Kennedy-Howard from Honor the Earth, and Hector Arbuckle from the Ames Climate Action Team (11:45 am to 12:45 pm ET).
Local Action in Your Own Community: Create and deliver a community climate collage to the district office of your Congressional Representative or Senator. (Learn more at: https://bit.ly/PropheticAction)

This event arose of the 37th Ames UCC Annual Theologian in Residence program. The National Setting of the United Church of Christ, the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ, and the Central Association of the Iowa Conference have all partnered with Ames UCC to make this event a national and regional offering during the celebration of Earth Month. Additional organizations supporting this event will soon be named.
Registration for this event covers both the opening keynote and the panel discussion. Registrants will receive links to recordings of the event afterwards.

Mental Health and Wellness: Worship Resources for All
2022-04-21 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The sacred stories of our faith traditions offer us hope and encouragement for everyday life. When it comes to mental health and wellbeing, we invite you celebrate the power of faith to positively influence the mental health of our communities. May is Mental Health Month and we invite you to include in your worship services these mental health and wellness resources because in doing so, you are providing critical spiritual care for the flourishing of God’s people.

Repairing the Breach: Climate Justice, Land, Debt and Reparations
2022-04-20 11:00 - 12:00 | 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.
