“When the Work Begins”

We in the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy are excited to share with you some hopes for the coming year at the start of 2026.  As we reflected on back in December, 2025 brought with it many challenges as a new Administration took office and political divisions deepened. We witnessed a historic wave of harmful executive orders (225!) and partisan gridlock, as well as a spike in political violence and the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.   
 
In the face of shocking deportations, continued war, and policy fights over food, healthcare, trans rights, and other critical issues, our UCC advocates faithfully showed up, spoke out, and proclaimed a prophetic message of love and welcome. Thousands of UCC advocates sent over 120,000 messages to Congress in 2025 alone! 
 
We are so grateful for your advocacy and solidarity in this work. In the coming year, we ask for your continued engagement, prayer, and support as we seek to grow the Justice & Peace Action Network and work to lift the prophetic voice of the UCC in both witness and advocacy to build a Just World for All. 

What’s Around the Corner 

In the year ahead, the UCC Washington D.C. office will remain actively engaged in the wide range of issues that are central to our faith community. While it’s not possible to predict all that will emerge in 2026, here is an early look at what we will be keeping an eye on. 

As a reminder, these are just a small sample of some of the concerns and policy issues that will occupy our time and attention this year.  

• Wars and War Powers: The recent U.S. attack on Venezuela is the latest in a series of attacks that violate international law and undermine the constitutional authority of Congress to declare war. Last year, the U.S. engaged in strikes in Iran, Nigeria, Syria, Somalia, and Yemen, all while failing to end the war in Ukraine or bringing about a just peace in the Middle East.  In 2026, our office will continue to advocate for stronger Congressional oversight and an end to endless wars.   

• Healthcare & Appropriations: This past November, Congress passed a stopgap spending bill (CR) to reopen the government through January 30^th, 2026. What was left out of that agreement was a fix to critical Affordable Care Act healthcare subsidies that expired on December 31^st, raising the cost of healthcare for many. Congress must address these rising costs and either pass the remaining nine appropriations bills (or a CR) to keep the government open. Our office will be pressing for solutions that support the most vulnerable and make sure that no one has to decide between a doctor’s visit and a meal. 

• Immigration and Refugee Justice: The administration’s cruel deportation campaign terrorized communities across the nation in 2025, deporting as many as 600,000 undocumented migrants from L.A., D.C., Chicago, Memphis, and now Minnesota. Additionally, over 1.6 million immigrants and refugees who entered the country legally seeking asylum or ‘temporary protected status’ were stripped of legal protections and now face deportation. The refugee program essentially remains halted, a travel ban list is expanding, and the administration recently announced a “reexamination” of certain green-card holders. As an Immigrant Welcoming Church, the UCC will stand in opposition to these cruel policies and work in 2026 to proclaim a counter message of love and inclusion: Love Knows No Borders!  

• Nuclear Threats and Defense Spending (NDAA): “New START” is a critical arms reduction treaty between the U.S. and Russia that is set to expire on February 5^th, 2026.  Given the existential threat of nuclear weapons, it is critical that New START is renewed as a step toward full nuclear abolition. The United Church of Christ has long been vocal in our opposition to the development, possession, testing, and use of nuclear weapons throughout our history. Given the imminent deadline, our office is pushing for the renewal of the New START treaty, in addition to continued advocacy for cuts to the bloated Pentagon spending to invest in diplomacy, development, and other needs.   

• Defending Trans and Nonbinary Rights: In 2025 alone, there were 616 anti-trans proposed laws at the state level across the nation. Now more than ever, it is critical for faith communities to publicly and prophetically support our trans, nonbinary, and intersex siblings. This includes advocating for passing federal protections for our queer, trans, and nonbinary siblings, showing up in witness as the Supreme Court hears pivotal cases on this issue (including a rally next Tuesday, January 13^th in support of trans youth in sports), and uplifting stories of radical love.

• Environmental Justice: In 2025, the administration rolled back a wide range of EPA regulations governing air, water, and land pollutants – including greenhouse gases. These regulatory changes could lead to the deaths of many and further endanger the future of our planet. Outrageously, the U.S. also withdrew from the Paris Climate agreement and dismantled the EPA’s Environmental Justice Office, part of the UCC’s legacy in the EJ movement. In 2026, we will be pushing back on these policies to protect God’s creation and prioritize the planet over profit.  

• Supporting Affordable Housing: In response to the soaring cost of housing caused by the nationwide housing shortage, many churches have entered into discernment about faithful stewardship of the land and resources they hold. Churches across the UCC and other denominations are partnering with non-profit housing developers to build affordable housing on their land. However, many churches across the nation run into regulatory roadblocks that allow opponents to block new housing. The UCC DC Office has been invited by bill sponsors in both the House and Senate to partner in advocating for pro-housing legislation called “Yes in God’s Backyard,” which would encourage state and local jurisdictions to make it easier for churches and nonprofits to take on these transformative projects. This represents one important avenue for addressing the massive housing shortage.

• Looking Ahead to the 2026 Midterms: The Midterm elections this fall will determine the balance of power in D.C., which itself impacts all the issues listed on this page.  All the U.S. House seats and 35 seats in the Senate are up for election. Given recent redistricting attempts, on top of already razor thin margins, this election season will undoubtedly be contentious.  The DC office will be updating the “Our Faith Our Vote” materials for nonpartisan faithful engagement in the election and will call on UCC members to “Vote with Love.”  
 

Remember to Make Music 

As we look at what is to come in 2026, and particularly in this Epiphany season, we are reminded of the poem by Howard Thurman titled “The Work of Christmas” that points to the work ahead as well as the call to remain faithful, and human, in the struggle:   

“When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, 
when the kings and princes are home, 
when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, 
to heal the broken, 
to feed the hungry, 
to release the prisoner, 
to rebuild the nations, 
to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart.” 

― Howard Thurman 

Thurman lays out the work we are called to do collectively. To find, to heal, to feed, to release, to rebuild, to bring peace. Yet, his often-overlooked reminder to “make music in the heart” is the phrase that sticks out most.   

In the year that is to come, let us not forget to make music – to find joy, to rest, to pursue art and music and all things that keep us human, and grounded, and hopeful.  These actions are also part of our resistance to the cruelty of this moment and keep us resilient against apathy that can too easily take hold.  

As we embark on this new year, be reminded that we are in this work together. Here in D.C., we remain hopeful because of your engagement and support.  Every letter, every phone call, every email or meeting makes a difference – especially when done collectively alongside faith partners and people of conscience.