UCC marks Labor Day observance with new liturgical resources
Labor Day will be celebrated on Monday, September 7 this year, not only to gratefully recognize the sacrifices of those who organized for justice in our workplaces, but to remember the torch we must yet carry to manifest an economy…
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Moment of Reflection: ‘Unbound’ by Harmonia Rosales
Staff Writer
:The statue is one way King’s Chapel in Boston is addressing its past ties to enslavement.
Call to Prayer After Earthquakes in Latin America
Beloved siblings in Christ, The earth has once again trembled. Recent earthquakes have struck Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and other nations across Latin America, shaking homes, displacing families, and leaving communities in fear and grief. As the ground continues to shift, our siblings in Christ face the long, difficult road of recovery. As a communion, we […]
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Where Hope Takes Root: At Newton Correctional Facility in Iowa, a Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Flourishes
Elaine McArdle
:Inside the prison, the growing fellowship offers belonging, transformation, and spiritual community.
RE-SPHERE launches to transform Europe's shared heritage
A New Horizon Europe project brought together 13 partners from nine countries to explore how shared holy places can strengthen social cohesion, intercultural understanding, and sustainable peace-building across Europe.
As climate change marches on, African churches keep the momentum
As the global climate crisis accelerates faster than collective response and new conflicts slice attention, African church leaders are highlighting the need to increase action, as the emergency hurts their congregations.
Dr. Ramon Tallaj reflects on the family doctor, faith, and health equity
Dr. Ramon Tallaj is chairman of the board and founder of SOMOS Community Care. “SOMOS,” which means “we are” in Spanish, is a physician-led network of 2,600 healthcare providers serving over 850,000 Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries in New York City’s immigrant communities. Tallaj reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of the family doctor, and how faith has played a large role in his life and work.
Churches respond to earthquake in Colombia with solidarity and accompaniment
World Council of Churches (WCC) member church, the Presbyterian Church of Colombia, and ecumenical organizations in Colombia are mobilizing in solidarity with communities affected by a powerful earthquake that struck the western and central parts of the country on 10 August.
A joint UCC-ONA statement on the passing of Rev. Derek Terry
The following is a joint statement from United Church of Christ General Minister and President/CEO, the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, and the Open and Affirming Coalition Board Chair, the Rev. Kevin E. Tindell on the untimely passing of the Rev.…
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Northwestern Pennsylvania diocese elects Jenifer Chatfield as its ninth bishop
[Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania] The Rev. Jenifer Chatfield, rector of St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church in San Marino, California, was elected the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania on Aug. 8 during a special electing convention held at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul in Erie, where the diocese is based. Chatfield was elected on the third ballot with 24 clergy and 31 lay votes, with a majority of 18 and 31, respectively, required for election. Pending churchwide consent, she will be ordained and consecrated as bishop diocesan on Dec. 12 at the Cathedral of St. Paul. “Today, after prayerful work and holy discernment, we give thanks for the election of the Rev. Dr. Jenifer Chatfield and her willingness to serve as the ninth bishop diocesan of the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania,” said the Rev. Martha Ishman, president of the diocesan Standing Committee. “[Chatfield] is grounded in her relationship to God and is eager to explore with us what it means to be the church in this place and at this time.” Chatfield has served at St. Edmund’s since 2019. She previously served as priest-in-charge of St. Wilfrid of York Episcopal Church in Huntington Beach, California, and as interim rector of St. James’ in-the-City Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. She has a doctor of ministry degree from Virginia Theological Seminary and a master of divinity from Yale Divinity School. The other nominees were: The Very Rev. Molly Payne-Hardin, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Watertown, New York. The Rev. Stacey Fussell, rector of Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Bradford, Pennsylvania. Chatfield will succeed Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, who resigned as Northwestern Pennsylvania’s bishop in 2024 after he was elected and confirmed as primate of The Episcopal Church. As bishop diocesan of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Rowe also served as bishop provisional of Western New York. In 2025, the two dioceses decided to part ways rather than maintain their six-year partnership. The Diocese of Western New York, after a pause in the process, plans to release its bishop slate in March 2027. In an Aug. 9 Facebook post, the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania called for prayers for Chatfield, St. Edmund’s congregation and the diocese. “May God continue to guide and bless this new chapter in the life of our diocese.”