United Church of Christ

On most Sundays at First Congregational Church of Memphis, the Rev. Tony Coleman delivers his sermons surrounded by large, brightly colored art and a diverse group of congregants gathered in a circular arrangement. First Congo, as the church is often…

The post Preacher for General Synod aims to cultivate deep belonging, deep hope appeared first on United Church of Christ.

Marie Higgins had a problem — a good one. On the fifth Sunday of a month, her church — Hope Community United Church of Christ in Aurora, Illinois— gathers not for traditional worship, but for “work-ship.” This gathering has become…

The post Small but mighty: Congregations flex their mission muscle, assembling kits funded by Global HOPE matching grants appeared first on United Church of Christ.

United Church of Christ congregations, Associations and Conferences all need websites to boost engagement with those who are involved, or interested in being involved with UCC churches, and many do not have one. It’s an important way to keep membership…

The post UCC Everywhere is truly everywhere, from congregations to Associations and Conferences appeared first on United Church of Christ.

Amid a news cycle filled with stories that can cause overwhelm and disorientation, the season of Lent will begin next week on March 5. Sharon Fennema, Join the Movement curator and storyteller, described how many of the movement-makers she has…

The post Lent 2025 resources offer nourishment, challenge, and encouragement to dig deep   appeared first on United Church of Christ.

In the latest installment of “On My Mind Today,” the new blog written by UCC General Minister and President/CEO the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson talks about the plight of relocating families due to political conflict, economical unrest, and climate migration.…

The post Thompson’s ‘On My Mind Today’ explores the ‘risk’ of relocating the displaced in an ever-growing inhospitable world appeared first on United Church of Christ.

The Pension Boards-United Church of Christ, Inc., announced the sudden and unexpected passing of its President and CEO Brian R. Bodager on Feb. 15. Bodager had recently announced his departure from the organization just a few weeks prior on Feb.…

The post Remembering Brian R. Bodager, former President and CEO of the Pension Boards-UCC appeared first on United Church of Christ.

Since 1933, with Franklin D. Roosevelt’s swift response in helping a struggling U.S. economy soon after removing his hand from the inaugural bible, the first 100 days of a new presidency has become an important harbinger for a nation. The…

The post A faithful response to the first 100 days: Online advocacy resource page now available appeared first on United Church of Christ.

¿Necesita agua y comida? Do you need food and water? It’s a question that Samaritan Volunteer Gail Kocourek repeats often as she travels along the U.S.-Mexico border carrying these very items — water, food, first aid supplies. The Samaritan program…

The post Samaritans and ranchers: Voices of people who regularly meet migrants at U.S.-Mexico border appeared first on United Church of Christ.

In a rapidly changing and volatile world — where the latest news raises more questions rather than providing answers — the United Church of Christ’s General Minister and President/CEO, the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, shares her thoughts and concerns in…

The post ‘On My Mind Today’ shares thoughts and concerns from UCC’s Karen Georgia Thompson appeared first on United Church of Christ.

As planning for General Synod is well underway, the General Synod staff are seeking self-nominations for people to serve as committee chairs. This invitation is specifically for delegates at General Synod 35 in Kansas City, which takes place July 11-15.…

The post Self-nominations requested for individuals to serve as General Synod committee chairs appeared first on United Church of Christ.

The United Church of Christ Environmental Justice ministries recently invited congregations to organize teams and visit the district offices of members of Congress as part of a Valentine’s Day nationwide day of action on Feb. 14. The initiative was designed…

The post Valentine’s Day was a great time to have a heart for the climate: UCC churches take action appeared first on United Church of Christ.

A Creation Justice webinar entitled “Elon Musk, Oligarchy, and Climate Justice” was hosted by the Rev. Brooks Berndt, minister for Environmental Justice at the United Church of Christ, and the Rev. Michael Malcom, executive director of the Alabama Interfaith Power…

The post ‘Elon Musk, Oligarchy, and Climate Justice’ webinar addresses important issues of our day appeared first on United Church of Christ.

The Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ is among more than two dozen religious groups suing the Department of Homeland Security in response to a policy change that offers greater leeway for immigration enforcement in “sensitive locations,”…

The post 27 religious groups, including UCC Conference, file lawsuit challenging ICE action in churches appeared first on United Church of Christ.

In the past two weeks, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have moved to return to northern Gaza during a tenuous ceasefire agreement. The move follows nearly 16 months of violence and war waged by Israel following Hamas’ attack on Oct.…

The post ‘Cries for Peace in Palestine’: Palestinian Christian voices are center of new book, webinar series appeared first on United Church of Christ.

When the Rev. Seth Wispelwey began his podcast “Fill the Jar” last year, he said he wanted to show people that they were not alone. The minister for Economic Justice with the United Church of Christ, said of the podcast,…

The post ‘Fill the Jar’ podcast examines what we can do to stay hopeful; interview with UCC Washington, D.C. office director appeared first on United Church of Christ.

When over 1,000 people gathered in front of the United States Treasury Department in Washington, D.C., last week to protest security breaches and the implications of billionaire Elon Musk’s unprecedented access to government systems, the Rev. Kathy Dwyer, senior pastor…

The post UCC pastor: Congregations must ask what it means to love our neighbor in this moment appeared first on United Church of Christ.

Faith leaders, humanitarian organizations, refugees, members of Congress, and resettlement organizations came together in a demonstration of solidarity and compassion through a public action and vigil in Lafayette Square in front of the White House. The event on Tuesday, Feb.…

The post Faith leaders, members of Congress and others speak out against Executive Order suspending refugee resettlement in Washington, D.C. appeared first on United Church of Christ.

It has been a long practice of churches to open their doors to immigrants faced with threats of deportation as part of their ministry.    United Church of Christ congregations have quite a few stories to share of families, including young…

The post ‘Welcoming immigrants in our midst’: New resources for churches in the wake of policy changes appeared first on United Church of Christ.

The keynote speaker for this summer’s General Synod 35 is a faith-based activist and author with a long history of working to build public attention for issues of faith and justice.   The Rev. Jennifer Butler is perhaps best known…

The post General Synod 35 keynote speaker is a minister at the intersection of faith and civic engagement  appeared first on United Church of Christ.

February is often thought of as a month of love, as Valentine’s Day is celebrated and lovers everywhere affirm their devotion with special cards, gifts and romantic meals together. The Gender and Sexuality Justice Ministries (GSJM) of the United Church…

The post Love is Louder in February: UCC ministries offer new resources, invite submissions to spread love ‘out loud’ appeared first on United Church of Christ.