UCC News

Every year, Trans Day of Visibility is recognized on March 31. In 2024, Easter falls on the same date. Reflecting on this overlap, the United Church of Christ’s Minister for Gender and Sexuality Justice Ministries, Rachael Ward, offers a commentary…

The post Commentary: Trans Day of Visibility falls on Easter this year, and LGBTQ+ people need ‘a resurrection moment’ appeared first on United Church of Christ.

Nex Benedict died on Feb. 8, the day after the nonbinary 16-year-old was reportedly beaten by classmates in the bathroom of their Oklahoma high school. Outrage followed reports of Benedict’s death. With calls for a full investigation from their family…

The post ‘LGBTQ+ youth deserve to become queer elders’: Faith leaders respond to death of Nex Benedict appeared first on United Church of Christ.

An Easter video reflection from the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, takes the church on a journey beyond the grave with memories of where we were just four short years ago…

The post Watch: In Easter message, GMP takes us on a ‘Journey Beyond the Grave’ appeared first on United Church of Christ.

The 86th annual gathering of the United Church of Christ Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) explored a theme of innovation and collaboration through meaningful worship, inspiring workshops and keynotes, and joyful conversations and connections.   This year’s gathering,…

The post At CHHSM’s annual gathering, human connections invite innovation and collaboration among UCC agencies appeared first on United Church of Christ.

A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children;she refused to be consoled, because they are no more. Matthew 2:18 Dear Siblings in Christ, With the celebration of Jesus’ grand entrance into Jerusalem on…

The post A call for peace: Amid Holy Week, UCC Officers pen pastoral letter on Palestine appeared first on United Church of Christ.

More and more people from more and more countries are risking the perilous journey across the U.S-Mexico desert to find safe haven and sanctuary for themselves and their families. And yet, already limited government funding for a humanitarian response to…

The post As migrants from ‘all over the world’ enter U.S., churches must go to meet them, says Arizona pastor appeared first on United Church of Christ.

The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ recently got a refreshed look. The coalition’s brand new logo and updated website accompany a commitment to continually work toward expanding the amount of ONA churches within the UCC,…

The post New look, new dreams for ONA Coalition: An interview with Rev. Katrina Roseboro-Marsh appeared first on United Church of Christ.

A Nurture the Soul series featuring the founders of the Justice Leadership program begins on March 14. The two-part series explores why there is a need for justice leaders in congregations, and how in reality, all are leaders. The webinar…

The post Webinar series to explore need for justice leaders within congregations appeared first on United Church of Christ.

The United Church of Christ Council for Climate Justice launched its first in a series of Climate Action Assemblies as it works to support a number of resolutions that were passed at the 2023 General Synold in Indianapolis. The March…

The post Climate Action Assembly takes deep dive into plastics, electrification, climate hope appeared first on United Church of Christ.

UCC Women’s Week was celebrated with a special Embodying Women and Gender Justice Year Round webinar on Wednesday, March 6. Lead by national staff Rachael Ward, team leader for gender and sexuality justice ministries; Rebekah Choate, minister for global advocacy…

The post Embodying Women & Gender Justice webinar uplifts need for awareness, advocacy appeared first on United Church of Christ.

For people who are unhoused, winter can be a particularly difficult time – especially with the United States in the midst of a serious housing crisis. Last year, a 12% increase in the amount of people experiencing homelessness included a…

The post Churches respond to housing crisis with shelter, advocacy, care appeared first on United Church of Christ.

From March 3 to 9, the United Church of Christ is commemorating UCC Women’s Week this year. That includes a special webinar, “Embodying Women and Gender Justice Year-Round,” that will be held Wednesday, March 6 at 3:30 p.m. ET. March…

The post Watch: UCC officers honor women in church and beyond appeared first on United Church of Christ.

It is important for Christians to reframe the conversation around abortion, according to Rev. Rebecca Todd Peters.   This was the major point of her talk as the guest speaker at an event hosted by Friends Congregational Church of College Station,…

The post Texas church-led event helps ‘change the conversation’ around reproductive justice, theology appeared first on United Church of Christ.

A virtual interfaith vigil for peace was held Feb. 23, a day before the two-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military, which first entered Crimea in 2014. Organized by the Episcopal Public Policy Network, in…

The post Two years after invasion, needs of displaced Ukrainians continue as UCC keeps appeal going appeared first on United Church of Christ.

While heated policy debates and threats to programs for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers continue in the United States, similar conversations are being held across the ocean.  Global Ministries, the common witness of the United Church of Christ and Christian…

The post ‘Immigration debate is not unique to U.S.’: Global Ministries co-sponsors Rome conference on migration, refugees appeared first on United Church of Christ.

Since 1949, the season of Lent has been one in which churches across denominations, including the United Church of Christ, have practiced the spiritual discipline of giving by participating in the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering to help…

The post One Great Hour of Sharing celebrates 75 years: Churches prepare to take offering with mix of nostalgia and urgency appeared first on United Church of Christ.

When the Rev. Ray Jordan began offering pulpit supply at First Community Church United Church of Christ, he didn’t know that it would lead to a position as the church’s pastor and a shift in how the Dallas church does…

The post ‘Church without walls’: Dallas congregation moves out of building to mission-centered model appeared first on United Church of Christ.

Julia Gaughan, chair of the United Church of Christ Board, has issued the following report on the board’s recent meeting. She is an authorized minister serving Peace United Church of Christ in Alma, Kansas, and a member-in-discernment with Plymouth Congregational UCC in Lawrence, Kansas. Greetings, siblings…

The post Report to the church from the UCC Board: March 2024 appeared first on United Church of Christ.