United Church of Christ

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared Covid-19 a global pandemic. Within days, offices, schools and churches stopped meeting in-person and began scrambling to adapt to a new way of life — masking, social distancing, and meeting…

The post Five years later: How did the Covid-19 pandemic impact ministry? appeared first on United Church of Christ.

Re-entering the room at the March 2025 UCC Board Meeting in Cleveland to a standing ovation, smiles, and immense joy, the Rev. Shari Prestemon, current Acting Associate General Minister and Co-executive of Global Ministries was nominated by the Board to…

The post Rev. Shari Prestemon nominated to serve as UCC’s Associate General Minister and Co-Executive, Global Ministries for Love of Neighbor Ministries appeared first on United Church of Christ.

The search committee for the role of Associate General Minister for Love of Church did not identify a candidate to recommend to the United Church of Christ Board during their March 6-8 meetings in Cleveland. The Love of Church Search…

The post No candidate identified: Associate General Minister for Love of Church search to relaunch after General Synod 35 appeared first on United Church of Christ.

Julia Gaughan, chair of the United Church of Christ Board, 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. She has written the following as her most recent report from the…

The post Report to the church from the UCC Board: March 2025 appeared first on United Church of Christ.

This past Ash Wednesday, March 5, the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, appeared at press conferences, vigils, and rallies in Washington D.C. On a Holy Day grounded in reflection, lamentation, and…

The post Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson represents UCC at Ash Wednesday events across Washington, D.C. appeared first on United Church of Christ.

This week, faith leaders across the country carried church to the people with the practice of offering “ashes to go” in their communities. As the Lenten season began with Ash Wednesday on March 5, pastoral staff of Covenant United Church…

The post San Diego church distributes ashes at the border as act of solidarity with immigrants appeared first on United Church of Christ.

The United Church of Christ, along with four-dozen other faith-based organizations joined with Church World Service (CWS) to sign on to its Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration, a public statement against policies and actions that threaten refugee rights, separate families, and…

The post Faith Communities Unite in Historic Declaration to Defend Refugees at Critical Crossroads for U.S. Policy appeared first on 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.