by Shandrika McDowell

This is my second course in seminary, and let me tell you—it’s been a workout! The Old Testament will stretch your mind and your faith at the same time. I went from just reading the Bible to actually studying it—breaking down context, history, language, and meaning. And whew, it’s a whole different experience when you slow down and really dig in.

Each assignment felt like lifting spiritual weights. Some days I left sore (mentally), other days I left stronger. The Old Testament isn’t just about ancient people, it’s about us. It shows God’s power, patience, and purpose through generations of folks who were just as flawed and faithful as we are today.

Click through to read Shandrika’s article.

Last week, Dr. Gloria and I discussed the teachings of Jesus Christ and how they have endured for more than 2,000 years. She made a lightbulb moment that stuck with me, which I plan to use in a sermon or Bible study: “That alone should instill faith.” (You would think the lightbulb should have been on already, lol!)

You know she’s right! The words and wisdom of Jesus have carried through wars, cultural shifts, and generations of change. They still call people to love, compassion, justice, and hope. That kind of lasting truth shows the living presence of Christ among us.

I love that the United Church of Christ gathers around that very same faith. We don’t rely on rigid rules or identical beliefs. We stay connected through our shared trust in Jesus, who is the head of our church: the very same Jesus, the One who teaches us to love God and our neighbors. In a world full of noise and distraction, His voice still speaks through Scripture, community, and acts of service.

We live in a time when many people post, protest, and speak out, but fewer put faith into practice.

(click through to keep reading)

The Pastoral Residency Program at The Village Church in Wellesley and Weston, Massachusetts is a two-year, full-time ordainable call in the United Church of Christ designed for recent M.Div. graduates preparing for parish ministry.

This position is an ordainable call in the United Church of Christ, with a full-time salary and housing allowance of $60,000 a year (or $55,000 with free parsonage housing, if available), and full benefits.

• As full-time pastors, Residents participate in all aspects of the life of Village Church in Wellesley and Weston. The two settings provide experience of working with a large staff and as solo pastor.

• Residents gain experience in core areas of pastoral leadership: Worship, Faith Formation, Pastoral Care, Transformational Leadership, Social Justice, and Professional Development. We intentionally leave space in their portfolios for Residents to respond to the Spirit's movement.

• The program trains two Residents at a time, and the staggered call process enables them to progress in their learning and leadership with the support of a peer.

• Throughout their service with us, residents receive extensive support and mentoring from both the pastoral staff at Village Church in Wellesley and the congregations in Wellesley and Weston.

• We support participation in a New Clergy Group through the UCC’s Southern New England Conference.

To read more program details and the application timeline for the 2026–2028 cohort, click here.

Lombard Mennonite Peace Center is launching a free quarterly clergy roundtable program.

The first program theme is: 

Generational Differences in the Balance of Togetherness and Individuality - Implications for the Church 

Particular focus will be given to the emotional labor Gen Z experiences around performative roles (like showing up at church or a holiday dinner) when they perceive forces of togetherness differently than others. 

How do we create churches that welcome the authentic presence of youth instead of masking while participating?

 Register for free to get the link.

They recommend reading the book, Hear Us Out: Six Questions on Belonging and Belief by Sue Pizor Yoder (Author), with contributors  Bonnie Bates, Brandon Heavner, Joanne Marchetto, Jill Peters, Stephen Simmons, Janet Stahl, and James Stahl in preparation for this round table discussion.

Some of you know I keep chickens in my backyard. If you have ever raised chickens, you understand that they are not the cleanest animals. And where there are chickens, there are flies.

Have you ever noticed how flies rush to what is rotten while butterflies search for what is colorful and alive? Both insects have wings. Both can fly wherever they want. Yet they seek very different things. Flies target decay. Butterflies look for blossoms. One sees garbage. The other sees growth.

There is more to the story.

Click through to read the rest of it!

We live in a time when people draw lines quickly. They sort, group, and divide one another by politics, culture, or even sports teams. Tribalism has always existed. People instinctively gather with those who look, think, and act like them. At its best, tribalism gives belonging and security. At its worst, it hardens hearts and turns neighbors into enemies.

Religion calls us to live differently. Scripture tells story after story of God pushing people past narrow loyalties.

Click through to read Dr. Derrick’s article.

When we join the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ, we enter into multiple covenant relationships as individuals and as congregations. COM B (Committee on Ministry Section B) is a SWC committee whose primary responsibility is to serve and assist congregations. We recently had the joy of receiving our second round of proposals for the Congregational Revitalization and Resiliency Grants. The goal of the grant money is to assist churches in moving beyond the status quo, and in creative and new ways, developing programs that will inspire church growth. Creativity and originality were encouraged, and we were delighted to receive well-written, thoughtfully considered, and creative grants from congregations across the Conference. Congratulations to all congregations who submitted grants and who were awarded funds for their creative endeavors!