Take five minutes to fill out our audience survey so the DC Office can learn more about the issues you care about most, the communities you’re a part of, and how we can collaborate deeper with our network.
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Climate Action Commissioning Service
As we enter a year of critical importance in the struggle for climate justice, the UCC is holding a Climate Action Commissioning Service. Gather with us as we faithfully prepare ourselves to take action in the coming year. The theme for this service and for the UCC's 2025 Climate Hope Campaign is "Planting Seeds of Hope." Our preacher will be the Rev. Michael Malcom, the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People's Justice Council. Register to join us!
Read MoreFree MLK Day Virtual Party: Creative Peace
In the fight for justice and equality, creativity is a powerful tool. Art is more than beauty—it’s a voice, a protest, and a way to inspire change. This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let’s come together to honor Dr. King’s legacy through reflection, creativity, and connection.
🎉 Join Rev. Derek for the FREE Virtual Paint for Peace Party!
🗓️ Date: January 20, 2025 Noon-1:30pm ET
💻 Where: Online via Zoom (link emailed to registrants on Jan 19) Click here to Register!
🎨 Cost: FREE and open to all ages!
UCC Webinar: From a Toxic Media to a Toxic Environment
Media in our society can have a decisive influence on everything from elections to the quality of the very air we breathe. It can shape and inform the demands of a public and the political will of those in office. In short, a toxic media can lead to a toxic government and, literally, a toxic environment. This is evident in the influence that media conglomerates can have on matters as vital as the climate crisis.
In this webinar, our guest panelists will help us to understand our current media landscape, how it impacts the climate crisis, and what we can do about it. Our three panelists will include Allison Fisher from Media Matters for America, Elyse Martin from the Environmental Defense Fund, and Cheryl A. Leanza from UCC Media Justice.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register today!
Read MoreProtect The Caja del Rio
Please join us in calling on President Biden, Secretary Haaland and the New Mexico Congressional Delegation to make the Caja del Rio a National Monument. The Caja del Rio is one of the most remarkable cultural, spiritual, archaeological and ecological landscapes in the southwest. To learn more about the Caja del Rio check out this film. Here is an op-ed that Rev. Andrew Black wrote on Caja del Rio is HERE. In calling for a national monument, we will be joining the All Pueblo Council of Governors, Santa Fe County Commission, and Santa Fe Mayor.
As regional faith leaders, we are asking you to SIGN ON TO THIS LETTER.
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If you're looking for a sign to get more involved, this is it.
COMMIT TO JUSTICE IN 2025:
a program for church-goers, laypeople, clergy, anyone looking for tools and support in their journey to building a better world.
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February 14th: Valentine's Day Action
Participate in the UCC's nationwide day of action on Valentine’s Day as we urge members of congress to have a heart for climate, our children, and our children's future. Organize a team to visit the district offices of your congress members on February 14th. Involve the children and youth of your church in the visit! Learn more and register your church.
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Subscribe & Listen! The Fill the JAR Podcast is Up and Running
Beginning in 2024, economic justice efforts in the United Church of Christ were centralized under the banner of “Fill the JAR” – Jubilee, Abundance, Reparations – God’s economic justice.
Dedicated campaigns for churches are coming (stay tuned new year 2025!) and a Fill the JAR podcast was begun: conversations with colleagues and collaborators in this shared work of fighting for liberation, equity, and thriving while staying whole and thriving ourselves. There would be more episodes, but I (Rev. Seth Wispelwey, Minister for Economic Justice) welcomed a new baby and parental leave for a while!
For now, you can subscribe and listen to conversations with Dr. Sharon Fennema (Join the Movement), Hill Brown (Faith in Harm Reduction), and Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt (Environmental Justice)…and expect many more in 2025!
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UCC Webinar: Reclaiming Our Democracy
After the election, commentators like Tom Nichols urged people to "stay engaged and make their voices heard at every turn.” But most still wonder how, and even if, they can make a difference between elections. What are the options?
(1) Protesting? Vital, but usually not the long game.
(2) Signing email form letters, which only 3% of Congressional staff says is highly effective? Just gestures.
(3) Taking a 2-year nap until the next election? Sadly, the preferred route for many.
Few know about (4) transformational advocacy which helps you change an issue while you also become changed in the process.
In his book "Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy," Sam Daley-Harris writes about people who have successfully brought about social change and personal transformation. Join us for this webinar as Daley-Harris shares his stories and wisdom gained from years of leading and coaching advocacy organizations such as Citizen's Climate Lobby, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Catholic Relief Services, and RESULTS.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on Wednesday, December 11th at 1 pm ET (11 am SWC time), still sign up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!
Read MoreDesert Palm UCC is the first A2A church in the SWC
This summer, the UCC Disabilities Ministries certified Desert Palm UCC as an “Accessible to All” (A2A) church. Our church is the first church in the Southwest Conference to attain this milestone. The achievement followed seven years of sustained work, two internal audits of our campus, educational outreach, and numerous meetings.
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November 16th: Ecumenical Climate Ambassador Training
On November 16th, Blessed Tomorrow and a range of denominations will offer a training that will equip attendees on understanding the climate crisis through a faith lens while considering its impacts and how we can advance solutions. Attention will be given to how to best communicate with others and become engaged in taking action.
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The Cool Congregations Challenge
The Cool Congregations Challenge is an annual national contest to recognize congregations that are becoming energy efficient and sustainable role models. The contest is conducted by Interfaith Power & Light. The deadline for entries is December 15th, and the prize for each category is $1,000. Categories range from renewable energy to stewarding sacred grounds.
Read MoreReflections on U.S. Presidential Election - Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson
Watch the message from Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, GMP of the United Church of Christ, inviting us to pause, pray, and prepare to live love boldly as we process the election outcomes.
"No outcome of the election would deter us from our quest for justice. As people of faith and followers of Jesus, our values and our commitments are not changed by the politics of the day. We remain called to be advocates for justice and to find ourselves providing solidarity with those whose voices have been silenced, those who find themselves living on the margins of our society, and those whose rights are threatened among us."
‘Our Faith Moves Us to Vote’
The current and four former General Ministers and Presidents call on UCC to vote faithfully and with love.
The group of UCC leaders collaborated to create a video addressing the pressing importance of voting with a lens of faith values as part of the UCC’s Our Faith Our Vote campaign.
The historic message is given by the following Presidents and GMPs of the UCC:
Rev. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, current GMP beginning 2023
Rev. John C. Dorhauer, GMP from 2015 to 2023
Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, GMP from 2009 to 2015
Rev. John H. Thomas, GMP from 1999 to 2009
Rev. Paul H. Sherry, President from 1989 to 1999
Congregations are invited to share the video for Vote Faithfully Sunday on Nov. 3, and a bulletin insert is available to accompany it.
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Interfaith Election Eve Prayer Vigil
Monday, November 4th, 2024, 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm on Zoom
Register here: https://form-usa.keela.co/pray
Join people Arizona Faith Network and its organizational partners for a statewide interfaith prayer vigil for a safe and secure election. Leaders from various faith traditions will offer prayers for peace, unity, healing, and the well-being of our communities and nation. We invite you to participate in this sacred time of collective reflection and hope.
Event highlights include:
Blessing and Land Recognition
Prayers for peace, leadership, and unity
Reflections on civic engagement and the common good
Meditative music and moments of silence for reflection
All are welcome to join us as we unite in prayer for a just and peaceful election.
Spanish interpretation and ASL services will be provided.
Read MoreVoting for a just world: UCC election resource roundup
All UCC election resources rounded up in one place.
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UCC Webinar: What Is Owed—International Climate Debt
While developed countries disproportionately caused the climate crisis, developing countries have disproportionately suffered the consequences. As a result, a debt is owed. Yet, the opposite is happening as developing countries are the ones saddled with the crushing burden of debt payments. According to a report from the IMF and World Bank, 47 developing countries will pay $400 billion dollars to service their debts in 2024. With the risk of default, these countries are not able to devote the money needed to address the climate crisis. As the UN Climate Change Conference takes place in Azerbaijan, we will focus on the enormous moral and financial issues at stake with climate debt.
Athena Peralta from the World Council of Churches and Karimi Kinoti from Edeni Platform will discuss these critical matters.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!
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UCC issues appeal for those impacted by widespread destruction of Hurricane Helene
The United Church of Christ has launched an appeal and opportunities to support recovery efforts following the devastating path Hurricane Helene has left across the Southeast United States.
The UCC Appeal for Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts invites people to offer monetary contributions toward hurricane relief, and/or to join volunteer efforts with Crisis Cleanup phone banking – which allows people to remotely assist with connecting crisis need to relief services – and for assembling hygiene and cleanup buckets.
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Vote Faithfully Sunday (November 3): Worship Resources Available Now!
We invite you to join us in observing the Sunday, November 3rd as “Vote Faithfully Sunday.” This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our commitment to the common good, ground ourselves before Election Day, and prepare to vote as a community. You are welcome to use and adapt the materials available on our website for any ecumenical setting.
Check back on this page soon for an upcoming video from Rev. Karen Georgia A. Thompson!
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Our Faith Our Vote Resource Toolkit: Available for Download Now!
The United Church of Christ’s Our Faith Our Vote Campaign is designed to engage the faith community in elections. Our Resource Toolkit provides a wide-range of material ranging from:
💙 How to mobilize your congregation this election season
💙 Guidelines for faithful and respectful discussion on the issues
💙 Election centered worship resources
💙 Much, much, more!
Please use and share this toolkit to help center LOVE this election season. Let us together continue the UCC’s mission to welcome all, love all and seek justice for all!