It's here! Our first book of the bible illustrated by the Ktizo kids. The story of Samuel and his calling is the first of many that we will illustrate and publish. The kids really engaged with the story and know it through and through now that they have illustrated each page. We are now going on to the calling of Saul to be King.
In celebration of Mother's Day United Church of Sun City took a moment to collect a few statements written by children about the Bible without correction or retouching. Here are a few..."The greatest miracle in the bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.", "Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption", "Moses died before he ever reached Texas"... and many more. Happy Mother's Day to all who's lives are filled with little bundles of creativity and joy.
Last week was pivotal - The Sentencing Reform & Corrections Act (S. 2123) is closer than ever to a vote.
Read MoreThe United Church of Christ is urging churches around the country to get involved in gun violence prevention, releasing a very personal video message from a local congregation that lived through a horrific mass shooting in their small community. “A Gun Changed My Beautiful Town," from the people of Newtown Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is a series of heartfelt reflections, based on their experience when a troubled young man took the lives of 20 children and six of their teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December of 2012, and how that changed their lives, and their viewpoint on guns in America forever.
Dear Friends,
Please read and kindly respond to this call to action. We have received word that the Governor is considering signing a very strong Anti-Immigrant Bill, SB 1377. There is an action being planned tomorrow (Tuesday) at the capitol building and also it is important to call the Governor TODAY and let him know you urge him to VETO this bill.
Read MoreA task force studying giving and philanthropy, made up of 18 people from across the life of the United Church of Christ, wants to examine some of the values and motivations on how people make decisions when donating to the church. The end goal is the creation of a proposed model of giving that would generate more resources for the mission of the UCC.
Read MoreAs the religious landscape in the United States continues to shift, the United Church of Christ must lead from the front. That sentiment, shared and repeated during the weekend installation of the Rev. John C. Dorhauer, was underscored by the three-city progressive worship service for the ninth general minister and president, taking him coast-to-coast in a unique and unifying moment for the wider church.
Read MoreApril is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. While talking about sex in church or in a non-church ministry setting can feel difficult, talking about sexual assault can feel even more difficult. If we let 'difficult' or 'more difficult' keep us silent, however, we become complicit in nourishing a culture wherein abuse, exploitation, and wounding can continue. I invite you to break the silence, and to do what feels 'difficult' and 'even more difficult' in the name of compassion and justice, by speaking out in your ministry setting during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Read MoreCome join us for an inspiring, uplifting performance by the Ugandan Kids Choir at Shepherd of the Hills UCC Church, 5524 E. Lafayette Blvd, Phoenix, AZ on Sunday afternoon, April 10 at 4 pm. This group of children ages 8 to 12 will delight us with singing traditional African songs, playing traditional instruments, and dancing in traditional African attire. The choir is a project of Childcare Worldwide, which has empowered children in developing countries since 1981. Invite friends and family, too.
Read MoreDesert Garden, Sun City
On March 15th, Desert Garden UCC hosted a CARD MAKING GET TOGETHER! Participants helped to create beautiful cards to celebrate the birthdays of members of their church family.
After a deadly terrorist attack in Belgium during Holy Week, United Church of Christ General Minister and President the Rev. John Dorhauer remembered the victims in a call for prayer, and urged during this week of hope and resurrection that we all be instruments of God's peace.
Read MoreDear friends in Christ,
Grace and peace to you as we approach Holy Week.
As all of us gather together in worship on Palm-Passion Sunday, it's also a time to find solidarity in community. It is also a time to enter into the passion and suffering of Jesus on behalf of the world.
Read MorePHOENIX (KPHO/KTVK) -
Local civil rights leaders and politicians are turning up the heat on Phoenix City Councilman Michael Nowakowski, calling on him to resign from office immediately.
Nowakowski has ignited outrage after he was seen in a video criticizing same-sex marriage and the right of transgender people to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity.
Read MoreThe United Church of Christ Musicians Association, Inc. is a self-supporting association of, by and for musicians serving UCC churches across the United States.
Read MorePBUCC Investment Committee Votes to Eliminate Oil Sands, Thermal Coal Investments
Originally Published on Tuesday, 16 February 2016 11:16
The Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Pension Boards–United Church of Christ, Inc. (PBUCC), recently voted to eliminate separately-managed (non-commingled) investments in oil sands and thermal coal.
The upcoming Bi-Vocational Ministry In the 21st Century Conference happens April 15-16, 2016, and is sponsored by the UCC and partner denominations. The conference will be an ecumenical gathering of bi-vocational pastors and judicatory leaders. Your presence and the participation of pastors and judicatory officers from your denomination will enrich the conversation.
Initial registration goals have been met, registration will continue to be accepted until April 4th. You may find additional information here [Link].
Sunday begins the National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS (March 6-13) and UCAN is leading the national effort called the Framework for Dialogue. The Framework for Dialogue brings together people living with HIV and faith leaders for dialogue and joint action to reduce and eliminate HIV stigma. You can learn more here.
Thecampaign to end HIV Stigma in the U.S. that UCAN, the United Church of Christ HIV & AIDS Network, will launch on Sunday.
Read MoreIn September, 2015, the elected officers of the UCC Council for Hispanic Ministries appointed a team to gather opinions and insights focused on the future of Hispanic/Latino(a) Ministries and Leadership in the UCC. As a first step, the team will launch a church-wide electronic survey inviting the participation of Latinas and Latinos across the various settings of the church. We are deeply grateful to the UCC Center for Analytics, Data, and Research (CARD), for their support and expertise in the survey’s design. If you identify as Latina or Latino you are invited to visit https://www.research.net/r/UCCLatinos to participate in the survey. Your response is needed by March 31, 2016. Thank you for contributing your thoughts to the future of Hispanic Ministries in the UCC.
February 25, 2016
Written by Anthony Moujaes
Organizers of the United Church of Christ’s upcoming National Youth Event are making a revision to the registration window to ensure youth participants have the first rights to register for the July gathering, before opening registration to reasonably accommodate families that hope to take part in the event.
The decision to delay family registration allows youth participants and chaperones a dedicated registration period until May 1. But in recognizing the importance of family, and understanding that an event at Walt Disney World holds a wide appeal, family members of participants will be able to register on a first-come, first-served basis beginning May 1.
"This decision to delay the registration of families for NYE until all youth have had their chance to register is one that will understandably create some anguish, anger, and pain across the life of the United Church of Christ. It is a decision that likely should have been made earlier," said the Rev. John C. Dorhauer, general minister and president of the UCC. "Because it wasn’t, plans already made by some may be disrupted. For that, I apologize. Nonetheless, this decision was made in order to maintain the integrity of a youth event that gathers once every four years, and to wisely steward our precious missional assets. I hope that any family that wants to register will have that opportunity, and that they will understand with patience and grace why it is we are asking them to give the youth and their chaperones the first opportunity to do so."
NYE was announced as a family-inspired gathering last summer. Event organizers explained that since then, there have been concerns to programming, logistics and finances which arose as a result of offering such a wide-reaching invitation. Once registration expands to families in May, the cost for each family member remains the same $549 discounted price and includes lodging and a one-day pass to one of the Disney parks. Family members who are not participating in NYE will be responsible for their own meals.
"I think it’s important to remember the only change here is delaying family registration to ensure as many youth as possible can be accommodated, and the elimination of the meals for the family registrants," said Lee Foley, chief administrative officer for the UCC. "Our main objective is to provide an event of fellowship, worship, mission and education for as many kids as possible within the confines of ever-diminished financial resources. The new NYE administration finds the original well-intended efforts are simply not consistent with the realities of the day."
Dear Friend,
Right now, the Arizona Legislature is considering SB 1377, HB 2223, and HB 2370. These proposals prey on fear and seek to spread fear, hate, and discrimination against refugees and immigrants.
