United Church of Christ

Not that kind of church: No judgment. No hierarchy. No kidding. This is the new slogan of the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ, officially rolled out this past summer. Their campaign to create marketing materials with a new Conference slogan and logo “grew out of a question many of our churches are wrestling with,” said Conference Minister Rev. Toni Hawkins.

The Office of Public Policy and Advocacy, as well as the National Ministries of the United Church of Christ, joined other faith leaders, denominations, and organizations in signing onto a letter denouncing anti-Muslim bigotry from elected officials. The signing of the letter culminated with a public gathering outside the United Methodist Building in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 9.

When Devin Shmueli saw the Southern New England Conference UCC (SNEUCC) was seeking a Minister for Youth and Young Adults, he knew he had to apply. “I’ve always been called to support youth and young adults as they learn and grow in their faith and beliefs,” he said.

As they did last month in Springfield, Ohio, on Thursday, September 9, United Church of Christ clergy and other UCC National Ministries staff members joined with those gathered on the steps of the Federal Building in Cleveland in protest of what’s happening to Haitian immigrants in Springfield. ICE has targeted Haitian immigrants in the city since the Supreme Court allowed for the Trump administration’s end to Temporary Protected Status for Haitians in recent weeks.

During this election season, Congress members and those running for office are feeling pressure from voters. A top concern in many parts of the country is the financial and environmental costs of data centers.

One hundred years ago, the Fascist government of Italy led by Benito Mussolini began an attempt to increase the country’s population from forty million to sixty million by 1950. Birth control devices were banned, abortion was outlawed, sex education became illegal, and the age of consent for marriage was lowered. Financial incentives ensued. Marital loans were reduced for each child a couple had.

Communities are invited to join churches across the United Church of Christ in observing Just Peace Sunday on Sunday, September 20, under the theme “God’s Economy: People Over Profit”. Just Peace Sunday grows out of a commitment the UCC first made over four decades ago. At the 15th General Synod in 1985 delegates affirmed the UCC as a Just Peace Church, the first Christian denomination to do so.

In Springfield, Ohio, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have required many Haitian community members to wear ankle monitors. It’s one way that ICE has targeted Haitian immigrants in the city since the Supreme Court allowed for the Trump administration’s end to Temporary Protected Status for Haitians in recent weeks.

When the Rev. Chance Martinez-Colon learned of the burgeoning medical debt among Frederick County residents, he was determined not to sit idly by and allow it to fester. He wanted to raise funds to eliminate that debt for Maryland families and individuals — a goal he know could not be done alone. “Realizing the need was so great, I reached out to other churches to find out who would be on board with joining this [effort],” said Martinez-Colon.

The United Church of Christ is a church of extravagant welcome, and like many congregants who have already found a home with the UCC, somewhere out there, someone else is searching for a sign that they belong–looking for a place where they’ll feel more welcome than they ever have before. More often than not, that sign comes in the form of a story. This is why we are reaching out and asking you to tell your story of welcome.