In 1859, Oregon joined the Union as the only free state with an exclusion clause in its constitution that made it “illegal for Blacks to own real estate, make contracts, vote, or use the legal system.” In the 1920s, Lake Oswego was developed as a whites-only community – a “sundown town” in which non-whites were allowed
In the wake of the House of Representatives drafting legislation condemning the message of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde at the National Prayer Service, where she spoke directly to newly inaugurated President Donald Trump, the United Church of Christ President and General Minister Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson offers the following statement. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend
The Trump Administration rescinded a policy that required Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to seek additional authority prior to conducting immigration enforcement actions in locations like churches, schools, and hospitals on January 20, 2025. Churches are rightfully concerned the rescission of the policy will result in raids or enforcement actions at or near churches.
If ever there was a person who could talk with great passion and write prolifically about the covenantal foundation of the United Church of Christ, that would be the Rev. Dr. Clyde J. Steckel. Born March 11, 1926, Steckel, a UCC pastor who spent a long and illustrious career in academia, joining United Theological Seminary
“Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:24-25) Twenty years ago, when I was leading Back Bay Mission (Biloxi, Mississippi) through the horrific aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, there were
“In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.” Those were the words of The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Diocese of Washington at a prayer service in Washington DC, as she asked President Trump to show compassion towards
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, prominent religious leaders from across the country filled the sanctuary of Healing Cathedral Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, with music and united visions of hope. Many gathered in person, online, and at satellite sites around the country to participate in For Such a Time as This, a national worship
In 2020, on the eve of the global lockdown due to the spread of the then mostly unknown COVID-19 virus, my father took sick in New York. I spoke with my sister who also lives in New York to determine what we should do about his care. We discussed options which included me leaving Ohio
Details about this year’s Climate Hope Art Contest were announced at the first United Church of Christ Climate Action Commissioning Service meeting held on Jan. 8. The theme of the contest is “Planting Seeds of Hope.” UCC children and youth are invited to draw, paint, or color works of art that bring this theme to
As thousands gathered to honor the life of Former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, the Rev. Robert Maddox and his spouse Linda were among them. Maddox, a retired pastor in the United Church of Christ, worked as Carter’s speechwriter and special assistant for religious outreach during Carter’s presidency. While Maddox
