Church leaders are shaped in memorable ways. Michael Collin Murphy (1952-2014) attended DePaul University, obtained a counseling degree at Michigan State University, and earned a Masters’ degree and Doctorate from Chicago Theological Seminary. He was ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1984, but in 1987 his ministerial journey and social justice work led
Rev. Traci Blackmon speaking to the General Synod on July 11 from Eden Theological Seminary. Associate General Minister Traci Blackmon was reelected to a second four-year team by the delegates of the United Church of Christ ‘Special Edition’ General Synod on Sunday evening, July 18. Blackmon, executive for Justice and Local Church Ministries, was affirmed
Delegates to the United Church of Christ General Synod condemned conversion therapy, the medical practice that attempts to “cure” the sexual or gender identity of LGBTQ individuals. With more than 98 percent of those voting in agreement, the gathering called on local congregations to “advocate for state and federal laws protecting adults, youth and children”
Executive Associate, JLCM Many of the “Witness for Justice” opinion editorials authored by our team take a form of advocacy, protest, and/or witness to highlight an injustice in some corner of our global community. Often, it is a clarion call to the members our churches, as well as to our neighbors in town squares across
by aarmada | published on Jul 27, 2021 When LGBTQ individuals near the campus of Clemson University, in the areas of upstate South Carolina unexpectedly find themselves without a home or a place to feel safe, Peace Congregational United Church of Christ will be ready to meet them. Congregation members and the Clemson community are
United Church of Christ delegates cared enough about Robert’s Rules of Order to give them a separate vote at this year’s General Synod. The result: those rules will still be named in the UCC Bylaws as the way to conduct Synod meetings. The debate and vote took place July 18 during the closing plenary of
As the Music Director at my church, I’m always on the lookout for texts that name our destruction of the earth and remind us of God’s call to care for creation. There is a plethora of hymn texts that celebrate the good earth of God’s creation. For many of us, these are among our favorite
Resolution as Adopted by the United Church of Christ General Synod 33, July 11-18, 2021 A Resolution of Witness WHEREAS all rights, human and the more than human lives, depend on the flourishing and vital natural cycles of life, and healthy Earth living systems. We are all interconnected to all living beings, and when we
The United Church of Christ’s 33rd General Synod closed July 18 with a stirring worship service that looked back at tragic world events since the denomination’s last biennial gathering, with a call for a new vision for the future. Addressing “air” and “breath” as the last of the three elements that are needed for living
How do you build an effective stewardship campaign? Ask a pastor who has done just that. That’s what the United Church of Christ OPTIC team did when it came time to develop this year’s stewardship theme materials. The Rev. Andrew Warner said it was an easy decision to include church pastors in writing the bulletin