“The future of preaching is in storytelling and filmmaking.” So believes the Rev. Courtney Clayton Jenkins, senior pastor of South Euclid United Church of Christ just outside Cleveland. Two of her documentaries were recently selected for film festivals in Cleveland, Washington, D.C., and Detroit. These critically acclaimed films — In to the Water and Come
Ecumenism has long been an important part of the mission and ministry of the United Church of Christ and remains a priority. That’s why recently elected General Minister and President the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson and other national UCC leaders traveled to Puerto Rico over the weekend of Sept. 15 to make a pastoral visit
Love is louder. That’s the message at the heart of the month-long webinar series led by the Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries of the United Church of Christ that is now available for viewing. The four-webinar series was designed to offer “deep intentional dialogue around the experiences that queer folks have, what the state of
What if Jesus’s main goal had been to raise awareness? Imagine Jesus as a non-stop marketing-machine with a single-minded focus on telling people to love their neighbor. In some respects, it’s an alluring idea. If everyone in the world had “love thy neighbor” firmly imprinted and ingrained in their consciousness, wouldn’t the world be a
On Saturday, Aug. 26, a white man shot and killed three Black people in Jacksonville, Fla., in a racist attack. The Officers of the United Church of Christ grieve for the loved ones and communities of those who lost their lives, and they call once again for responsible gun legislation and an end to the
The United Church of Christ’s 34th General Synod, held June 30-July 4 in Indianapolis, included historic moments, joyous reunions, communal prayer and faithful witness. Many of these have been captured in a newly released highlights video, showcasing the impact and significance of this year’s gathering. Watch the 17-minute condensed version below. For even more Synod
“Multiplicity is a theme in my life.” That’s how the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, newly elected General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, spoke about her spiritual journey and call to ministry. But it also highlights some of her vision for the future of the Church. In the July 27 episode of
The Rev. John Dorhauer received a surprise on his last day in the United Church of Christ Cleveland offices last month — from the national staff. Dorhauer, who has served as UCC General Minister and President for the past eight years, will finish his term at the end of July. He didn’t return to Cleveland
Delegates, visitors and other attendees of the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ gave more than $4,000 in the final worship offering, which will help build a new opportunity for disabled theologians of color through the Fannie Lou Hamer Scholarship Fund. The idea for the scholarship came from the UCC Disabilities Ministries board, especially board member
In a near-unanimous vote the evening of July 3, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ declared that “the globally widening digital divide and lack of digital inclusion” is a “justice issue,” and called on all settings of the denomination to press for “increased affordability, accessibility, training and support.” Starting in 1973, four