02
Feb
02
Feb
The Racial History of a Church’s Land
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
01
Feb
Faith expressed freely: Statement on congressional response to Bishop Budde’s sermon
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
31
Jan
Recalling the Ministry of Reconciliation
The November 2024 election results left me, and many of my friends, neighbors, and family members, feeling deeply disappointed and fearful of what the future could hold if the country continued to be as divided as it seemed. Moving forward to the paradoxically conflated dates of the celebration of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King,
31
Jan
Immigration Enforcement Action: What Churches Need to Know
The Trump Administration rescinded a policy that required Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to seek additional authority prior to conducting immigration enforcement actions in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.
30
Jan
Congregations answer MLK’s question, ‘What are you doing for others?’
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that “life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” United Church of Christ congregations have been actively answering that question in many ways, including embracing the Civil Rights leader’s federal holiday, MLK Jr. Day — held the third Monday in January since 1986
30
Jan
Remembering the Rev. Dr. Clyde J. Steckel: ‘He understood the value of covenant and lived it out’
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
29
Jan
Interfaith clergy speak out for love, justice, and the ‘holy work ahead’: Video highlights
When a group of United Church of Christ and interfaith clergy and people of faith gathered in Memphis on the evening of Jan. 20, they shared energy and visions to remain rooted in love, justice, and inclusion in the coming days. Video highlights from the “For Such a Time as This” worship and mass meeting
29
Jan
Hopelessness Is Submission – United Church of Christ
“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
26
Jan
