On most Sundays at First Congregational Church of Memphis, the Rev. Tony Coleman delivers his sermons surrounded by large, brightly colored art and a diverse group of congregants gathered in a circular arrangement. First Congo, as the church is often called, includes three buildings that house the church’s food justice ministry, a bike co-op, a
The United Church of Christ, along with four-dozen other faith-based organizations joined with Church World Service (CWS) to sign on to its Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration, a public statement against policies and actions that threaten refugee rights, separate families, and undermine the long-standing tradition of humanitarian support. Endorsed by UCC General Minister and President/CEO, the
Around the same time I was returning from two weeks of Global Ministries visits with partners in Fiji and Hong Kong, world leaders who were presumably allies were meeting at the White House. The now infamous meeting on Friday between U.S. President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spiraled into an embarrassing
Thirty-eight years ago, the United Church of Christ’s Commission for Racial Justice released a report that recognized the racial inequality of waste sites in this country and urged government leaders to address this injustice. As people of faith, we are called to address the moral issues associated with what to do with our waste. It
¿Necesita agua y comida? Do you need food and water? It’s a question that Samaritan Volunteer Gail Kocourek repeats often as she travels along the U.S.-Mexico border carrying these very items — water, food, first aid supplies. The Samaritan program has become deeply integrated into the mission and work of The Good Shepherd United Church
Since 1933, with Franklin D. Roosevelt’s swift response in helping a struggling U.S. economy soon after removing his hand from the inaugural bible, the first 100 days of a new presidency has become an important harbinger for a nation. The new First 100 Days online resource page offers one-stop information gathering and action steps for
i received two “Cs” in Seminary, one of which was for a class on the art of worship with Rev. Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes. The last thing Dr. Carvalhaes shared with me was, “while I know you understand the academic side of ritual, I wonder how much you are grasping the practice and meaning of ritual
The Pension Boards-United Church of Christ, Inc., announced the sudden and unexpected passing of its President and CEO Brian R. Bodager on Feb. 15. Bodager had recently announced his departure from the organization just a few weeks prior on Feb. 1. He is survived by his wife Debbie and his three children, Jonathan, Brandon and
In the latest installment of “On My Mind Today,” the new blog written by UCC General Minister and President/CEO the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson talks about the plight of relocating families due to political conflict, economical unrest, and climate migration. She shares about her family’s move to the United States from Jamaica when she was
