This Easter and beyond, United Church of Christ General Minister and President the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson is inviting the wider church to participate in an interactive season of prayer. The People’s Prayers for Peace initiative is an open invitation to read — and write — prayers, which will be posted daily on the UCC
From Texas to Maine, potentially millions of people will be traveling across the United States to witness the totality of the Monday, April 8 solar eclipse. Included in the eclipse’s “path of totality” is Cleveland, where the United Church of Christ is headquartered. To celebrate this celestial event, the UCC is lifting up a special
Churches across the United Church of Christ rose before the sun on Easter morning and gathered at gardens, beaches, and a variety of outdoor settings to join the longtime tradition of holding Easter sunrise services. Some bundled up and built fires, while others sang in warm church courtyards to greet the morning light coming into
Imagine spending your life with a partner, and when the time came for seeking a place to live during retirement years, the homes and assisted living neighborhoods you found made living with that partner uneasy at best. Fears of safety and belonging follow those in the LGBTQ+ community in many places, but home shouldn’t be
In 2011, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ passed a “Resolution for Mindful and Faithful Eating” that encouraged the discussion of our food choices in accord with our faith, particularly in regard to “implications for the environment, human well-being, and animal welfare.” In the spirit of that resolution, I offer this reflection
“Why do you do this work?” The question came from the pastor of the youth group visiting the United Nations. The group had unknowingly arrived on the opening day of the Commission on the Status of Women—arguably one of the busiest days of the year at the United Nations in New York City. After navigating
published on Apr 3, 2024 Each month we unpack the complex justice issues that we’re working on. This month, Global Ministries and UCC DC Office staff offer perspectives on the many ongoing crises around the globe. A Cry for Peace In recent months, we have seen international news coverage focus on what is happening in Gaza and
At Mayflower United Church of Christ in Minneapolis, we went through an intentional process of revising our liturgical language for baptism to reflect our commitment to care for creation as an expression of our caring for the child being baptized and future generations. In reflecting upon the act of baptism, Team Lead Minister Rev Sarah
An Easter video reflection from the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, takes the church on a journey beyond the grave with memories of where we were just four short years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the recording, Thompson reminds us that we were left alone
i find myself nervous to write for this publication—like every time i step up to preach, i don’t take this invitation lightly. Over the past several years, we’ve witnessed narratives being weaponized and we focus so much on the “unlearning” of something (as if learning isn’t a continuum) that we leave little room for transformation.
