With the loneliness epidemic in the U.S. continuing to affect every one in five people, many will be feasting on Christmas memories, heaping second helpings of years gone as they sit at their empty tables. On Christmas Day, though, First United Church of Christ in Richmond, Michigan, opens wide its doors, inviting all who are
The United Church of Christ News team has spent each week of 2024 delivering stories that uplift the pulse of the ministry, movement, and advocacy taking place across the denomination. Here are some highlights from the year – stories that received some of the most reader engagement and those that are worth revisiting. Pilgrims gathered
In the months leading up to the last national election, I spent countless hours doing voter registration, mobilization, and education. I helped first-time voters register. I mailed postcards to low propensity voters to try to increase turnout. I served on a speakers bureau for a citizens-initiated ballot measure in my state. I helped organize candidates
Members of the Sierra Club, the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, and the Environmental Justice Ministry of the United Church of Christ, gathered on Dec. 9 at UCC’s Cleveland office, to address the ongoing severe flooding the Shiloh community of Elba, Alabama, has been facing since the poorly-designed expansion of Highway 84 six
The United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have issued a joint statement on the recent declaration of martial law by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol as Global Ministries. Global Ministries is a joint witness in mission between the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The letter is
In Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, “Little Women,” lead character Jo March laments over her family’s meager holiday, grumbling to her sisters that “Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents.” No truer words were ever spoken. Gift giving is an integral part of the Christmas celebration, as tokens of love are exchanged to symbolize God’s
In our democracy, every person eligible to vote has the same number of votes as everyone else when they go to the ballot box. Those who are elected run the government. These elected officials meet with the people they represent throughout their term and receive suggestions on how they should improve or change the government.
“Consent Education is Suicide Prevention” read the sign the woman held. This resonates deeply with my work as Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice in the United Church of Christ, where I diligently advocate for sexuality education, its importance, its connection to justice, and its sacredness. This includes education about consent. Congregants and pastors often
