In this presidential election year, many church leaders and congregations are concerned about where to draw the line between religion and politics. The United Church of Christ’s mission calls to “welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.” As a denomination committed to such values and justice for all, the UCC believes in speaking
Would you attend a church service if you knew that it was written entirely by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) program? What would your thoughts and feelings be about this use of AI? Rev. Dwight Lee Wolter is pastor of Congregational Church of Patchogue, Long Island. He created an entire church service with the help of
Blue skies above. Lapping waves below. Palm trees blowing softly in the wind. Togoru, a village located on the south coast of Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu, seems to have it all. But paradise is an illusion. Gazing out at the water one can see the tips of ancient headstones amid the waves. The submersion
This year’s elections will be a watershed moment for democracy. Recent elections around the world have reminded us of the turbulence and severity of the questions we face. One factor in that turbulence — the rise of white Christian nationalism — now tests the church and challenges faith communities in every part of the world.
A pastoral letter: The United Church of Christ strongly condemns the violence directed against former President Donald Trump. Political violence has never been a solution to differing political beliefs and ideologies. As more details emerge regarding the shooting at the political rally for President Trump, we are horrified at the events which unfolded before us. With the
Wildfires set Maui ablaze on Aug. 8, 2023, destroying thousands of acres and structures and claiming more than a hundred lives. Lahaina, a historic whaling village that was once the capital of Hawaii, experienced the worst damage. The cost to rebuild is steep, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimating the total to be
It’s been a frequent experience. Peter Makari and I arrive, greet our global partners and exchange introductions, settle in for our time together….and then the floodgates open. It’s as if our partners have been holding their breath, waiting for the moment when they could share their stories, express their grief, and wonder out loud about
In a groundbreaking public statement, the Surgeon General has declared firearm violence in this country a public health crisis. Sharing numerous alarming statistics about firearm violence, Dr. Vivek Murthy outlined strategies for firearm and violence prevention, focusing on the health and well-being of children, youth, families and communities. You can read the full report here.
In 1215, at Runnymede in England, King John signed the Magna Carta. The mythos surrounding this document as a foundational text of Western democracy, which ensured that even kings were subject to the rule of law, inspired the those who drafted the founding documents of the United States. I confess I was taught this mythos
