26
Aug
22
Aug
Reclaiming Religious Freedom – United Church of Christ Reclaiming Religious Freedom
“Which do you support more: religious freedom or LGBTQ+ rights?” This question has been posed to me more times than I can count by well-intentioned but deeply misinformed friends and family. I am a staunch advocate for religious freedom. I believe religious liberty and freedom of conscience are essential to a diverse democracy and have
21
Aug
‘Key to protecting the earth’: Apache Stronghold holds Prayer Journey to Supreme Court to protect sacred site
Land that has long been held sacred by the Apache people and many other Indigenous people could soon be destroyed by a mining operation. A group called the Apache Stronghold has led efforts to protect the sacred site of Oak flat — Chi’chil Biłdagoteel in Apache. “Oak Flat is the place where generations of Apaches
21
Aug
Making civility a national movement at this moment in time
The Democratic National Convention is underway in Chicago, Illinois, and the Rev. Anthony Williams is hoping to get the attention of Vice President Kamala Harris and other party members by asking them to declare civilian violence as a national healthcare crisis. Williams lives in Chicago and has the support of DNC Delegate La Shawn Ford
20
Aug
UCC members participate in White House meeting on climate goals
At a gathering in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 13, the United Church of Christ minister for Environmental Justice, the Rev. Brooks Berndt, and other faith leaders met to discuss climate-related goals and learn ways faith-based organizations can benefit from and support the current administration’s climate agenda as the presidential election draws near. Celebrating climate resiliency
20
Aug
Sacred Votes, Sacred Voices: Standing at the Crossroads for Trans Rights and Justice
“Voting is a civic sacrament.” Rev. Theodore Hesburgh’s words remind us that voting is not just our responsibility as a citizen, but a sacred act. Voting is one of the ways that we participate in creating a just world for all. As we approach the upcoming election season, the importance of engaging with the electoral
19
Aug
16
Aug
United Church Funds responds to Congressional inquiry on responsible investing
United Church Funds is one of more than 130 institutional asset owners and managers to receive a June 30 letter from leaders of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee that requested information on the organizations’ responsible investing strategies as they relate to climate goals. The letter from Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), committee chairman, and Congressman
16
Aug
In A Beginning … A Just Creator
In [a] beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light was good…
14
Aug
UCC Conferences in Pennsylvania make moves toward new Keystone Conference
Earlier this year, the four United Church of Christ conferences in Pennsylvania gathered for their first shared annual meetings. It was one step toward the possibility of forming a new, combined conference from the Penn West, Penn Central, Pennsylvania Southeast, and Penn Northeast Conferences. The theme – “Together we are stronger” – was echoed throughout