“The escalation of aggression against peaceful protestors is another reflection of the cruelty & lack of regard this current administration has for the constitution & law. No one is safe from tyranny.” -Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, GMP/CEO, UCC Photo credit: David Bacon

Good afternoon, friends. We apologize for any inconvenience or delay in response from the national offices. Our Cleveland offices had a sprinkler malfunction today and are closed temporarily until they can be fixed. Our staff will be working from home in the interim.

🦉 Join us for a conversation and expansive view of inclusion and accommodations for Our Whole Lives (OWL) participants, with Dan Long, Student Services Supervisor, Special Education in the Seattle Public Schools. 👉🏾 Register: https://ow.ly/xGTC50XhBuN

"Nothing in the narrative suggests that Zacchaeus has any expectation that he will interact with Jesus. Being able to observe him directly seems to be his goal. Yet, that distant encounter does not satisfy Jesus who stops in order to address him directly with an unexpected invitation–

🖥️ Quick Tip: Develop a Tone & Voice for your Church Website The language you choose for your website is a large part of your first impression, telling prospective church members who you are. 👉🏾 Read the full blog post: https://ow.ly/hanP50XhFMu 👉🏾 Learn more: https://ow.ly/1UUi50XhFLg

Clean water is a gift. As we focus on creation today, hear how Congolese partners advocate for safe, sustainable water access. Join us in praying, learning, and acting for water justice and environmental care. globalministries.org/congo_week/ #CongoWeek #SustainableWater #CreationCare

🙏🏾 Loving Creator, You want only wholeness & peace for us, yet we're awash in conflict. You want justice & abundance for us, yet we build systems that leave people out. May we make your way our way. -Carolyn Hart 👉🏾 Add your prayer: https://ow.ly/Mzc850Xhrwi

🙏🏾 Creator, Help us in times we stray Call us in to love deeper Call us out to extend love to all Even those who plunder justice Show Your perfect strength in our weakness That grace may abound even more Amen & Asé -D’Angelo 👉🏾 Share your prayer: https://ow.ly/lFQV50XgThg

🎉 Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, UCC's GMP, elected as the next president of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) at its 27th General Council!

UCC General Minister & President, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson invites us to join in a season of prayer: “This is a time for us to be reminded we are not alone in our desire to see change in the world. Our collective voices in prayer can make a difference.” 👇🏾 Learn more & submit a prayer.

"The cries for separation of church & state come when the call for justice steps into advocacy & activism. The church should prioritize faith over politics, love over fear & hope over despair." -Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, GMP/CEO, UCC 👉🏾 Full blog: www.ucc.org/color-lines-...

Jesus calls us to visit and care for those in prison (Matthew 25). But the FCC’s delay on fair phone & video rates keeps families priced out of staying connected. #phonejustice Tell the FCC: end this unjust delay! ✒️ Sign now: buff.ly/YMh0rn4

Food security in Congo is closely tied to the health of the land and environment. Families in Goma face challenges as climate change, conflict, and economic instability affect harvests. Learn from the ECC Women’s Department: ow.ly/T42V50X7f0A #CongoWeek #FoodSecurity

🫶🏾 In this divisive moment, we are called to go forth & build meaningful connection across lines of difference & tend to our spirits & communities. 🫶🏾 Join us as we discuss magnifying the sacramental beauty of interfaith friendship & doing the inner work to sustain ourselves. 👇🏾 Register

🌟 Join us with the Love of Children cohort members to share experiences and best practices for creating safe and welcoming spaces for children. Register: ow.ly/hpGh50Xf5Cl

🗣️ As the UCC continues to live into its call to justice, your voice matters. 👉🏾 Join one of two listening sessions (10.22 or 10.29) at 3:30 PM ET to share your experiences, hopes & needs around women & gender justice within the church & broader community. 👉🏾 Register: ucc.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Congo’s history is one of deep resilience and strength.
Watch the historical timeline video, explore the Basic Facts on Congo, and join a book drive featuring Congolese and African authors to help amplify local voices. Resources: ow.ly/zSXw50X7eB4 #CongoWeek #LiftEveryVoice

Congo Week, October 19–24, calls us to stand in solidarity with the people of the DRC, where conflict fueled by resource exploitation has cost millions of lives. We lift our voices for peace, justice, and healing. Access worship, advocacy, and educational resources here: https://ow.ly/zWWw50XaA2F

🧡 As people of faith, we know that #LoveKnowNoBorders. That's why we’re collecting stories that show how immigration policies impact our families, congregations, and neighborhoods. ▷ Submit your story: ow.ly/iVSm50Xbbv9 ▷ Learn more: ow.ly/qIFG50Xbbv8

"Generally, both tax collectors and Pharisees relied upon and contributed to the honor-shame codes that dominated the society at the time. While one operated for the state and the other within the faith community, they both relied upon shame to achieve their desired ends.

🗣️ As the UCC continues to live into its call to justice, your voice matters. 👉🏾 Join a listening session (10.22 or 10.29) at 3:30 PM ET to share your experiences, hopes & needs around women & gender justice within the life of the church & broader community. 👉🏾 Register: ucc.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

“Stepping into public office is an extension of my faith. Our tradition reminds us that the call to ministry does not end at the church door it extends into our neighborhoods, our schools, our civic life, and yes, our local governments.” -Rev. Darrell Goodwin Exec. Conference Minister, @sneucc.org

📣 Join us TOMORROW, for Part III, as we take what we have learned about disability, ableism, and disability justice and discuss ways to apply it in a congregational context. ✨ Topics include the Accessible to All (A2A) process, Access Sunday, & introduction to disability theology. 👇🏾 Register

"There's gratitude for an end to genocide & the return of hostages & prisoners. The faith community should join governments, humanitarian agencies & NGO's calling for Palestinian freedom & statehood." -Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson Blog: ow.ly/zyQl50XbpYe

"God calls us to create communities where accommodations & accessibility are part of our love language, with dignity gracefully extended to all people. Everyone is created in the image of God, no exceptions." -Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson Learn more-UCC Disability Justice Ministry: uccdm.org

🙏🏾 "God of All Peoples, receive our commitment to learn & work for justice with our Indigenous siblings. Reveal the gifts, graces, & harms present, & hold us to these commitments even when accountability becomes uncomfortable." -Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson 🙌🏾 Take action: https://ow.ly/8zC250XaLqS

🙏🏾 O Great Spirit, we honor your name as sacred & holy. Bring your good road to us, where the beauty of the spirit-world above is reflected in the earth below. Aho! May it be so! First Nations Version:Indigenous Translation of New Testament 👉🏾 More info: https://ow.ly/iEOk50XaBWg

Let Children Live is a campaign calling for urgent action to protect 2.38 million Palestinian children. When you register, you’ll receive the first name of a Palestinian child to lift up in prayer and advocacy. Share their name, use #LetChildrenLive. ow.ly/MV0250XazJ2

📣 Join us TOMORROW! 🎵🎶 Rev. Marshela Salgado-Solorio will share how her congregation promotes various forms of art in worship, from art shows to the Theology of Broadway, [Pop]Culture, Banned Books & more! Register: https://ow.ly/SmOu50X9hso

🏳️‍🌈 Happy #NationalComingOutDay! 🏳️‍⚧️ 🫶🏾 No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey (or your own coming out journey), you are welcome here! 👉🏾 UCC's Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries (download resources, take action, etc.): https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/wider-church-ministries/gsjm/

🙏🏾 Cheerful Spirit, Your joy & mercies are new every morning. May this reminder be a peaceful balm to our hearts, minds & souls today. Amen & hallelujah! -Pastor Jenny Jahn 👉🏾 Share your prayers with us: https://ow.ly/B22550Xa016

✨ In Part III, we'll take what we have learned about disability, ableism, disability justice & discuss ways to apply it in a congregational context. ✨ Topics will include the Accessible to All (A2A) process, celebrating Access Sunday, & introduction to disability theology. 👇🏾 Register to join us

📚 "We’re thrilled to expand our #LoveIsLouder resources with The Book of Love! This 1st ed. includes YOUR voices-offering poetry, devotional reflections, & liturgy with Gospel of inclusion embodied." -R. Ward Gender & Sexuality Justice Minister 📚 Download a FREE copy: https://ow.ly/wuWX50X9X7P

"In times like these, the adversary's most power tools are apathy and defeatism. Both involve those with power not wielding it because they do not care about the circumstances or they cease to believe they can change them….

🙏🏾 God, I woke up cranky today. It's easy to be this way lately. But the sun was shining, & clouds moved cheerily along the sky. Thank you for reminding me that there are more things that make me grateful than cranky. -Anonymous 👉🏾 Share your prayer: https://ow.ly/Sb1150X9Fie

📣 We hope you'll join us on the new date of this webinar, 10/13 @ 3:30 PM ET! 🎵🎶 Rev. Marshela Salgado-Solorio shares how her congregation promotes various forms of art in worship, from art shows to the Theology of Broadway, [Pop]Culture, Banned Books & more! Register: https://ow.ly/r9wR50X9b4U

🙏🏾 Holy One... There are never enough words to say what is heavy on us. So, maybe we should just look to you, who already knows what is on our hearts and minds, and simply say, "Thank you, God." -Rev. Gary Barraco Stroudsburg, PA 👉🏾 Share your prayers with us: https://ow.ly/kVfO50X8NZs

🙌🏾 In a moment where history related to slavery in the United States has been targeted for removal from national parks, national websites, and Smithsonian museums, a United Church of Christ congregation located in the heart of Washington, D.C., is determined to remember. 📰 👇🏾 Read more

🙏🏾 God, No matter my ever-changing emotions, No matter my ever-changing thoughts, No matter my ever-changing behavior, Your love remains. Thank You for loving me throughout each season of my life with You. -Karl Heilman 👉🏾 Share your prayers with us! https://ow.ly/LK7o50X7T6v

🙌🏾 "This is not a time to be consumed by the fears of blaming & amplification of injustice. It's time to continue to advocate for justice, for change, and to ensure that 'justice rolls down like waters.'" -Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, GMP/CEO, UCC 👉🏾 Full Blog: https://ow.ly/cvcy50X88kq

🌍 As the EPA Admin., Lee Zeldin has sought to dismantle environmental protections, from a proposal to rescind the Endangerment Finding giving the EPA legal authority to combat climate change, to sweeping announcements of rollbacks that safeguard the public from air and water pollution. 👇🏾

🙏🏾 Holy Parent, Grieve with us at the lives taken violently. Be tender with us as we grieve and struggle in loving our violent neighbors as we love ourselves and the non-violent. Please bring your peace. Amen -Pastor Jenny Jahn 👉🏾 Share your prayer: https://ow.ly/x1jo50X7IoM

📣 Join us TOMORROW! ✨ This webinar offers an accessible introduction to gender and gender variance, exploring how understandings and embodiments of gender have shifted across time and cultures. 👉🏾 Register to join us: https://ow.ly/Oa6q50X6L3X

🙏🏾 Dear God, Actually, no time for words. I’m putting on my sneakers to go pray with my feet. -Rev. Molly Baskette Author & lead pastor of First Church Berkeley UCC 👇🏾 #DailyDevotional, 9/13 https://ow.ly/yA0A50X6L3g 👇🏾 Do you have a prayer to share? https://ow.ly/4mkN50X6L3f

✨ Join us for Part II of the Disability Justice in Congregational Contexts Series: What is Disability Justice? ✨ We'll explore the creation of the Disability Justice movement by queer & trans disabled folx of color & explain the 10 Principles of Disability Justice. 👇🏾 https://ow.ly/U6pI50X6LFv

🫶🏾 Neighbors in Need is one of the four Special Mission Offerings of the United Church of Christ. Gifts to Neighbors in Need (NIN) support the United Church of Christ’s ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. 👉🏾 For more info, download resources & donate: ow.ly/97JC50X6LEE

🌍 Today we celebrate World Communion Sunday, a day where we lift up our diversity and connection through faith with churches around the world! 🙌🏾 Enjoy this special message from Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, GMP/CEO, UCC. with: @globalministries.bsky.social youtu.be/JSDjga-JuNw?...

🙏🏾 Dear God, Thanks for speaking to us through music: John Lennon's “Give Peace a Chance;” Bob Marley's “One Love;” Queen Latifah's “U.N.I.T.Y.;” Carole King's “You’ve Got a Friend;” etc. Your lyrics open our hearts. -Rev. Sheila Harvey 👉🏾Add a prayer: https://ow.ly/WX7W50X6HXB

Congo Week is October 19–24 — a sacred time to learn, pray, and act for peace and justice in the DRC. Visit Access worship materials, advocacy tools, justice resources, and ways to engage; https://ow.ly/gsot50X4mNL Theme: “Lift Every Voice” — each voice raised matters.

📣 We hope you'll join us on the new date of this webinar, 10/13 @ 3:30 PM ET! 🎵🎶 Rev. Marshela Salgado-Solorio shares how her congregation promotes various forms of art in worship, from art shows to the Theology of Broadway, [Pop]Culture, Banned Books & more! Register: https://ow.ly/QLA750X6efR