UCC News

As the nation celebrates the Memorial Day holiday, pastors of the United Church of Christ and their congregations may take some time Sunday to commemorate the work and sacrifice of the men and women in the United States military.

The new policy, which allows gay and bisexual members, but continues to exclude gay and bisexual leaders, was voted on by 1,400 BSA National Council members at the organization's annual meeting May 23 and passed by a vote of 68 percent for to 31 percent against.

Sharon Temple, a New Orleans native and interim pastor at Central St. Matthew, was recently told by a local media organization that it could not produce an advertisement for the church because of the congregation’s stances and its acceptance of LGBT members.

The world is a little greener than it was more than 55 days ago, thanks to scores of United Church of Christ congregations and Mission 4/1 Earth. The evidence can be found growing in backyards, church gardens, neighborhood parks, national forests, and global communities – thousands of new trees planted as part of the one-church environmental initiative.

Two leaders from the United Church of Christ are venturing to the Middle East this week to offer any assistance they can to the millions of people affected by the Syrian Civil War.

Just days before the Boy Scouts of America vote on a policy that would allow membership of LGBT youth but continue to exclude LGBT leaders, the BSA’s Connecticut Yankee Council publically announced its acceptance of all youth and adults, regardless of sexual orientation.

With the eyes of the nation looking toward Oklahoma in the wake of a deadly and devastating tornado Monday night, the United Church of Christ is offering prayers and support, beginning to coordinate relief efforts in the affected areas of Oklahoma City and Moore, Okla.

Native pollinators, like bees and butterflies, are being threatened by habitat loss, disease and pesticide use, but pollinator-friendly gardens help their populations grow.

United Church of Christ congregations across the country came together as one church during the last 50 days, in major effort 4/1 Earth, caring for God’s creation in creative ways, making a massive commitment of time and resources to protect the planet.

When the United Church of Christ was formed in 1957, it was done with the efforts of people like the Rev. Roger L. Shinn, who died this last week. He was 96

Two economic activists from the United Church of Christ are trying to help tens of thousands of coal miners and their spouses who face the loss of their health benefits.

United Church of Christ advocates are urging congregations to make their voices heard one last time before the Boy Scouts of America vote next week on whether to revise its discriminatory policy against LGBT members.

United Church of Christ advocates expressed opposition to proposed cuts to the 2013 Farm Bill that would reduce funding for programs that provide food to underprivileged families at a rally in Washington, D.C., May 16.

United Church of Christ General Minister and President the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black is traveling across China for two weeks with the Rev. Sharon E. Watkins, general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

A small group of neighbors in Western New York, with inspiration from the United Church of Christ's Mission 4/1 Earth, banded together to clean up one of the area's few remaining natural habitats –– the Great Baehre wildlife refuge in Amherst.

As the culmination of his congregation's Mission 4/1 Earth efforts, the Rev. Frank Rodgers of St. Paul Community Church UCC in Homewood, Ill., will preach from the limbs of a buckeye tree, more than 30 feet above the ground.

W. Mark Clark, associate general minister for the United Church of Christ, is one of several Christian leaders working to change the tone of politics in this country by “stopping the angry rhetoric and trying to come together."

UCC pastor the Rev. Aaron Ban felt the need to honor a slain teenager in southwest Illinois and bring his community together in a peaceful demonstration of solidarity against street violence.

In a symbolic gesture of solidarity, more than 3,000 New Englanders will formerly reclaim the shore that was decimated by last year's Hurricane Sandy and recognize the hard work that has gone into repairing the beachfront in time for all to enjoy this summer.

The finish line for the United Church of Christ’s all-church environmental campaign is approaching, but the conclusion of Mission 4/1 Earth on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, doesn’t signal the end of the denomination’s earth care and advocacy focus.