As the World Council of Churches commemorates its World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, the co-executives of Global Ministries, the joint world mission organization of the UCC and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), have asked that their member churches join in prayer for peace in the region.

Most people know the wisdom of ‘teach a man to fish’ in the battle against hunger and poverty. That wisdom would be just as sound if we changed the saying to ‘teach a person to farm’. The Disciples of Christ Church in Congo (EDCC) has undertaken a project called the Agricultural Sustainability Farm to provide a source of revenue and food that is based on autonomy and sustainability for the people of the Republic of Congo. In promoting this holistic ministry, the EDCC with support from Global Ministries, recognizes people may know how to farm, but lack access to land and proper equipment. So, encouraging durable development helps its members to understand the importance of agriculture. Since women and children often represent the majority of church members, the farm will be an ideal way to provide work for them. Produce from the farm will be supplied to the cities of both Brazzaville and Kinshasa.

The United Church of Christ has raised nearly $19,000 from more than 370 contributors nationally for the purpose of placing a full-page ad in the statewide Arizona Republic newspaper on Saturday, May 29, the day when 500,000 protesters are expected to march in Phoenix.

The much-publicized, initial splash of the UCC Stillspeaking Ministry’s “The Language of God” video message continues to make waves across the internet.

Members of the United Church of Christ from Arizona and around the country joined an estimated 20,000 protesters May 29 to march in opposition to the state's SB1070 immigration law that, according to critics, targets Hispanics and could leave the door open for racial profiling by law enforcement agencies.

“We need UCC chaplains in the military,” insists the Rev. Donald P. Troast, a U.S. Navy captain and commander of U.S. submarine force chaplains, offering his own “commercial” at the outset of his sermon at the UCC’s Amistad Chapel on May 26.

Wayzata Community Church a United Church of Christ congregation in MN makes a dramatic difference in their community. They have their own community theatre. The “Good Works Community theater” (GWCT) has been a part of the fabric of Wayzata church since 2001 when they opened with “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” By bringing together family friendly stories with life lessons relevant for today, they have found the church to be an amazing place to find talent of all ages and stages, and to encourage those with no experience to give it a try. By the way, the “Good Works” in their name come from the tradition of no admission price to attend a production. Donations are accepted however for a different designated charity for each event.

Story: Connecticut instructor, parishioner and trained Global Ministries and Mission Interpreter (MMI) Debbie Pallatto-Fontaine, taught and did research all summer in Huangshan, Anhui Province. She wrote a 30-page paper based on here summer work. The paper’s focus comprised four primary elements: conceptualization of mission as identified through Critical Presence; a description of Chinese theology; an overview of the unique needs of women in the congregation; and principles of pastoral care and counseling to assist Chinese pastors in effectively helping church members. Founded in 1980, CCC is the only state-sanctioned Protestant church in mainland China. Its three principles of self-governance, self-support (financial independence) and self-propagation (indigenous missionary work) aim to lead Christians to love the nation and the church; to glorify God and benefit the people; and to strengthen unity inside and outside the church.

There is a young man named Jeff Galasyn who lives in a small town at the southern tip of Maine. Jeff has made multiple disaster recovery mission trips to New Orleans (the first one because his mother – a member of Southern Maine’s United Church of Christ -- sort of pushed him into it, he says) and was interviewed by Times-Picayune columnist Chris Rose during his third visit. What could a 17-year old high-school student have to say to a journalist that would inspire him to write a column? Plenty….and plenty filled with wisdom. Here are some excerpts: “People always say thank you to us for helping them. But I think we should be saying thank you to them – to you all – for not being mad at us, when nobody came right after Katrina. I just feel that when everybody says ‘thank you,’ that it’s actually us who are in their debt. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I want to keep coming back, because I feel like you guys were abandoned, and I’m trying to do my part to help you guys get back your city.” And then there’s this: “I’ve learned a lot of life lessons down here. I respect people a lot more than I used to. I listen to my teachers a lot more; what they say, and I just grasp everything I can. It’s really had a huge impact on me. I’ve definitely learned that life doesn’t revolve around myself.” Finally, Jeff relayed one more piece of wisdom to Chris Rose, “There’s one more thing I want to tell you. One of the workers here said this to me and it made a lot of sense: Demolishing these houses is saying goodbye to the old but also saying hello to the new. I thought that was really cool. It means the demolishing is New Orleans’ past and we’re moving toward the future and getting these homes ready for people to live in again. I thought that was a good explanation for the things that are happening here.” Chris Rose says he feels like he got a life lesson from a kid who got a life lesson and he knows “that we must never forget, never stop helping, never stop thanking and never surrender.”

Since 1982 the Midnight Run has organized hundreds of relief missions involving volunteers from churches, schools and other civic groups. The First Congregational Church of Branford, CT is one such church. Groups of volunteers collect and distribute clothing and personal care items and drive them into New York City and share with the poor and the homeless there. Through these trips the forge bonds with the people in the city by establishing a foundation of sharing and compassion through which solutions to the urban problems may evolve.

The Prayer Shawl ministry of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Colorado Springs, Colorado supports TESSA; a local organization that provides confidential programs for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. They started this ministry in 2007 with 20 shawls; today they are supplying over 40 shawls a year to TESSA. They send their shawls with the prayers of the maker’s hands and with the prayers, blessings, and music they receive at the Sunday service of worship.

The UCC's National Office budget, recently presented to the Executive Committee, paints a picture of declining donations and return on investments that will require creative fundraising and staffing plans for programs in the coming years.

In keeping with good stewardship practices of resources, the people of Lake Edge United Church of Christ in Madison, WI, are implementing some changes in how they communicate with one another. Thanks to improved technology, they are now able to send more types of correspondence electronically; thus saving in paper, toner, postage, fuel, staff and volunteer hours. Special announcements, quarterly financial statements, weekly and monthly newsletters as well; can be sent to members and friends either through the US mail or electronically. Going green saves not only the environment but precious time that can be shared in mission and ministry in new ways.

Pub-Theology at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Columbus, Ohio meets regularly at the Red Door Tavern. Pub-Theology is a monthly informal gathering sponsored by their Young Adult Ministry Team. Some times they have guest speakers, other times more of a get to know you time. Regardless, all are welcome – not just young adults but the young at heart as well; all who are interested in Koinonia (fellowship) and the sharing of faith and fun.

The UCC's Calvin Synod recently elected its new Bishop while the Boards of Directors of two other UCC Conferences have voted unanimously to recommend Conference minister candidates.

The ever-increasing number of natural and human-made disasters -- floods, fires, hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, toxic spills – serves as a clear call for us to help prepare our congregations and communities for unprecedented challenges. Our collective ministry has never been more critical. As witnessed by a dozen UCC members during the One Great Hour of Sharing informational mission trip to New Orleans in December 2008, the task of rebuilding remains daunting. National Disaster Ministries and Volunteer Ministries play key roles in recovery efforts, both physically and spiritually. In addition, resources are available. The Silent Disaster: 21st Century Response to Technology-Caused Disasters addresses preparedness for and response to technology-caused disasters. More often than not, natural disasters include technological complications that intensify the death and destruction. Why not challenge yourself and your congregation to learn and be prepared?

Anyone who has tried to archive a family history can attest to the difficulties that stem from gathering and chronicling information from many different sources. Imagine doing that for 74 U.S. organizations spread across 21 states and the District of Columbia! Members of Edgewood United Church in East Lansing, Michigan did just that to put together an African Activist Archive. The archive helps to present, preserve, and document the history of the solidarity movement with more than 1300 items listed on the site at http://africanactivist.msu.edu . Hundreds more documents will be digitized, uploaded and added to the galleries of buttons, t-shirts, posters and photographs already available. In addition, the site has audio and video tapes designed to appeal to a new generation of activists with a section of “remembrances” – interviews and essays and speeches from people reflecting on their experiences in the movement. The Edgewood group is making their contribution to preserve history and to inspire future generations in the struggle for justice and peace.

Pentecost, the birth of the church! Disciples gathered, empowered, and scattered to spread the love of God made known in Christ. Today it’s happening UCC-style through ministries made possible by the Strengthen the Church special mission offering. In 1854 Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ was the first church established in the Kansas Territory. On April 5, 2009 Plymouth became the first mainline Protestant church in Kansas to offer worship services en español. ¡Bienvenidos y Bienvenidas a Plymouth! Reunión Libertad is a new ministry birthed out of Plymouth’s desire to welcome and invite Spanish-speaking persons in Lawrence to come to the church to be “centered in their own journeys of faith and liberation.” Free English classes, with free child care, create a bridge across cultural and language barriers as English-speaking volunteers serve as conversation partners. Pastor Shannon Gorres observes, “We know it’s been working, first because our students are learning English and telling us of more success in communicating at their jobs and their kids’ schools. Our volunteers are also growing their understanding of a different culture and the common community we share.” The spontaneous shared basketball game, the offer to help with a citizenship exam, a shared human experience of computer dating in our “techy” culture, and recent demand by English speakers for Spanish classes are signs of “shared liberation” – another vision for this ministry. The church is becoming known as a safe and warm place where God is still speaking. Strengthen the Church grows our presence as a vibrant community of extravagant welcome. It builds the UCC’s future by funding The Stillspeaking Ministry, new and renewing churches, youth and young adult ministries, and lay and pastoral leadership formation – especially among women and people of color. Offerings are directed to Conferences, Local Church Ministries, and The Stillspeaking Ministry.

ABOUT STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH Your gift to Strengthen the Church builds the UCC’s future now by funding The Stillspeaking Ministry, new and renewing churches, youth and young adult ministries, and lay and pastoral leadership formation – especially among women and people of color. ABOUT STILLSPEAKING The God is Stillspeaking Ministry spreads the message of God’s extravagant welcome, reaching out especially to those who have felt there is no room for them within Christianity and the church – the excluded and alienated, the spiritually homeless, the questioning. In the last two years, Stillspeaking reached an estimated 25 million people through national, regional and local advertising. Your offerings are directed to your church’s Conference, Local Church Ministries, and The Stillspeaking Ministry for these church development, leader development and Stillspeaking purposes.

When: Fri May 21, 2010 9am to 10am  EDT

Where: Parlor
Event Status: confirmed