United Church of Christ General Minister and President Releases Statement on Pope Francis | Pope Francis died early in the morning on Easter Monday, April 21, after suffering a stroke that caused ‘irreversible heart failure.’ As the world mourns the passing of the Pope, UCC General Minister and President Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson released a statement to the church, calling Pope Francis a ‘Leader among Leaders.’ Read her full statement below. | | | |
All Church Read 2025:
Building Up a New World
United Church of Christ
This year’s All Church Read invites all across the United Church of Christ to imagine the kind of world that could be created if every local church became a hub of justice-making in its community. The book is Building Up a New World: Congregational Organizing for Transformative Impact. Join the Movement and Racial Justice Ministries have created a 6-week curriculum and study guide to accompany and enrich your engagement with the book in community. Worship resources have also been developed based on the Building Up a New World theme. Groups and individuals are encouraged to read the book and engage with the curriculum to "dig into methods of creative solidarity, deep purpose, and life-saving change." Click here to read the full article about this year's all church read.
If you or your church are interested in participating in the All Church Read, click here to register online and access the resources.
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A Relentless Struggle for Justice
UCC Webinar
April 28, 2:30 PM CST
The story of Charles Lee’s involvement and leadership in the struggle for environmental justice intersects with many of the most pivotal events in the movement’s history: the Warren Country protests that gave birth to a movement, the publication of “Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States” that became a landmark report, the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit that issued the groundbreaking “Principles of Environmental Justice,” and the establishment of environmental justice as a core part of the EPA’s mission. On March 31st, Charles Lee retired as the Senior Policy Advisor for Environmental Justice at the EPA after working there for more than two decades. In this webinar, Lee will reflect back on his distinguished career. Even if you cannot make the scheduled time on Wednesday, May 14th at 12:00 p.m. CST, still register, and a recording will be sent to you. Register online here!
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Partners in Building
UCC Church Building & Loan Fund
September 25-26, 2025
Save the date for the Partners In Building virtual two-day conference. Partners in Building is the only Church-led, faith-oriented event that provides comprehensive education about real estate redevelopment, from concept to completion. The theme for this year's conference is "Beyond Sundays." There will be presentations and workshops on land use, repurposing resources, fundraising, the future of ministry, and more. Join us to see how your church can "transform communities through spiritual entrepreneurship and community development.
This event is designed for church leaders of any Christian denomination based in the United States and serves as an opportunity to connect with loan partners, capital fundraising executives, building professionals and other experts to discuss your goals.
If you are interested in learning more about this event, click here to sign up for the CBLF newsletter to keep updated on the latest details.
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Building an Affirming Church
UCC Open And Affirming Coalition
The Open and Affirming Coalition invites you to attend our newly updated webinar, Building an Affirming Church, on May 21,2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CST. In today’s social and political climate—when LGBTQ+ people are being targeted across the country—your church’s public commitment to welcome and justice is more important than ever. This webinar will walk you through the foundational steps to becoming an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation, or help you reinvigorate your existing ONA commitment. The session will be co-led by Rev. Derek A. Terry, Acting Executive Director of the Open and Affirming Coalition, and Barb Biedenstein, ONA consultant in the St. Louis area and long-time leader in Gateway ONA.
There is a registration fee for this event, but scholarships are available. Click here to learn more and register online. The first 10 people to register using the code ONA20 will receive 20% off their registration.
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James Baldwin and Black Queer Prophetic Lament (and Hope?)
Center for LGBTQ & Gender Studies in Religion
You are invited to join the Center for LGBTQ & Gender Studies in Religion at Pacific School of Religion online via Zoom, Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 6 p.m. CST for our 18th annual CLGS John E. Boswell Lecture with Professor Bryan Massingale of Fordham University.
Please click here for lecture details and registration.
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Strengthen the Church Offering
United Church of Christ
The Strengthen the Church offering supports the expansion of ministry and growth of UCC local congregations. Your support helps the UCC fulfill its commitment to creating a just world for all by investing in ministries and practices that meet the emerging needs of local communities. Most congregations will receive the STC offering on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025. There are several downloadable resources available for use including a leader's guide, bulletin inserts, media files, posters, and more.
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Climate Scientist and Evangelical Christian to Keynote UCC Earth Summit
United Church of Christ
The Jim Antal Keynote for this year’s UCC Earth Summit will be delivered by Katharine Hayhoe, one of the world’s leading climate scientists. Through television appearances on PBS and Showtime as well as her widely viewed TED Talks, Hayhoe has reached a broad audience with a compelling perspective on science, climate, and faith. The summit will additionally feature a panel of grassroots leaders in the struggle against environmental racism in North Texas. This two and a half hour online summit will begin at 1:00 p.m. CST on April 26th. Register now!
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ONA National Gathering
Open and Affirming Coalition
We are excited to announce that REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the 2025 Open and Affirming National Gathering, happening July 9-10, 2025, at the Kansas City Downtown Marriott in Kansas City, MO—just before the United Church of Christ General Synod! Our theme, "Sacred, Seen, and Called: Living Our Truth, Embracing Our Light," is inspired by Philippians 2:15—a call to shine as beacons of justice, love, and affirmation.
At a time when LGBTQ+ communities face growing challenges, this gathering is more than a conference—it’s a movement. Together, we will:
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Affirm Our Faith – Worship in a space where all are fully embraced.
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Build Resilience – Engage in workshops and strategy sessions to counter discrimination and injustice.
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Celebrate and Inspire – Honor milestones in the ONA movement and shape the future of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church.
Every ONA church is encouraged to send at least one representative. If your church is still discerning its ONA commitment, this is a perfect opportunity to learn, grow, and take the next steps. Learn more and register online here!
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General Synod Webinar Series
April 28, 2:30 PM CST
Every two years, General Synod brings together faithful members of the United Church of Christ for inspirational worship, fellowship with friends (old and new), and public witness including through engagement with the business of the church. In July 2025, we are excited to welcome thousands from across the country for General Synod 35 in Kansas City, Missouri – and Nurture the Soul is helping to get you there by introducing a 4-part series that goes deep into General Synod and why we hope to see you all there. Register online here.
April 28 - Braiding Worship and Beyond
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Womxn 2 Womxn Webinar Series
May 13 & June 10, 2:30 PM CST
The Into the Deep: Womxn 2 Womxn series aims to be an intentional space to embrace the wide spectrum of womanhood that exists throughout the denomination.
The series will feature guest speakers and presenters speaking about their shared experiences, as well as offering resources that attendees can use.
The series will culminate at General Synod 35 in July, in Kansas City, Missouri where an in-person networking event is being planned to continue fostering community.
Click here to learn more about the event and register online.
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How to Plan for Emergencies in Your Church
UCC Insurance Board
The UCC Insurance Board invites you to join them for a webinar to equip your ministry for effective response and recovery for any emergency. It will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. CST. Enhance your knowledge and boost your confidence in planning efforts to safeguard your community. Click here to register online.
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Power Up Your Finances
UCC Insurance Board
Join us on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. CST to get your financial health checkup!
You will learn how to:
- Assess your financial health on an annual basis with a financial health checkup.
- Determine your “fin-metrics” that indicate financial health so you can set monthly goals to improve your stats.
- Identify daily habits to practice that will help you build resiliency and achieve financial wellness.
Click here to register!
| | Training & Educational Opportunities | |
Retired Healthy Boundaries
Southeast Conference UCC
The Southeast Conference is hosting a Retired Healthy Boundaries training on Zoom on May 15, 2025 from 12:00 - 3:00 CST. This training is designed for those who have retired from active ministry or those who will be retiring in the next six months. Ministers from other Conferences are welcome to join. The cost to register is $25. You can register online here.
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Upcoming Courses
Pathways Theological
Pathways Theological has several course offerings beginning on May 7, 2025. The list of courses is below. Go to the PATHWAYS website to learn more and to apply for these and other courses.
- Introducing the Old Testament
- Making Sense of Theology
- UCC History and Polity
- The Bible as Guide: Going Green
- Spiritual Care of Self and Others
- Pluralism and Religion in North America
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Enkei Boundary and Racial Justice Trainings
Six hour trainings via Zoom over two days. Multiple date offerings in 2025. Learn more via the flyers and links below.
| | Outdoor Ministries Opportunities | | |
A Watershed Moment
Great Lakes Creation Care Collaborative
The Great Lakes Creation Care Collaborative invites you to join us at Tower Hill Camp among the sand dunes of Lake Michigan's beautiful east coast. Download the flyer here to learn more. Watershed Discipleship leader and New Testament scholar, Ched Myers, will be our keynote. We will enjoy fellowship with creation caregivers from the Ontario region of the United Church of Canada and the UCC Conferences around the Great Lakes.
Also, our Michigan collaborator, Mike Mulberry, has created an Adopt a Body of Water curriculum that is free to use. You can use this curriculum in part or in whole to introduce your church members to the ministry of care for the watershed where we find ourselves.
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Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center
In response to our nation’s mental health crisis, Tower Hill Camp is bringing Youth Mental Health First Aid training - a course developed by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing on Monday, June 2, 2025, 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. CST (8:30 - 4:00 EST). Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.
The cost is $50/person, and there are scholarships available. A Continental breakfast and boxed lunch will be provided. Call 269-426-3881 to register. Download the flyer here.
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Our Whole Lives Training
Pilgrim Park Camp
June 6-8, Fee $434/person
A training for adults, 21 and older, who want to offer the Our Whole Lives (OWL) for Grades K-1 and/or Grades 4-7 at their church and in their communities. OWL is a comprehensive, lifespan, age-appropriate sexuality education curriculum developed by the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association which helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their relationships, health, and behavior in the context of their faith. It equips participants with accurate, developmentally appropriate information about anatomy, human development, relationships, and consent. Register online here.
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Climate Action Camp
We are excited to announce a new Intergenerational Summer Camp at Tower Hill Camp. Climate Action Camp will take place Monday, June 15, 1:00 p.m. - Friday June 20, 2:00 p.m. We will be learning and exploring how we can be advocates and activists for Climate Justice through age appropriate, hand-on learning sessions. And of course, we’ll gather around campfires and play in water at Lake Michigan. Click here to watch the promotional video.
The cost for camp is $375/person which includes lodging in our A-frames and delicious meals in the Dining Hall. Scholarships are available. Contact Tower Hill at 269-426-3881 for more information. Register online here.
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2025 Camps and Retreats
Registration is open!
Explore an exciting array of camps and retreats offered at Tower Hill Camp & Retreat Center and Pilgrim Park Camp & Conference Center, with options to suit every age and interest. Whether you're looking for spiritual growth, environmental action, creative crafting, or intergenerational bonding, there’s something special waiting for you!
Register online here to step out of the ordinary and into the sacred!
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Solidarity Summit: A People's Agenda
You are invited to attend this in-person, cross community event on Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The gathering will be a train-the trainer session that will focus on helping us to fulfill fulfilled human rights and dignity for everyone. Download the flyer here.
Our Chicago Metropolitan Association friends are especially encouraged to attend this event in lieu of the CMA Spring Meeting. Click here to learn more and register online.
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Faith Communities Protecting God's Creation
Northfield Community Church
Our world continues to experience extreme weather events with greater frequency, suffer from pollution, and lose wildlife diversity. Accordingly, Faith communities will likely be first responders in ensuring we can meet the basic human needs (food, water, shelter, clothing) in the face of both human and environmental stressors. Come join the conversation on how Faith Communities can protect God's creation.
This event will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Northfield Community Church.
For more information and to RSVP click here.
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Prairie/Western Joint Spring Meeting
Pilgrim Park Camp
The Prairie and Western Associations will be having a joint Spring Meeting on Saturday, May 3rd at Pilgrim Park Camp from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with optional events at 2:00 to explore the beautiful grounds at Pilgrim Park. The Keynote Speaker for the event is Rev. David Fraccaro. Rev. Fraccaro will be speaking about rediscovering God's call for our congregations at this challenging time in our nation's history. There will also be a workshop following lunch where he will introduce the Lumunos Becoming Neighbors initiative - building bridges of understanding and trust across lines of culture, faith, race, nationality, and even politics in our own backyards. The deadline to register is this Sunday, April 27th.
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Gospel Extravaganza Concert
Lux Cantorum
Please join Lux Cantorum Chicago as we perform our Gospel Extravaganza! 2025 concert. You have three opportunities to enjoy this concert featuring various styles and subgenres of gospel music and conducted by Artistic Director, Wilbert O. Watkins. This concert will ultimately bring people together to celebrate faith, culture, and hope.
May 2 - Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut in Chicago at 7:30 pm
May 4 - First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, 535 Forest Ave at 4:00 pm
May 10 - Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St, Oak Park at 7:30 pm
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Bobby Jo Valentine in Concert
Christ Church UCC, Des Plaines
Christ Church UCC is thrilled to welcome Bobby Jo Valentine in concert on Thursday, May 8th at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 1492 Henry Ave, Des Plaines, IL. The tickets are $20.00
Get ready for a night of powerful music, meaningful lyrics, and uplifting community!
Click here for tickets to the event.
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"No Other Land" Community Screening and Panel discussion
Peace Memorial Park, Palos Park, IL
Peace Memorial Church, UCC, in Palos Park, IL. has arranged with the distributors of this year's Academy award-winning documentary, "No Other Land," to host a community screening. The screening is Sunday, May 4 at 2:00 p.m., after which there will be a panel discussion led by Pastor Kirk Moore and featuring local Middle East experts Don Wagner, Tarek Khalil, and Jules Wernick. The suggested donation for the screening is $10 per person and there will be refreshments provided.
"No Other Land" is a 2024 documentary film directed by Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor in their directorial debut. The film was made by a Palestinian-Israeli collective of four activists in what they describe as an act of resistance on the path to justice. Download the flyer here.
| | Does your church have news to share or an upcoming event you would like to advertise? Email us the information and any accompanying graphics/flyers. | | |
Ordinations, Installations, and Ecclesiastical Councils
Apr. 26: Service of Ordination & Installation for Rochelle Michael. 11:00 a.m. at Trinity UCC in Chicago. Chicago Metropolitan Association.
Apr 27: Service of Installation for Rev. Randy Nicholas. 10:00 a.m. at First Congregational Church UCC in Pecatonica (in partnership with Old Stone Church in Rockton in the Crooked River Ministry). Prairie Association.
Apr 27: Service of Installation for Pastor Jim Brown. 3:00 p.m. at First United Church of Christ in Sheffield. Prairie Association.
May 18: Service of Installation for Rev. Tyler Yost. 4:00 p.m. at Church of Peace in Rock Island. Western Association.
May 25: Ecclesiastical Council for Becky Emmerson. 4:00 p.m. at Salem UCC in Quincy and virtual. Western Association.
June 1: Service of Installation for Pastor Dan Waterman. 3:00 p.m. at St. John UCC in Beecher. Eastern Association.
June 1: Service of Installation for Rev. Larissa Forsythe. 3:00 p.m. at Epiphany UCC in Chicago. Chicago Metropolitan Association.
June 8: Service of Installation for Pastor Eric Morgan. 3:00 p.m. at First Congregational UCC in Dwight. Eastern Association.
Meetings and Events
Apr. 28: FVA Council Meeting. 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
May 1: Annual Celebration Planning Meeting. 5:00 p.m. via Zoom.
May 3: Prairie & Western Joint Spring Meeting. At Pilgrim Park Camp. Register here.
May 8: FVA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
May 8: CMA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 12:00 p.m. via Zoom.
May 10: Conference Council Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
May 12: Stewardship Committee Meeting. 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.
May 13: LEEAP Committee Meeting. 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.
May 14: Outdoor Ministries Committee Meeting. 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
May 14: EA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
May 14: PA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 1:00 p.m. via Zoom.
May 15: EA Council Meeting. 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
May 20: FAB Committee Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
May 20: WA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
May 20: CMA Council Meeting. 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
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Please let us know if you have a job opening you would like to share,
and also update us once the position is filled. Contact Sarah Lohrbach.
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Contact Us
Mon-Fri 8:30 - 4:30
708-344-4470
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This NEWSLETTER is published by the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, 1840 Westchester Blvd, Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154. The Rev. Dr. Terrill Murff, Interim Conference Minister; the Rev. Sarah Lohrbach, Editor. Copy may be sent to: sarahlohrbach@ilucc.org.
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