August 8, 2025

Federal Grant Terms and Conditions:

Churches Must Review Carefully!

Edited message from Heather Kimmel, General Counsel, United Church of Christ, National Ministries

Over the past two days, I have received several emails letting me know there has been a change in the terms and conditions of federal grants. I know that some of our churches have received and relied upon HHS grants, FEMA grants, and other types of federal grants to support their ministries.

I know that some churches are planning to apply for federal grants under the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Nonprofit Security Grant Program | FEMA.gov

Please encourage your churches to carefully review the terms and conditions of any federal grant they are choosing to apply for, with their own legal counsel.

The terms and conditions for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program now require recipients and subrecipients of the funding, among other things, to cooperate with immigration officials, not engage in or promote programs that engage in DEI, DEIA, or “discriminatory equity ideology” within the meaning of the Executive Order. in violation of anti-discrimination laws, and not participate in discriminatory prohibited boycotts relating to Israel. HHS is also requiring certification of compliance with not engaging in DEI activity.

The terms and conditions of ANY federal funding MUST be carefully examined to ensure that accepting a grant does make the church’s ministry an instrument of the state by dictating what religious activities the church can engage in and with whom the church can associate.

I cannot provide counsel to Local Churches on whether they should accept the terms and conditions of these grants, what will happen if they are accused of violating them, and whether First Amendment defenses exist; these are issues and risks churches should raise with their legal counsel.

Each church of the United Church of Christ can decide for itself whether to pursue funds from the government, and I encourage churches to carefully consider all of the implications when it is making these decisions.

I cannot provide counsel to Local Churches, as these are issues and risks churches should raise with their legal counsel.

Invitation to a Zoom Conversation

with Living Legacy Writers

August 12, 2025, at 1 PM ET

The Rev. David Schoen, D. Div. (he/him), UCC Minister for Church Legacy & Closure, invites you to join in a Zoom Conversation with the writers of chapters in the NEW Living Legacy Workbook on Tuesday, August 12, at 1 PM Eastern Time.

The Zoom Conversation will include discussions with these writers:

• Evan Pence - MIND THE GAP. The seven core gaps in congregational decline
• David Schoen - IS IT TIME? Some simple inventories to spark conversation & LEGACY AND CHURCH COMPLETION CHECKLIST
• Chris Mereschuk - LEGACY INHERITED, LEGACY FUTURED & ROLE OF THE LEGACY PASTOR
• Patrick Duggan - NOT A BUILDING (BUT CHURCH BUILDING MATTERS). Options for stewarding of church-owned real estate
• Matt Wagner - YOUR CHURCH'S FINANCIAL LEGACY. Ways to prudently steward legacy assets

Please email Rev. Schoen with any comments or questions before August 12 so we can prepare for the conversation.

Click here for the Zoom link

Meeting ID: 820 1646 6844 - Passcode: 045691

Each Conference should have received a copy of the Living Legacy PDF to share with conference staff. Rev. Schoen sent it to conference ministers (not for public distribution) in June. If you did not receive it, please email him.

Please check out the new website with resources for Church Legacy & Completion and share it with your congregations to encourage churches who are considering legacy and completion. 

170th Anniversary Celebration

Chicago Theological Seminary

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Chicago Theological Seminary is proud to mark a historic milestone—our 170th Annual Celebration—culminating in the highly anticipated C. Shelby Rooks Lecture on "Daring Faith In Dangerous Times" on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Now, as we celebrate this milestone, we want to hear from you.

Submit a short video (under 1 minute, shot vertically):

• Tell us how CTS has impacted your life, work, or calling.
• What does CTS mean to you?

Prefer to write instead?

• You can submit a written reflection (200 words or fewer) in place of a video.

Your story may be featured in our 170th anniversary videos, publications, and digital tributes—as we honor CTS’s legacy and look toward our future.

Submit your video or written reflection here.

Thank you for helping us celebrate 170 years of courageous, justice-centered theological education.

UCC Webinar: Strategies That Meet the Moment

Creation Justice Webinar

August 13th at 12 pm CDT

During a time in which we are witnessing an unprecedented assault on climate and environmental justice programs at the federal level of government, what strategies and tactics make the most sense for those seeking climate justice?

In wrestling with such questions, we can learn from past struggles as well as clear-eyed assessments of the present while charting a path forward.

With research into effective communication and tactics, along with case studies of those engaged in the practice of seeking change, staff from the Climate Advocacy Lab will provide us with a wealth of insights to enable each of us to become better equipped as advocates.

Even if you cannot make our scheduled time on Wednesday, August 13th at 12 pm CDT, still sign up, and we will send you a recording afterward.

Register now online!

Pastoring in an Era of

Christian Nationalism

Presented by the Association of Interim Ministers       

October 14 – 15, 2025

Pilgrim Park Camp and Conference Center

26449 1340 N. Ave, Princeton, IL 61356-8790

Christian Nationalism is an ideology that threatens both church and state. This retreat will explore this dangerous doctrine and how pastors might navigate, confront, and refocus its presence in their congregations and broader society. 

Leave with an in-depth understanding of what Christian Nationalism is, the problems it poses, and practical pastoral responses to it. This event is intended to enrich the lives of all clergy, as well as lay leaders and anyone involved with church ministry.

Keynote Speaker, Beau Underwood, is the co-author of Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism (Chalice Press, 2024). The book has received several notable awards, including the 2024 top award for non-fiction from both the Religion Communicators Council and the Associated Church Press.

He serves as the senior minister of Allisonville Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is also a contributing editor to Word&Way. He completed his undergraduate studies at Eureka College, earned graduate degrees in both religion and public policy at the University of Chicago, and is currently a doctoral candidate in public affairs at the University of Missouri.

Tentative Conference Program

Session 1: What Exactly is Christian Nationalism?

Session 2: The Heresy of Christian Nationalism

Session 3: Christian Nationalism - Past, Present, and Future

Complete your Registration and Fees by September 23, 2025.

Register online

End Solitary Confinement Act

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture has updated materials in support of the now reintroduced End Solitary Confinement Act.

NRCAT Action Alert Page: You are welcome to share the link to NRCAT’s action alert, or copy and customize the wording.

Please write to your U.S. Senators & Representative to ask them to cosponsor the End Solitary Confinement Act (ESCA). If one or more of your Members of Congress are already cosponsors, the system will prompt you to send a thank-you message.

NRCAT and our allies in the Federal Anti-Solitary Taskforce (FAST) are working in support of this legislation toward our ultimate goal of ending the torture of isolated confinement once and for all. Your support is needed today to build strong co-sponsorship for this important bill. You can help by writing to your Members of Congress today.

NRCAT’s Toolkit on ESCA: The toolkit includes social media graphics, including the graphic/statement by Bishop Vashti McKenzie

Sen. Markey’s press release: This includes a link to the actual bill text

UCC Toolkit For Faithful Advocacy



The UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy is excited to share our new Advocacy Toolkit—a free resource designed to equip individuals and congregations with the tools to build a just world for all.

Download the toolkit today and take the next faithful step in speaking truth to power.

Book of Worship Update Survey

Who is the UCC - today and tomorrow?

Pilgrim Press

The UCC's identity—our history, our ways of being, our sense of community—is expressed uniquely through the Book of Worship.

So who are we as the UCC today?

What kind of community do we want to be tomorrow?

And how should our Book of Worship reflect our evolving identity?

We seek your input!

1. Surveys are available now on bookofworship.org for all users of the Book of Worship and will remain open for feedback through December.
2. Information is also available on bookofworship.org about the submission of new content for potential publication in the updated Book of Worship.
3. We look forward to your input, with great appreciation!

Spirit of Harm Reduction:

An Abridged Toolkit for Faith Leaders

Reducing Harm for Those Facing

Substance Use Addiction

Advocate Health Care

Harm reduction is a practical, compassionate approach that meets people where they are. It means walking alongside people as they make any positive change; offering care without judgment and inviting people into authentic relationships and community.

Substance use is not a moral failure—it's often rooted in trauma and should be treated as a chronic health issue. People with substance use disorders are already in your pews, your communities, and your families. Let’s move beyond fear and stigma to reclaim our sacred calling—to offer care, community, and connection, and embrace harm reduction as an expression of grace in action.

What Can Faith Leaders Do?

1. Meet those facing substance use disorder where they are - Connect with the person first, and their challenge second.
2. Educate yourself about available resources - Seeking resources for substance use disorder will not only help you support those who need them, but will also connect you with resources for other social and emotional needs as well.
3. Don't try to fix it, but connect people to resources - Share resources with those who need them.

Click here to download Spirit of Harm Reduction: An Abridged Toolkit for Faith Leaders

Taken from an interview with Fanya Burford-Berry, Director - Heroin/Opioid Task Force

UCC New Manual on Local Church

The manual, for all settings of the UCC, includes the Congregational Code, a three-part covenantal framework centering on Local Churches.

• Marks for Faithful and Vital Local Churches, designed to affirm and expand your ministry 
• Local Church Governance, including tools for building and sustaining healthy leadership and
• Standing Support and Accountability, processes for Associations and Conferences in covenant with Local Churches, and other vital resources for new and affiliating local churches.

Order Here!

Get Early Bird Pricing for “Partners in Building”

UCC Building & Loan Fund

September 25 and 26 online via Zoom

Registration for Partners in Building 2025 is open for church leaders like you looking to think “Beyond Sundays” to inspire new possibilities for your church’s mission and vision. Get ready to dive deep into innovative strategies for community engagement, sustainable growth, and transformative digital outreach as you hear from subject matter experts.

Partners in Building is on September 25 and 26 online via Zoom—register today to secure our special early bird price. One-day and two-day registration options are both available.

• Early Bird Pricing (through August 22): $85 Two-Day | $47 One-Day
• Standard Pricing (through September 22): $100 Two-Day | $55 One-Day
• 
  

Register Now

Our Whole Lives (OWL) Facilitator Training

In-person Trainings

UCC OWL

September 12-14, 2025 Levels: 7-9/10-12

130 S. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302

Wheelchair accessible Registration

Registrar: Amelia Bee, registrar@opowl.org, (224) 601-5261

Register here on line, DEADLINE Wednesday, August 5, 2025

Interested in Hosting an Our Whole Lives Training? Download the OWL Training Planning Guide!

Why get trained? Learn more about Our Whole Lives/Sexuality and Our Faith Facilitator Training.

For additional offerings, check the UUA OWL training calendar.

If you are taking a training and need the Our Whole Lives material for Grades 10-12, please check UCC Resources, where it should be available to pre-order by Dec 31. In the meantime, your trainers will be able to provide you with the necessary materials for your training sessions.

Limited Online Trainings Now Available

September Eastern Time (ET)

Application for registration will be open July 21 – August 5, 2025

Levels: All Adult Levels

Location: online via Zoom and asynchronous learning in between Zoom sessions

Dates/Times: 6:00-8:30 pm ET Mondays September 8, 15, 22

and Thursdays September 11, 18, 25

and Saturday September 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Registration application opens six weeks before the first synchronous session of the training. Cost is $350. Potential OWL facilitators submit an application form, which generates an email to their endorser with a link to complete a recommendation.

Upon acceptance, the facilitator will receive a payment link. Full payment is due 30 days before the first synchronous session, and $100 of that is non-refundable within 7 days before the first session.

Time Commitment. Online training is more time intensive than in-person training, requiring up to 35 hours of your time over three weeks. Do not register unless you can commit to attend every synchronous session and complete the assignments. Attendance is mandatory for every synchronous session; they are not recorded, and make-up sessions are not available.

Training Schedule. Synchronous sessions for all online trainings will vary in the Central Time Zone and will depend on which training you register for.

Professional Boundaries and

Ministerial Self-Care

PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc.

A Level 3 Synthesizing Course begins September 17, 2025

Ethics are a set of principles for appropriate conduct. While often based on morals, which is the understanding of what is right and wrong, ethics differs from morality.

The ethics of most professions discourage friendships with those to whom a professional provides a service. That’s not because friendship is wrong. Instead, it’s because the boundaries of the professional relationship need to be maintained so that a person receives a quality service from the professional that isn’t influenced by a friendship.

In this course, we will explore ethics and their application for professional pastoral ministers. We will consider the boundaries that define the relationships between professional pastoral ministers and congregants. We will also consider how the professional minister’s right to privacy helps to maintain appropriate boundaries and serves as an essential aspect for self-care. Go to the PATHWAYS to learn more.

Protest & Action Chaplaincy

Convergence

Tuesdays from 1 to 2 pm CDT on Zoom

August 19, and 26, September 9 and 16, 2025

This four-session course offers a framework for providing compassionate, grounded spiritual care during protests, advocacy gatherings, and social movements. It equips chaplains, pastors, and spiritual leaders to respond with integrity, purpose, and preparedness.

This course will guide you and your leadership teams in the practice of protest chaplaincy:

• Offering faithful, embodied presence in high-stakes moments
• Understanding the difference between church-based and street-based roles
• Providing pastoral companionship amid tension and trauma
• Building readiness for protest environments

Individuals ($350) and small groups up to 5 ($950). Details and register online here

Become a Faith & Health Companion

Advocate Health

Virtual classes start in September 2025

This is a three-part virtual education series designed to equip faith leaders to walk alongside others during times of stress. Please read more about eligibility and expectations before applying.

Fall Cohort Classes & Dates (Class format: Zoom/all times are CDT)

• Mental Health First Aid - September 10 - 9 am - 3 pm
• Companionship - October 8 - 9 am - 12 noon
• Trauma, Faith, & Healing - November 12 - 9 am - 11:30 am
• New Beginnings - May 7 - 11:45 am - 1:00 pm

Inquiry Deadline: September 3, 2025

Inquire about applying here

Supervised Ministry 3 (SM3) begins September 3, 2025

Pathways

The Supervised Ministry Series is designed to provide a practical internship in pastoral ministry over an eighteen-month progression.

The arc of this series begins with entering a new place of ministry and concludes with leaving a place of ministry. Along this arc, as part of six asynchronous online courses, participants will explore issues of pastoral role, identity, leadership, ministry functions, organizational dynamics, and theological reflection. The core nine-week courses for this series are:

SM 1 Entering a Place of Ministry

SM 2 The Transformative Context of Pastoral Care

SM 3 The Practice of Worship Leadership

SM 4 Faith Formation in the Parish

SM 5 Leadership in the Midst of Change

SM 6 Leaving a Place of Ministry

• To be enrolled in Supervised Ministry courses, a participant is required to be engaged in pastoral ministry about 6 to 8 hours each week under the guidance of a site supervisor.
• There will be a required three-week Supervised Ministry Orientation course for all participants and site supervisors before the first course.

Go to the PATHWAYS website to learn more and apply for this and other courses.

Healthy Conflict Workshop for Leaders

Enkei Resolutions

September 17, 2025, 10am to 2pm CT

Churches want to avoid conflict, but the truth is that healthy conflict is what makes growth possible.

If you are interested in learning and practicing tools for addressing conflict in your faith community, sign-up for this Zoom workshop on September 17, 2025, from 10 am to 2pm, Central Time. The cost is $50/person. A fifty percent discount is available for churches signing up two or more leaders —please email for more information.

Click here to learn more and register

Questions? Email dweible@enkei-resolutions.com.

Ordinations, Installations, and Ecclesiastical Councils

Aug 24: Service of Ordination for Becky Emerson. 4:00 pm at Salem UCC in Quincy. Western Association.

Sept 13: Service of Ordination for Marian McKinney. 11:00 am at Trinity UCC in Chicago. Chicago Metropolitan Association.

Sep 14: Service of Installation for Rev. Paulo Gustavo Franca. 3:00 pm at Winnetka Congregational Church. Chicago Metropolitan Association.

Sep 28: Service of Installation for Rev. Abigail Lutz. 3:00 pm at Glenview Community Church. Chicago Metropolitan Association.

Meetings

Aug 11: Stewardship Committee Meeting. 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. 

Aug 12: LEEAP Committee Meeting. 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. 

Aug 13: Outdoor Ministries Committee Meeting. 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. 

Aug 14: FVA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.

Aug 17: WA Council Meeting, 3:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Aug 18: EA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:30 am via Zoom.

Aug 19: FAB Meeting. 9:00 am via Zoom.

Aug 19: WA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:00 am via Zoom.

Aug 19: CMA Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Aug 21: EA Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Aug 22: FVA Council Meeting. 6:30 pm via Zoom.

Sept 2: Annual Celebration Planning Committee. 5:00 pm via Zoom.

Sept 2: PA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 1:00 p.m. via Zoom.

Sept 4: Personnel Committee Meeting. 9:30 am via Zoom.

SAVE THE DATES! Fall Meetings & Annual Celebration

Sept 20: Chicago Metropolitan Association Fall Meeting. 

Sept 27: Eastern Association Fall Meeting at Plainfield Congregational Church.

Oct 11: Fox Valley Association Fall Meeting at First Congregational Church in Downers Grove.

Oct 18: Western Fall Association Meeting at First Federated Church in Peoria.

Oct 30 - Nov 1: Conference Annual Celebration & TPIRC Education Summit at First Congregational UCC in DeKalb.

Prairie Association Fall Meeting date TBD.

More information will be available soon on all events.

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.

You are receiving this message because you are listed on our Conference email list, one of our leadership/committee email lists, or because you previously subscribed to receive our e-newsletters.

This communication is made possible by your contributions to

 Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM)

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.