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Greetings Siblings in Christ,
As we have now crossed from 2025 into 2026, we journey through the next few weeks of Epiphany marked by light, revelation, and holy discovery. I write with deep gratitude for your faithfulness, resilience, and witness. Epiphany reminds us that God is continually made known—not only in grand moments, but in steadfast service, quiet courage, and communities that choose love even in the midst of uncertainty.
Thank you for the many ways your congregations continue to embody Christ’s light: through worship that anchors hope, ministries that respond to real human need, courageous conversations, and a commitment to justice, compassion, and extravagant welcome. In times when the church is called to adapt and reimagine, your faithfulness has not gone unnoticed.
The Magi followed a star into the unknown, trusting that God would meet them along the way. In much the same way, you have continued to follow God’s leading—sometimes without a clear map, but always with trust that Christ goes before us. Your perseverance and creativity are signs of God’s ongoing revelation in our midst.
Thank you for your 2025 Our Church Wider Ministries contributions! Please know how grateful I am for your partnership in ministry with the Illinois Conference. I truly thank the many leaders, pastors, lay members, and volunteers who give generously of their time, gifts, and spirit. You are a blessing to the Illinois Conference and to the wider church.
May this season of Epiphany continue to reveal God’s presence among you, illuminate your path forward, and renew your strength for the work ahead. May you be encouraged, sustained, and reminded that the light shines in the darkness—and the darkness has not overcome it.
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With thanksgiving, peace, and hope,
Rev. Dr. Terrill N. Murff
Conference Minister (Interim Period)
Illinois Conference of The United Church of Christ
terrillmurff@ilucc.org
708.701.4325 (cell)
708.344.4470 (Conference Office)
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Ecumenical Prayer Service and Signing Ceremony -
Church Leaders Call the Government to Protect Our Climate
Ecumenism Metro Chicago (EMC)
Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 2 - 4 pm
Growing in Christian unity and the care for God’s creation, we will gather in prayer and action for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church, 6700 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago, IL 60707 on Saturday, January 24, 2 - 4 pm.
As the U.S. government prepares to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change effective January 27, 2026, leaders of 14 Chicago-area Christian denominations will gather on January 24, 2026 from 2 to 4 pm, to call the government to heed this international treaty.
The Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty to address climate change, was adopted by 195 parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on December 12, 2015. It became effective on November 4, 2016. Its overarching goal is to hold “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.”
The 14 participating judicatories comprise 1,500 congregations/parishes and over 3.25 million people. In contrast to this fractured time in the U.S., these churches are demonstrating their unity in caring for God’s creation.
In addition to their declaration on the Paris Agreement, the leaders are calling on Illinois state and local officials to eliminate reliance on the more than 400,000 lead drinking-water pipes that are still in use throughout the Chicago area. Lead exposure is linked to cognitive and developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems in children and increases serious health risks for adults.
EMC judicatories (including the Illinois Conference) will sign joint statements of actions at the end of the service, which are grounded in EMC’s Declaration to care, protect and preserve God’s gift of creation, for all of the earth is the Lord’s. (Psalm 24:1).
The two statements proclaim our Christian resolve to
These statements are a clear public witness of EMC’s Declaration that “taking decisive restorative action is a moral and religious imperative.”
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Then Let Us SING!
New Hymnal of The United Church of Canada
Free, one-hour conversation on ZOOM. Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11 am CT.
To celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025, The United Church of Canada commissioned a group of 30 ministers, musicians, and worship leaders to create a new hymnal. It was seven years in the making, and the results are remarkable.
Its globally-sourced collection of hymns “lifts the intercultural and anti-racist commitment of the church with material that prioritizes Black, Indigenous, People of Color, French-speaking, Two-Spirit and LGBTQTTIA+ voices, and concerns of people with disabilities.” It reminds us of “faithful song as an antidote to fear,” and calls us to remember Jesus’ love for everyone.
Join three members of the development team as they discuss Then Let Us SING! and their experience in its creation:
- The Rev. Dr. Alydia Smith, Program Coordinator, Worship, Music and Spirituality for the General Council Office of The United Church of Canada.
- Paul Sales, former Music Editor of Gathering, the worship periodical of The United Church of Canada, and an experienced music minister.
- The Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney, Chaplain and Board member of UCCMA and ecumenical representative of UCCMA on the team.
REGISTER NOW! Please register for the event to receive the Zoom link. Can't attend? Register anyway, and we'll send you a link to the recording.
Saturday Sharing is a series of occasional, free, one-hour conversations on topics of interest to church musicians and others. Open to all. Stay tuned for upcoming conversations and view previous conversations at uccma.org.
United Church of Christ Musicians Association
PO Box 370631, West Hartford, CT 06137
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Protect Our Neighbors: Prevent Increased Funding for ICE | As faith community grounded in love, we grieve the killing of Renee Nicole Good and the abuses inflicted on immigrant communities in Minnesota and beyond. That is why, in solidarity with our faith partners in Minnesota, we are calling on Congress to... | | | | |
2026 Climate Hope Art Contest for Children and Youth
Submissions due February 6 to March 20, 2026
The theme for our fourth annual Climate Hope Art Contest is “A Future with Hope.” Children and youth are invited to draw, paint, or color works of art that bring this theme to life.
We’ll accept art submissions from February 6th to March 20th. We will have winners for different age groups and an overall winner who will receive an all-expense paid trip to visit Washington, DC, with a parent or guardian.
Register your congregation now to participate.
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The New England Research Fellowship Consortium (NERFC) Fellowship application deadline is less than a month away = February 1, 2026
The Congregational Library & Archives is a member of the New England Regional Fellowship Consortium (NERFC), a collaboration of 30 major cultural agencies. NERFC grants support work in a broad array of fields, including but not limited to: history, literature, art, history, African American studies, American Studies, women’s and gender studies, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, religious studies, environmental studies, oceanography, and the histories of law, medicine, and technology.
Each grant provides a stipend of $5,000 for a minimum of six weeks of research at participating institutions. Awards are open to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals who hold the necessary U.S. government documents.
For a full list of participating institutions, more information on deadlines and requirements, and to apply, please consult the NERFC page on the Massachusetts Historical Society website.
For further information, contact Congregational Library & Archives' Archivist and Head of Reader Services, Billy McCarthy (wmccarthy@14beacon.org).
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Help Build a National Movement for Justice - Take the A.C.T OUT Survey Today - UCC Open and Affirming Coalition | Across our nation, LGBTQ+ people are under attack. Trans and nonbinary youth are being targeted by cruel legislation. Inclusive books and curricula are being | | | | |
Annual Community UCC/ UCC Campus Ministry
Queering Faith 9.0
Friday, February 20, 2026
Community UCC
805 S 6th St, Champaign, IL
Our featured guest is The Many, a creative collective that makes music and new kinds of inclusive, justice-building gatherings, offering space for faith and doubt, lament, and gratitude. The feet-on-the-ground, heart-in-hands songs and liturgies they create remind us we aren’t alone. They help us find the courage to authentically love God, ourselves, and everyone in this whole, aching world.
Buy your tickets here.
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Early-Bird Registration Open for
The Gathering: Many Gifts, One Spirit
Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, UCC
March 24-26, 2026
Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis
Registration is now OPEN for The Gathering: Many Gifts, One Spirit, to be held March 24-26, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis. The theme is based on 1 Corinthians 12:4-7: Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Take advantage of Early Bird Special. Register by February 9 to lock in early bird rates – that's $100 in savings per person! CHHSM member organizations as well as UCC offices, churches, and ministries should register under "Member General Admission."
The Gathering will draw some 500 leaders from Mennonite, Methodist, Presbyterian, Quaker, and the UCC related health and human service associations for three transformative days of networking, thought-provoking keynote presentations, and exceptional education on best practices, innovations, and critical issues shaping health and human service ministries.
Additionally, a limited number of scholarships will be available for first-time Annual Gathering attendees and smaller CHHSM agencies with limited budgets. Those interested should email chhsmpublic@chhsm.org for additional information.
The Gathering in 2026 is brought to you by these faith-based health and human service organizations: CHHSM (UCC), AQORD (Mennonite and Quaker), Methodist Ministries Network, and PAHSA (Presbyterian).
Register for The Gathering Today!
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Nollau Leadership Institute Class of 2026-27 Enrollment
The Council for Health & Human Service Ministries (CHHSM)
1st Retreat: May 18-22, 2026
2nd Retreat: October 5–9, 2026
CHHSM Annual Gathering: March 15-19, 2027
The Nollau Leadership Institute is CHHSM's signature program with more than 300 attendees in its 20+ years. Enrollment is open, and the short online application can be found here. We invite you to make plans to participate in next year's class by registering now. A limited number of tuition scholarships are available to help offset the cost of the program.
Grounded in the health and human service organizations of the United Church of Christ, this program offers a unique space in which to experience leadership formation. Each year, Nollau brings together a community of leaders committed to creating a just, caring, and compassionate world. Cultivating this connection between others, the world, and within themselves is the heart of the Nollau experience.
Through retreats, online interactions, and peer mentoring, this program supports leadership formation through a variety of learning modalities and within a community of practice. The use of rituals, art, poetry, embodiment, and time to simply be in nature are all part of the program, alongside the interactive didactic sessions. You can learn more about the curriculum here.
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Details:
The program consists of two in-person retreats at Bellwether Farm, online interactions in between the retreats, and an additional day of programming at the 2027 CHHSM Annual Gathering, which includes the commissioning of the class as Diakonal Ministers.
2026-27 Schedule:
1st Retreat: May 18-22, 2026
2nd Retreat: October 5–9, 2026
CHHSM Annual Gathering: March 15-19, 2027
Location Information:
Retreat Center: Bellwether Farm, 4655 SR-60, Wakeman, OH 44889
Annual Gathering: Location to be announced in March 2026.
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YOUTH VOICES: BOLD FAITH
Apply to be part of a UCC Youth-Centered Week of Advocacy in Washington, D.C.
High school students who will complete 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in Summer 2026
Washington, D.C. on June 14 - June 19, 2026
Registration Cost: $250 (includes lodging, ground transportation, meals, and programming)
Are you ready to make your voice heard? Join the United Church of Christ in Washington, D.C. for Youth Voices: Bold Faith, a week-long immersion in faith-based advocacy, justice, and community. Together, we’ll explore how our faith calls us to speak truth to power, stand up for what’s right, and work toward a world where all can thrive. Click here to learn more.
Applications are live! The deadline to apply is Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 9 pm. Review of applications will begin February 23, 2026, and applicants will be notified by February 27, 2026. The $250.00 payment and registration for accepted applicants will be due by March 27, 2026. Apply online here.
Please feel free to reach out to the Network of Wider Church Youth Ministries at nowcymucc@gmail.com with any questions or for more information.
You can also join an information session via Zoom on Sunday, January 25, at 6:00 pm CT. Join via this link.
Topic: Information Session for Summer of Advocacy 2026 Youth Applicants
Time: Jan 25, 2026 @ 6 PM CT(US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 813 0250 4495
Passcode: BoldFaith
Please note:
Travel logistics and cost to get to and from Washington, D.C. are the responsibility of accepted applicants. Upon arrival in Washington, D.C., chaperones and adult supervision will be provided by the Network of Wider Church Youth Ministries and the UCC Office of Public Policy and Advocacy. NOWCYM will also work with accepted applicants to connect with their local church, association, and conference to support attendance.
Due to the limited size of the group that the UCC Office of Public Policy and Advocacy can accommodate, participants will be selected through an application process. Priority will be given to older high school students, especially those in grades 11 & 12.
| | Conference/Local Church News & Events | | |
First Congregational Church of Naperville's Pursuit of Historic Landmark Status
Naperville’s Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to recommend landmark status for the First Congregational Church of Naperville.
Founded in 1833, two years after Naperville was established, First Congregational is the oldest church in DuPage County, the oldest Congregational church in northern Illinois, and the first church in Naperville to seek landmark status for its historic building. Its past and current members include people who have made significant contributions to the city and have been active in social justice causes.
It is situated at the intersection of Benton Avenue and Center Street in downtown Naperville, on land donated by Captain Morris Sleight in 1845. The original frame structure was replaced in 1906 by the limestone sanctuary.
The sanctuary building offers a distinguished example of Gothic Revival with limestone and 27 stained-glass windows crafted by local artisans. Over the 119 years, it has been more than a place of worship — it has served as a cornerstone for civic engagement, compassion, and community in downtown Naperville.
The decision to seek landmark status reflects the congregation’s commitment to preserve its heritage and honor its architectural beauty, rich history, and ongoing mission as a love and justice congregation. The church remains an active and welcoming faith community, offering outreach, education, and support to Naperville residents and beyond.
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A Personal Ministry: Helping UCC Churches Reduce Electric Costs and Improve Light Quality
~ Sanctuary lighting before ~ Sanctuary lighting after
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Steve Jones, currently a member of First Congregational Church of Naperville, helps UCC churches (including Tower Hill) with lighting issues as part of his personal ministry.
He is a lifelong Congregationalist who has made it his personal ministry to help churches reduce electric costs and improve light quality through changing and upgrading lighting.
His education and background are in electrical and industrial engineering, occupational safety and ergonomics. He currently lives and works in Naperville, IL, where he is a Global Ergonomist for a large local company.
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Starting with his home church in Naugatuck, Connecticut, he has relamped every church he has attended over the last 25 years, and now a few more by invitation. He has just completed his 20th church and Tower Hill upgrade and is willing to help any church that needs his advice or labor.
Click here for a detailed document of the benefits of upgrading lighting, and Steve’s contact information if your church is interested in learning more about what his ministry can do to shine more light on your UCC church.
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Clergy Support Group
Virtual Meeting on Fourth Thursdays of the month
9 to 10:30 am
Advocate Health Care
Aurora Health Care
Faith and Health Partnerships
Clergy are invited to this safe space for professional, spiritual, and psychological support. Receive encouragement, guidance, and answers to issues currently being faced. Group facilitators create an environment for dialogue and focus on being solution-driven. For more information and to register, contact Lashondria Purnell at lashondria.purnell@aah.org.
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Let's Talk Teams - Mastermind! 2026 Workshop
2nd Monday of each month at 1 pm CT
Advocate Health Care
Aurora Health Care
Advocate Health, Midwest Region
Faith communities rely on volunteers, committees, and teams to accomplish their goals. Does anyone feel like it's harder than ever to make this work?
Everyone who is a part of a team, leads a team, and/or organizes teams is invited to join these calls. This group is a supportive community where we brainstorm, collaborate, share insights, provide feedback, and support each other's growth and success.
Register Here
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NCCC Offers Free Toolkit for Congregations Offering Immigration Support
National Council of Churches
With recent increases in immigration enforcement activities, many in our communities are feeling heightened fear and uncertainty. As people of faith, we are called to respond with compassion, courage, and care.
Our Congregational Immigration Response Toolkit provides practical, ready-to-use resources to help your congregation support immigrant neighbors. Inside, you’ll find:
Talking points for faith leaders
Worship and liturgical materials
Scripture references rooted in justice and welcome
Concrete steps your community can take right now
This toolkit is designed to support you in worship, study, advocacy, and community action—anytime, and especially now.
Click HERE to download the toolkit.
Click HERE for the Spanish version.
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Summer Academy at Georgetown University
2026 Center on Faith and Justice Summer Academy, Washington, D.C.
June 14-18, 2026
We are currently accepting applications for our 2026 Faith and Justice Summer Academy. At a moment when authoritarian movements are gaining ground and democratic norms are eroding both at home and abroad, we believe that moral and courageous faith leadership is needed more than ever.
Since 2022, the Center on Faith and Justice has run a Summer Academy designed specifically for pastors, seminarians, graduate students, and those serving in ministry at the intersection of faith and public life. The program equips participants with a faith-based vision and practical skills for effective civic engagement, advocacy, and nonviolent civil resistance. It serves as a bridge between academic theology and public prophetic witness, bringing together participants from diverse traditions and Christian theologies.
The Faith + Justice Certificate Program equips graduate students, seminarians, pastors, and faith leaders with the moral vision and practical skills to engage their faith in civic life and lead their communities in the work of justice. Combining formative content from classroom lectures, workshops, and guest speakers with congressional meetings on Capitol Hill and other experiences in the D.C. area, the certificate program constitutes a transformative, immersive experience that supplements academic learning and faith praxis.
This in-person summer academy occurs June 14 -18, 2026. The program cost is $3000, which includes all meals, lodging, and activities.
For more information about the Summer Academy, including how to apply, please visit the Academy website: https://www.faithandjusticeacademy.com/.
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Supercharge Your Congregations’ Communications: Media Training for Church Leaders
The Damascus Project
Zoom on Tuesdays, February 3, 10, 17, 24, and March 3, 2026, 6:30-8 pm CT
We live in an “attention” economy in which media communication deeply matters. Yet our UCC congregations often lack basic education and training in how to meaningfully engage 21st-century media tools for communication.
This Media Training Course will equip church leaders, staff, and volunteers with the tools and confidence they need to share the church’s message of faith and hope effectively. The course covers topics such as media messaging, maximizing electronic and print communication, social media content creation, websites and digital storytelling, and online safety.
The course meets via Zoom on Tuesdays February 3, 10, 17, 24 and March 3, 2026, 6:30-8:00 pm CT. Thanks to grant funding, the Damascus Project can offer the course to lay people and clergy leaders at $50 per registrant, an incredible value.
Learn more and register here
The Damascus Project is the regional theological education ministry of the Minnesota and Wisconsin Conferences, United Church of Christ.
| Leading with Spirit - Meg Wheatley | A Six-Session Online Course with Meg Wheatley & Cameron Trimble Begins February 5, 2026 · Every Other Thursday · Live on Zoom * "The true professional is a person whose action points beyond his or herself to that underlying reality, that hidden wholeness, on which we all can rely." | | | |
2026
Boundary and Racial Justice
Trainings
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Healthy Conflict for Strong Churches
Enkei Resolutions
February 25, 2026
10 am - 2 pm CT via Zoom
Conflict is required for new growth to happen, and not something to be avoided. This four-hour workshop is for leaders who want to engage in conflict to build strong communities and foster growth. Participants will leave with tools and resources for building a healthy conflict culture. Email dweible@enkei-resolutions.com to inquire about discount pricing for multiple leaders
from the same church.
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Ordinations, Installations, and Ecclesiastical Councils
Feb 1: Service of Installation for Rev. Ramona Gant. 2:30 pm at First Congregational UCC in Downers Grove. Fox Valley Association.
Meetings
Jan 26: EA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:30 am via Zoom.
Jan 26: FVA Council Meeting, 6:30 pm via Zoom.
Feb 2: CMA Cluster 6 Meeting. 7:00 pm via Zoom.
Feb 5: PA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:00 am via Zoom.
Feb 11: Outdoor Ministries Committee Meeting. 9:30 am via Zoom.
Feb 12: FVA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:00 am via Zoom.
Feb 12: CMAA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 12:00 pm via Zoom.
Feb 14: Conference HR Meeting. 9:30 am via Zoom.
Feb 15: WA Council Meeting. 3:30 pm via Zoom.
Feb 16: EA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:30 am via Zoom.
Feb 17: Finance Committee Meeting. 9:00 am via Zoom.
Feb 17: WA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:00 am via Zoom.
Feb 17: CMA Council Meeting. 6:30 pm via Zoom.
Feb 19: EA Council Meeting. 6:30 pm via Zoom.
Feb 21: CMA Cluster 2 Meeting. 9:00 am at Pastores Brunch.
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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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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.
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