July 10, 2026

Did someone forward you this email? Sign up here!

Got news to post in Faithful Fridays? Send it here!

If your newsletter is clipped by your email service you won't see the complete newsletter unless you click the link at the very end of the message to view Outdoor Ministries, Local Churches, Resources, Learning Opportunities, Calendar and Employment Opportunities.

IL Conference Annual Celebration & TPIRC Educational Summit

November 5–7, 2026

Covenant United Church of Christ in South Holland, IL


Our community will gather under the inspiring theme, Hope, Spring Eternal, from November 5–7, 2026, at Covenant United Church of Christ in South Holland, Illinois, for a meaningful time together rooted in fellowship and connection. This weekend is a beautiful opportunity to reconnect, share collaborative meals, including a Friday evening social at the Serbian Social Center, and share in powerful worship featuring keynote speaker, General Minister and President/CEO Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, and Saturday guest preacher, Rev. Tyler Yost from Church of Peace, Rock Island, IL.


This gathering also serves as a dedicated place for education and professional growth. The event kicks off on Thursday, November 5th, with specialized pre-conference workshops including a free Grant Writing session with Dr. Mariann Jordan. Boundary Training is also available as well as Committee on Ministry training. The learning continues through Friday afternoon with dynamic, insightful workshops designed to equip and inspire leaders for your church ministries.


Registration will be opening next week! Watch your email for more information about the event. There is a 50% early bird discount for folks that register by August 31st. 

Photo/video used with permission from: LWF/Mas Ciudadanos via ACT Alliance

Venezuela Earthquake - United Church of Christ

On June 24, 2026, two earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck northern Venezuela. Significant damage has been reported across northern Venezuela, including the capital city Caracas and the government of Venezuela has declared a state of emergency.


Immediate impacts include loss of shelter, infrastructure, disruption of basic services, and psychosocial distress. Long-term impacts are expected to include prolonged displacement and loss of livelihoods. Please give now.

UCC History, Polity & Theology

Convergence

On-demand course with

Quarterly Zoom sessions


This on-demand course examines the historical development and structural polity of the United Church of Christ. It spends time focusing on the emerging UCC and gives students a chance to explore social justice, world missions, ecumenism, and new and renewing congregational ministry within the UCC. All course content is available on demand and quarterly Zoom gatherings are available for students to process their learning in a facilitated setting.


Enroll today.

HISTORY


Origins, development, significant documents, major events, important persons in the four historic constituent traditions (i.e. African American, Pacific Islander/Asian American)


Founding of the United Church of Christ


Developments in the UCC from 1957 to the present

THEOLOGY


Foundational theological documents and texts (i.e. Statement of Faith, pronouncements of General Synod, etc.)


Emphasis on “testimonies of the deeds of God rather than on tests of faith”


Worship resources (e.g., Book of Worship, New Century Hymnal, etc.)

POLITY/GOVERNANCE


Covenantal polity as a reflection of God’s covenant of grace


Constituent expressions of the UCC as described in the national Constitution and By-Laws


Past and present structures of the United Church of Christ

PLUS, Topics on Ministry and Ethos


Rev. Dr. Audrey Price

This on demand History & Polity course has been designed and facilitated by Rev. Dr. Audrey Price. Dr. Price is the Associate Director of the Religion & Society Program at the Washington DC-based Aspen Institute. Previously she served as the first Executive Minister for Strategic Operations of the Southern New England Conference

Good Trouble Lives On * Weekend of Action * July 17-19, 2026 |Teach! Reach! Preach!

National Council of Churches: We're witnessing a Jim-Crow era effort from politicians and their billionaire friends to restrict our freedoms and silence Black and Brown communities to consolidate their power.


In remembrance of the late Congressman John Lewis, hundreds of thousands are expected to engage in “Good Trouble Lives On” July 17–19, a national, nonviolent, nonpartisan weekend of action to resist threats to the right to vote.

New book from one of our Colectivo UCC familia: Interpreting the Amistad Trials: How Interpreters and Translators Make and Shape History


Through this case study, Jeanette Zaragoza de León, an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ (UCC), retells the well-known nineteenth-century story of the Amistad from the view of the interpreters and translators, showing how essential they were to the events of the case.


Click on the website. Consider purchasing the book.

Request that your local and/or University library orders the book for its collection. Many libraries acquire most books based on request.

Forward this email or post a link to the book on social media and recommend this book to a friend or colleague.

Email Jeanette Zaragoza de León when you use this book in a class – if it works out, she would be happy to Zoom in to answer questions from students.

Create a book event or lecture invitation. Email Jeanette Zaragoza de León to let her know that you want to plan an event at your institution or at your favorite bar or cafe. Nowthere are is one in New Haven, on June 6; and two in Philadelphia, July 17 and 19.

Plan a Church World Service (CWS) Cleanup Bucket Kit Party to Help Flooded Communities

Invitation and Thank you from Rev. Roger Dart,

Illinois Conference Disaster Response Coordinator


While Illinois set a new record for tornadoes in a single year, our state has set an even larger weather-related disaster record with the most flooding.


With changes in the climate, these larger amounts of rain occur more frequently and overwhelms our drainage systems, which in turn, causes more frequent flooding of our basements and businesses. Next, there is an immediate demand for cleanup materials! 

This creates a heavy demand for the CWS cleanup bucket kits, as it requires at least two bucket kits to thoroughly remove flood debris from a basement.  

To make the assembly of these kits quick and easy, CWS has introduced the "Party Pack" program. They offer a pallet loaded with every item (including the buckets) needed to assemble thirty-six (36) bucket kits for $2,160. That figure includes delivery of the pallet to your location at a considerable savings.


No trips to Lowe's, The Home Depot, or Jewel stores! 

Just order a Party Pack, identify a location, invite volunteers!  Click here for the details.


That's a large amount of money, so consider getting together with other congregations, do some short-term fundraising, pool the funds and order one of the pallets.  


A four-hour "Bucket Party" will also strengthen your UCC church community. This could be a great "Rally Day" project with which to launch your church year. Also a great project for your youth group...


After you've held your "Bucket Party", the kits can be delivered to one of several local UCC churches that serve as collection centers, from which CWS then does a quarterly pick-up.

Seven-Part Summer 2026 Webinar Series - Thriving Beyond the “Traditional” Ministry & Rest as a Leadership Practice

The Pension Boards-United Church of Christ, Inc.

July 10 - August 31, 2026 @ 2 pm CT

This seven-part summer webinar series begins in June and continues twice each month through August.


For additional details about each summer session, scan the QR code above or

click here.


Dates and topics of the remaining sessions:


Session 5: August 5

Leadership Skills

Session 6: August 19

Money & Ministry

Session 7: August 31

Employer Support

Session 4: July 28

2:00 pm CT


Sustainable Investing

Clergy and lay leaders increasingly seek alignment between their faith commitments and their financial decisions.


This session is suitable for Younger clergy and lay workers, justice‑minded leaders, and mid‑career ministry professionals


Topics Include

Sustainable investing, ESG, and justice-oriented retirement planning.


Register Now.

Session 3: July 16

2:00 pm CT


Mid-career Check

What’s Working, What’s Not, and What Needs to Change Now


This session is suitable for mid-career clergy & lay employees ages 45+.


Topics Include

Mid‑career pressures

Competing life demands

Recalibration indicators

Participants will

Name core stressors

Assess energy drains

Clarify next steps


Register Now.

Don’t Throw That Away:

Why Archiving Our History Matters!

The United Church of Christ

July 30, 2026

2:30 - 3:30 pm CT


We all know there is one room in a church filled with memories – from documents to old hymnals to whatever item found its way there and we know the temptation to throw it all way! 


Church records span the entire history of your church, and no matter the age, are important to be preserved. But knowing what to preserve can be daunting work, especially if those with institutional knowledge have moved on.


Join the Congregational Library & Archives' archivists Billy McCarthy and Zachary Bodnar for a program focused on the first tangible steps a church can take to begin organizing their existing records and ensuring the long-term preservation of the records they produce today.


Register here.

Faith, Leadership, and Organizing for This Moment

The United Church of Christ

July 16, 2026

2:30 - 3:30 pm CT

How do faith leaders, organizers, nonprofits, congregations, and community advocates sustain themselves while responding to the urgent challenges of this moment? Join Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker from the Center for Faith Lived Organizing for a timely dialogue exploring how today's social, political, spiritual, and community realities are shaping new approaches to leadership, organizing, public theology, and transformative community engagement.

The ABS Antoinette Brown Society Clergywomen Leadership Gathering

StateView Hotel in Raleigh, NC

September 29 - October 2, 2026 


AAWIM African American Women in Ministry Gathering

Franklinton Center at Bricks, hour+ north of Raleigh

September 30 - October 3, 2026 


The theme is “Rooted, Restored, and Rising”; planning in collaboration with African American Women in Ministry, the Antoinette Brown Society gathers to embrace:



  • Identifying Ministry Opportunities 
  • Prioritizing the Relationships, Rest, and Resources necessary for the journey
  • Cultivating a standard of Excellence that honors our calling in every season


ABS is intentionally expanding their reach this year to include licensed and lay authorized ministers, and partner with COREM groups to engage the fullness of ministry in the UCC. Click links for: ABS registration link. More information link.


Registration for the AAWIM gathering will be available soon.


Please email your questions or to request scholarship support at barbert@ucc.org.

Get Vote Ready!

Get the NCC Voter Empowerment Guide & Toolkit


Click the Voter Empowerment Guide to learn more about the purpose of the guide, how to use it, and to download a copy for yourself.


Get your congregation fully engaged by clicking Your Vote, Your Voice Voter Toolkit to access editable templates for church bulletins, social media, and church announcements. 

January 2027 Delegation Update

UCC Movement for Palestinian Solidarity 

with Partners at the Sabeel Ecumenical

Liberation Theology Center in Palestine

January 20 - 29, 2027 

 

This delegation is a response to the urgent cry for ‘costly solidarity’ coming from Palestinian Christians and 

partners in the region. We’d hoped to travel together this August 5-14, but were unable to due to the US/Israeli assault on Iran and Lebanon. 

Relying on the extensive experience of our Sabeel partners, we’re confident that we’ll be able to travel next January. And we’re ready to move in that direction. 

QUICK UDATE / What you can do now: 

1. Register here! Please register AGAIN if you registered for the August 2026 delegation. 

2. Share the word! Click here for the complete January 2027 Delegation Update.

3. Calendar our “Moment of Truth” dates for conversation and connection among delegations on September 24, October 8 and 22 at 7-8 pm CT.


Click on Links: SABEEL IN PALESTINE and/or FOSNA (Friends of Sabeel in North America)


Questions? Contact Dave Grishaw-Jones, Delegation Team Convener, davidgj@ccdurham.org, 831-706-6819. 

Facing Local Church Challenges Today

Association of Interim Ministers (AIM) 

Retreat / Conference

September 30 - October 1, 2026

Pilgrim Park Camp and Conference Center

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


Save this date! The 2026 AIM Retreat will focus on bringing the skills of trained intentional Interim Ministers to smaller churches in transition. 


Rev. Eric Quinney-Burnard, our presenter, has experience inspiring local church leaders to lead their congregations in growth. This allows a single Interim Minister to consult with multiple congregations that would otherwise not be able to afford this informed guidance.


Attendees will leave with an in-depth understanding of what challenges our local churches face today, the problems they pose, and practical pastoral responses to them. This event is intended to enrich the lives of all clergy, as well as lay leaders and anyone involved with church ministry.


Contact Rev. Tom Cici.

Run with Purpose. Join Team CWS!

2026 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon

Saturday, November 7, 2026


Church World Service is proud to be an official charity partner of the 2026 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon on November 7, 2026. Through Team CWS, participants can run either the Half Marathon or Full Marathon while raising funds to support CWS programs around the world and the local work of CWS Indianapolis.


Team CWS runners receive a racing singlet or t-shirt, coaching support from Olympic Trials qualifier Evan Gaynor, access to a private race-day tent, a pre-race team meal, and fundraising support from CWS staff.


Learn more and register: Half Marathon or Full Marathon

Download flyer here.

2027 Mission Trip Calendar

"It is always a joy to "come home" to BBM! Jesus' mandate to love God and love our neighbor is lived out day after day in so many ways at BBM. The staff are near and dear to our hearts as you continue to live the mission. Blessings of the season!"

Click here to Follow ILUCC on Facebook

Click here to see lots of ILUCC vidoes on YouTube

Click here to see the pictures and posts on Instagram

Outdoor Ministries

Flamy Grant Lakeside Lodge Concert

Tower Hill Camp

Thursday, August 6, 2026 

Doors 6:30 / Show 7:00 pm


The shame-slaying, chart-topping drag queen singer/songwriter brings her sparkle to Sawyer, MI for a one-of-a-kind concert!


The concert will be in Edwards Lodge; guides will be on site to direct you where to park upon arrival. Space is limited; please purchase one ticket per person. Tickets are pay-what-you-can ($25 suggested donation). Very light refreshments will be available. Guests are welcome to BYOB.


FLAMY GRANT

This isn’t your average singer-songwriter with a guitar. Flamy serves award-winning songs, eye-popping style, and open-hearted stories in one extraordinary evening that will set your soul ablaze. Expect blistering vocals that soar as high as her wig, laugh-out-loud anecdotes from a recovering evangelical, and vivacious energy that only a Billboard-charting drag queen can deliver.


Get your ticket here.

2026 Season Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center


  • Godstock Camp July 19-24, completed 3rd-9th grade, $550 Directors: Jamie Kirscher and Theresa Graben. Godstock is a week-long camp where youth can make life-long friendships while connecting with nature and their faith. Activities: campfires, sports, games, beach time, archery, worship, and more.
  • Godstock Tenderfoot, July 22-24, completed K-3rd grade, $330 Directors: Cindy and Allen White. Campers will engage in activities both with and separate from the larger Godstock campers. Activities: crafts, games, beach time, worship and more.
  • Brush Harbor Retreat for Clergy of Color, October 1-3, $250/person Retreat Leader: Eyvette Jones-Johnson. As Clergy, you constantly pour into others; our job is to pour into you. Come to connect deeply with your peers surrounded by the healing power of nature. Learn, write, release, and laugh out loud! Give yourself the gift of renewal and remembrance.  Participant registration

Creation Care Camp

Tower Hill Camp

August 3 - 6 , 2026

2026 Creation Care Camp Teaser Trailer

2026 Creation Care Camp Flyer

Questions? Contact creationcareilucc@fccge.org


Register here or by scanning the QR code above.


Use discount code: CreationCareKid

The Great Lakes Creation Collaborative Retreat 2026

At Waters’ Edge: Sacred Relations

United Church of Christ & United Church of Canada

August 23 at 4 pm to August 25 at 11 am

Five Oaks Retreat Centre

1 Bethel Rd, Paris, ON, CANADA N3L 3E3


The Great Lakes Collaborative (GLC) is a network of people from all of the UCC Conferences that touch on a Great Lake, as well as our partners in the United Church of Canada. 


The focus is on creation care, especially the sustainability and care of the Great Lakes and other bodies of freshwater. This is the GLC’s 4th Annual Event and the first one hosted by the United Church of Canada. 


For more information:

Kathy Douglas, kathymdouglas@hotmail.com, cell: 519 441 0656 (Canada) or

Lisa Hart, Lhart@wcucc.org, cell: 608-438-1571 (US)


Register here.

Local Church News & Events

The First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn Invites you to Dinner and a Play

by the Violet Surprise Theater

535 Forest Ave, Glen Ellyn, IL

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at6:30 pm


Written by Lauren Gunderson, The Revolutionists "is a hysterical and historical (or, more accurately, herstorical) play that invites audiences to experience the French Revolution from a female perspective. So don’t pardon our French. Pardon our Frenchwomen and their très merciless treatment during the Reign of Terror." ~ Violet Surprise Theater.


The Revolutionists will be dramatized by Violet Surprise Theatre, whose mission is to vibrantly validate the voices of women.


Buy tickets here. or use the QR code above.

Rev. Christopher Grundy in Free Concert at St. Paul's UCC to Celebrate 150 years

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Concert at 5 – 6 pm CT, meal follows


St. Paul's United Church of Christ (40W720 Plank Road, Elgin, IL) invites you their church in Elgin on Saturday, July 18, 2026. This free concert and community meal is hosted by our 150th Anniversary Fund.


The all ages event will feature songwriter Christopher Grundy leading us in songs of faith, love, and justice. Following the concert, guests can enjoy a free meal of hotdogs, chips, and popsicles. Gluten-free options available.


An optional Diaper Drive will support St. Paul's Diaper Ministry. Diapers sizes 1 - 6 gratefully accepted. 


Click for information or call St. Paul's at 847-628-6118. Click to download poster.

Free Concert and Lecture: "The Lost Birds: An Extinction Elegy" by Christopher Tin at First Federated Church in Peoria

Sunday, July 26, 2026

Lecture at 3:30 pm and Concert at 4 pm CT


First Federated Church of Peoria (3601 N Sheridan Rd, Peoria, IL), in partnership with the Sierra Club and Audubon Society, invites you to a professional concert dedicated to climate change awareness, featuring the music of Christopher Tin under the direction of Dr. Cory Boulton and performed by an ensemble of professional musicians from around the country.


The Lost Birds is a choral song cycle written in response to the ongoing extinction of bird species across the globe, a loss driven by human activity and felt across entire ecosystems. Tin's score draws on texts in multiple languages, weaving together grief, beauty, and urgent witness into a single sustained musical elegy.


Admission is free with a love offering being received in support of environmental change efforts. Please support one of our Western Association churches as well as an important environmental justice issue.

Resources & Learning Opportunities

Revolution 250th Anniversary Resource Guide - Congregational Library & Archives

Congregationalists played an active part in the American Revolution, on both sides of the conflict. We have gathered together a range of primary and secondary source resources for you to use to better understand this important event in our nation’s history.

July is Minority Mental Health

Awareness Month

Advocate/Aurora Health Care


For many people, faith and spirituality are important sources of comfort and advocacy when navigating mental health concerns. Churches and faith communities can serve as places of belonging, support, and encouragement, helping individuals find strength during difficult seasons.


By showing compassion, listening well, and reaching out to those who may be struggling, we reflect God's love in tangible ways. Meaningful connections and caring conversations can foster healing, hope, and even save lives. Click here to download a list of resources.

Environmental Justice Program

Pathways Theological Education

Beginning in August 2026


The PATHWAYS Environmental Justice Program equips participants with the tools to engage in environmental justice work in their own communities. Consisting of 17 courses in three levels (Comprehending, Applying, Synthesizing), this program invites participants to encounter the planet’s devastation and move towards its healing. Email the Registrar for more information and questions about the certificate. See the details here.


The PATHWAYS Environmental Justice Program continues a 50-year commitment by the United Church of Christ (UCC) to seeking environmental justice.

The Commons

A Community of Practice for Faith in Public Life

Convergence


At its heart, The Commons is a Community of Practice. That means we come together around shared concerns and commitments, not to posture or perform, but to learn alongside one another.


Over time, through conversation, collaboration, and shared work, we deepen our understanding and expand our capacity to respond faithfully to the challenges before us—whether in congregations, denominational systems, or the wider world. Visit


GatherAtTheCommons.com to learn more and sign up today. Join The Commons here.

Child Protection Policies Webinar

Practical Resources for Churches (PRC)

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 1 pm CT


Move beyond a simple "checklist" approach to compliance, equipping ministry leaders, pastors, and Christian educators with the practical tools needed to construct, implement, and use their safe church policy. 

The session focuses heavily on a multi-layered approach to safety, breaking it down into actionable strategies.



Register here.

In God We Trust: The Origins of Christian Nationalism

Friendship Press


This new publication is a sweeping exploration of the historical, theological, and cultural roots of Christian Nationalism in the United States and beyond. Drawing on scripture, history, and contemporary voices, In God We Trust challenges readers to confront the dangers of merging religious identity with national destiny. Author Jimmie R. Hawkins advocates for the recovery of a prophetic Christianity that transcends political boundaries, an authentic faith rooted in justice, humility, and love.


Download free sample.

Ships September 1, 2026: Pre-Order here.

The Japanese word, Enkei, means “view to the future.” At Enkei Resolutions we seek to span obstacles that will help you reach the future you envision

2026 Racial Justice Training

Level 1 Racial Justice Training training is a prerequisite to register for Level 2. If you took the Level 1 training with Diane Weibel, she has that information on file. If you took it with another organization, please send her proof of completion.


Level 1 Racial Justice Training Information

August 24 & 26

Level 1 Racial Justice Training Registration

Level 2 Racial Justice Training will use the “Respect and Affirmation” section of Rev. DaVita McAllister’s TARASC spectrum to explore systemic racism and areas of work that require attention to respect and affirm all people.


Level 2 Racial Justice Training Information

Dates: August 11 & 18; September 29 and October 13

Level 2 Racial Justice Training Registration

                                    Interested in COP Group for Entrepreneurs?

Are you an entrepreneur serving in a specialized ministry unrelated to chaplaincy or local church ministry and looking to gather with others for support and accountability? I want to create a Communities of Practice group for those for whom local church ministry or chaplain groups do not fit their specialized ministries. If interested, email me at dweible@enkei-resolutions.com. The yearly facilitation cost will be $350 for 10 sessions and have scholarships for those who do not have funding available from other sources.


 

Healthy Conflict Workshop

October 20, 6 to 10 am CT via Zoom


The Healthy Conflict for Strong Churches workshop looks at the anxiety our systems are facing, invites curiosity as to what that anxiety might be stirring for us, and offers healthy conflict practices that can further our mission and ministry.


This workshop will focus on embodied practices, tools and resources that church leaders may use to create strong teams that can not only address conflict in their leadership body in a healthy way but then use that conflict to engage the change and transformation.


Cost is $65/person and a reduced rate of $30/person is offered for churches sending three or more people. Register here. If you plan to register three or more from the same church, email me for a special registration link.


2026 Boundary and Racial Justice Trainings

All trainings are spread out over two days from 7 to 11 am CT each day


Here are the remaining 2026 training dates and registration links. There are still openings but register soon. Registration closes when limits are reached.


Boundary Training

Dates: September 8 & 9; November 5 & 12; November 17 & 18

Register here.


Level 1 Racial Justice Training

Dates: August 24 & 26; October 27 & 28

Register here.


Level 2 Racial Justice Training

Dates: August 11 & 18; September 29 and October 13

Register here.


Please note: You must fill out BOTH the registration form and complete payment to register. After filling out the form, the link to pay will pop up. Many of the trainings fill up long before the deadline to register and if I have not received both a registration form and a payment, I will offer your space to someone on the waitlist. If you register and do not attend, I can move your registration to another training but cannot offer a full refund. Up until 1 week before the training, I can refund your fee (minus processing fees).

Stewardship Webinars

Wisconsin Conference UCC

6:30pm to 7:30pm -(not recorded)



Aug. 26 – Narrative Budgets

A narrative budget translates the line items of a traditional budget into a story of how your congregation makes a difference in the world. It can be a helpful tool for a stewardship campaign or annual meeting. By telling the story of our congregations’ impact, we can inspire generosity in our donors. Rev. Chad Tanaka Pack of the Southern California Nevada Conference will lead the presentation. Register here.


Sept. 23 – Gen Z and Generosity

Most churches can have up to five generations of people present in them. Studies show that there is a diversity in the way generations approach generosity. A “one size fits all” approach to engaging givers will fall short if it does not account for those differences. Join Rev. Bonnie Bates in a conversation about generational variety in giving patterns with a particular focus on reaching members of Gen Z. Register here.


Oct. 28 – Thanking People

Gratitude is one of the most powerful stewardship practices. Thoughtful and sincere thank-yous deepen donor relationships and express appreciation that builds trust, loyalty, and long-term support. Join Rev. Ruth Edens in a discussion about strategies to show every donor that they are valued and inspired to give again. Register here.

2026 Stewardship & Generosity Materials - UCC Stewardship Theme Materials

2026 Stewardship / Generosity Materials - Coordinated stewardship materials for your congregation's annual stewardship efforts with the same robust content you’ve come to expect in an easier-to-navigate format. Rooted in Jesus’ teaching from Matthew 6, this theme reframes stewardship not as performance or obligation, but as the quiet, courageous work of placing everything we have in God’s care.


 The materials include:

·     Campaign guidance for every step of a year-round or seasonal effort.

·     Eight scripture-based sermon reflections and worship liturgies written by trusted theologians and church leaders.

·     Eight corresponding Bible studies for small group use.

·     Branding kit including logos, pledge cards, posters, bulletin inserts, and letters (including Canva templates for many of these materials).

The Black Madonna

Sacred Wisdom for a World in Crisis

Convergence

Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 6 – 8 pm CT

Online via Zoom (recording will be available)


A Conversation Series with Rev. Dr. Matthew Fox, Christena Cleveland, PhD., Alessandra Belloni, and Cameron Trimble


Register here.

Across centuries and cultures, the Black Madonna has appeared as a sacred presence among people living through upheaval, grief, oppression, and profound social change. She has been honored as a symbol of healing, protection, liberation, wisdom, and fierce compassion.


Today, as many wrestle with political instability, ecological collapse, spiritual disorientation, racial injustice, and the exhaustion of old religious frameworks, interest in the Black Madonna is rising once again.


What might this sacred figure be inviting us to see, remember, and become?

2026 Annual Environment and Spirituality Summit on Zoom

Attend the 2026 Annual Environment & Spirituality Summit hosted by Faith in Place, where thought leaders and participants delve into the critical intersection of environmental sustainability, spiritual practices, and social justice.


Featuring keynote speaker, Bill McKibben: author, educator, and environmentalist who helped found 350.org, the first global grassroots climate campaign, and who has recently helped found Third Act, to build a progressive organizing movement for people over the age of 60.


All sessions will be available online. We will send out details on how to join via Zoom the day before the Summit starts.


View Agenda here. Register here.

Calendar At a Glance

Meetings

Jul 11: Conference HR Meeting. 9:30 am via Zoom. 

Jul 13: Conference Nominating Meeting. 7:00 pm via Zoom. 

Jul 19: WA Council Meeting. 3:30 pm via Zoom.

Jul 21: Finance Committee Meeting. 9:00 am via Zoom.

Jul 21: WA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:00 am via Zoom.

Jul 21: CMA Council Meeting. 6:30 pm via Zoom.

Jul 27: EA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 11:00 am via Zoom.

Jul 27: FVA Council Meeting. 6:30 pm via Zoom.

Aug 6: Annual Celebration Planning Committee. 4:00 pm via Zoom. 

Employment Opportunities

Northfield Community Church seeks FT Director of Faith Formation position still open

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.

Contact Us

Mon-Fri 8:30 - 4:30

708-344-4470

Facebook  Instagram  YouTube  Email

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.