October 23, 2026

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Just a reminder that time Falls Back one hour next weekend.

The last day of Central Daylight Time is Saturday, October 31

The first day of Central Standard Time is Sunday, November 1

IL Conference Annual Celebration &

TPIRC Educational Summit

November 5–7, 2026

Covenant United Church of Christ

1130 E 154th Street, South Holland, IL 60473

Deadline for registration is October 28, 2026.

Our community will gather from November 5–7, 2026, at Covenant UCC for a meaningful time together rooted in fellowship and connection.

This weekend is a beautiful opportunity to reconnect and share in powerful worship. The guest preacher for opening worship is Rev. Tyler Yost from Church of Peace, Rock Island, IL. The guest preacher for closing worship is UCC General Minister and President/CEO, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson.

The event kicks off on Thursday, November 5th with pre-conference workshops including a free Grant Writing session, Boundary Training ($30), and a free 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 is $100 per person, MIDs are $50, and retired clergy are free. Please note that the Friday banquet is an add on item and not included in the regular registration. The cost for the banquet is $60 per person, discounts do not apply. 

Check out our website for more information about workshops, speakers, meals, lodging and more.

Register online here. Deadline for registration is October 28, 2026.

Illinois Conference Annual Celebration Volunteer Sign-up

November 5–7, 2026

Covenant United Church of Christ

1130 E 154th Street, South Holland, IL 60473

Your help will ensure that everything is ready to welcome participants and create a meaningful experience for all who attend!

Volunteer opportunities may include:

• Setting up registration and welcome areas
• Arranging tables, chairs, and meeting spaces
• Preparing workshop and worship materials
• Assisting with signage and general event logistics
• Helping direct attendees around the building

Whether you are available for a few hours or a larger portion of the day, your support would be greatly appreciated.

If you are willing to help, please click the link here to sign up.

Thank you for sharing your time and gifts to help make our Annual Celebration a success. We could not do this important work without the support of dedicated volunteers like you!

2027 Regional Youth Event

Share & Save the2027 dates!

July 21-24, 2027

St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN

The Great Lakes West Central Regional Youth Event will be held July 21-24, 2027 at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN. Details related to cost and transportation will be available soon! Mark your calendars and share with youth!

Love of Children 2027 Cohort

UCC National Ministries

Apply by November 15, 2026

Applications are now open for UCC National Ministries Love of Children’s 2027 cohort groups! Clergy and non-clergy faith formation leaders serving in UCC churches can choose from a traditional hybrid cohort or one of four virtual cohorts.

Each virtual cohort has its own focus:

• Prayerground Development,
• Faith Formation in Small Churches,
• Faith Formation in Racial & Ethnic Churches, or
• Intergenerational Ministry.

All cohorts are 12 months long and offered at no cost to participants. Apply by November 15, and please share this opportunity with colleagues who may be interested.

Click here for traditional hybrid cohort application and details.

Click here fo virtual cohorts application and details.  

Special Post-Election Conversation for UCC Ministers

Advocates for Love and Religious Freedom

"This is Christianity"

Thursday, November 5, 2026 @ 6 - 7:30 pm CT - Via Zoom: Registration required

The Advocates for Love and Religious Freedom have a project called "This Is Christianity" - which seeks to promote Christianity through the framework of love as an antidote to Christian Nationalism. All UCC clergy are invited.

Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, Pastor of First Congregational United Church of Christ, DeKalb IL, will facilitate it, and guests will be former Executive Director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, the Rev. Barry Lynn and Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, current General Minister and President of the UCC . 

Questions? email Ellen@ALRFInc.org.

Click here to download flyer.

Click to register here or scan QR code above.

Clergy Appreciation Month

Investment Opportunities

UCC Cornerstone Fund

October is Clergy Appreciation Month and the UCC’s Cornerstone Fund is offering an

18-month Clergy Term Note offering 3.85 percent interest to UCC pastors in good standing.

In addition to offering investment opportunities to individuals, the Cornerstone Fund helps local churches and nonprofit organizations create change within their communities through transformative financial products that also offer strong returns.

4th Annual Freedom Concert - Our Story is Ingenuity;

Our Vote is Resistance; Our Future is Becoming

A Just Harvest

Sunday, November 1, 2026

Doors open at 1 pm CT - Showtime at 2 pm CT

White (Willye B.) Park, 1610 E. Howard St., Chicago, IL 60626

Each year, we gather as one community in the fight for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. We invite neighbors of every age to come together for an afternoon of community, connection, and celebration.

Guests will experience inspiring performances, storytelling, and opportunities to engage with the mission of A Just Harvest. Funds raised through the 2026 Freedom Concert will directly support our work to feed the hungry, fight for equity, and build pathways toward economic opportunity.

RSVP here for free admission and receive a complimentary raffle ticket for our Freedom Concert Holiday Giveaway.

Reflective Leadership Grants

Forum for Congregational Life

Duke Divinity School

Applicant Q&A: November 18, 2026, 11–12 pm CT Register here.

The Forum for Congregational Life at Duke Divinity School invites lay and clergy leaders serving Christian, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations in the United States to apply for up to $20,000 to support an intentional process of structured reflection connected to their current organization and ministry. They plan to award up to 50 grants. 

Ideal applicants have made a demonstrable contribution to their organization’s mission and now face an adaptive challenge: a significant opportunity, tension, transition or recurring concern that cannot be resolved through expertise, routine procedures or a technical solution alone.

Grant-supported activities might include:

• Protected time away from ordinary responsibilities, whether through an extended block or recurring shorter periods;

• Listening sessions or facilitated conversations with key stakeholders;

• Professional coaching, spiritual direction or consultation;

• Site visits, conferences and other learning experiences;

• Books and materials related to the leader’s questions;

• New practices or behaviors designed to test emerging learning; and

• Salary support, temporary coverage, childcare or senior care needed to protect the leader’s reflective time.

The Reflective Leadership Grant is not intended to fund a traditional sabbatical, general vacation, academic degree, independent research project, personal career exploration or product-development project. Rest, reading, travel and learning may be included when they support a clearly articulated process of reflective leadership within the applicant’s current organizational context.

Click below for:

Request for Proposal

Application deadline: December 7, 2026, 10:59 pm CT

Budget worksheet

Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center

Executive Director Search

The position is a full-time Executive Director role reporting to the Board of Trustees, with a salary range of $60,000-$70,000, on-site housing available, benefits, and responsibility for overall leadership, staff supervision, property management, finances, fundraising, marketing, programs, and church/community relationships.

Download position description here.

Applications are due December 1, 2026 at edsearch@towerhillcamp.org.

Crafters Retreat

Thursday to Sunday, December 3 -6, 2026

Pilgrim Park

26449 1340 North Ave, Princeton, IL 61356

Only a few of the rooms are left

What a great time to complete your last minute gifts for Christmas. 

Do you quilt? Scrapbook? Crochet/knit? Or do other crafts? No matter what your passion is, enoy the peaceful scenery of Pilgrim park and create your masterpieces at your own pace.

Arrive 3 - 5 pm CT on Thursday to settle in before dinner at 5:30 pm. Plan on heading home on Sunday at 11 am CT after a nourishing breakfast.

Fee: $411/Single Occupancy, $311/Double Occupancy or $297/Triple Occupancy:

Includes three nights lodging, bedding and towels, eight meals and lots of time to do work on your Christmas crafts!

Register here.

Planning Music for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany?

Rev. Dr. Adam Webber, Pastor of the Open Prairie United Church of Christ in Princeton IL, has published a book of 15 new hymns and essays for the Christmas season: Star-Struck by the Stable Gate. The music itself is free, with videos and sheet music available on Adam’s website at adambrookswebber.com. 

About half the hymns in the new collection make explicit references to the Bible stories of Advent, Christmas, or Epiphany; the other half are connected to the Christmas season and to the birth of Jesus. The hymn texts, while distinctively Christian, are largely non-dogmatic.

Wonder.Worship.Witness.

First Congregational Church of Western Springs

1106 Chestnut St

Western Springs, IL 60558-1415

October 23–25, 2026

Come to experience Wonder, Worship, & Witness, and discover how faith, music, and community can inspire us to make a difference in the world.

Rooted in the rich traditions of the Black Church, this weekend will explore the powerful relationship between words, music, and movement—and how our faith can move us toward compassion, dignity, justice, and faithful action in the world.

Dr. Tony McNeill, a worship leader, musician, and clinician, and Rev. Dr. Brad R. Braxton , President of Chicago Theological Seminary, as well as a preacher, theologian, and lecturer will lead Sunday worship on October 25, 2026 at 10 am CT.

There is no fee to attend, and you and your congregation are welcomed to join us for all or any part of Friday and Saturday. Childcare is available, but registration is required.

Download flyer here. Questions? Call 312-371-8061.

Register here.

Strengthening Resilience

in the Face of Trauma

Intergenerational Talk

Church of the Good Shepherd - Kingsley Hall

5700 South Prairie Ave, Chicago

October 24, 2026 @ 9am - 12:30 pm CT

Breakfast is free. 

Join the conversation over breakfast with Adolescents, Young Adults, Families, Community Stakeholders, and organizations impacting the lives of young people, and anyone vested in the care and protection of children in our community.

We will discuss ways that help young people become resilient in the face of traumatic experiences:

• ·The mental health aspects of trauma in youth and young adults
• The role of the church and community leaders in the socio-emotional response to childhood trauma.

The Church of the Good Shepherd will bring together invested stakeholders over breakfast to identify strategies that help families navigate the current toxic environment. Speakers will address the effect of collective, generational, and situational trauma on mental health.

Together we will begin to explore ways to help our young people develop the skills that lead to strengthened resilience. We may not be able to protect young people from experiencing trauma, but we can help them develop tools that will help them safely navigate through these traumatic experiences.

Questions? Call 773-297-5039

Click to download the flyer.

Meet & Greet with New AGM, Rev. Jennifer Sowell

St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Elgin, IL

40W720 Plank Rd, Elgin, IL 60124

Saturday, October 31, 2026 @ 4:20 - 6:30 pm CDT

Sunday Worship, November 1, 2026 @ 9:30 am CST

We invite you to meet our new National Associate General Minister, Love of Church, the Rev. Jennifer Sowell, during her visit to Elgin, Illinois on October 31 to November 1, 2026.

Rev. Sowell will arrive from Cleveland on Saturday afternoon. Though the timing unfortunately coincides with Halloween, we are excited to host a casual drop-in meet‑and‑greet on Saturday, October 31, from 4:30–6:30  pm at St. Paul’s (40W720 Plank Road, Elgin, 60124). Pizza and salad will be served. Come in costume on your way to evening festivities!

You can also join us when Rev. Sowell preaches at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ on Sunday, November 1 at 9:30 am as we celebrate the close of our 150th year and look ahead to the future.

Please RSVP with an email to Sherry at stpauls4me@yahoo.com by October 29.

St. Peter UCC Holiday Craft Fair

Calling All Local Artists & Crafters!

St. Peter UCC

47 Church St, Lake Zurich, 60047

December 5, 2026 @ 10 am–3 pm

Calling for talented local artists, makers, and crafters to join us as vendors for a festive day of holiday shopping and handmade treasures.

Whether you create unique gifts, beautiful artwork, seasonal decor, or handcrafted goods, we’d love to have you be part of our event! Help us make this holiday season extra special by sharing your creativity with our community! Please spread the word to any local makers who might be interested!

Holiday shoppers! – Stop by St. Peter UCC in Lake Zurich on December 5 and enjoy a day of Christmas shopping!

Registration as a Vendor: Interested in becoming a vendor? Sign up here.

Questions? email pastor@stpeterlz.org

Download flyer here.

PBS Documentary Probes Changing Landscape of

U.S. Christianity

Christianity at a Crossroads

Journey Films

This 4-part (4-hour) television series is designed for broadcast on Public Television. Through stories filmed on location across the country and insightful commentary from a range of accomplished speakers, it explores as never before the changing face of Christianity in American life today.

Filmmaker Martin Doblmeier examines the changing churchgoing patterns of American Christians. Christianity at a Crossroads, airing in October on PBS stations, is also available for free from Doblmeier’s company, Journey Films.

"The significant decline in American Christianity and its impact on the national landscape is explored through the journeys of those navigating this change. From church closures and the rise of "The Nones" to the growing impact of immigrant congregations and digital pioneers, this series explores the roots of this foundational shift, and what it implies for the nation's future."

Human Resource Basics for UCC Churches

The Damascus Project

Tuesdays November 3, 10, 17

6:30-8 pm CST



Human Resources Basics for UCC Churches offers a three-week overview of best practices for creating job descriptions and hiring, onboarding, and evaluating staff.

Register here.

Climate Chaplaincy Study Forum

The BTS Center

Tuesdays 1:00 – 12:15pm CST

Something new is taking root at the edges of chaplaincy and the climate crisis — the Climate Chaplaincy Study Forum is a gathering place for those engaged in the tender and necessary work of accompanying people in a world that is changing faster than we know how to process and engage.

The Climate Chaplaincy Study Forum meets throughout the year in 75-minute sessions. Tuesdays 1:00 – 12:15pm CST

November 17, 2026

January 12, 2027 • February 9, 2027 • March 9, 2027

April 13, 2027 • May 11, 2027 • June 8, 2027

Hosted by The BTS Center‘s Climate Conscious Chaplaincy Initiative

Co-facilitated by Rabbi Ora Nitkin-Kaner & Nisha Shah

Between gatherings, participants read a single article, essay, or chapter. They then engage in the rarer practice of sitting with that selection, placing it in conversation with their existing wisdom and that of their peers.

The forum is guided by a deep commitment to whose knowledge counts and whose voices have been left out — drawing from interdisciplinary, global, and decolonized sources that make room for the full breadth of human spiritual experience. We trust this community will add depth and dimension to your vocational pursuit.

Bring your professional and personal experiences to enrich this community of academic exploration. Sign up for the Study Forum community and come when you’re able.

Join the Climate Study Forum here.

2026 Sermon Talks

Damascus Project

First Tuesday every month

Join Damascus Project Director, Rev. Stephanie Perdew, PhD for a monthly Zoom discussion of biblical texts and sermon ideas, with the focus on topics for the month ahead. Whether you use the Revised Common Lectionary or the Narrative Lectionary or choose your own texts, this discussion is for you.

Sessions take place at noon on the first Tuesday of each month. Free for any UCC member to attend. Email Stephanie for the Zoom Link.

Clergy Support Group

Advocate/Aurora Health Care

4th Thursdays

9 - 10:30 am CT via Zoom

Clergy of all religious traditions 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.

To register, email lashondria.purnell@advocatehealth.org

Medicaid: Get the Facts

Advocate/Aurora Health Care

Thursday, October 29, 2026

2 pm CT via Zoom - FREE

400,000 Illinoisans may lose their health insurance due to upcoming federal Medicaid eligibility changes. Your congregation needs to know what’s changing!

Your leadership can help ensure families have the information they need during this transition.

• Learn about upcoming Medicaid eligibility changes.
• Understand how these changes may affect your congregation and community.
• Hear from experts and ask questions about what people can do to keep their coverage.
• Connect with other faith leaders committed to supporting their communities.

Presented in partnership with Cook County Health and County Care.



Register Here.

List of Free Online Events this Fall

Practical Resources for Churches (PRC)

Click the title to register or read the description.

Webinars are live from 1-2 pm CT. They are recorded on our website: https://www.prcli.org/?s=topics

2026 Boundary and Racial Justice Trainings

Enkei Resolutions

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.

Registration closes when limits are reached.

Boundary Training

Dates: November 5 & 12; November 17 & 18

Register here.

Racial Justice Training

Level 1

Date: October 27 & 28

Register here.

Stewardship Webinar

Wisconsin Conference UCC

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

October 28, 2026 – 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.

Ordinations, Installations, and Ecclesiastical Councils

Nov 4: Ecclesiastical Council for Sarah Foster. 7:00 pm via Zoom. Chicago Metropolitan Association.

Meetings

Oct 23: Prairie Association Fall Meeting. 5:00 to 6:00 pm via Zoom. No registration required. Join meeting here.

Oct 26: EA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 11:00 am via Zoom.

Oct 26: FVA Council Meeting. 6:30 pm via Zoom.

Nov 5-7: Illinois Conference Annual Celebration at Covenant UCC in South Holland. Register online here by October 28th.

Nov 9: Conference Nominating Meeting. 7:00 pm via Zoom. 

Nov 11: PA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:00 am via Zoom.

Nov 12: FVA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:00 am via Zoom.

Nov 12: CMA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 12:00 pm via Zoom.

Nov 19: EA Council Meeting. 6:00 pm via Zoom.

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 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.