October 31, 2025

2025 Annual Celebration & TPIRC Summit

For Such a Time as This: Faith in a Time of Upheaval

October 30 - November 1, 2025

We look forward to seeing many of you this weekend for our joint Annual Celebration and TPIRC Summit! If you did not pre-register, you can still register at the door, but you are not guaranteed meals.

• Check in and fellowship will begin at 8:30 am Friday morning, with opening worship starting at 10:30 am.
• Check in and fellowship on Saturday morning will begin at 8:00 am with worship beginning at 8:30 am.

Online registration is now closed, but the worship services will be livestreamed to our Conference YouTube channel and Facebook page. You do not need to register to watch the livestreams.

The full schedule and all submitted reports can be found on our website by clicking here.

Book Release Celebration: Climate Justice, Climate Hope

UCC Creation Justice Webinar

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 1 pm CT 

The Reverends Michael Malcom and abby mohaupt have released a new book that acknowledges the stark horrors of climate change while building hope and moral-spiritual agency for a brighter future. 

Bringing decades of leadership experience in interfaith efforts toward environmental and climate justice, they guide readers along pathways toward a clear-eyed but energizing vision of different ways of being. Join us to hear from the authors about the writing of the book and the insights it has to offer. 

The Rev. Michael Malcom is the Executive Director of the People’s Justice Council and Alabama Interfaith Power & Light. The rev. abby mohaupt is the director of the Garrett Collective at Garrett Seminary. 

Even if you cannot make the live event, still register, and we will send you a recording. Register now!

Bring the Pro-Democracy Movement to Your Church

UCC Environmental Justice



• Protests, marches, and rallies are vitally needed in democratic societies, but what happens the day after these public events and then the next day?
• What’s the long-term strategy for everyday people to exercise their power to influence their government?

Your church can learn about the pro-democracy movement in a couple of ways.

1. Invite Sam Daley-Harris, the author of Reclaiming Our Democracy, to give a Zoom presentation for members of your church. Daley-Harris is coaching UCC leaders to start Climate Hope Affiliates that are actively engaged in developing ongoing relationships with members of Congress as part of a broader pro-democracy movement to defend government institutions like the Environmental Protection Agency.
2. Request a presentation from a member of the Climate Hope Affiliate Leadership Team. As people of faith, we have the opportunity to help defend and promote the common good in our society.

UCC Insurance Board's

Link to the Active Shooter Webinar Plus Other Resources

The Insurance Board offers several resources to equip ministries to respond effectively in an emergency. In the aftermath of these events, church leaders struggle to find answers regarding church security.

Chad Cunningham, Director of Loss Control, hosted a 45-minute webinar on October 14, 2025 that 'sold out' immediately. He has shared this link so that you can view it now:

 Safeguard Your Congregation: Active Shooter Training

Insurance Board Resources

People of all ages who attended camp have expressed that it deepened their spiritual awareness!

Tower Hill & Pilgrim Park Camps

Participating in camp provides a life-changing opportunity to fully engage with nature and delve into the exploration of personal identity and sense of belonging. You can explore and discover that your time at camp serves as a catalyst for nurturing positive attributes, ultimately contributing to the development of a compassionate and responsible future.

We provide a diverse range of camping experiences, retreats, and special events suitable for individuals of all ages. For further details, please contact Tower Hill at 269-426-3881 or Pilgrim Park at 815-447-2390.

Additionally, consider contributing to our ministry at: https://outdoorministries.campbraingiving.com for those in need of financial assistance.

Clergy Praycations...

https://www.towerhillcamp.org/

https://www.pilgrimparkcamp.org/

Tower Hill and Pilgrim Park are once again offering Praycations - a time of rest and recreation for our clergy. 

Clergy and their families are invited to register for a three- day, two-night stay at either Camp. Registration fee is only $60. Our Clergy Praycations are made possible through a generous grant from the Brown Endowment/United Church Funds.

This is a time, not to learn something new or acquire another skill, but to take a deep breath. We invite you to step away to renew and refresh, to play and to laugh! We offer this time so our clergy are able to continue to serve our congregations and communities with integrity and vitality, and to respond to the call of God with courage and compassion.

Please contact Tower Hill at 269-426-3881 or Pilgrim Park at 815-447-2390 to schedule.

Attention All Crafters

Pilgrim Park Camp Crafter's Retreat

December 4 -7, 2025

Would you like to see what the CRAFTER'S RETREAT is like? Now is your chance.

Only one room left! Includes 3 nights lodging, bedding, and towels, 8 meals, and lots of time to craft, relax, make new friends, and recharge.

Click on Pilgrim Park Camp Crafter's Retreat for details.

3rd Annual Freedom Concert - Boots on the Ground and Fire in Our Hearts: A Daily Practice of Joyful Rebellion

A Just Harvest

Sunday, November 2, 2025 @ 1 pm

Willye B. White Park, 1610 W. Howard Street, Chicago 60626

The Freedom Concert is more than music—it’s a movement. Each year, we gather as one community: our neighbors in Rogers Park and North of Howard, along with surrounding neighborhoods who stand with A Just Harvest in the fight for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.

This concert features a special performance by Rev. Ozzie Smith, Jr., one of our retired UCC clergy!

This free and open-to-all event invites neighbors of every age to come together for an afternoon of community, connection, and celebration. Funds raised through the 2025 Freedom Concert will directly support our work to feed the hungry, fight for equity, and build pathways toward economic opportunity.

RSVP today for free admission and get a complimentary raffle ticket for our Freedom Concert Holiday Giveaway. Reserve your free ticket here

Harvest of Crafts at Westchester Community Church

1840 Westchester Blvd., Westchester, IL

Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 9 am – 2 pm 

Admission is Free! 

This sale features homemade crafts made by the church members, a raffle, Treasures and Trinkets for $2, holiday and household items, plus a special room of priced antique and vintage collectibles. 

We are also featuring crafters/vendors from the surrounding area selling their items.  

Kenwood United Church of Christ Invites You to Celebrate 140 years!

November 14, 2025, at 6:00 PM

Kenwood UCC Gymnasium, 4600 South Greenwood Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 6065

Kenwood United Church of Christ invites you to join us in celebrating a remarkable milestone, our 140th Church Anniversary. We would be deeply honored by your presence at this historic occasion.

We will host our Anniversary Celebration Banquet on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 6:00 pm. The cost of attendance is $50 per person, $15 for children aged 12 and under, and tables may be reserved for $400. Payments may be submitted by mail, in person at the church, or through Givelify. Please purchase your tickets before November 4, 2025. 

Download the invitation here

HOPE United Church of Christ and the Aurora LGBTQ Advisory Board are Proud to Host Transgender Day of Remembrance

Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 6 - 8 pm

2200 Ridge Ave, Aurora, IL 60504

Transgender Day of Remembrance – a day to commemorate the transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming persons who are targeted and killed for living authentically and courageously.

What to expect?

A safe and meaningful place to give honor to the memory of trans individuals

Powerful and touching speeches

Beautiful and heartfelt songs/performances

Meet supportive peers and the community

Be inspired and celebrate life

Computer Ministry

First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn

The mission of this ministry takes in old PC’s from church members or anyone else who would like to donate a PC. The ministry will then refurbish and deploy the PC to people who can use these computers by helping them find employment, learning some basic computer skills, and learning how to use the Internet.

For more information, contact Mike DeFlorio at mikedeflorio@outlook.com or 630-913-2694.

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.

Taking Action to Prevent Gun Violence – Three-Part Series

Event registration will be available only via Action Network

November 6, 11 and 18, 2025 @ 5:30 – 7:00 pm CST

These discussions are for anyone interested in learning how the United States compares to other countries in addressing gun violence.

Part 1: Advocate and Leader Development

November 6 @ 5:30 – 7:00 pm CST

Registration LINK via Action Network

Part 2: Gun Violence Prevention Laws

November 11 @ 5:30 – 7:00 pm CST

Registration LINK via Action Network

Part 3: Taking Action to End Gun Violence – Panel Discussion

November 18 @ 5:30 – 7:00 pm CST

Topic #1: Advocate and Leader Development

Registration LINK via Action Network

Wednesday Gatherings

Chicago Theological Seminary

First Wednesday of the month. 5:00 pm (CT)

Join Us Virtually!

November 5 | 5:00 pm CT

A Community Conversation about Immigration

A conversation with Cindy Eigler at Coalition for Immigrant Mental Health, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Phelps, Pastor of Concord Missionary Baptist Church, and Fasika Alem, Program Director at United African Organization.  

December 3 | 5:00 pm CT

A Not So Minor Holiday: Hanukkah and the Changing Nature of Judaism

A conversation with Rabbi Steven Philp from Mishkan Chicago about how Hanukkah reflects evolving traditions and the changing nature of Judaism.

January 7, 2026 | 5:00 pm CT

Dismantling Christian Hegemony in Higher Education

A conversation with CTS alum and Associate Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, Vanessa Gomez Brake, on confronting Christian hegemony and reshaping religious life in higher education.

Join a Healing Centered Learning Cohort

Advocate Health Care & Courage2Love

Journey with other leaders to learn practical skills for trauma-informed and healing-centered spiritual care. Advocate Health Care is partnering with several other organizations to offer in-depth learning opportunities for faith leaders who want to build trauma-informed and healing-centered congregations or organizations. Our unique approach is rooted in the wisdom of the Restorative Justice and relationship-based social transformation movements.

Journey to a Healing Centered Organization: November 13 and 14. This 2-day training equips faith and organizational leaders to employ a unique, relationship-based approach to understanding trauma and developing skills for healing-centered leadership.

Time & Location: Nov 13, 9 am – Nov 14, 4 pm, 2700 W Wilcox St, Chicago, IL 60612

For more information, contact Darlena at darlena@courage2love.org.

Because this program is supported by a grant from the Chicago Department of

Public Health Office for Violence Prevention, applications from faith communities and organizations located in or serving the city of Chicago will be prioritized.

Find more information here.

UCC History & Polity

begins January 7, 2026

Explore the history, polity, theologies, and practices of the United Church of Christ and its predecessor denominations. The 12-week course will include an exploration of denominational identity, hidden histories within the denomination, case studies around current issues of polity and structure, current ecumenical conversations, emerging trends within the United Church of Christ, and more. Successful completion of this course fulfills the history and polity requirement for authorized ministry in the United Church of Christ in many associations and conferences. 

Register here

Introducing the Old Testament

begins January 7, 2026

Using the student text Introducing the Old Testament from The Exploring the Bible Dickinson Series, the author, Rev. Anne Robertson, introduces participants to the Old Testament as part of the Christian scriptural tradition. Participants who complete this course will be prepared to continue their Biblical journey with the New Testament course, which is based on the other volumes in the series.

Register here

Environmental Literacy in God's Creation

begins January 7, 2026

We human beings have been given “dominion” or “stewardship” over creation, according to the Bible, and which translation of the Hebrew word ve-yir-du in Genesis 1:26 one prefers. Examine basic environmental terms in the context of progressive Christian theology that prefers “stewardship” to “dominion” as a way of exploring the ways that human beings have used and abused the world in which we live. The course includes a daily observational journal that may be kept in any media format or combination.

Register here

PATHWAYS Winter 2026 Schedule, other six-week courses beginning on January 7

Environmental Ethics     

Stories of Christian Saints and Sinners

UCC History and Polity (12 weeks)

Faith Formation (Children, Youth, Adults)

Art of Preaching

Supervised Ministry IV

Making Sense of Theology

Theology of Gender and Sexuality

Go to the PATHWAYS website (pathwaystheological.org) to learn more and to apply for this and other courses.

Ordinations, Installations, and Ecclesiastical Councils.

Nov 8: Service of Installation for Rev. Kim Whisler-Vasko. 3:00 pm at Burr Ridge Community Church. Fox Valley Association.

Nov 9: Service of Installation for Rev. Mary Herbig. 3:00 pm at First Congregational Church of Wilmette. Chicago Metropolitan Association.

Nov 16: Service of Installation for Rev. Dr. Kenneth W Kline. 4:00 pm at St. John UCC in Lincoln. Western Association.

Meetings

Oct 31-Nov 1: Annual Celebration and TPIRC Education Summit at First Congregational UCC in DeKalb.

Nov 6: PA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.

Nov 6: Annual Celebration Planning Committee. 5 pm via Zoom.

Nov 8: Conference Council Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.

Nov 10: Stewardship Committee Meeting. 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.  

Nov 12: Outdoor Ministries Committee Meeting. 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. 

Nov 13: FVA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.

Nov 13: CMA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 12:00 p.m. via Zoom.

Nov 17: EA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:30 am via Zoom.

Nov 18: FAB Meeting. 9:00 am via Zoom.

Nov 18: WA Committee on Ministry Meeting. 9:30 am at First Congregational UCC in Canton.

Nov 18: CMA Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Nov 20: EA Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Nov 24: FVA Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.

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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 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.