#united church of christ

[daziechane]

Consent, autonomy, kids, and ourselves

Not gonna lie, it's going to get weird for the next few years. "Grab 'em by the pussy" will not only be locker room talk but the law of the land. It's time to prepare and protect our kids and ourselves.

But how?

Register your kids, ALL YOUR KIDS, and yourselves for an OWL class.

Our Whole Lives is a series of six comprehensive sexuality curricula for children, teenagers, young adults and adults published by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries.[1][2] Publication was the result of seven years of collaborative effort by the two faiths to prepare material which addresses sexuality throughout the lifespan in age-appropriate ways.

The Our Whole Lives program operates under the idea that well informed youth and young adults make better, healthier decisions about sexuality than those without complete information. OWL strives to be unbiased and teaches about heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual, and transgender sexual health. In addition to information on sex, OWL is intended to help children, youth, and adults to be emotionally healthy and responsible in terms of their sexuality.[3] (x)

TL;DR: OWL is a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education curriculum that promotes healthy, informed, and inclusive attitudes about sexuality, relationships, and identity. Designed for various age groups, OWL emphasizes self-worth, sexual health, responsibility, and justice in a values-based framework.

Lifespan you say? So, you're teaching little kids about condoms and anal?

No, you eejit. Each curriculum approaches topics differently based on the age of participants. The K-1 curriculum, for example, looks at bodily autonomy, family, trusted adults, and that a sperm, egg, and uterus are required to make a baby.[6][7] The curriculum for older adults, on the other hand, might discuss aging, disability, dating as an older person, and body image.[7] (x)

But it's religious and I'm not.

Look- I'm a heathen, and proudly so. And I'm a trained OWL facilitator. This curriculum is designed to be offered with a liberal religious component or without. Find one that works for you. There's no proselytizing, no guilt, no judgement.

I have a ton of kids; how do I know which class is best for each one?

Each of the seven curricula speak to participants' needs, by age group: - grades K-1 - grades 4-6 - grades 7-9 - grades 10-12 - young adults - adults - older adults (x)

I don't want someone else teaching my kids sex ed. I'll be able to handle it when it comes.

OWL is designed to augment what you teach your kids. In fact, one of the things that each class starts with is an adult orientation that affirms parents and guardians as their children's primary sexuality educators.

I already know everything.

No. You don't. Trust.

I'm not in the USA. What is there for me and my family?

There are Unitarian Universalist organizations in Europe that may offer OWL. OWL has been offered in the Philippines. I don't know about elsewhere, but I'd be happy to help you find something if you're outside the US. If nothing else, you can download the Books and Media Recommendation list and start the discussion with your kids yourself.

I'm still unsure.

That's ok. Here's a short video that will give you an idea of how topics are presented, even to the little ones:

I'm not telling you how to raise your kids or how to act as your own grown-ass adult. I am suggesting that we're all going to need all the tools in our toolboxes to make it through the next few years and the rest of our lives. Here are some more for you to use.

Let me know if you have any questions. I want to help.

[psalmsfordeedra]

hearing ex fundies completely trash all christianity because they don't have an understanding of christ outside of fundie evangelicalism. it just feels biased to use the word "the church" as a descriptor for all of christianity and then make generalized statements that all staff of churches play a money game or they simply don't know they have to yet. when fundies deconstruct they often don't lose the us against them, condemn condemn condemn attitudes

[koko-mochi]

This may be United Church of Christ sacrilege or whatever but I really don't like The New Century Hymnal. I support inclusive language in church, certainly, and I understand why it's in there, but I think the NCH implementation of inclusive language is often really clunky and awkward to sing.

I also am super uncomfortable that the authors of the NCH felt it was okay to change the words to African-American spirituals. It feels gross, and at odds with this mostly-white denomination's effort to be more inclusive and diverse. Those are not our songs to change, that should be clear at this point.

Honestly, we can have meaningful and inclusive church musical experiences without appropriating the traditions and experiences of the black church. I've worked with UCC congregations who have done bluegrass, celtic music, plainsong chant, brass quartet, string quintet, folk guitar, Taize chant and more vibrant musical traditions that bring life and light to worship.

There are other inclusive hymnals available that do all this better. The Chalice Hymnal is a huge improvement, and the UMC hymnal supplement The Faith We Sing is a diverse and inclusive collection of hymns that fits into the rich musical tradition of the Methodist church. It's sad to me that for so many UCC churches The New Century Hymnal is the default because frankly, it ain't great.

[rev-krissy]

[whiticizms]

Juneteenth: The March for Liberation Must Continue

I delievered this sermon on June 16, 2024 at Danville (CA) Congregational Church UCC, Fourth Sunday After Pentecost. Special musical guest was Minister Elana Bolds, Visions of Hope Ministries, Richmond, CA. General Orders, No. 3The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality…

[allthefoolmine]

“We are not meant to sit under a palm tree in paradise and not question, not struggle, not grow, not mature. Growth is the challenge of the Bible, which is why the Garden of Eden story, for me, is not a tale of paradise lost, but of paradise outgrown.”

-Matt Laney, “God, rid me of God”

[irishgop]

The United Church of Christ elected Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson its first female & woman of African descent to lead the mainline denomination as general minister and president on Monday July 3 at its 34th General Synod in Indianapolis.

[whatisonthemoon]

Red-Tagging the Gospel by Derek Duncan | published on Jun 10, 2021 Area Executive for East Asia and the Pacific

In my neighborhood, several small public kiosks have been erected in recent years with names like “Little Free Pantry” or “Blessing Boxes.” One near me is shaped like a miniature, red house. People place books, food, or personal hygiene items in these cabinets to share, and take items as needed. The need has clearly increased this past year.

Churches that install these kiosks are drawing on a long religious tradition of meeting the basic needs of their community. The ancient Hebrew practice of gleaning obliged farmers to leave a portion of their crops “for the poor and for the alien” (Leviticus 23:22). Many local churches support food pantries, Agape meal programs, and community gardens to address hunger and food insecurity in their community.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty and hunger have increased around the world. In the Philippines there has been a proliferation of free community pantries to help people make ends meet. Churches like the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) have supported community pantries and delivered food aid to isolated families during these difficult times.

The Government of the Philippines has been hostile to churches and community groups that serve the poor—even through food pantries. Authorities use a tactic called “red-tagging” to label activists and advocates for the poor as communists, in an attempt to justify legal action and violence against them. Ana Patricia Non started the Maginhawa Community Pantry in Quezon City, but had to suspend distribution after police showed up calling the organizers communists and taking names of donors and recipients. A spokesman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict said Non was acting “like Satan” and admitted doing background checks on pantry organizers. “Red-tagging is no joke, especially during these times,” Non told the news outlet Inquirer, noting the risk that came with the allegation.

An international review of human rights abuses in the Philippines, called InvestigatePH, concluded red-tagging is used to suppress dissent and intimidate critics of President Duterte’s harsh policies. In a report to the UN Human Rights Council, InvestigatePH details numerous cases that illustrate how red-tagging “provides cover, justification, and support to police and military operations to target and dismantle civil society organizations through intimidation, threats and harassing surveillance; raids and unjust arrests; enforced disappearances; and extrajudicial killings” (First Report, p. 36).

One notable case concerns the HARAN Center of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in Davao City, which has been a sanctuary for Lumad indigenous tribes whose land has been forcefully taken for mining and agri-business interests. When the UCCP drew international attention to the plight of the Lumad, the government in March accused the center of financing terrorism and teaching “communist ideals.”

Other UCCP leaders have been red-tagged in an attempt to discredit the work of the UCCP with the poor. On Sunday, May 2, police arrested UCCP Pastor Daniel Balucio, an ecumenical disaster response coordinator in the Albay province. The senior pastor was charged was illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Claiming this is another case of planting evidence, legal defenders have demanded his release. In a Pastoral Statement on the Continuing Persecution and Harassment of Church Servants, UCCP leadership declared their commitment to “the mission imperative that the Church sides and journeys with the poor and the downtrodden, the way Lord Jesus Christ lived his lifetime and ministry.” Whether in little or big ways, the imperative for the Church to serve the poor is Gospel. No matter what color you tag it with.

Derek Duncan is the Area Executive for East Asia and the Pacific for Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ.

[preppyandpreppy]

[wiirocku]

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT) - I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

[ymoon01]

God is madly in love with you.

[daziechane]

Beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time.

[wandering-cemeteries]

Plaque in the floor of Christ Church.

Oxford, England

March 2017

[heathersdesk]

Gladys Knight joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1997. If anyone is familiar with a black member of the Church, it's usually her.

My favorite story about her comes from my husband. He served his mission in Las Vegas, where she was living at the time, and ended up getting assigned to her ward. One of the assignments the missionaries had at the time was to cut costs to the mission by finding living arrangements with members of the Church wherever possible. He was serving in her ward and was present in the ward council meeting when they brought up the need to find a source of cheaper, safe housing.

Without missing a beat, she chimed in helpfully with, "I'll just buy them a house." To which she was met with a loving, yet exasperated "Sister McDowell, you can't do that."

He said she was incredibly nice and would do anything to take care of the missionaries.

If you didn't know she had a choir for a time that was doing gospel music inspired by African and African American traditions, those albums are worth every penny. I have both of them and they're my favorite worship music I own.

[rev-krissy]

My congregation shared the writing of the Advent devotional this year. I’ll tell you the same thing I say in the intro, “take what you can use and leave the rest knowing it was offered in love.”!

Download it free here:

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Jacob is Buried

1 Then Joseph fell on his father’s face, and wept over him, and kissed him. 2 And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel; 3 forty days were required for it, for so many are required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days.

4 And when the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of Pharaoh, saying, 5 My father made me swear, saying, ‘I am about to die: in my tomb which I hewed out for myself in the land of Canaan, there shall you bury me.’ Now therefore let me go up, I pray you, and bury my father; then I will return.” 6 And Pharaoh answered, “Go up, and bury your father, as he made you swear.” 7 So Joseph went up to bury his father; and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, 8 as well as all the household of Joseph, his brothers, and his father’s household; only their children, their flocks, and their herds were left in the land of Goshen. 9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen; it was a very great company. 10 When they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, they lamented there with a very great and sorrowful lamentation; and he made a mourning for his father seven days. 11 When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning on the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians.” Therefore the place was named A′bel-mizraim; it is beyond the Jordan. 12 Thus his sons did for him as he had commanded them; 13 for his sons carried him to the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field at Mach-pe′lah, to the east of Mamre, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite, to possess as a burying place. 14 After he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had gone up with him to bury his father.

Joseph Forgives His Brothers

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil which we did to him.” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died, 17 ‘Say to Joseph, Forgive, I pray you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.’ And now, we pray you, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him, and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Fear not, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he reassured them and comforted them.

Joseph’s Last Days and Death

22 So Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his father’s house; and Joseph lived a hundred and ten years. 23 And Joseph saw E′phraim’s children of the third generation; the children also of Machir the son of Manas′seh were born upon Joseph’s knees. 24 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die; but God will visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Then Joseph took an oath of the sons of Israel, saying, “God will visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” 26 So Joseph died, being a hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. — Genesis 50 | Revised Standard Version (RSV) Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 13:15; Genesis 23:16; Genesis 27:41; Genesis 30:3; Genesis 37:8; Genesis 37:26-28; Genesis 41:43; Genesis 42:21-22; Genesis 45:5; Genesis 45:11; Genesis 46:4; Genesis 47:12; Genesis 47:29-30; Genesis 49:33; Genesis 50:15; Exodus 1:6; Numbers 20:29; Numbers 32:39; Deuteronomy 34:8; Matthew 26:12; Matthew 27:60; Mark 16:1; Acts 8:2; Acts 7:16; Hebrews 11:22

Trusting God's Direction for Our Lives