Unjust and Dehumanizing

Rev. James D. Ross II, Minister for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, writes:

I am sorry. I join in the deep sadness, disgust, and disappointment that many feel following today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturns the Roe v. Wade decision and invalidates federal abortion rights.

We have known this was coming, especially following the leaked draft ruling several weeks ago. Still, the reality of it is profound and destabilizing. Because they have approved “trigger laws” that go into effect immediately, states throughout the country have now eliminated or severely limited access to abortion.

Read  2.5 Min Read

Do What is Fair and Just In a recent USA Today article, Executive Conference Minister the Rev. Darrell Goodwin writes:  As a human rights issue, reproductive justice promotes the rights of people to bear children they want to have, to not bear children, to raise the children they do have in safe and healthy environments, and express their sexuality without oppression. Any opposition to this is for me a theological opposition to the scripture that invites all of humanity to “Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.” Micah 6:8 Read 2 Min Read ‘Our work does not end here’ As SCOTUS erases abortion rights, UCC leaders offer prayer, resources, presence. Read the United Church News article on ucc.org

The Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center was bustling in preparation for the start of the summer camp season this week, and a lot of new faces are ready to greet the campers and volunteers.

“The start of camp season is always a joy-filled time,” said the Rev. Dr. Audrey Price, Executive Minister for Strategic Operations. “This summer is both exciting and challenging as the camp program gets back into swing after two summers impacted by the pandemic, and with a new staff configuration in place for the summer.”

Read 4 Min Read

Rev. Dr. David Cleaver-Bartholomew, Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations, writes: 

Churches using a narrative budget in addition to, if not as a replacement for, a ‘numbers only’ budget are in a much better position to successfully raise funds to accomplish the mission God has called them to than churches that do not.
 
The data support this, as it shows that churches using a narrative budget consistently report that making the shift from exclusively using a ‘numbers only’ budget to a narrative budget has had a positive effect on their fund raising.

 Read 3 Min Read

Deborah Ringen, Minister of Health and Wellness, writes: 

For all my life I have believed that all people deserve equality of human rights, access to healthcare and fair, equal treatment under the law and basic humanity of our country. This is, after all, what Jesus taught.

The more I learn about health equity and equality it becomes obvious that people do not all share my beliefs. Read about the root of the PRIDE celebrations after the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. I will admit my naiveté and confess that I did not know and can hardly believe that homosexuality was a criminal offense in 1969 as was wearing “inappropriate gender” clothing.

Read 2.5 Min View