United Church of Christ
Pastor surveilled after ministering to migrants sues US government
By Aysha Khan — July 9, 2019
(RNS) — A New York pastor, the Rev. Kaji Douša, has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that U.S officials violated her religious freedom when she was put on a watchlist over her ministry to migrants at the border.
UCC General Synod endorses Green New Deal
By Emily McFarlan Miller — July 2, 2019
(RNS) — By the denomination’s reckoning, that makes it the first Christian body to endorse the environmental protection legislation sponsored in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
As immigrants come north, ‘Let Our Families Go’ caravan heads for border tent city
By Eric Berger — November 14, 2018
(RNS) — The goal of the trip, an organizer said, is to 'raise our voices and ensure that indefinite detention of asylum seekers does not happen.'
Clergywomen numbers increased significantly in two decades, sometimes equaling men
By Adelle M. Banks — October 18, 2018
(RNS) — The two traditions with the highest percentages of women clergy, according to the ‘State of Clergywomen in the U.S.,’ were the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ.
Rhode Island Council of Churches director takes leave for gender transition
By Mark A. Kellner — May 15, 2018
(RNS) — The Rev. Donald Anderson, 70, executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, will take a three-month leave beginning June 1 to complete a transition from male to female.
Protestant churches embrace gluten-free bread for Communion as Vatican reaffirms ban
By Lauren Markoe — July 11, 2017
(RNS) — Gluten or no gluten — the difference is theological.
United Church of Christ resolution decries Israel’s treatment of underage prisoners
By Lauren Markoe — July 3, 2017
(RNS) The resolution, which passed Sunday at the church's general synod in Baltimore, also calls on the U.S. to withhold military assistance.
Barry Lynn looks back on 25 years of separating church and state
By Lauren Markoe — June 14, 2017
(RNS) 'I think we have a dizzying level of religious freedom in this country, particularly if you’re in the religious majority,' said Lynn, who will soon step down as executive director of Americans United.
United Methodist pastor, placed on leave after coming out, moves to UCC church
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 8, 2017
(RNS) The Rev. Cynthia Meyer began serving as interim pastor on the first Sunday of Advent in late November at Central United Church of Christ in Topeka, Kan.
90 seconds of clergy swapping: UCC video preaches interfaith harmony
By Lauren Markoe — January 24, 2017
(RNS) Most people who have seen it find it moving, though some question preaching in the garb of another faith.
Does God really want us to suffer unrelenting pain?
By guest — May 4, 2016
(RNS) It is the common impulse of people of goodwill everywhere to prevent or at least mitigate all forms of gratuitous suffering.
Churches examine white privilege
By Adelle M. Banks — April 19, 2016
(RNS) Some pastors say celebrating Black History Month with their congregations is no longer enough.
US, Canadian denominations to sign mutual recognition pact
By Adelle M. Banks — October 8, 2015
(RNS) Both church groups have been supportive of social justice work, ordination of women and inclusion of LGBT people.
Religious groups weigh support for Boy Scouts after vote to end ban on gay leaders
By Adelle M. Banks — July 14, 2015
(RNS) Some faith leaders said continued support for the BSA would hinge on whether religiously affiliated troops would be allowed to choose their own leaders.
United Church of Christ votes to divest from Israeli companies in occupied territories
By Lauren Markoe — June 30, 2015
(RNS) The vote marks a victory for a broad international movement which aims to pressure Israel into extracting itself from Palestinian lands by a strategy known as BDS -- Boycotts, Divestment, Sanctions.
