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Faithful Fridays

Friday, June 2, 2023

UCC Celebrates Pride 2023

Special Events, Programs, & Resources for Churches

by Maic D'Agostino | published on May 30, 2023

For many years, June has been a time to celebrate the diversity of God’s LGBTQ+ children. Throughout the United Church of Christ, Pride Month is a time to acknowledge the ongoing struggle for human rights and dignity — especially within Christian spaces — while uplifting a community shaped by love and joy through a wide variety of identities and expressions.


At the UCC’s National Setting, many ministries will offer special opportunities to learn about, advocate for and uplift LGBTQ+ people through a Christian lens.


And this year, the annual observation has taken on particular significance to leaders and activists, due to the high number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have been proposed and passed in many states.


“Pride month began as a riot and continues to be,” said Rachael Ward, UCC team lead and minister for gender and sexuality justice, and executive director of the UCC HIV & AIDS Network. “Not in the form of violence that media and fictional narratives like to share, but as a nonviolent display of queer resilience, joy and becoming.


“This year, queer siblings will defy the empire’s threats and celebrate louder. This year, love must be louder than the hatred and disembodying attempts of those in deep fear of God’s abundant and vibrant creation.”


Click here to read the rest of the article and learn more about the resources, programs, and events to help you celebrate Pride Month in your church.

Faith for Pride:

This June, show your support for LGBTQ+ equality.


This Pride Month, we are partnering with Interfaith Alliance to be a sponsor of Faith for Pride: an annual month-long effort to organize and push back against anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, fight anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and support grassroots organizations that work with LGBTQ+ communities.


The goal is to bring people together to demonstrate that congregations and communities across faith and place vehemently oppose the bills that threaten the lives and livelihoods of our LGBTQ+ friends, family, and neighbors. Together, we can organize and mobilize against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and hateful rhetoric that threaten the lives of LGBTQ+ people. Learn more and get involved!

Reparative Justice Bible Study

National Council of Churches


This effective resource to aid congregations in learning about reparative justice was developed in partnership with the Trotter Collaborative for Social Justice at the Harvard Kennedy School, The National Council of Churches, and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.


The case for restitution and restoration is laid out across the Old Testament and New Testament. The purpose of this 40-day Bible Study is to educate our communities on the topic of reparations using the scriptures and provide resources to take action on the consideration of reparations for Black Americans, including supporting the passage of H.R. 40 Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act at the federal level.


Each congregation, and each person within it, will have a different point of entry when approaching the issue of reparations. This tool can be used any time throughout the year - we recommend setting aside at least an hour for each of the six weekly sessions. When possible, creating a study group with trusted friends, family, and fellow congregants is encouraged.


Download the Reparative Justice Bible Study toolkit to use in your congregation.


Also, join the National Council of Churches in Washington, DC on June 19, 2023, to support Justice on Juneteenth.

2023 Youth Camps at Pilgrim Park & Tower Hill

Online Registration
2023 ODM COVID Policy

World Refugee Day

Tuesday, June 20, 2023


World Refugee Day is a day to lift up refugees displaced by war, civil unrest and persecution, all of which tear away at the fabric of human community. This World Refugee Day, June 20, 2023, explore the many ways your congregation or community can reach out to welcome the stranger. Join us in recognizing the Sunday closest to World Refugee Day as Refugee Justice Sunday. Find worship resources and more information on the Global Ministries website.


This month, Refugee and Migration Services – Team Global HOPE, alongside the UCC National Collaborative on Immigration, released the updated Immigrant Welcoming Congregations Toolkit. This resource includes a suggested action plan for immigration ministries of the UCC as well as a wide range of options for engagement.

Grant Opportunities


The Justice and Local Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ has created a unified application for four of our support programs: CASA, Operational Support, Neighbor in Need, and Pension Board New Church Benefits. This streamlined process aims to simplify applications and honor the unique priorities of each fund. Apply Here.


Here's what you can expect:

  • You can use this application to apply to all programs for which you qualify.
  • Each program's description, eligibility criteria, and intended use are detailed below.
  • Deadlines are critical - applications submitted after the deadline of September 15, 2023 will not be considered for funding.


IMPORTANT: Start with the reference section as soon as you begin your application. Timely feedback from your reference is crucial.

Welcoming Rev. Shernell Edney Stilley!

New Associate Conference Minister for Pastoral Transitions

The Illinois Conference is excited to welcome Rev. Shernell Edney Stilley as our new Associate Conference Minister for Pastoral Transitions.


Conference Council voted to extend a call to Rev. Shernell Edney Stilley at our May Council meeting on Saturday, May 20. We are blessed that she was available to start work immediately – beginning June 1st. Rev. Dr. Stephanie Perdew will CONTINUE through June 15th, allowing time for a thorough handoff of responsibilities. Every congregation in transition should expect to hear from both Rev. Stephanie and Rev. Shernell during the first part of June.

 

Rev. Shernell will also partner with the Fox Valley and Eastern Association churches for pastoral care purposes. She will be working to develop relationships throughout the Conference while focusing her energy on these two Associations. She will welcome opportunities to meet with clusters, clergy groups, and other gatherings. Her new email address is: shernelledneystilley@ilucc.org.

 

The big question that is always asked is: WHO DO I CALL?

 

Stephanie will be coordinating all search and call and pastoral transition work through June 15th. Shernell will fully pick up the reins on that date. The same phone number will work for both – so just call 708-701-4933 and the right person will answer. If you are still unsure, you can always call the Conference Office at 708-344-4470 and our support staff will get you to the right place.

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FAITHFUL FRIDAYS is published by the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, 1840 Westchester Blvd, Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154. The Rev. Molly Carlson, Conference Minister; Sarah Lohrbach, Editor. Copy may be sent to: SarahLohrbach@ilucc.org. 

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