Join the Movement

New Resources and Upcoming Events

White Christian Nationalism and The Midterms Elections

Livestream, Sunday November 6, 7pm ET/4pm PT

As congressional hearings into the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol end and in the shadow of the rise of the Neo-Nazi organizations in our nation, the mid-term election is proving to be as contentious as ever. Equally, candidates around the country are trafficking white Christian nationalism. Join this dialogue between Rev. Dr. Obery Hendricks and Dr. Anthea Butler, moderated by the Right Rev. Dr. Edward Donalson, III to explore our callings for such a time as this. Learn more here.

Election Season Spiritual Care Package

Soul Nourishment in a Time of Life-Denying Rhetoric,

especially for QTBIPOC folks, and all of us

As national elections near in the United States, our screens fill with divisive messages, often aimed at stoking a fear of "the other." So, the crew at Join the Movement wanted to offer some practices, prayers and art to ground us in moments of anger, rage, grief and fear, and to remind us that we are each images of the Holy One. Check out these voices and practices to support your spirit during these days. Learn more here.

Learning with the Movie “Till”: Facing the Past to Change the Present

A Study Guide for Faith Communities

Courageously Confronting the Murder of Emmett Till

Our capacity as a country to face the real complexities and injustices of our history continues to be challenged by organized efforts to maintain a whitewashed story of the past. Through engagement with the movie "Till," we have the chance to continue the sacred work of Mamie Till-Mobley, courageously confronting our shared history so authentic healing can begin. We are partnering with the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference to offer a historical and faith-based study guide as a trustworthy companion and guide on this journey of truth-telling. Learn more here.

Abolition Advent Calendar

Learning, Dreaming, Practicing until We Get Free

If we take seriously Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney’s insight that "we are still trying to do Church in the midst of enslaving paradigms," then we are also still being called to explore the ways we are being called into the work of abolition here and now. This Advent season, as we await and prepare for the coming of transformational Love in flesh and bone, we are invited to connect to contemporary abolition movements, from those who are working to dismantle the prison industrial complex, to those who are fighting for reproductive justice, to those who are leaning into new ways to address harm and engage conflict. Subscribe here to receive daily reflections on Advent scriptures from the Revised Common Lectionary, as well as artwork, quotes, prayers and ways to continue your exploration via email. Or find them on the Join the Movement website or via social media (Facebook, Instagram).

Centering Africa at COP27

November 9, 12 PM CST

In November, leaders from the world’s nations will be convening at COP27, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. While this summit has been described as "the African COP," activists from the continent have asserted that they are already being shut out. In this webinar, we will center the climate concerns and issues faced by Africa, the continent that bears the least responsibility for the climate crisis yet is most vulnerable to its destructive impacts.

The three featured panelists for this webinar will be Ineza Umuhoza Grace from the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition, Dr. Tinashe Gumbo from the All Africa Conference of Churches, and the Rev. Michael Kalito from Theological Education by Extension in Zambia (TEEZ).

The webinar will be on Wednesday, November 9th at 12 pm CST. Even if you can’t make the scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording.

Register online here.

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR)

TDOR is an annual observance on Nov. 20 that honors the memory of our transgender neighbors whose lives were lost in acts of transphobic violence. Most of those who were killed in the past year were transgender women of color. This year's TDOR falls on a Sunday. ONA churches often will read the names of those who were lost, ringing a bell or singing bowl for each name. Click here to learn more.

National Trans Visibility March

On Friday night at 7 pm CST, the Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer will be one of the recipients of the Torch Award for leaders who have advocated for transgender and nonbinary dignity and rights. Live coverage of the rally and march in West Hollywood begins on Saturday at 1 pm CST. 

We find strength in each other, especially now that transgender rights are in danger and state governments are stripping the rights of parents to provide life-saving medical care for their transgender children. 

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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.