Help homeless families through Family Promise - Shadow Rock UCC, Pheonix, AZ unites with other congregations to provide safe shelter, meals, and compassionate assistance for homeless families. Family Promise - Greater Phoenix is one of 129 Family Promise programs throughout the country temporarily meeting the needs of homeless families. Family Promise has affiliates in 38 states and the District of Columbia. Altogether there are more than 4,000 congregations and more than 110,000 volunteers who have assisted 130,000 guests since 1988. The parent organization's website is found at FamilyPromise.org. In keeping with the guidelines from the parent organization, the Greater Phoenix program provides meals, a homelike setting, emotional support and a full range of social, economic, and educational services.

Dale and Bethsaba Nafzinger and their two daughters spent the first half of 2008 living in the United States. The Nafzigers have served with Global Ministries for 12 years with the national Churches Fellowship of Nepal. By Dale’s count, his family experienced 33 times the extravagant welcome afforded by Global Ministries. Dale and his wife, Bethsaba, are missionaries with the United Mission for Nepal. He is an electrical engineer; she works for the health department of the United Mission in midwifery and general nursing. When the Nafzigers returned to Nepal – a nation that copes with continuing political instability and constant shortages of gasoline, cooking gas and electricity – they were supported 100 percent by the generosity of a mission network.

Story: Each year in Cape Town, almost 150 girls between 6 and 18 leave home to fend for themselves on the streets. The girls leave to escape physical abuse and neglect, or have been sent away because their families cannot support them. Ons Plek Shelter for girls opened in 1988 and is a 24-hour assessment center in Cape Town, South Africa. This residential safe house has 16 beds but can accommodate up to 25 girls on mattresses. Ons Plek, “A Place for Us,” provides 24-hour housing, counseling and education as the girls undertake the complex transition to a structured life. Siviwe Shelter (meaning “God has heard us”) opened in 1993 in Woodstock, South Africa, and provides phase two of treatment. Once the girls have weaned themselves from street life at Ons Plek, they come to Siviwe where they can focus on building new lives. The shelters are Global Ministries partners.

The isolation of the church in Germany during the Nazi era prompted creation of the German Protestant Kirchentag in 1949. The lay movement called together Protestant Christians in Germany to “strengthen them in their faith, to prepare them for responsibility in their churches; to encourage them in witnessing in the world; and to have solidarity with those in the world-wide community of Christendom.” The biennial event integrates theological, social and political themes and, in 2003, organized its first Ecumenical Kirchentag, which was planned by the Protestant and Roman Catholic Churches in Germany. Another first occurred in 2009 when the United Church of Christ from the USA participated in the Kirchentag’s Market of Opportunities with an exhibition of the God is Still Speaking campaign, samples of various publications and information about the UCC’s beliefs and principles. Responding to an invitation by the German churches, a delegation of UCC pastors hosted a communion service in English and organized a spiritual concert featuring the Vision Choir from Michigan led by Dr. Geoff Stanton. The Kirchentag begins on a Wednesday evening in late May or early June and culminates with a Sunday morning open air communion service. An estimated 3000 events are available from which to choose, ranging from serious to fun, cultural to theological, and everything in between. The five-day celebration in 2009 took place May 20-24 in Bremen, Germany and was attended by more than 100,000 participants. The Second Ecumenical Kirchentag is planned for May 12-16, 2010 in Munich and will include topics on how Christians can help shape the world and establish signs of hope. Some of these discussions will include, Acting responsibly – being Christian in the one world; Living together – being Christian in an open socieity; Seeking and finding – being Christian alongside a variety of world views; and living our faith – being Christian among the variety of churches

A replica of the slave ship La Amistad has been transformed into a freedom ship, a floating history lesson for children and adults who visit the 129-foot topsail schooner. Volunteer Ministries of the UCC and Amistad America, Inc. are founding partners in the present-day Amistad, built to tell the story of the original ship’s African captives and their connection to the UCC. Former Amistad volunteer John Kamara, a resident of Sierra Leone, says he was an ambassador to this history. Kamara not only demonstrated the in human conditions suffered by the African captives at the hands of slave traders but also taught how change comes from people of different races working together for justice. Each port is an opportunity to tell others of the call to unity and compassion.

"God in the movies" The 27th annual Craigville Colloquy on Cape Cod will focus on "Grace Transforming Human Life" in contemporary and classic film. The Colloquy is the only annual conference on theology in the United Church of Christ and meets every summer at Craigville Village--a rustic retreat center on Nantucket Sound. This year's event is Monday to Friday, July 12 to 16. "Movies are often used in congregations as an effective way to engage young people and adults in the great themes of alienation and redemption, conflict and reconciliation," says the Colloquy's organizer, the Rev. Elsabeth Hilke. "This conference will allow participants to enjoy films as an invitation for in-depth theological reflection in the setting of a worshiping and praying Christian community. "It should be especially useful for pastors, parish educators and any member of the church who loves movies." The Colloquy will include a keynote address by Dr. Lee Barrett of Lancaster Theological Seminary and daily Bible study by Dr. William R. Herzog II, dean of Andover-Newton Theological School. Also planned is a workshop on the creative use of movies as a learning tool in local churches and participants will have an opportunity in small groups to share ideas about how movies can be used in a congregational setting. Movie clips will be used during presentations and full-length features will be screened during the week. Two ecumenical celebrations of the eucharist, a hymn sing and daily liturgical prayer will round out the program. "Typically, Craigville Colloquy knits theological reflection, engaging Bible study and inspiring worship into an experience that feeds the mind and heart," Hilke says. "And no Colloquy would be complete without the free afternoons that allow participants to relax at Craigville Beach or explore historic Cape Cod." To register, visit www.craigvillecolloquy.com or call 1-508-775-1265. The Craigville Conference Center is a ministry of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Story: The “God is Still Speaking” TV commercials proclaim the UCC to be a church of inclusion for all. One person wrote upon seeing our TV commercial: “I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your message and your courage. I am a spiritual person who identifies with the Christian religion even though I have felt for a long time that it doesn’t identify with me. I feel that the Christian religion, like others around the world, has been hijacked by and defined by a radical few who use it to promote their earthly agendas often in what I consider very hateful and non-Christian ways. I didn’t know that there was a church that promotes the true teachings of Christ without all the ‘religious’ add-ons. I will be finding the nearest UCC in my area and will be there Sunday morning (like the prodigal son returning home).”

Story: Beatitudes Center DOAR (Developing Older Adult Resources) is a nonprofit, interfaith organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for older adults and their families. Founded in 1981 as an outreach ministry of Church of the Beatitudes, Phoenix, AZ, Beatitudes Center DOAR promotes health and well being through a broad range of community-based services that assist caregivers, homebound adults, grandparents raising grandchildren, and congregational health programs.

Wayzata Community Church UCC in Wayzata, MN had a great response to its “March” Mission sponsored by Women’s Fellowship and Ministries. 134 hands in nine groups accomplished much in the 2 hours allotted for activities. The various groups made 24 stenciled book bags, 29 polar fleece scarves, 6 mitten-scarf sets, 38 comfort pillows for mastectomy patients, 60 hand-stamped and 15 hand sewn greeting cards and 19 fleece braided edge blankets. All these items were donated to organizations such as Teens Alone, Everyday Miracles and Broadway Medical Center. Nearly 350 individual projects in all were completed in a well spent, mission led time of faith and fellowship.

Still Speaking God, help us to discern what it is that you are saying. We pray for: the many men and women who have followed your still small voice; chaplains in health care; those who deepen mutual accountability and trust in your church; the generosity of those who volunteer their time, talent, and treasure; those who participate in the seminary programs of the church; and, the mission ministry of the people of Bridgeport Community United Church of Christ in Portland, Oregon. We ask that these vessels of your mission might be a continued blessing to others, and that as we give ear to your voice that your will might be done through our church’s wider mission.

Weekly Seeds—a web-based Bible study tool Weekly Seeds reaches more than 6,000 subscribers every Monday morning with a short reflection on next Sunday’s focus reading from the Revised Common Lectionary. The email links to the longer web version which services as a useful Bible-study tool for congregations. With a wide ecumenical following, Weekly Seeds (and a similar preaching resource—Sermon Seeds) has become an indispensable companion for lectionary-based Bible study in local churches.

Changing the world is the goal of Youth Against Social Injustice (YASI), United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) young people dedicated to mobilizing youth to work for justice. YASI conducts workshops on racial and other forms of oppression, and challenges young adults to organize their communities to act for a just and peaceful society. Cynthia Kim, YASI a former member, writes, “As we face the war against terrorism, I think we are waging a more important war—against racism . . . I am ready to help our world . . . to accept one another with all our differences and likenesses, and to educate one another about those differences.”

Because evangelism is multidimensional, the Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Ministry Team works with local church pastors, lay leaders, congregations, Associations, Conferences and networks of churches in providing encouragement, resources, and services. The team assists churches in proclaiming the gospel within the congregation and community to those seeking to find a church home and to develop or renew their spiritual life. Some of the services available include addressing church renewal and revitalization, generational issues, spiritual growth, contemporary worship services resources and music, attracting and maintaining new members, developing a vision and mission for the church, ministry to and for women, child youth and young adults, worship resources, stewardship resources and providing guidelines for evaluating the current and future work of the church.

Story: Bath Church UCC in Akron, OH, includes in its outreach support for Crossroad, a non-for profit treatment center for emotionally troubled youth (ages 6-21) and their families in Fort Wayne, IN. About 75 youth live on the Crossroad campus and services extend beyond the campus to the community at large. 150 trained professionals ranging from counselors, therapists, teachers, chaplains, nurses, housekeepers, etc., all help in the healing of troubled youth in the program. Various treatment options based on the severity of the problems of the children and adolescents include a protective environment with 24-hour coverage, and options to support for those youth choosing to live and function in the community where they attend school and hold jobs. Crossroads provides a safe harbor for young persons struggling with various emotional stresses and helps them find a new healing direction in their lives.

Story: Web basics for local churches The UCC Web University is a new series of regional training events for congregations that want a more effective presence on the Web. Each three-day event includes “basic training” in web design, online fundraising, email newsletters and ministry on social-networking communities like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. “Congregations are learning how well-designed websites can be an engaging entry-point for seekers, and how social media are a free means to add interactivity to their web ministry,” says Andy Lang, the program’s coordinator. Learn more: How to get your church online

Story: Sudan. Tanzania. Haiti. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These places evoke images of violence, poverty and disease. IMA World Health, a faith-based organization (FBO) working primarily in developing nations, is out to relieve the suffering caused by poor healthcare in these areas and has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the 20 most skilled and well-managed of the top 200 largest nonprofit organizations. What does that mean for donors? Paul Derstine, IMA President, says it means that donations to IMA are put to good use, reaching those who need them most and making a real difference in people’s lives. IMA – an organization which Global Ministries supports – has been selected to lead a monumental effort to help Southern Sudan sustain its own healthcare systems. Other IMA efforts include combating HIV/AIDS and childhood cancer in Tanzania, collaborating with other agencies to eliminate tropical diseases in Haiti, and helping provide primary healthcare for roughly 10 million people in the DRC.

About 7 years ago, several women from Pookela Church, Maui made a plane journey to Kalaupapa, Molokai to visit the patients there, and to hold Palm Sunday service for the residents who attend Kanaanahou Church there. They spent the day in the company of several Hansen disease patients who are in remission, and able to live fairly normal lives...it is a unique place, and the feeling there is one of being isolated yet in the arms of God as the history of suffering and salvation both prevail. They walked among the old village, visited churches and just absorbed the need to sow love on these people as they received the love from them. In the evening, they had dinner at the social hall, and shared stories with several patients of their walk with the Lord and what led us to Christ. It was a deep connection to them knowing these folks have relied on the Lord for strength, refuge and comfort as they do too. The only difference was that, without a choice, they were outcast onto a little settlement because of their ill health. As they listened to them and watched their disfigured physical features, they thought how beautiful these wilderness compainions were and how much htey loved these l new friends. It was as though they never wanted to leave them. Caroline, a tiny lady with matching hat, shoes and muumuu was so adorable that all one could feel was affection. Before they parted Kalaupapa she said to one of her new companions, "Come back, and stay longer..." This walk with wilderness companions changed these women forever as they truly know that God looks in their hearts not their physical features for worthiness.

Story: We take so much for granted. Flip a switch, and we have light. Turn a knob and we have heat. Twist a handle and there is fresh, clean water. The people of Lotumbe, a town in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo, do not have access to clean drinking water. Even latrines are an unusual luxury for them. The incidence of water-borne illnesses in Lotumbe is very high. The Lucy Otaenga Foundation (FLO) in conjunction with Global Ministries and the Red Cross has proposed a project to construct protected wells, create cisterns for storing rain water, build public latrines and provide flagstone slabs for families to construct private latrines. Community members will be taught good hygiene practices and will be involved in the construction process.

Stark reality is a condition that volunteers may face with each assignment. Tracy Hughes, a mission volunteer with Global Ministries, has seen her share with Christian Peacemaker Teams in Colombia and on an emergency assignment in San Pablo County after a young community leader, Edgar Martinez Ruiz, was assassinated there. Her new assignment through the UCC’s Volunteer Ministries Partners in Service program is with BorderLinks, a firsthand immersion experience of the border environment. Tracy leads delegations of college students and church members in southern Arizona and along the border in Mexico near Nogales where participants learn about the culture, economics, and lives of people along the US-Mexican border. For volunteers like Tracy Hughes, reality will continue to include wilderness companions.

How can congregations deepen their mutual trust and honesty? What can they do about disrespect and abuse of power within the church? A group in the Northern California Nevada Conference (NCNC) is helping congregations honor and strengthen their covenants. Covenants are faithful, mutual, trustworthy agreements built on grace and defined by mutual accountability. Congregations have multiple covenants: between members, between pastor and members, extending to other Association churches, to the Conference, the national setting, and worldwide. Members of the NCNC Committee on Ministry offer education and consulting with congregations to form and strengthen pastor-parish committees, define codes of congregational behavior, evaluate ministries, and improve communication.