Created in response to a 2005 General Synod resolution calling for a church-wide praise song book, a diverse group of musicians, pastors and theologians were given the task of bringing the project to life. Initially, a contest was held to generate interest in the song book, with two songs -- "Hush" by James F.D. Martin and "You Are" by Mark Unbehagen -- selected as winners. Over a two-year period, hundreds of songs were evaluated, both from previously published sources and new submissions. More than 100 of the songs have not been published previously. The 217-song collection includes music of praise that encompasses traditional religious vocabulary but also explore non-traditional, contemporary religious images, said the Rev. Susan A. Blain, minister for worship and spiritual formation and a member of song book's advisory team. "Praise music is a memorable, melody-based composition that is musically accessible without being simplistic," Blain said, reading from the advisory team's 2007 statement that guided their work. Singing at the dedication was led by Amanda Powell, music director for the contemporary Alive360 worship service at Federated UCC in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. “These are praise and worship songs that speak to the covenantal values of the United Church of Christ, along with attention to expansive language and theological challenge and depth," Ressman said at the time of the song book's unveiling at General Synod 2009 in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Celebrating the culmination of four years of work, the UCC's national staff dedicated the denomination's new expansive-language "Sing! Prayer and Praise" song book at its fall all-staff day in Cleveland just one year ago. The morning service marked the beginning of a day of volunteering at work sites throughout the city as a commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the UCC national setting's 1989 move to Cleveland. "We send it into the world!" said the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, general minister and president, as he presided over a litany of dedication for the song book with about 200 staff members crowded into the first-floor Amistad Chapel. "We pray in hopes that 'Sing!' will be a continued source of inspiration to many." "A true labor of love is a true labor in community," said the Rev. Kimberly Whitney, minister for community life at the UCC's Church House, after recognizing staff who had shared various roles in the planning, production, publication and promotion of the book. Whitney paid special tribute to the leadership of the Rev. Scott A. Ressman, the UCC's minister for worship, music and liturgical arts, who edited the project and convened its advisory team. (Continued on August 20)

The National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti (CONASPEH) is the umbrella organization for the country’s 5,000 Protestant churches. This Global Ministries partner advocates for its member churches, and also develops projects in health care and education. Its medical clinics provide patients with physicals and first-aid care. CONASPEH purchased a mobile laboratory that provides the diagnostic testing that patients currently can’t afford. The mobile lab also helps train nurses. At the same time, CONASPEH’s Collège André gives scholarships to students for the advanced study of medicine and other sciences. The school offers a basic curriculum, plus courses in informatics, typing, plastic arts, and music. It fills a deep void in Haiti: education is free and compulsory for children between 6 and 11, but cost prevents many students from attending school. CONASPEH provides a way for people in Haiti to access health care and education.

Imagine what it would take to replace all of your belongings if you lost everything. In some parts of the world, it takes surprisingly little to restore, or even improve, living conditions. For the last nine years, the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) – Mozambique Synod in partnership with Global Ministries, has administered a livestock-raising project to help alleviate the financial difficulties of church members. Sixteen cattle are distributed among church members to provide financial assistance to families living in extreme poverty. Some of the funds for this program designated for development opportunities had to be used for veterinary care because many of the animals were ill or dying from lack of medical care. Now the cattle thrive and the families benefiting grows each season.

Although this prayer is from a Liturgy for Australian Bushfire victims in 2009, the words speak across time, distance and circumstance to all who pray for restoration and comfort. Hold our hands, Lord. / Walk us through the pain / and the valley of our sorrows. / Hold on to us when we are too afraid / to think about the future. / Let us lean on you, Lord, / when we’re too weary to continue. / Hold our hands, Lord, through the night / until we see the light of dawn. / We ask this through Jesus Your Son, / the one who knows what it is to suffer. The gospel reflection from Michael Hansen, of Lavalla Catholic College in Traralgon, Victoria reminds us that God does have a special love for poor, the marginalized and the most vulnerable. Our faith moves us, he says, to demonstrate God’s love for those pushed to the brink through our generous giving and our deep solidarity with their pain.

How does your congregation announce that it’s ready to welcome everyone? Generosity: Best Practices A“practice” is often something you do every day—getting better and better at it. Is it possible to become a more generous person by “practicing”? Of course! In fact, there’s really no other way… Generous giving goes along with generous living. If you’re interested in exploring generous living, consider ordering “The Big Secret of Giving: Hidden Treasures in Life and Church,” a 30-day devotional with reflections, prayers, and quotes. (Order from UC Resources by calling 800-537-3394; cost is $3). Written especially for church members, you’ll find “The Big Secret of Giving,” by William C. Green, former UCC Executive for Faith and Giving, original and thought-provoking. And . . . it will help you “practice”!

(Continued from August 13, 2010) Befitting Bisrampur Church’s place of honor in the history of Christianity in India, the church is being restored rather than replaced. An engineer’s report has identified the crucial issues and problem areas for implementing the restoration. The church’s many arches and windows require special attention and will be addressed individually with repairs estimated at $200 per window and $600 for each doorway arch. Total repairs, without labor costs, are estimated at below $11,000. The more immediate work on the church to ensure its stability has begun. The less crucial but no less necessary repairs will be addressed as funds become available. Although India’s first exposure to Christianity came via the preaching of St. Thomas, there is no doubt that, with your help, the Bisrampur Church will be restored and the legacy of the Reverend Oscar Lohr will continue.

The Church of Northern India (CNI), the main Protestant denomination in Northern India and partner to Global Ministries, was established in 1970 and has 26 dioceses, operates 65 hospitals, nine nursing homes, three technical schools and 250 educational institutions. Despite those fairly impressive numbers, Christians represent only about 2 percent of the population in India. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, missionaries came to India to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Reverend Oscar Lohr was one of those missionaries, sent by the German Evangelical Mission from the United States in 1863. He journeyed first by boat, from New York to Mumbai, then by train to Nagpur and last by bullock cart – for 260 miles! – to Bisrampur. It was in Bisrampur that Rev. Lohr built the first church, and now, nearly 150 years later; it is in great need of repair. (continued on August 14, 2010)

(Continued from August 11) The Leadership Institute will offer two tracks: one for new church leadership and one for renewal of existing congregations. Workshops will include: Church Planting 101; Transformational Worship; Social Networking and Web Design; Fundraising and Stewardship; Spiritual Discernment and Decision-Making; 21st-Century Faith Formation; Turning Your Church Inside Out; and Rediscovering Your Community. The Center's mission statement defines "progressive Christianity" as "a faith that believes God’s family includes all people; God’s people are responsible for caring for the environment, the poor, sick and vulnerable; that education, health care and civil liberties are vital to abundant life and therefore the desire of God for all people; and that truth is found more often in honest grappling with the questions than in absolute hierarchical pronouncement of the answers." "We believe that this is the type of faith for which millions of Americans hunger," Trimble says.

(Continued from August 10) "Church multiplication" – the founding of new churches by existing congregations – is one of CPR's key strategies. Working in partnership with seminaries and the UCC's regional conferences, the Center will recruit, train, mentor and coach pastors and lay leaders with a particular vocation for new church development. The Center will also support existing churches with a commitment to renewal. "We’ll be drawing on the skills of the best ecumenical practitioners in church development and renewal who can serve as a pool of consultants and coaches for the denomination,” says Trimble. “At present, there is no ecumenical center serving the development of new congregations in progressive denominations. This is a vacuum we aim to fill." (Continued on August 12)

The Center for Progressive Renewal has launched an ambitious project to plant new congregations and renew existing churches. In its first four months, the Center lined up more than 15 webinars and workshops on church planting; renewal through spiritual direction; evangelism in communities; and a broad range of other topics keyed to church growth. The Center is funded by Local Church Ministries, the UCC's Southeast Conference and "Hope for Peace and Justice." Its leadership includes the Rev. Cameron Trimble, CEO and executive director, and the Rev. Michael Piazza, executive director for church multiplication. "CPR aims to train leaders – both ordained and lay – in the skills they need for church planting and congregational renewal," says the Rev. David Schoen, leader of the UCC's Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Team. (Continued on August 11, 2010)

The Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) in North India has been supported by Global Ministries since 2006. The Centre serves 300 men and women who farm the rural areas of the Diocese of Sambalpur. Living at or below the poverty line, the farmers struggle due to damaging weather, globalization, and high interest rates imposed by local moneylenders. Often, they are forced to migrate and find work in hazardous industries. The Centre utilizes experienced resource persons in agriculture, cooperatives, resource mobilization, organization, community development, health issues, and mother and child care. The hope is that these programs will help provide area farmers with better food security and income, thereby halting the need for families to migrate to find employment. In its first 20 months, results are encouraging, though funds are still needed to allow for additional programming and to financially assist the farmers as they implement what they’ve learned.

UCC Hospitality KEEP OUT. Two bitter words that cut and sting. KEEP OUT The words send a chill through us, and we hurry along our way. United Church of Christ congregations tend to emphasize welcome and hospitality. Here is a sampling of the sayings on some of our churches’ signs:

For former UCC missionaries Richard and Martha Lammers, “To dream is to be alive. To act upon a dream can renew one’s life.” Renewal came to pass when they traveled to Japan in 2008 – the 60-year anniversary of the first time they set foot on Japanese soil. It was also their 60th wedding anniversary. The Lammers say it has taken a while to realize that their God-given purpose is to serve as catalysts for bringing people together “so they can create new and before-unimagined relationships and understandings. “To live and work for some 40 years among those who were considered our enemies has been the greatest privilege in my life,” says Richard Lammers. “I pray constantly that the youth of our day can have the privilege of living amongst those we now call our enemies and learn more deeply of our common humanity.”

U.S. Navy Chaplain Homer Yearick was stationed on the island of Tinian during WW II. The B-29 aircraft that carried the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki took off from Tinian. From that day forward, God’s children in Japan held a special place in Homer’s heart—a compassion that he passed on to his four children. Following his death, Homer’s family established an endowment in his memory to benefit the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) – an organization whose mission it is to build an environmentally healthy, just and peaceful world. On this day, Hiroshima Day of Remembrance, we reflect on the lives lost, the lives forever changed and those, like Homer Yearick, who invested a lifetime in service to others. Contributions to the Reverend Homer and Lorraine K. Yearick Endowment Fund can be directed to Wider Church Ministries, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115.

Camp Totokett plans to continue its support to those who find themselves living in the midst of AIDS for as long as there is a need in our community. (Continued on August 5) As a mission project of the First Congregational Church, the Camp Tokokett depends on volunteers for staffing and on donations of food, services and dollars from not only the congregation but also the wider community. It is funded in part by the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation (CAAF), the Fresh Air Fund of the New Haven Register, the Woman's Seamen's Friend Society, private donations and, in the past by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the Branford Community Foundation.

(Continued from August 3) Through the bringing together of diverse urban and suburban groups, Camp Tokokett serves strongly as a bridge spanning geographic, socioeconomic, racial and religious lines. All participants develop new understandings, compassion, lasting friendships and respect for each other. There continues to be a significant need in the greater New Haven community for children and families living with AIDS/HIV. Camp regularly reaches out to newly affected families, but also serves as a long term support base to campers, the majority of whom return for multiple seasons. Camp offers stability to children coping with the multiplicity of changes that AIDS can bring, including (as has been the case with some of the campers) the death of a parent or loved one. Camp Totokett plans to continue its support to those who find themselves living in the midst of AIDS for as long as there is a need in our community. (Continued on August 5)

(Continued from August 2) Since Camp Tokokett’s inception, it has also had a primary objective to provide enrichment and leadership training to the older former campers. Previous Camp Totokett campers who are now in high school are eligible for a weekend enrichment program. The weekend takes place before the regular Camp Totokett week and is way to maintain the connections established in the past as the campers 'age out' of the regular program. Former campers join the Church's mission trip to Kentucky where they learn advanced leadership training skills, while giving of themselves to others in need. Camp Totokett also seeks to promote individual, family and community connections between urban and suburban participants. Camp staff (except for our waterfront director) is made up entirely of community volunteers, including high school and college students, teachers, nurses, physicians and clergy. (Continued on August 4)

Camp Totokett is a free one-week camp for the "invisible" children of HIV/AIDS: children who, while not infected themselves, live in families where one or more family member is infected. At a very early age, these children must face the illness, and sometimes death, of a parent or other loved one, often in the isolation and silence that typically surround those suffering from AIDS. Founded in 1996 by The First Congregational Church of Branford and held yearly at Killam's Point, the Church's waterfront property in Branford, camp offers a respite from the enormous issues and responsibilities which these children face daily in their homes. In a stimulating, nurturing environment, children, ages 6-13, participate in seashore-based nature activities, arts and crafts, fishing and a daily music program. (Continued on August 3)

All Ages, All Saints! People of all ages discover a spirit in the United Church of Christ of openness and welcome. Here are the discoveries of three saints of the UCC. What are the stories of saints in your congregation? Dana, a teenage saint “When I was younger, my Girl Scout troop met at this church. The more I got to know the building and the people in it, I realized that a church was more than an old building — it was a place where I could belong. At my church, there are so many people interested in what I'm doing and who I am.” Al, a middle-age saint “One night I asked my wife, "Do you get the feeling that something's missing from our lives?" We decided to try a church where my friend was its newly installed pastor. When we got there, we saw people hugging each other. They hugged us, too. Neither of us had ever experienced anything like this and certainly not among so many different types of people. On our way home my wife said, ‘They actually seemed glad to see us.’ That's when I knew what we had been missing: Community.” Pete, an octogenarian saint “As I reached my 80s, I had to see a new place for myself in a new world with new faces in the church I had grown up in. Because of the covenant created at baptism, I knew I could speak my mind and ask questions when I needed to – something I really cherished as I got older. My church treats me with honor, and I honor my church. I still feel a sense of community and commitment to my church. I'm committed to keeping the door to my mind and my church open.”