Year in Review: Top news highlights of 2024

The United Church of Christ News team has spent each week of 2024 delivering stories that uplift the pulse of the ministry, movement, and advocacy taking place across the denomination.

Here are some highlights from the year – stories that received some of the most reader engagement and those that are worth revisiting.

1. Solidarity with partners in the Middle East through prayer, public witness, advocacy, support

UCCers throughout the country took part in pilgrimages for a ceasefire in Gaza, and UCC volunteers delivered hundreds of hearts from Bethlehem to Congress this year.

UCC leaders spoke out in solidarity with partners in the Middle East and with students rallying for peace and justice on college campuses. They also called for an end to the violence and genocide and created spaces to grieve and keep hope alive. Webinars offered resources for navigating interfaith relations in the midst of global conflict and to share perspectives from Palestinian Christian partners.

2. UCC-affiliated agencies create safe homes for LGBTQ+ elders

A popular article this year highlighted how United Church Homes, a member of the UCC’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, and other similar organizations have prioritized inclusive living spaces for LGBTQ+ elders.

3. ‘The consistent theme is love’: UCC National Setting builds on ‘one-staff model’

The UCC national ministry teams began working under three new sets of names early in the year, unified by a theme of “love.” The National Setting welcomed leadership from the Rev. Shari Prestemon, who began as Acting Associate General Minister and co-executive of Global Ministries in January, and the Rev. Bentley de Bardelaben-Phillips, who was appointed transitional executive for Love of Church in June. There were also many more fresh faces among national staff.

4. Living love boldly throughout the 2024 election

In a year that held a divisive national election, General Minister and President Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson highlighted the ongoing need to live love boldly, and she joined National and Conference leaders in offering a pastoral letter with a vision for the future that centers unity and justice.

Ahead of the election, the Our Faith Our Vote campaign brought together the current and four former General Ministers and Presidents with a call imploring folks to vote faithfully and with love, and churches spoke out and stood roadside to spread the message to “Vote With Love.”

5. As migrants from ‘all over the world’ enter U.S., churches must go to meet them, says Arizona pastor

In a year where the United States witnessed an increase in asylum seekers and tightening restrictions, the Rev. Randy Mayer, pastor at the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Sahuarita, Arizona, shared the importance of “holy moments” that offer radical welcome. Through webinars, Mayer and others offered stories from the border, and an ecumenical delegation shared about a border immersion experience.

6. General Synod 35 plans to head ‘into the deep’

UCC News revealed plans for next year’s General Synod with the theme “Into The Deep” based on Luke 5:4, and registration opened in December. Delegates in 2025 will consider several significant decisions, including the elections of both Associate General Ministers. Many more details are yet to come in the new year.

7. Churches respond to housing crisis with shelter, advocacy, care

Here are just a few of the important and innovative places where churches have used their resources to respond to the national housing crisis – offering vital spaces, responding to needs of unhoused people, and advocating for increased affordable housing in their communities. And in April, UCC advocates took part in a ‘stand out’ for affordable housing in front of the Supreme Court building.

8. ‘Love is Greater Than Fear’: Regional Youth Events get to the heart of gospel message

Through storytelling and video clips, UCC News offered this glimpse into the experience of UCC teens across the country who heard that “Love Is Greater Than Fear” at four Regional Youth Events across the country. It was the first opportunity since 2018 to join these gatherings in-person.

9. UCC issues appeal for those impacted by widespread destruction of Hurricane Helene

The later months of the year brought significant damage to the Southeast U.S., and the UCC shared opportunities to support recovery efforts within the devastating path. UCC leaders visited some of the damaged areas of North Carolina within the Southern Conference, and new disaster preparation resources became available to churches.

10. ‘Church without walls’: Dallas congregation moves out of building to mission-centered model

Many churches in recent years have done deep discernment on how to faithfully use their church buildings, and the story of this Dallas church struck a chord as they made a move to become a “church without walls.”

Stay tuned in 2025

UCC News ends this year with a fresh face to its web page, designed to make it easier for people to access all the latest stories and links to editorials, videos, and webinars from National Ministries.

Stay tuned and subscribe to the weekly UCC News Digest emails to receive the many stories and resources to come in 2025.

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