The year witnessed new climate policy, the outbreak of war in Ukraine, threats to abortion access and the on-again, off-again policy decisions delaying the end of Title 42 for asylum seekers — and the people of the United Church of Christ responded, living into the commitment to build a just world for all. This list shows one small snapshot of a complex year, and many of these issues intersect and overlap. Please visit UCC.org to read more in-depth background and analysis of these topics.
10: A New Home for the UCC National Setting The Amistad Chapel held a meaningful final worship service in March, after the UCC sold its Cleveland headquarters at 700 Prospect Avenue and relocated to leased space at 1300 E. 9th Street.
9: All-church Summit for the Emerging Church In September, the UCC held a virtual all-church summit, “The Space Between: The Emerging Church in a Post-Pandemic World.” Attendees identified areas for continued stretching and exploring, and brainstormed ways to resource the needs of the emerging church.
8: Disaster Recovery It was another year of severe weather events. Disaster Ministries offered initial assistance and began laying the groundwork for long-term recovery, in the US and abroad.
7: Response to Gun Violence Churches across the country engaged in prayer and protest for a just response to shootings in a year where U.S. gun death rates hit the highest level in decades.
6: Welcome for Migrants, Refugees, Asylum Seekers UCC congregations all over the country worked to sponsor and support Afghan people who fled following the takeover of the country by the Taliban. Many also welcomed and assisted migrants bussed to "sanctuary cities" from states in the southern U.S.
5: Reproductive justice The issue of reproductive justice became critical when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, threatening nearly 50 years of reproductive rights. The UCC, led by the faith conviction that every individual deserves the right to follow their personal religious and moral convictions regarding their reproductive healthcare, focused on encouraging ongoing advocacy.
4: Climate Justice The U.S. created a new office linking environmental and racial justice, an achievement stemming from a history of fighting environmental racism that included activists from the UCC. UCC climate justice leaders also pushed for the Environmental Justice For All Act, which they said could have a greater impact on the most disadvantaged communities.
3: Transgender and Nonbinary Solidarity People of trans and nonbinary experience are beloved by God. That’s the message UCC leaders emphasized as they affirmed solidarity with trans and non-binary children and youth, their parents, caregivers and health care providers.
2: Support for Ukraine In February, 2022, the Russian military attacked Ukraine, causing millions to be displaced in the most rapid and largest single increase in forcibly displaced populations since World War II. UCC Global Ministries worked with partners around the world to assist vulnerable communities fleeing the violence in Ukraine.
1: Racial Justice This work remained a top focus in a year when Join the Movement launched a capital campaign to raise $8 million to fund current racial justice work and create an endowment to fund this work for future generations.