Press Release for Churches Uniting in Christ
June 10, 2023
Philadelphia, PA: Representatives from all ten member churches of Churches Uniting in Christ gathered this week in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for their first in-person plenary since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The fifty representatives from across the United States spent time in worship, discernment, prayer and fellowship over three days of engagement and witness.
Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC) was inaugurated in the early 2000’s as a new expression of visible unity among several historic Protestant churches in the United States who hold visible unity, racial equity and theological dialogue among their top commitments. The group currently consists of ten churches, including: The African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (AMEZ), the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME), The Episcopal Church, the International Council of Community Churches, the Moravian Church (Northern Province), the Presbyterian Church in the USA, the United Church of Christ and The United Methodist Church. This plenary in Philadelphia represented a renewed engagement of all ten communions and a determination to continue their work toward visible Christian unity in the United States.
A community worship service was held at Mother Bethel AME Church, after walking there from Historic St. George’s UM Church, in remembrance of the forced exit of Black members led by Richard Allen and others. The Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler of Mother Bethel welcomed the worshippers. Bishop Jeffrey Leath of the AME Church offered a sermon calling CUIC to say “good morning” to a new time of dedication to the vision of racial equity that is foundational to the commitment of the member churches of CUIC. Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, a former President of the ecumenical group, officiated at the Eucharistic table.
Much of the plenary time was dedicated to the development of new goals for CUIC. The Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm of the United Methodist Church lead the participants in a World Café process, in which three particular marks of commitment among the churches were reaffirmed. Several goals focusing on racial equity, welcome of all, and theological dialogue were proposed. These will now be studied by the Coordinating Council and used to set priorities are set for the next three years.
The group also met for a day at Old First Reformed Church, and it was from this building an historic Prayer Walk was launched. The participants walked together to six different sites in the city. At each site they noted the history regularly taught in the US school system and contrasted it with the history of enslaved Black Persons who were associated with the site, then they took time to pray together, asking for forgiveness, remembrance, and transformation.
Business was also conducted at the gathering. Outgoing President Abraham Wright of the International Council of Community Churches directed conversations on several projects of CUIC. Bishop Jefferson Snorton presented information on online resources that were created during the pandemic to help local congregations commemorate Christian holidays through the lens of racial inequity. These videos, litanies and Bible studies are now located on the group’s website: www.churchesuniting.org, under the “teaching and preaching” tab. Rev. Mark Pettis of the United Church of Christ presented plans for the new ecumenical training program for young adults, which will begin in a few months. Rev. Rock Fremont and Rev. Christian Choi presented a new archiving plan in cooperation with Princeton Seminary. Mr. Wright was thanked for his leadership, and new officers were elected. For the next three years Rev. Dr. Jean Hawxhurst of The United Methodist Church will serve as President. Bishop Jeffrey Leath of the AME Church will serve as Vice President. Rev. Rock Fremont will serve as Secretary. And, Ms. Juliet Owuor of the PCUSA will serve as the Treasurer, with bookkeeping help from Mr. James Tse of the PCUSA.
Participants left with a renewed commitment to stay together. Ms. Martinique Mix of the CME Church encouraged the group to “break, so that we can bend together,” and as they departed amidst hugs and congratulations, it was clear that the Churches Uniting in Christ intend to make that happen.
GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP
Do you know how to secure public or private funding to support your community ministries, leadership development programs, or even help improve your church home? Do you know how to write a grant to secure such funding? If not, invite one or two members of your congregation or center to participate in this Zoom grant writing workshop. Dr. Linda Abington, an Abba Church of Renewed Faith member in Chicago, IL., is an experienced grant writer. She will lead a four-part 90-minute workshop on Saturdays, May 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2023, from 12 noon – 1:30 p.m. Eastern time.
Workshop training will be designed to help participants with each step of the grant process.
The Zoom link for the weekly workshop is – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8154645690?pwd=TS9Iek9nYzE1Z0pRV0NhbTZvUmwzdz09
Meeting ID: 815 464 5690
Passcode: 8154645690
We want to equip one of your members to write grants for your congregation or center. In addition, we want your congregation or center to learn how to expand your resource base so that you can continue to serve your congregation and community faithfully.
If you have questions about this training event, please get in touch with me at icccpt@sbcglobal.net or 502-387-8515.

As Rev. Fread stated in his presentation, ICCC may not have the same resources that larger faith communities offer, but ICCC still has significant resources for our clergy, congregations, and centers!
Check out the video to learn about ICCC’s resources, and please share it with your pastor, congregation, or center.
https://vimeo.com/824950981
Rev. Phil Tom
Executive Director
Each year ICCC churches are encouraged to celebrate their connection with the ICCC on the last Sunday of April (or another Sunday of their choice). This year our Community Churches Sunday 2023 is on April 30 with the theme “With Glad and Generous Hearts” based on Acts 2:42-47.
To help churches celebrate Community Churches Sunday a Resource Kit is again available at: https://www.icccnow.org/hp_wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Community-Churches-Sunday-Kit-2023.pdf
This resource contains ideas for celebration, sermon ideas for this year’s Scripture, two sizes of a bulletin insert, worship resources, and a new hymn for this year’s celebration “Now With Glad Hearts”.
Check out this year’s resources and together let’s celebrate COMMUNITY!

Come SOAR with us!
Rev. Rock Fremont
Committee Moderator
Greetings ICCC clergy brothers and sisters!
The New Front Door of Church: From web to welcome – https://refreshthechurch.com/the-new-front-door-of-church-from-web-to-welcome/
How to Preach When Your Congregation is Online and In-Person – https://factsandtrends.net/2020/09/02/how-to-preach-to-two-audiences-at-the-same-time/
1 in 5 churches facing permanent closure within 18 months due to COVID-19 shutdowns: Barna pres. – https://www.christianpost.com/news/1-in-5-churches-face-closure-within-18-months-due-to-covid-19-shutdowns-barna-president-238612/?fbclid=IwAR3gfW_-HBQil7FRBynfmLK8A57wUVMWv_uRlLeX0yF8SgFY-3pEbCXtqQs
During this pandemic, clergy and congregational leaders have had to become adaptive, agile, and creative to maintain their worship services and ministries with their congregation members and their communities. Most congregations, large and small are facing financial challenges. This time has been especially difficult for smaller membership congregations which for many were already struggling financially pre-Covid!
I welcome your stories about creative solutions and resources that might be of help to our ICCC clergy, congregations, and members.
Let us continue to keep one another and our congregations in prayers as we all move through this time of great challenge and opportunity. Take care and have a blessed day.
Peace,
Phil Tom
icccpt@sbcglobal.net
WORSHIP WITH US!!
Antioch Community Church – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntiochChurchKC/ or search in FB Antioch 4805. For more information on what Antioch Community Church has to offer virtually, visit their website: www.acckc.org.
Wilson Memorial Union Church– Sunday Worship can be found on their YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmXd-MMkSkEEJVqsN-8Yoeg or on their website https://www.wilsonmemorialchurch.org/videos They also post their worship links on their *Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mywilsonchurch For more information on what Wilson Memorial Union Church has to offer virtually, visit their website: www.wilsonmemorialchurch.org.
Lake Oconee Community Church – https://locc.co/worshiping/services-livestream/ For more information on what Lake Oconee Community Church has to offer virtually, visit their website www.locc.co.
New Covenant Community Church – YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfQ4tfz6CmH64kug4zjVGmA For more information on what New Covenant Community Church has to offer virtually, visit their website http://www.covenantakron.org/
Greater Faith Community Church – For information on what Greater Faith Community Church has to offer virtually, visit their website http://www.greaterfaith.org.
Imagine Church of the Carolinas – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImagineChurchoftheCarolinas/. For more information on what Imagine Church of the Carolinas has to offer virtually, visit their website: www.imaginechurchnow.org
Chapel By The Sea – YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjSPp9qNZq9DFRfoNcJ83g For information on what Chapel By The Sea has to offer virtually, visit their website www.imaginechurchnow.org
upRising – a church without walls – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uprisingaustin/ For more information on what upRising has to offer virtually, visit their website: www.uprisingaustin.org
Peace Community Church – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peacecommunityftmyers/ For more information on what Peace Community Church offers virtually, visit their website: www.peacecommunitychurch.com
People’s Community Church, Berea, OH – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeoplesCommunityChurchBerea/ For more information on what People’s Community Church may have to offer virtually, visit their website: www.peoplescommunity.org
Christian Catholic Rite of Community Churches – YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHGa_5lyPn0 . For more information on what CCRCC has to offer virtually, visit their website: http://ccrcc.ca/
Historic First Community Church Nashville – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/526657234126797/videos/652357822159867/?vh=e&d=n
Speed Memorial, a Community Church – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speedmemorial/ For more information on what Speed Memorial has to offer virtually, visit their website: www.speedmemorial.org
Tellico Village Community Church – https://www.tellicochurch.com/watch
Historic People’s Community Church, Detroit – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeoplesCommunityChurchDetroit/ live at 10:30am ET Sundays. For more information on what People’s Community Church has to offer virtually, visit their website: www.historicpcc.org
*For Facebook links, you may need to first “Like” the church’s page before you can view their postings.



Read (and sang) by Joe Higgins, Wilson Memorial Union Church:
- “Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do. - Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure. - Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine. - Breathe on me, Breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life
Of Thine eternity.”
Read by ICCC Chaplain Wendy Childress. Written by her daughter, Ikia Noel, 23 years ago when she was 9 years old:
Why?
A world full of crime, drugs, and violence
Violence seems to be the answer to. . .
Every question
Every problem
Yet, there are people who live in poverty and despair
A world where people want to see you fail
Yet, there is no one willing to. . .
Love them
Guide them
Why is the world so evil?
A world where your race, gender, religion, or nationality
Can determine so many things
Or have a certain amount of money to be accepted?
Why?
Give By Text
Direct Thrivent Choice Dollars®.
During this special time of year, we pause to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. Family, friends, faith …
We are pleased to announce that the ICCC has recently been accepted into the Thrivent Choice program.
One way eligible Thrivent Financial members can show their thanks is by directing Choice Dollars to the ICCC. If you’re a Thrivent member who has designated Choice Dollars
®, please take this opportunity to recommend where Thrivent distributes some of its charitable grant funds by directing them to the ICCC. Thrivent Choice grant funding will be used for Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations, and for our three missions: Agape, Creating Community, and Feeding the Hungry.
To learn more about Thrivent Choice, visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice. Or call Thrivent at 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” when prompted.
