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Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 * Psalm 1 * 1 John 5:9-13 * John 17:6-19

Selling its recorded music to match scholarship monies funding their trip to National Youth Event 2012, the Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM) has a song in its heart as it prepares to bring nearly 30 members to the quadrennial event.

He doesn't even play baseball. But pastors of three churches in Saint Clair, Mo., have decided that the Rev. James Semmelroth Darnell plays for the wrong team. The UCC doesn't see it that way, and is stepping up to the plate with support.

You probably never do this, but I sometimes sort of skip over the verses from Scripture and go right to the rest of the devotion, especially when — like today — it's a long reading.

Acts 1:1-11 * Psalm 47 or Psalm 93 * Ephesians 1:15-23 * Luke 24:44-53

UCC General Minister and President the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black reiterates UCC support of the Wilmington Ten as members petition for a formal pardon from the state of North Carolina.

The Rev. Tara Barber makes a pretty strong case for bringing youth and young adults to the United Church of Christ's National Youth Event. "I know that NYE changes lives," said Barber, one of seven adult chaperones who will accompany 43 youth and young adults from the UCC's Pacific Northwest Conference to NYE 2012 at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., July 10-13.

Concluding nearly 40 years of service with the Health and Education Foundation in Istanbul, Turkey, Ken and Betty Frank were recognized during the Common Global Ministries Board of Directors' meeting last month in Indianapolis.

The UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns is making a significant turn as it celebrates its 40th anniversary and approaches the annual National Gathering June 25-28 at UCC-related Elmhurst (Ill.) College.

If a meal can start with a prayer, it can be spiritually digested.

Psalm 93 focuses on what stands firm. It speaks of the mighty providence that sustains us amid all that works to tear us apart. It's hard to see this when trouble is rampant. More than our faith and vision alone we need the insight and support of others. Together we can know and inspire confidence that works of love are backed up by power much greater than our own—and stronger than death itself.

The journey to the UCC for Liberation, which was unanimously received April 27-29 at the UCC's Pacific Northwest Conference annual meeting in Pasco, Wash., began in 2009. A radically inclusive, multiracial, charismatic congregation founded in 2007 by Goodwin, the church was first a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

She could be your sister, your daughter, your neighbor. A mother. In Mexico, she's also a commodity to buy and sell.

The Psalmist says that the natural world is the robe of majesty God wears, a sort of regal outfit she puts on to show how great she is. There's nothing wrong with being awed by the outfit, but that's not the same as worshiping the one who wears it.

We have all told stories about our relatives - the cookies Aunt Marge baked, the crazy ties Uncle Ernie wore, the way cousin Julie met her husband.

Service. Compassion. Justice. Mercy. Forgiveness. Restoration. Reconciliation. Patience. Steadfastness. Hope. Joy. Courage. Liberation. Friendship. Kindness. Honesty. These are all expressions of love.

The youth at Orange Congregational Church in Orange, Conn., are making a difference in their community with Habitat for Humanity.

Acts 10:44-48 * Psalm 98 * 1 John 5:1-6 * John 15:9-17

My mother was a magnificent entertainer, but it was not the cooking.

Teresita Sitiar is one of the few women farmers in the Philippines - and she has been at it for 32 years.