Immanuel United Church of Christ

02/18/2026

"The imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday is a reminder of our mortality, and an act of repentance. The reminder of our death is a reminder of the death of others, at a time when lives are experienced as expendable and some lives seem to be worth more than others. Our repentance in this season, the commitment to justice and the challenges of the world around us are a renewed call to action.

'Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.' This Lenten season is a time for addressing the burning of the world, and the ashes that are accumulating from destroyed lives and hopes."

-Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson
General Minister & President/CEO, UCC

Quote/Excerpt from her "On My Mind Today" blog post titled: "Ashes to Ashes"
👉🏾 https://ow.ly/APPx50YhmV7

02/18/2026

TONIGHT @ 7:30PM - JOIN US FOR ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

02/08/2026

In a moment when LGBTQIA+ lives and truths are increasingly targeted, tending our stories becomes sacred care and faithful resistance.

Join the Open and Affirming Coalition for a live webinar, Strength in Our Stories: A Workshop for LGBTQIA+ Christians’ Spiritual Self-Care, on February 24, 2026, from 7:00–8:30 pm ET.

This workshop invites LGBTQIA+ Christians to reclaim storytelling as a spiritual practice of self-care, rootedness, and resilience. Through scripture, reflection, and guided creative writing, participants will explore identity, faith, and survival in a supportive, affirming space.

Facilitated by Grant Showalter-Swanson, PhD candidate, ordained UMC Deacon, and educator.

Registration starts at $15 for students and Sages (65+).
If cost is a barrier, limited assistance may be available.

Register here: https://openandaffirming.org/care/

This is a space to breathe, reflect, and remember who we are — and whose we are.

02/08/2026

02/08/2026

Immanuel UCC joyfully joins communities across the country in celebrating Black History Month.

We give thanks for the countless ways Black leaders, artists, activists, faith communities, and everyday neighbors have shaped our shared story. This month invites us to learn more, listen more deeply, and honor both well-known figures and everyday history makers whose courage and creativity continue to bless our world.

At Immanuel, we see Black History Month as an opportunity to grow together — through reflection, education, and recommitting ourselves to justice, compassion, and beloved community.

All are welcome as we celebrate, learn, and walk forward together!

01/30/2026

Thank you to the clergy who were protesting in DC today.

01/30/2026

01/28/2026

TAKE ACTION: This Thursday at 9:00 AM ET, people of faith from across the country are gathering in Washington, DC to pray with our feet and take bold, moral action.

We’ll begin at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation with multi-faith prayer, then walk to the U.S. Capitol to deliver a clear message:
✖️ NO on DHS funding
📢 ICE out of our communities

Our faith calls us to move in prayer and in public witness. RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DgLQkNads/

01/25/2026

Join the call!

🚨 Join us virtually Sunday, Jan. 25th at 8pm ET for a National Faith Call to Action.

Following the tragic killing of Alex Pretti in Minnesota by ICE, people of faith across the country are coming together to lament, pray, and take action.

▷ Register here: https://ow.ly/siY950Y31MU

01/23/2026

Dreaming God’s Dream in 2026

Dreaming God’s dream means refusing to accept the world as it is and committing ourselves to what God intends it to be. It means showing up with courage, keeping the light on when the work is hard, and choosing faithfulness over comfort. God’s dream takes shape when we move beyond words into witness—when we practice justice, extend mercy, and love in ways that are visible and sometimes costly. When we stand together in the tension between what is and what ought to be, God’s dream becomes more than vision; it becomes a living testimony that transforms communities and renews hope.
1. Know God’s Dream — Ground Yourself in Scripture
Commit to regularly reading and wrestling with the Bible and other sacred texts, not just for comfort but for clarity. Pay attention to what God consistently desires: justice for the oppressed, care for the vulnerable, mercy over sacrifice, and love that restores community. Ask as you read: What does this passage reveal about God’s dream for the world—and for me? Let Scripture shape your imagination and align your heart with God’s vision.
2. Become God’s Dream — Practice Honest Self-Interrogation
God’s dream does not begin “out there”; it begins within us. Take time for prayerful self-examination. Ask hard, faithful questions: Where am I resisting God’s call? Whose suffering have I learned to ignore? What fears keep me from faithful action? Allow God to shape your character, your priorities, and your commitments so your life increasingly reflects the justice, compassion, and courage of Christ.
3. Be God’s Dream — Live as a Visible Witness
Let your life become a living epistle—readable, tangible, and embodied. Align your daily choices with God’s dream by practicing love in public ways: showing up for others, advocating for dignity, extending welcome, and working for healing where there is harm. When faith is lived out loud through action, God’s dream becomes visible, and hope takes root in the world.

YouTube Link to the song Dream God’s Dream:
https://youtu.be/fpsxQi4-8b4?si=qLwaBbVjagx-liN4