Bridgeport United Church of Christ

04/01/2026

We weep at this decision and we name it clearly. This is harm!

Today, the Supreme Court struck down Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy, prioritizing “free speech” over protections for LGBTQ+ youth.

On this Trans Day of Visibility, our witness must be louder than the ruling.

Read Rev. Derek’s full response:
https://openandaffirming.org/tdov26/

03/31/2026

We're hiring for a sabbatical pastor. Spread the word.

Bridgeport United Church of Christ seeks a creative, energetic and collaborative leader to serve as Sabbatical Pastor from July 1--Sept. 30 2026. The successful candidate will nurture the spiritual life of this progressive, vibrant congregation through leading worship, providing pastoral care,overseeing church administration, and advancing the sabbatical goals. Bridgeport UCC is an Anti-Racist, Open & Affirming, Just Peace and Immigrant Welcoming congregation.

This faith community seeks a pastor with passion and proven ability to lead the congregation. Responsibilities include worship planning and leadership in collaboration with the Worship Team and Choir Director, offering pastoral care to those with emergency needs, providing administration oversight to staff and church teams, and collaborating with the Church Council to implement sabbatical goals.

Details:

The Sabbatical Pastor will work approximately 10 hours/week. Compensation for the 3 month sabbatical is $5000.

The Sabbatical Pastor will be available via email, phone or in person.

Applications will be accepted beginning April 1. To apply, please submit a letter of interest along with your UCC profile or resume to [email protected]. Please submit applications by April 30, 2026

02/19/2026

As we begin the Season of Lent...we begin to remember whose we are....

(grateful for the gift of Mia Michelle McClain)

The late Reverends Jesse Jackson and William Holmes Borders and so many others have reminded us that we are somebody! This Lent, I want you to know that you ...

01/27/2026

From the Rev. Traci Blackmon, UCC clergy and former national officer of the United Church of Christ, in response to the withdrawal of republican Chris Madel’s withdrawal from the Minnesota gubernatorial race: 

“This type of thinking is why we care where we are. Folk that are “waking up” because the evil has come up their door. Folks who are outraged because they now see people being shot that look like them. Entire cities that are galvanizing because now ICE is in their neighborhood. Tormenting folk that they don’t think deserve it. Killing people that don’t look like them. But this is ground that is still fertile for destruction because beneath it all is still dehumanization and self-preservation. Yes. It may help us disrupt this moment ..,,but not by the root. Because until we understand that every life is worth dignity. Until we erupt as a nation when Black people, Q***r people, Poor people….are gunned down. Shipped out. Mistreated. We will continue to repeat this cycle. We are not here simply because of the relatively small number of autocrats that hungry for wealth and power. We are HERE because of the large number of folks who believe that “those” people deserve to be treated as less than human. We are here because we can tolerate, and even celebrate, some folk being targeted. We are here because there are some folk we don’t believe deserve a chance to thrive. We are here because we don’t see the image of God in everyone. We are here because it’s enough for churches to be less racist, less sexist, less homophobic , less elitist than some other churches….rather than understanding less than others is not more like Christ. We are here because “suffering” the process of transformation is not in our discipleship plan. We are here because we have personalized salvation as though Jesus came to open an exclusive club instead of an inclusive kingdom.

And until we understand the all life is sacred and worth fighting for….the cycle will continue with different players at different times. The curse of the respectable moderates.”

01/26/2026

The prophet’s voices help us make meaning and guide us forward…

01/04/2026

📣 The United Church of Christ & Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) leadership released a joint statement on the Venezuela takeover by the United States:

[excerpt] As members of the World Council of Churches, we affirm and support the WCC’s statement condemning the actions of the United States. We join the global ecumenical community in calling for restraint, respect for sovereignty, and renewed commitment to peaceful, multilateral engagement.

We recall Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” His teachings compel us to work tirelessly for peace, justice, and reconciliation.

We offer our prayers for all communities impacted by the recent unilateral and unlawful decisions of the United States to attack sovereign nations. As churches committed to the gospel of peace, we grieve the loss, fear, and instability these actions have caused globally. These actions do not create the conditions for a safer or more peaceful world.

🚨 Read the full statement and action alerts here: https://ow.ly/uaQw50XRwMZ

with: Global Ministries (Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ), Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, and Rev. Shari Prestemon