UCC Newsroom

1. UCC churches in Missouri step up to support bisexual pastor
   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.
2. For a song, Council for American Indian Ministries youth accelerate bid for NYE
   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.
3. New energy fueling UCC Coalition at 40
   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.
4. Empowered and impassioned, Pacific NW group is ready for National Youth Event
   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.
5. Global Ministries recognizes work of long-term missionaries; announces other missionary appointments
   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.