My mother was a schoolteacher, an orator, and a much sought-after speaker; she was also deeply spiritual, a devout Missionary Baptist. One of the speeches she was often asked to deliver was entitled: “Cast Thy Bread Upon the Waters.”

There is nothing better than a great tasting golden delicious apple, a juicy orange, or a slice of sweet watermelon! Just seeing fruit that looks good can be mouthwatering. Before purchasing fruit, however, most of us will first take a close look at it to ensure that it is not rotten or spoiled.

In this scripture, Mary, the mother of Jesus, has just received word from the angel Gabriel about her being blessed with the glory of birthing the “Son of the Most High.” She hurries to tell Elizabeth, and as she calls to her, the baby within Elizabeth’s womb starts to leap with joy and recognition.

When we look at all to the devastating things that are going on in the world today, we must wonder are they signs from God. Is God trying to tell us something? Is the day of Jesus return coming soon? Should we be fearful?

In our text for the day, the apostle Paul can hardly contain his joy — and perhaps even surprise — at the reception of the Thessalonian believers. Paul seeks to praise the Thessalonians for their faith and to encourage them to remain true to the mission of Christ even in the face of hardship.

Community Renewal Society (CRS) member congregations, board members, volunteers and staff joined with 17 community organizations to protest this life-threatening situation and to deliver 62,250 bottles of safe and clean water

On January 1, 2022, portions of the Pretrial Fairness Act will go into effect and expand the rights of people incarcerated in their homes on electronic monitoring (EM).

Commemorating World AIDS Day and celebrating the passage of the HIV decriminalization bill, Rev. Jason Carson-Wilson shares this prayer.

In light of today’s verdict and as we prepare to gather with friends and family members for Thanksgiving, we share a reflection that provides theological, socio-political, and historical insight on the verdict by CRS Board Member and Criminal Justice Professor, Natasha Robinson Esq.

Prayers of Thanksgiving, In Memory of Ahmaud Arbery

Today we witnessed a breach of justice once again as the state of Wisconsin failed to indict and hold a murderer accountable for his actions. Read Executive Director Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton’s response to the verdict.

A reflection on Haiti by Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., Pastor Emeritus.

Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton, reflects on all the work we’ve been doing to advocate for social and economic justice and eliminate barriers of race and class over the past year.

Don’t miss Liberating Love, this year’s Annual Membership Assembly, Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 10:00 AM Central Time via Zoom. Hear inspiring words from Rev. Dr. Danielle Buhuro and learn about our legislative wins this year and our ongoing work to build Beloved Community.

This past week, Chicago lost a champion of civil rights, when author and historian, Timuel Black passed away at the age of 102. Read more about the important role played by Timuel Black in advancing social justice.

Community Renewal Society strengthened its commitment to showing liberating love by embracing the LGBTQIA+ community. Our LGBTQIA+ Faith Race and Equity Platform was introduced at CRS’ 2020 Annual Membership Assembly and Rev. Jason Carson-Wilson was commissioned as the Bayard Rustin Fellow to lead the work.

Learn more about ECPS and how you can get involved by attending one of our teach-ins!

On September 11, 2001, in his capacity as General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, Rev. John Thomas was visiting church partners in Germany. On the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of those events he shares recollections as well as reflections on the significance of the day for himself, the church, and the world in the ensuing years. He shares, “The cascading tragedy in Afghanistan only seems to confirm the timeliness of this kind of reflection.”

As we somberly and soberly reflect on the lives lost two decades ago on this anniversary of the heinous acts of September 11, let us also do the hard work and reflect on how fear can create our own inner terrorist. Terrorism evolving from our fear of the “other” – whether that be an “other” gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, race, political party or religion. CRS Board Member, Avalon Betts-Gaston, shares a reflection on the events of September 11.

Our worlds have been turned upside down in the last 20 months, as we have adapted how we worship, work, educate our children, grocery shop, and so much more. This has also been a time when many of us more fully realized the stark injustice of income inequality and its suffocating impact.