UCC Cast

Let there be peace on Earth as we walk together in the footsteps of the peacemaker we know as Jesus. And let it begin with me, says the Rev. John C. Dorhauer, as he explains his thoughts on war. Listen to this week's podcast.

In the many years' quest to find a new location for the National Office of the United Church of Christ, we finally moved in this week to our beautiful new space. In many ways, it was also a spiritual quest. Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer (UCC General Minister and President) spearheaded the move and now has reflections after the long, arduous journey. Listen to the podcast.

The Rev. Jess Chancey fills in for the vacationing John Dorhauer again this week. Jess' subject matter for this week deals with depression and discusses their own vulnerability to this lying disease. But Jess says that hope in God and Psalm 42 is part of what is therapeutic for them. Listen to the podcast to find out why.

We welcome the Rev. Chancey back to fill in this week while Rev. John Dorhauer is on vacation. In this podcast, Rev. Jess talks about compassion. In the midst of all the grim news of violence these past few weeks, they say, "Let’s water the seeds of compassion wherever we find them so that those seeds can grow and blossom into flowers of empathy and interbeing..." ...and hope that one day we can p...

Trumpery – by definition an attractive article of little value or use; something that is showy but worthless. The Rev. John C. Dorhauer has some thoughts on what should take priority as things of value in our lives vs things that might look valuable and worthy of time and/or money, but in the end - aren't. Listen to the podcast.

Modern Sporting Rifle or modern tool for killing people? Listen to the podcast.

Tears of compassion are a kind of baptism, washing away hate and arrogance, cleansing us of a desire to be proven better than. Though at times in short supply, they are nonetheless much in need these days, when racism and hate seem to fill the news every day. Listen to podcast, as the Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer reflects.

In your exploration of God, whatever path you find your soul longs after in your quest for the Sacred, do that, and always watch over your heart’s integrity

We are taught that we should always tell the truth. Yet, there are some truths that, when spoken, will do immediate damage. In this podcast, the Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer discusses how an argument can be made that "slanting" the truth can sometimes be better than full-on abrupt truth when talking to people. Listen to the podcast.

The material world and the spiritual world are always competing with each other for our focus and attention. UCC General Minister and President, the Rev. John C. Dorhauer, discusses how he tries to blend the two in his own life in a healthy way. Listen to the podcast.

He is Risen. The fact that this is not a "past-tense" statement means everything, says the Rev. John C. Dorhauer. Listen to the podcast.

When people fast (for Lent for example), it's to deny ourselves of something or some-things that we like. Otherwise, what's the point, right? It's not a sacrifice if we deny ourselves of something we hate. This week's podcast is about a UCC church in Illinois. They decided for this Palm Sunday service that they would fast from "whiteness", and only play music composed by non-white composers - sacr...

UCC General Minister and President, The Rev. John C. Dorhauer, has a very simple way to tell whether something emanates from God or not: - If it is love, it is God - If it produces love, it emanates from God Conversely, - If it is not love, it is not God - If it does not produce love, it does not emanate from God. Learn more about this perspective by listening to the podcast...

UCC General Minister and President, the Rev. John C. Dorhauer, pays homage to his first spiritual director and mentor, who passed just a few hours prior to John's recording this podcast. Listen to the podcast.

In this season of Lent, after the last two years have been wrought with sacrifice and pain, consider centering your attention on things that bring you joy. Let each day find a moment when creation sings to you her songs of glory – and when she does, may you pause just long enough to listen. Listen to the podcast.

This past Sunday was the emotional closing worship service for the UCC National Office's Amistad Chapel. The National Office is moving and Amistad Chapel, regrettably, is a casualty of that move. It is a place that for 22 years has been a sacred space for joy and tears for the national staff, and also for the residents of downtown Cleveland, as it was a UCC church congregation open to the public f...

The Lenten season is generally considered a season of inward-looking and self-sacrifice. But considering all the pain and suffering we've all endured over the past couple of years, the Reverend John C. Dorhauer has a slightly different take on Lent for you to consider this year, Listen to the podcast.

As war begins in Ukraine, United Church of Christ General Minister and President, The Rev. John C. Dorhauer has some thoughts and reflections. Listen to the podcast.

Death can come like a thief in the night, robbing us of future time we thought we had with a loved one, only to have that time pulled out from under us. Cherish the time with loved ones in the here and now. Things can change in an instant. Listen to the podcast.

Life can be a joy and life can be hard, sometimes all in the same day. The weal and woe of life tends to have a balance, and taking steps to re-balance your spirit can help when you are in a period of woe. Listen to the podcast.

The responsibility is yours to take care of your mind, body and spirit. Your body is prepared to tell you when enough is enough. Listen to it. Learn more on the podcast.

Artists being artists, sometimes they like to "go against the grain" in non-traditional ways to get their messages across to their audiences, and in turn, may touch our souls in non-traditional ways, as well. In this podcast, listen to why the Rev. John C. Dorhauer applauds artists who do this and why he encourages them to keep doing it...

On behalf of the Elected Officers of the United Church of Christ, Karen Georgia Thompson, Traci Blackmon, and John C. Dorhauer – this week’s podcast is offered as a memorial of gratitude to peace activist and Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh and his enduring, endearing spirit. Born: October 11, 1926 Died: January 22, 2022

A time to rest is a great gift to our soul, and often greatly needed. The Rev. John C. Dorhauer is now fully back from sabbatical and offers his views and gratitude on the aspects of sabbath. Listen to the podcast.

In this podcast, the Rev. John C. Dorhauer returns from sabbatical to talk with the Rev. Jess Chancey about their hopes for the new year. Listen to the podcast.