UCC Cast

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.

In this time of advent, and in their last fill-in podcast, the Rev. Jess Chancey talks about tapping into your joy. Merry Christmas!

What gives meaning to your life? Do people ever misinterpret what you do, or what you stand for? Rev. Jess Chancey gives some interesting views. Listen to the podcast.

Thanksgiving is now past, but even though Thanksgiving isn't their favorite holiday (for various reasons), the Rev. Jess Chancey still has some things that they are grateful for. Listen to the podcast.

God's creation has all kinds of beautiful aspects, if we allow ourselves to stop and enjoy them. For native Southerner turned Northerner, the Rev. Jess Chancey (filling in for Rev. John C. Dorhauer on the podcast), snow is something that they actually delight in during the winter. Listen to why on the podcast.

As the Rev. Jess Chancey continues to sub for the Rev. John Dorhauer during his sabbatical, Jess talks in this podcast about how friends really are God’s gift to us. That they are there to help us through the loneliness that is so characteristic of the human condition. Best friends are the reminder of God’s presence with us, sometimes a reflection of God’s presence in ourselves. Learn more in this...

Grief is an aspect of life that we all must endure from time to time. The Rev. Jess Chancey (subbing for the Rev. John Dorhauer while he is on sabbatical) talks about this sometimes intense emotion and its effects on our spiritual being, from the perspective of a hospital chaplain. Listen to the podcast.

The Rev. John C. Dorhauer begins sabbatical for the remainder of 2021 beginning this week, so the Rev. Jess Chancey begins their fill-in role. With John being on sabbatical, Jess thought it would be a good time to talk about the value of "rest." Listen to the podcast.

Occasionally, we all need a respite from the daily grind. The Rev. John C. Dorhauer is going on sabbatical, and here he describes what that means to him. Listen to the podcast.

Are sports part of your fondest memories of growing up? They are for the Rev. John Dorhauer. Listen to the podcast.