618-654-2125 | ISC Annual Meeting 2026, Saturday, October 17th
618-654-2125 | ISC Annual Meeting 2026, Saturday, October 17th
Learn more about our Mission Areas
The United Church of Christ Mental Health Network proclaims and celebrates the basic sacred right each individual has to their own mental health. Therefore, our mission is to reduce stigma, and promote the inclusion of people and families with self-reported emotional/neurodiverse symptoms, experiences, and diagnoses, in the life and leadership of congregations, synagogues, and organizations. The United Church of Christ adopted the WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged) for mental health covenant as a denomination in 2015 as part of our commitment to mental health justice. https://www.mhn-ucc.org/
ISC Pride is a group for friendship, support, and connection for people within the Illinois South Conference (ISC) who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other diverse sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQIA+), as well as allies who support and affirm them, including family members, friends, and loved ones. Since its formation, Christianity has wrestled with the challenge of defining community. Early followers of the faith debated how to include Gentiles at the table. Later, the Church wrestled with how to more fully include women in its life and leadership. Throughout history, many marginalized groups have faced questions about their place and role within Christianity. As we turn to scripture for guidance, we find in Paul’s words a vision for inclusion: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) Regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, we are all one in Christ. Being an LGBTQIA+ Christian is not a contradiction; all people are beloved children of God. ISC Pride seeks to live out Paul’s vision of unity by fully welcoming LGBTQIA+ people and those who love and support them as valued and celebrated members of God’s creation. We strive to offer a welcome that says, “no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”
Responding to the call of our faith, UCC Disaster Ministries supports holistic community recovery, by engaging supporters, volunteers and partners to focus on preparedness, emergency relief and long-term recovery. Katie Howe, Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery, is the staff person of the National UCC Disaster Ministries Global H.O.P.E, one of the UCC Three Loves, Love of Neighbor. Disaster Ministries is also one of the One Great Hour of Sharing offering recipients. The UCC Disaster Ministries Team also consists of volunteer CDRC (Conference Disaster Recovery Coordinators) members, from each of the 38 Conferences. Our Illinois South Conference CDRC is Priscilla Self. She is following her husband, Rev. Howard Self, who fulfilled that position for many years prior to his death in 2016. The CDRC’s, along with Katie Howe, meet monthly online and annually in person. This year’s annual meeting took place in Cleveland at the UCC Church House. Along with disaster response and recovery, this TEAM’s current focus is on Disaster Preparedness. Look for more about this in the ISC Weekly Connection.
If persons are interested in serving on the ISC UCC Disaster Ministries Team, please contact our CDRC: Priscilla Self [email protected] or 618-318-0083.
As we continue to support those who experienced unimaginable loss, we invite you to support the UCC’s recovery efforts in the following ways:
The Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) is a non-profit association of over 350-400 United Church of Christ-related organizations, offering health and human services across the US. It serves millions annually through retirement housing, healthcare, and services for children/youth, children with disabilities, and low-income populations. Below are the CHHSM agencies that are ministry partners of our local churches in the Illinois South Conference.
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