Claremont United Church of Christ Pastors Jen and Jacob

We have all seen the effects of religious communities leading with hatred and division and dogmatism. As we launch this year’s stewardship season, we explore what it looks like when spiritual communities lead with love beginning with a beautiful story in Luke 5 of a group of friends supporting one another.

Dr. Philip Clayton directs the PhD program in comparative theologies and philosophies at the Claremont School of Theology. As a scholar, he works at the intersection points of science, philosophy, and theology. As an activist he is president of EcoCiv.org. The organization works internationally to support multi-sector innovations toward a sustainable society through collaborations between governments, businesses, policy experts, and NGOs.

As part of our earth month sermon series, Pastor Jen explores the mystery and majesty of the oceans. This element of God’s creation not only contains endless wonder, but also sustains life on earth and must be protected.

Today we launch a new sermon series and adult education lineup focused on climate justice. While it can feel like preaching to the choir at Claremont UCC to talk about environmentalism, it is an issue that must stay at the forefront of our minds because progress is dependent on people of faith uniting to protect our planet. In today's sermon, Pastor Jacob explains how creation care is not a political issue, or even a hot-button issue, instead it is an integral part of what it means to be a Christian.

On Easter morning, Pastor Jen considers why Mark ended his gospel story with more questions than answers. How might we find the risen Christ among us?

In the shadows of Good Friday, Pastor Jen takes us to the final hours of Jesus’ life and examines the fact that everyone was frustrated and angered by his refusal to answer their questions. In what ways do we still try and force Jesus to say and do what we want? And what can we learn from his silence?