Green Chalice: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

06/18/2026

Meet Rev. Dr. John Frey: where faith, technology, and climate come together.

We are honored to welcome Rev. Dr. John Frey as a guide for the Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference, September 1-4, 2026 at Christmount in Black Mountain, NC.

For three decades, John led HPE's IT and AI sustainability thought-leadership practice, helping customers, stakeholders, and governments shape strategic approaches to technology efficiency. His work has enabled thousands of organizations to pursue responsible and efficient uses of technology, driving operational, cost, and carbon savings. He is also an ordained pastor, serving in congregational and denominational roles with particular focus on responsible AI and climate action. He shares this work at global technology, climate, and faith-based events, including Blessed Tomorrow's National Faith and Climate Forum and the documentary "Clouded II: Does cloud cost the earth?"

At a moment when AI is reshaping ministry, communication, and the carbon footprint of nearly every industry, John will help us think pastorally and prophetically about the technology we use every day.

He joins keynote speaker Rev. Julian DeShazier, Rev. Carol Devine, Apostle Sharyn Cosby, Rev. Dr. Dara Cobb Lewis, ecology guide Josh Kelly, and other companions for "What Roots Know: Story, Soil, and the Sacred Beneath" in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina.

Open to Disciples and ecumenical clergy. Sliding scale and scholarships available.
Register now: https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/dhm_events/oreon-e-scott-clergy-conference-sept-1-4-2026-christmount-conference-center/

06/17/2026

Meet our ecology guide: Josh Kelly.
We are excited to welcome Josh Kelly, Public Lands Field Biologist with MountainTrue, as an ecology guide for the Oreon E. Scott Clergy Conference, September 1-4, 2026 at Christmount in Black Mountain, NC.

Josh has spent his career walking, studying, and defending the forests of the Southern Blue Ridge. From MountainTrue's base in Asheville, he monitors logging and development on public land, partners with the Forest Service on ecological restoration in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, and works to protect ash trees, hemlocks, and the rare biodiversity of these ancient mountains. Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine named him one of 100 pioneers shaping the region's conservation legacy.

He will help us listen to the land itself as part of "What Roots Know: Story, Soil, and the Sacred Beneath." Josh joins keynote speaker Rev. Julian DeShazier (Pastor of University Church, Chicago), Rev. Carol Devine (Faith and Climate Educator with Blessed Tomorrow), Rev. Dr. Dara Cobb Lewis (Spiritual Director and Pastoral Counselor), Apostle Sharyn Cosby (Pastor of In the Spirit Christian Church) and other distinguished guides.

Open to Disciples and ecumenical clergy. Sliding scale and scholarships available. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Register now: https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/dhm_events/oreon-e-scott-clergy-conference-sept-1-4-2026-christmount-conference-center/

06/16/2026

Highlighting a Green Chalice Activity from Downey Ave. Christian Church in Indiana. Along with the Eastside Creation Care Network they organized a tour of RecycleForce. 18 members of Eastside congregations came together to learn about the remarkable work happening there.
RecycleForce is an employment social enterprise that provides citizens returning from incarceration with job training through electronics recycling—offering both a second chance for people and a second life for materials that might otherwise end up in a landfill. It's a beautiful picture of what creation care can look like when stewardship of the earth and dignity for our neighbors come together.
Grateful for the Eastside congregations who showed up to learn, and for the work RecycleForce does every day. Many thanks to Dennis Slaughter for sharing this story with us. Don't Lose the Lesson...

06/15/2026

Revive. Reset. Resist.
Green Chalice and Disciples Home Missions were honored to gather with powerful leaders at the 29th Biennial Session of the National Convocation in Dallas. The worship, teaching, vision, and connections were Spirit-filled.

Deep gratitude to the many wise leaders and inspirational voices that accompanied this gathering including — Rev. Dr. Delesslyn Kennebrew, GMP Rev. Terri Hord Owens, and DHM President Rev. Chris Dorsey.

DHM led powerful workshops, "Organizing Congregations: Power in Our Hands," with Rev. Dr. Danielle Ayers & Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray, and Rev. Dr. Monique Crain Spells led the Faith & Life Pre-Conference, "The Heartbeat of God: Living Rhythms from Our Ancestors" and Rev. Derrick L. Perkins, Sr., Director of Congregational Vitality and Innovation, led the workshop "Congregational Identity: Re-Introducing Yourself by Examining Congregational Vitality & Relevance in Today's Time"

We were also grateful to Apostle Sharyn Cosby for hosting conversations and creating a beautiful booth space, as well as highlighting the July 28 Black Church & Climate Justice webinar that she will host.

A special thank you to the dedicated DHM staff whose gifts and labor make this ministry thrive — Nichole Riddick, Ministry Associate for Programs & Events; and Managerrie Winston, Coordinator for Ministry with Youth & Young Adults.

We are grateful we got to reconnect with new and old friends along the way — including colleagues from Week of Compassion, New Church Ministry, Center for Faith and Giving, our Green Chalice friend Rev. Phyllis Byrd, a powerful leader serving in Kenya; Eureka College's Dr. Cunningham and President Dr. Jamel Wright; and Pension Fund and Christian Church Foundation colleagues Thomas McCracken and Bobby Hawley.
We left revived, reset, and ready to resist.

06/11/2026

Climate justice is not merely a political concern — it is a moral and spiritual mandate.

Join us on Tuesday, July 28 at 6:30 PM CST / 7:30 PM ET for the Black Church and Climate Justice Webinar, hosted by Apostle Sharyn Cosby.
This is a prophetic summons — rooted in the deep spiritual traditions of the Black church — to explore how environmental justice is inseparable from the gospel's call to love, liberation, and stewardship.

Clergy. Laypersons. Activists. Community members. You are all invited.

Register https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/dhm_events/the-black-church-and-climate-justice-faith-resilience-and-action-for-a-sustainable-future/

Come ready to learn, connect, and be equipped to act.

06/02/2026

We are thankful for leadership that shares wisdom, justice and builds connections. In this edition of Disciples Advocate Digest, DHM President Chris Dorsey and Director for Justice and Advocacy Ministries Brian Frederick-Gray talk about Environmental Justice as an Intersectional Justice issue.

06/02/2026

Happy Pride! We have partnered with the Audubon Society over the years and are grateful for efforts to celebrate diversity of birds, eco systems and humans.

The arrival of June marks Le***an, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. Celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, and, in the case of Audubon, bird outings. The outdoors have not always been a welcoming place for LGBTQ people and Audubon wants to help change that.

Let's Go Birding Together events are for everyone who loves birds and the outdoors. We welcome those who identify as LGBTQ, allies, families, and anyone who wants to enjoy an outdoor experience that is inclusive. Learn more at the link in comments.

06/01/2026

What do roots know that we have forgotten?
This September, clergy are invited to gather in the Blue Ridge Mountains for What Roots Know: Story, Soil, and the Sacred Beneath — a retreat at Christmount in Black Mountain, NC (Sept. 1–4, 2026).
Come rest. Come learn. Come reconnect with the deep roots of faith, community, and creation — guided by extraordinary voices including Rev. Julian DeShazier, Apostle Sharyn Cosby, Rev. Carol Devine, Rev. Dara Cobb Lewis, mountain ecologist Luke Cannon, and more.
Sliding scale pricing and scholarships are available. Disciples and ecumenical clergy are welcome. https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/dhm_events/oreon-e-scott-clergy-conference-sept-1-4-2026-christmount-conference-center/

05/29/2026

Summer Service Learning Trips!

The mountains are calling. So is the coast. So is the city.
This summer, young people and adults can go deeper — into creation, into community, into faith — through hands-on service learning at these remarkable places:

Christmount (Black Mountain, NC) — service projects in the Blue Ridge, evening learning sessions, and space to breathe. Week of Compassion covers $75/person for Disciples groups! www.christmount.org/summer-offerings

Living Coast Ministry (Newport Beach, CA) — marine ecology meets ecological spirituality on the Southern California coast. www.harborchristianchurch.com/living-coast-ministry

Blue Theology (Pacific Grove, CA) — kayaking with otters, tidepool science, sand dune restoration, and a theology of ocean care. www.bluetheology.org

Be the Neighbor (multiple cities) — a justice-based service-learning trip ministry that equips youth and adults to live lives of love, service, and justice, with trips in cities across the U.S. rooted in the Disciples and UCC tradition.
www.betheneighbor.org

05/29/2026

Blending a congregational Day of Volunteering with Creation Care
On Saturday, September 12, Disciples communities across the U.S. and Canada will gather for a Day of Volunteering as part of Disciples Mission Week 2026. Green Chalice invites you to imagine projects that hold both people and planet together.

A community garden that feeds neighbors facing food insecurity. A creek cleanup that protects local water. A tree planting that cools a neighborhood and stores carbon. A repair or weatherization day that lowers energy costs for those who need it most. Isaiah 58 reminds us that when we pour ourselves out for the hungry and the afflicted, our light rises in the darkness.

Whether you are supporting an existing ministry or planting the seed of a new one, let this be a day where loving our neighbor and loving the earth become one act of faith.
Find resources and register your congregation: https://disciplesmissionhub.org/disciples-mission-week-2026/